Madden 17 Connected Franchise: Detroit Lions

The release of Madden 17 is near and it is time to lead our virtual Lions to glory. With key changes to the game and the roster, here are some tips for your Lions franchise to find early and long term success.

The Roster:
Our friends at Detroit Jock City wrote an excellent article on the Detroit Lion’s madden ratings so I’ll send you that way to save me some time. Nonetheless, it is important as a GM to understand the weaknesses that need to be addressed during the season and in the draft.

Offseason Needs:
Interior Lineman: The roster is extremely weak in terms of interior lineman. Reiff and Decker should be quite serviceable on the edges, it is important to get protection from within so Stafford has time to throw, and yards can be gained when needed. Developing Laken Tomlinson is a long term affair, and Larry Warford is an excellent starter, but another guard and a center would really complete the line. (Rounds 1-4)

Cornerback: Madden 16 provided an insane level of talent at the corner position through the draft, but most were  taken within the first 10 picks. Nonetheless, keep an eye out for the talents at that position and don’t hesitate to sure up the secondary. There will be slim pickings in free agency, and you’ll spend way too much in a trade, so the best bet to grab talent at corner is through the draft. Have a backup plan though. (Rounds 1-2)

Running Back: Grabbing a well-rounded back would really complete the running back committee and allow you to maximize the production in the backfield. I recommend Knowshon Moreno, who provides pass protection, good hands from the backfield, and ability to break tackles out of the backfield. Moreno is a back who can help bridge the gap in the first season to get you to the draft where you can have your pick of young college running backs. (Rounds 4-6 or Free Agency)

Linebacker: With only Tahir Whitehead and DeAndre Levy as solidified starters, it will be important to grab a well-rounded coverage based linebacker to complete the triad. The 4-3 is tricky because linebackers need to be able to stop the run and play coverage, but since most players utilize a user, Zaviar Gooden is a great option off that bench and linebacker picks would really be a depth pick up. (Free Agency)

Practice Squad: Madden 17 has introduced the practice squad as a place to develop those young gems that aren’t quite ready for Sunday. CB Ian Wells at 63 overall has 95 acceleration and 88 speed and can be developed into a serviceable nickel corner over a few seasons. RB Dwayne Washington at 6ft2 has 90 speed and 90 acceleration that has the ability to be a mismatch for linebackers and safeties. Develop his catching ability and bring him in as a gadget player to create mismatches in 5 wide sets. WR Jay Lee and Quinshad Davis are two more options that can be developed into situational players that provide great depth to the Lion’s 53 since those positions are gone fairly quickly on draft day. Don’t forget, other teams can sign players from your practice squad at any time!

Game Day Success
Offense:
1.Establish the Run:
Sophomore RB Ameer Abdullah has great acceleration with a 95 rating to go with his 88 speed. With Reiff at RT and a run block specialist in Geoff Schwartz at RG, I would look to seal the edge and get to the outside with Ameer. Adding a free agent RB to split carries and gain hard yards will be huge in determining if 3rd down is 3 yards or 7 yards. A play recommendation is off tackle style of run under center. This line is built for a power style of blocking anyways, not to mention most online CFM players run the 3-4 which naturally counters the zone run.
2.Get the Ball to the YAC monsters:
With Calvin gone, the strength of this receiving group is now in its ability after the catch. Golden Tate and Theo Riddick were 8th and 2nd respectively in Yard after the catch last season, and it is reflected in their Madden 17 ratings. If facing heavy pressure and/or off coverage, throw a few WR screens or HB screens. Force the linebackers to respect the running backs out of the backfield, and you may be able to catch Ebron in the seams over the top of the linebacker corps. It takes patience to play this way, but this offense, without Megatron, has an entirely different personality.

3.Finish Drives:
Getting it done in the Red Zone is such a crucial part of the game. Reach to Free Agency to find a power back to gain the goal line yards, and utilize Ebron’s athleticism if teams commit too many to the box. UDFA Quinshad Davis from UNC is a big 6ft3 target who if developed could provide another option in one of one scenarios if Ebron is garnering extra attention.

Defense:
1.Stop the Run early:
DeAndre Levy is one of the elite run stopping Linebackers in the NFL, and it is important to utilize his ability in those early downs to force long 3rd down situations. Madden 17 has recreated the run defense systems so get comfortable with the new controls and tactics to maximize your defense.
2.Don’t Be Afraid to Let Slay Do His Thing:
With 93 speed, and 92 zone/man coverage, Slay can be trusted to hold his own against the league’s best. Don’t be afraid to drop a safety into the box to help the run, or even use a safety to double cover another receiver along with a corner. Aside from Slay, the cornerback corps is quite weak coverage wise and using the safeties to provide extra help could go a long way. Last year Glover Quinn had 88 press coverage, so assuming not much has changed he can cause some ruckus at the Line of Scrimmage.
3.Know your Personnel:
A big part of the chess match of football is personnel. The Lions have a linebacker named Zaviar Gooden on the bench with the speed of a corner back (91 acc, 88 spd) who is a perfect user. Don’t make the mistake of leaving Levy on the field on 3rd down to play coverage. Be on top of the game in terms of scenario based substitutions to get the best player for the play at hand.

Suggested Go-To Plays:
Slant/Flat combos: Use slant/flat combos with Tate/Ebron to force confusion and get free yards without Stafford getting hit too much. DON’T FORCE THE BALL OR YOU’LL GET PICKED.
WR Screen: Online CFM users love their cover 4 and cover 3. Hit a few quick WR screens to force those corner’s to play up close and open up the deep ball.
Cover 1 press- Use Quinn to double coverage an often targeted WR, and possibly blitz to force a quick pass into press man coverage.