Substitutions

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A Rushed Delivery: Oregon's LB Dietrich Moore (29) puts some heat on UCLA's QB Cade McNown (18). UCLA won the barn burner in overtime 41-38.

Substitutions

Defensive Substitutions

Making critical substitutions at key positions can really take your game to a higher level. Every team has its own set "default" '98 roster. Not all of the default rosters are consistent, as every "real to life" team prioritizes personnel differently. For example, a middle linebacker at Wake Forest 4-3 defense might best suited as strong side linebacker at Nebraska. This kinda forces you to play as the actual team's program would play them. That is fine if your into textbook conformity, but it's your team now - take control. Make the necessary changes to fit your game style!

Another aspect of making critical substitutions is the fact that "NCAA Football 99" is still a video game. Although EA has brought this title much closer to a simulation, it still is not exactly like real life college football (though damn close, and the gap is closing). You should make appropriate substitutions that use player's abilities, and your game playing style to the max.

The Basic 4-3

Below I have set up some suggested substitutions. I have also rated each substitution with stars (1-4, with 4 being most recommended). This rating is my opinion on the importance of that particular change against the default settings. Make some of these changes and watch your game improve.

4-3

4-3 Defense.gif

Defensive Line

Rating Position Explanation

1DL Best overall lineman, with emphasis on tackling. This is the position that meets the fullback most often, off the option, when ran to the default strong side with TE.

2DL Second best overall lineman, with emphasis on tackling. Second in command, but you need him here to keep the interior from becoming too soft.

3DL Best of the rest linemen, with emphasis on speed. Lack of support from a strong safety and strong side linebacker leaves this guy to do alot momentarily.

4DL Second best of the rest, with emphasis on speed. Support from a Strong Safety and 2nd Best Linebacker makes this a good choice for that guy in fourth.

Linebackers

Rating Position Explanation

1LB Best overall linebacker, with emphasis on everything!!! This guy needs to stuff the middle, attack laterally, read, react, and covers the HB in most man situations.

2LB Second best overall linebacker, with emphasis on awareness. He contends with opposing TE, and must react accordingly.

3LB Best of the rest, with emphasis on speed. Most vaired assignment position, he is great on a blitz, but must also keep up with WRs and RBs on coverage.

Cornerbacks

Rating Position Explanation

1CB Best overall cornerback with emphasis on speed. Most opposing offenses position their best WR to this side (default setting). Some team defenses position their 2nd best CB to this side (default setting). Make this sub. if man coverage is vital in your game strategy.

2CB Second best overall cornerback with emphasis on speed. This CB could also have emphasis on tackling if opponent likes to run the ball esp. to the strong side with the TE. But overall he is best covering 2nd best WR.

Safties

Rating Position Explanation

1S One of the two best safeties with emphasis on speed / agility. This free safety needs the speed to prevent the long touchdown pass, and agility to get a jump on any long pass thrown in the gaps.

2S One of the two best safeties with emphasis on tackling. This strong safety needs the tackling ability to assist stopping the run.

NOTE: In most rosters there is a safety that is rated higher in both speed and tackling. Here is just comes down to personal strategy in substitution. One could place the best safety at strong safety (S2) if you desire to emphasize stopping a dominant running game. Or one could place the best safety at free safety (S1) for more security against the passing game.

Beyond The 4-3

The above 4-3 is a good basic example of my recommended substitutions and how they all plug into it's framework. Below are the rest of the defensive for formations, and how I plug players in accordingly. The scheme usually remains the same, esp. with the defensive line and cornerbacks. I have noted the minor changes and explanations thereof. Again, these are only recommendations, and should only be taken into consideration against your "own style" of play. I personally have had much success with these minute tweeks in defensive personnel.

3-4

3-4 Defense.gif

Defensive Line

Rating Position Explanation

1DL Best overall lineman, with emphasis on tackling.With only three down linemen, this guy has to be the nucleus of controlling things in the middle and making it all happen.

2DL Second best overall lineman, with emphasis on tackling.I opt to keep a good tackler on this weak side over "speed" to maintain a strong presence in the front three.

3DL Best of the rest linemen, with emphasis on speed.With good support from a host of linebackers and a strong safety on this strong side to help with run support, I opt for a little more speed / mobility for pursuit.

Linebackers

Rating Position Explanation

4LB Best of the rest, with emphasis on tackling. This guy comes in as the added linebacker to complete the 3-4. I still opt to keep the fourth overall linbacker in this position because he has a cushsion of space for reaction, is surrounded by better linebackers, and plays against the weak side (default) of a opposing offense.

NOTE:The remaining positions at cornerback and saftey remain the same as in the 4-3.

4-4

4-4 Defense.gif

Safety

Rating Position Explanation

1S This is a close call. I like putting my strong safety here to further efforts in shutting down the run. But I am going to recommend putting your overall best overall safety here, with emphasis on tackling. Your free safety (S1) may already be the "default" setting for your roster.

NOTE:The linemen, linebacker, and cornerback positions and remain the same as in the 4-3.

5-2

5-2 Defense.gif

Linebackers

Rating Position Explanation

1LB Best overall linebacker, with emphasis on everything!!! This guy has to continue to do multiple things from this formation. It is basically the same plug in from the middle linebacker position in the 4-3.

2LB Second best overall linebacker, with emphasis on awareness / tackling. This is a crucial substitution! The default settings for most rosters place a 3rd or even 4th best linebacker here. Making this substitution can help stuff the middle and get good pursuit of outside runs, and pass coverage.

NOTE:The cornerback and safety positions remain the same as in the 4-3.