Success in the 425

[RogueHominid]

For HUM vs. CPU dynasty guys…how many of you are running the 425, how are you using the various formations situationally, and what are you seeing as the strengths and weaknesses in game?

I ask because i want to run a “spread” defense to match my spread offense, and I tried 335 and failed, so it’s down to 335 Tite, which I know I can run well, and 425, which I don’t know much about.

With the 335 Tite, I felt I could stop the run with split and penny, be solid on mid downs with mint, and then do whatever on long downs.

I’m wondering if 425 gives the same ability to be solid on 1st and 2nd and short but also solid on 3rd and medium.

Would love thoughts, and comments on good archetypes, too!

[LionsFanNJ]

So I run the 425 pretty much exclusively, unless the offense comes out in a 4 wide... I don't have the game in front of me now, but the 4 2 5 uses all your sub and rush package players all the time(SUBLB, RRE etc.), the exception is the sub Dline package in one of the formations, which brings in all the starters set in the standard depth chart. That tip was learned here on another thread. I wish i could remember the members name to give credit.

It also has your starting SS in the nickel, with the second in the depth chart playing in the standard SS position. So i come out in 1st with the said D line sub for run D, and switch back to the normal package in passing downs, or if the offense is a no huddle team.

[DLev4552]

Quote: Originally Posted by RogueHominid

For HUM vs. CPU dynasty guys…how many of you are running the 425, how are you using the various formations situationally, and what are you seeing as the strengths and weaknesses in game? I ask because i want to run a “spread” defense to match my spread offense, and I tried 335 and failed, so it’s down to 335 Tite, which I know I can run well, and 425, which I don’t know much about. With the 335 Tite, I felt I could stop the run with split and penny, be solid on mid downs with mint, and then do whatever on long downs. I’m wondering if 425 gives the same ability to be solid on 1st and 2nd and short but also solid on 3rd and medium. Would love thoughts, and comments on good archetypes, too!

I'm 10-1 in Year 2 of a 10-user online dynasty, and I have been using the 4-2-5 almost exclusively and have the best defense in the league.

4-2-5 Over G is more pass focused and 4-2-5 Under is more run focused, with the only personnel difference being which DTs come in. 4-2-5 Over G uses both rush DEs and rush DTs. 4-2-5 Under uses rush DEs, but regular DTs.

I actually play it with 4 safeties on the field and 1 linebacker.

SS#1 (slot in 4-2-5) - a hybrid safety.

SS#2 (deep SS in 4-2-5) - he is zone.

FS#1 plays the other safety - he is also zone.

Sub LB#1 - this is actually a run-stopping safety for me with 91 speed. He is SubLB#1 instead of #2 so that he plays in dime.

Sub LB#2 - my best actual linebacker.

Then I have 2 speed rush DE's as my rush DEs.

For my Rush DTs, I have a run stopper RDT#1 (also regular DT#1) and a power rush DE at RDT#2. This makes sure that the run stopper is always on the field in the middle.

When I switch to 4-2-5 Under, my two run-stopper DTs are in the game, but the ends stay the same.

Then I run a lot of match coverage as base defenses to give the offense looks that aren't as they seem. The speed everywhere takes care of the shells being different than the actual coverage call.

Outside runs are dead because my defense can fly and tackle. Short/medium/deep passing are a nightmare because I am basically in Dime with 6 DBs and 1MLB on the field at any given time, but it doesn't actually look like Dime.

I am most susceptible to runs up the middle. That's the weak link. But I can always switch to 4-2-5 Under to bring in the 2 run-stopper DTs and pinch and/or slant the D-Line inside, and then I have my speedy guys converging when they try to bounce it.

My caution would be using it without knowing how to properly use the match coverage. I don't think it would be all that great of a defense if you don't know the match coverage rules or aren't comfortable usering players with match assignments. The match-zone Cover 3/4/6/9 is what makes it such a menace.

If the plan is to play "what you see is what you get" drop-zone or man without disguising anything, you would only be using about 10% of its potential and would probably be better served with a different base D.

And also you need some specific personnel. I purposefully recruited after Season 1 to run this in Season 2, including getting some veteran safeties from the transfer portal that fit the safety/linebacker hybrid molds.

[falcor1234]

I run the 425 almost exclusively. What helped me was identifying what type of defense you wanted to run on the back end. I run a lot of man coverage so i need man cover corners and strong safeties. While the FS will have zone tendencies. Plus if you get a great Dline it helps out tremendously


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[RogueHominid]

Superb feedback, y’all!

DLev, I’d love some links to any good videos you have on match responsibilities on the user side.

I feel solid about the quarter flat defender in quarters, as well as the S position, but I’m not great on palms or some of the other stuff in 6/9.

My ideal defense is 4/6/9/2, with the occasional 3 match and 1 hole/robber thrown in there.

335 Tite is fairly conducive to that, and it seems like 425 is as well.