Defensive Schemes
A number of teams have switched defensive schemes since 2K5 was first published.
Thankfully, Finn just recently added a feature to his roster editor that easily allows you to manage those teams'
depth charts. But there remain two problems:
1.) Certain teams switched from a 3-4 to 4-3 or vice-verca, but their playbook
does not reflect this change. So even if you adjust the depth chart to a 3-4, there may be no 3-4 in the team's playbook.
To play a realistic defense, the following teams' playbooks have been switched to "General." If you play with one of
these teams and are in love with their offensive playbook, you may find that you want to change the playbook back to the original
setting. You can do this through the editor or in-game, in the options menu before the game starts. But remember,
you will not be able to play with that teams true 2007 defense if you change the playbook back.
Baltimore: They play a hybrid 3-4/4-3, but their playbook only allowed
for a 3-4
Arizona: Also, a hybrid defense
Miami: They occasionally play a hybrid as well
Houston: Changed from a 3-4 to a 4-3, but their playbook only allowed for
a 3-4
San Francisco: Their base defense is a 3-4, but their playbook only allowed
for a 4-3
2.) The Ravens, Cardinals, Jets, Dolphins and Bucs make substitutions that
cannot be saved in either the editor or in-game. If you want to play realistically, you'll have to make the following bolded changes
in the Substitutions menu after each game starts:
Baltimore
Their 4-3 is set up properly through the editor, but for the 3-4, switch
the linebackers to:
LOLB* - Johnson, LILB - Lewis, RILB - Scott, ROLB - Terrell Suggs
Miami
Their 4-3 is set up properly through the editor, but for the 3-4, switch
the linebackers to:
LOLB - Porter, LILB - Thomas, RILB - Crowder, ROLB - Jason Taylor
From what I've seen, the Dolphins use this infrequently, so it's not as
big a deal as the other teams listed here
Arizona
Their 4-3 is set up properly through the editor, but for the 3-4, switch
the linebackers to:
LOLB - Pace, LILB - Hayes, RILB - Dansby, ROLB - Bert Berry
Also, in Nickel coverage, Darryl Blackstock moves
to DE
Jets
Their 3-4 is set up properly through the editor, but for the 4-3, switch
the DL to
LDE - Ellis, LDT - Robertson, RDT - Kenyon Coleman, RDE
- Bryan Thomas
Buccaneers
The Bucs sometimes bring Patrick Chuckwurah up from OLB to play DE and
bump Kevin Carter between DT/DE, but I'm not positive how they set this up. Since their base defense is a cover 2, I
usually just play that and don't worry about this substitution.
*Some teams play defense with Left/Right designations, while others play with Strong/Weakside
designations. In 2K5, most offensive plays start out strong to the right, meaning the TE lines up on the right unless
the offense "switches" the play. All my depth charts have been set up to accomodate for this right-side alignment, and
the strong-side linebacker will play to the offense's right-side. When playing the CPU or another person, you may want
to keep an eye on where the strong side of the offense is. If it's on the left instead of the right, you can call an
audible and hit the black "switch" button, and your LB's will move to their proper position. This is important because
strong-side linebackers usually cover the tight end (and are often better against the run), and weak-side linebackers are
generally better pass rushers.
