How bad actually is man coverage?

As a tried and true Steelers TT user,  I have been having to use substitute players at corner in order to keep up with zone meta.  But with it being April and the Steelers TT having two 99 “man” archetype corners,  I’m wondering how bad it actually is?  I would love to be a full Steelers TT by the end of the year but I’m hesitant to do so because of all the talk about man being ass. Thanks again

It's pretty good if you're playing against me. Otherwise it's pretty bad.

I play on next gen, and have no issues with man. I do use high OVR man archetype corners, and you need to make sure you have the right abilities on them. But man plays great for me.

Moderator Legend said:

I play on next gen, and have no issues with man. I do use high OVR man archetype corners, and you need to make sure you have the right abilities on them. But man plays great for me.

If you don’t mind me asking,  I understand that outside shade is amazing for corners,  but whch route kos do you run?

colbyzg said:

It's pretty good if you're playing against me. Otherwise it's pretty bad.

this

Old gen so my input probably doesn’t apply but Reel Deal Williamson with his Showtime II One Step Ahead equipped is playing awesome as is UL Deion Sanders if you can get One Step Ahead or Inside Shade and a dominant pass rush man is perfectly feasible.

Squishylicious said:

If you don’t mind me asking,  I understand that outside shade is amazing for corners,  but whch route kos do you run?

I run mid and deep because that's what works for me. But if you ask 10 people you will likely get 10 different answers.

Moderator Legend said:

I run mid and deep because that's what works for me. But if you ask 10 people you will likely get 10 different answers.

Nonetheless thank you for the helpful input

I run a hybrid of man and zone. You can’t just run straight man without ever mixing in zone plays on next gen or you’ll get slaughtered. However, mixing man and zone schemes will definitely lead to turnovers and sacks. Man is so uncommon that I find most of my opponents are taking off guard.  

Two things to keep in mind running man coverage  is that you have to be an excellent user and okay with giving up big plays from time to time.   

First, good usering is essential. If you can’t user guys will pick you apart across the middle particularly with texas and crossing routes. You’re going to have to learn how to position yourself to take away often two routes at once to give your linemen enough time to get pressure.  

Second, playing man requires you to use shading. I primarily shade my DBs outside BUT you are going to need to mix it up because good opponents adjust. However, if you shade the wrong direction and mess up your user, you’ll give up big plays. It’s the nature of the beast.   

Overall though I love playing man, just not every play haha.

Also a Steelers fan, I don’t play much nowadays, school, girl, work, working out are taking my time. I heard once you can only do 3 things, and it seems pretty true lol. The important thing with man, or any defense really, imo is knowing what the weakness is and defending it. Flats and hook zones to defend crossers and corners help a lot to bolster a man look

Lerschy said:

I run a hybrid of man and zone. You can’t just run straight man without ever mixing in zone plays on next gen or you’ll get slaughtered. However, mixing man and zone schemes will definitely lead to turnovers and sacks. Man is so uncommon that I find most of my opponents are taking off guard.  

Two things to keep in mind running man coverage  is that you have to be an excellent user and okay with giving up big plays from time to time.   

First, good usering is essential. If you can’t user guys will pick you apart across the middle particularly with texas and crossing routes. You’re going to have to learn how to position yourself to take away often two routes at once to give your linemen enough time to get pressure.  

Second, playing man requires you to use shading. I primarily shade my DBs outside BUT you are going to need to mix it up because good opponents adjust. However, if you shade the wrong direction and mess up your user, you’ll give up big plays. It’s the nature of the beast.   

Overall though I love playing man, just not every play haha.

I think this is something I’d be willing to try,  thank you very much friend

Squishylicious said:

I think this is something I’d be willing to try,  thank you very much friend

Good luck and Go Steelers!

Lerschy said:

Good luck and Go Steelers!

Actually one last question.  I have the 97 pat Pete who gets good zone abilities.  Is there a way I can sub him in and out for when I run zone plays?

Squishylicious said:

Actually one last question.  I have the 97 pat Pete who gets good zone abilities.  Is there a way I can sub him in and out for when I run zone plays?

I actually play him on one side with his zone abilities and Fred on the other side with deep route KO and then flat zone. I find having a mix of zone and man abilities on the field at the same time is helpful. Plus if you sub out, you’ll tip off your opponent you are switching to man. I like to keep my opponent off balance with a mix of zone/man abilities. Again, it’s worked for me.