•  SB Wing Close

Wing Close is a new formation that has some nice spacing.  With the run game, you have a flippable wide zone as well as a dive, so a three headed rushing attack could be nice.  The pass plays have double outs, which has both WR’s on speed outs, and the outside TE on a trail.  PA Cross, again, you have a compressed skinny post and a crosser from the opposite side.  You also have a deep corner by the Bunch WR.  You can motion out the RB to the solo WR side to create a unique 5 wide look and still protect.  A formation like this could be real fun once HRM drops.  

•  SB Bunch X Nasty

The Godfather playbook, this is a full Bunch X Nasty which could end up being a meta formation this year.  If you want to come out in two te’s, you could audible from X nasty to any of the two TE sets and have a nice UC scheme.  The general feeling amongst many is that these bunch nasty’s will be the meta formation this year.  The UC version offers a really nice run game and now, the ability to block the TE which it didn’t in years past.  There are so many crazy route combinations you can make.  There’s deep posts from each side, crossers, deep speed outs and ins.  Other than strong close, this is probably the best UC passing set in the game.  Can attack man or zone and protect and have a solid run game.

•  SB Tight Doubles

This is a nice under center formation with some really crazy routes.  Think of Gun Tight Doubles out of the Steelers book, just under center.  Shallow cross has a skinny post on the weak side.  Motion him to the doubles side and you have a deep corner.  Pa Boot has a corner and post going the same way.  That post is a little deeper than we’d like, but can still be utilized best vs. man.  The play Under has crossers from both sides.  Main issue with this formation is a lack of run game.  Also, have to be careful of blocking heavy pressure. 

•  Gun Tight Y Off Weak

Tight Y off Weak has corners everywhere, pivots, and a compressed deep post.  It’s a quick audible from Y off and can attack every area of the field.  The TE is off the line and the rb is on his opposite side so protection should be great.  The play spot y middle has a glitchy angle route by the TE.  

•  Gun Bunch Offset

Several plays here have corner routes to attack the bunch sideline.  Verticals (duh) and speed dig can attack the middle area (verticals moreso the seam).  Trail is a great play.  Has the te on an angle and the outside bunch wr on that tight angled post which beats man and gets under middle third.  Biggest issue is lack of deep posts and a real way to attack the solo wr sideline.  There are better bunch’s out there but this is still ok.

•  Gun Tight Flex

Remember this formation?  In M17 this was so tough to defend and it’s really struggled to make a comeback.  This is the main formation I stayed in during the beta.  That’s mainly because of PA Post Shot.  The ultimate in-breaking, crossers, posts money play.  It’s the perfect play design for this year’s game (so far).  There are so many ways to set this play up, it’s the type of play you can build a whole scheme around.  Double spot and bench offer corner routes by every WR.  Inside HI-Lo has the outside wr on that more shallow glitchy post this time, so your opponent can’t play to cross man every time.  Cross wheels is a great quick snap play.  WR Wheels were cooking man early in the beta.  We have to see if route abilities will help out.  Wheel has the inside slot wr on a wheel this time.  There’s just a lot of variety here.  Main issue here is the lack of a run game.  You have a draw and counter.  If this had a quick base or inside zone, you’d be set.  But, PA Post Shot is so good, you may not need much more.

•  Empty Sets

All 4 of these empty sets have their own strengths and weaknesses.  Bunch open and strong slots both have a QB Draw so your opponent can’t always play the pass.

Overall Thoughts:  Tight Flex, bunch nasty and bunch offset is the way to go here.  You can build a full scheme with those three sets.  And they’re good enough to be competitive and dominant 

Grade: A