Review of VPNFL02 Playbooks:

With the efforts of the following people we have came up with the following details that we determined what was important to know.

Contributors

Michael Cathey (TB, Pitt, MIA, NYJ, NYG, ARI, Balt, Jax, STL, Washington)

Ben (CAR, CHI, CIN, DAL, DEN, GB, Ind,y ATL, SEA, NE, SF)

Jake (Buffalo, Cleveland, KC, Minnesota, New Orleans, Philly, SD)

Offense

Formations include:

• Pro set (split backs with 1 HB and 1 FB)
• Pro (Twins) – Split backs and twins to one side of the ball.
• Pro-I (traditional I with FB and HB lined up straight behind QB)
• Offset I (strong) FB shifted to TE side of ball (right side if no TE)
• Offset I (weak) FB shifted away from the TE side (Left side if no TE)
• Near (HB over strong (right) side tackle, FB behind center)
• Far (HB over weak side (left) side tackle, FB behind center)
• Ace (1 RB, 2 TE) – Balanced formation.
• Ace (Wing) 1 RB, 2 TE with one TE as a wingback instead of on the line ala an H-back.)
• Ace (Trips) – 2 WR and a TE on one side, 1 RB and a SE on the other side.
• Heavy (2 TE, 2 RB)
• Jumbo (3 TE)
• Tackle-Eligible (Tackle is "uncovered" because of an unbalanced line)
• K-gun (1 RB, 3 WR)
• Deuce (3 WR, 2 RB)
• Spread (4 wide-outs)
• Goal line (Usually 3 TE, FB, HB)
• Shotgun (2-4 WR sets where the QB lines up a few yards deep)

All teams will have the following details:

Formations: Formations ran

Kick Returner:

Defense

Base Formation:

Punt Returner:

This is stuff that was included in the VPNFL 02 Files.
In each offensive new profile there are a number and letter designation.

Following this, there is a dash followed by a number that tells which
half the profile is from.

Offensive profiles start with the three letters “OFF” and then are followed by a number, a letter, and finally a number one or two to indicate which half they are. The first number listed is the profile type. There are fourteen base profiles:

If the number following OFF is:

1 : the profile is a dominantly run profile based on the VPNCAA nebrun
profile. In test Sims, the results were an average of 36 runs
and 25 passes per game. Passes include sacks.

2: the profile is a run heavy profile based on the VPNFL run heavy
profile. This will produce somewhere around 52 % run and 48 % pass in standard games.

3: the profile is based on the VPNFL balanced profile. This will produce about 55 % pass and 45 % run in standard games.

4: the profile is based on the VPNFL pass heavy profile. Limited sim
testing produced 25 runs and 38 passes per game.

5: the profile is based on the dominantly pass profile on the VPNCAA,
flapass. Limited sim testing produced 21 runs and 45 passes per game.

6: this profile is meant to be a West Coast offense profile. It is
based on the VPNFL pass heavy profile but weights the short passes
higher than before and the medium passes lower. In order to truly run a West
Coast offense, it is suggested that the short and medium passes that you
choose be some of the shorter ones. It will produce about 25 runs and
38 passes per game.

7: this profile is meant to be a run and shoot profile. It is based on
the VPNCAA pass dominant profile. First down runs have been
decreased while second and third down runs have been slightly increased. It
produced about 23 runs and 38 passes per game in limited Sims.

8: "the script" -- this profile will run 50 % of the time and pass 50 % of the time except in goal line situations and time management situations (toward the end of halfs). It is meant to keep the defense guessing, but will make some inappropriate calls.

9: "run/balanced" -- this profile is the vpnfl-balanced profile, but will run more on third downs.

10: "run chucker" -- this profile is the vpnfl run profile, but will throw the ball deeper -- it is more likely to throw medium and long passes than the vpnfl run profile.

11: "balance chucker” -- this profile is the vpnfl-balanced profile, but will throw the ball deeper than the regular balanced profile.

12: "the gambler” -- this profile gambles a lot -- it will sometimes go for it on forth down and occasionally will go for two points after a touchdown. It is based on the vpnfl-balanced profile.

13: This profile was created but removed, so no offensive profile exists for #13.

14: “run-dink.” This is the running version of the West Coast profile; it will tend to throw more short passes than the VPNFL run profile.

15: “balance-dink.” This is the balanced version of the West Coast profile; it will tend to throw more short passes than the VPNFL balanced profile.

The letter following the number is the substitution pattern. There are
six of them. Generally, it is best to substitute players more rapidly
if you are balanced and/or deep at a give position. You must also keep
in mind that when a starter is used on kick/punt return teams,
especially if they are returning the punt/kick that they will get tired much
quicker as the return teams will drop their endurance.

The notation is:

A: increased running back substitution. IN/OUT numbers rose from
89/93 to 91/94 on the profiles.

B: increased offensive line substitution. IN/OUT numbers rose from
83/90 to 88/93 for offensive lineman.

C: increased wide receiver substitution. IN/OUT numbers rose from
89/93 to 91/94.

D: running backs, offensive lineman and wide receivers all have their
IN/OUT numbers rose to substitute them faster.

E: Regular VPNFL substitutions. All players will substitute in at the
given VPNFL rate.

F:  extremely high sub rates (IN at 99, OUT at 97) for Qbs, RBs, WRs, and OL.  Meant to rotate players constantly, it keeps players fresh but will split time between your good and bad players.

So, for example, if a profile has the designation: OFF2C-1, this tells
you that it is the first half offensive VPNFL run heavy profile in which
wide receivers are substituted in at a faster rate. Another example: a
designation of OFF6E-2 tells you that the profiles are second half
offensive profiles for a West Coast offense that substitutes players in
at the normal VPNFL rate.

NEW DEFENSIVE PROFILES

There are six base defensive profiles and a number of different substitution patterns for each. The naming of each profile is similar to the naming of the offensive profiles: each one starts out DEF and then is followed by a number, a letter, and another number. Each profile, of course, is affected by the plays that are in the plans; so, for instance, if a run heavy defensive profile doesn’t have good run defense plays in, it will be counterproductive to use it. The first number is the base profile:

1: run heavy defensive profile. The run right defenses (VPNFL first and second down run defenses) are weighted heavier while the run left (VPNFL first and second down pass defenses) is weighted less heavily.

2: VPNFL balanced defensive profile.

3: pass slightly heavy defensive profile. The run right defense is weighted lighter and the run left defense.

4: pass heavy defense with some nickel packages on first and second down.

5: pass very heavy defense with a lot of nickel and dime packages.

6: “the guesser.” This profile has weighted the run left and run right defenses heavily while reducing the run middle defenses (the neutral pass/run defenses in the VPNFL system). Therefore, the defense will usually commit to either the run or pass on any given play.

The letter that follows the number is the substitution pattern. In each case, if the substitution pattern is greater for a position (except for the “I” pattern), the substitution OUT/IN rates have been raised from 85/90 to 88/92.

A: heavy defensive line substitution.

B: heavy linebacker substitution.

C: heavy defensive back substitution.

D: heavy line and defensive back substitution.

E: heavy line and linebacker substitution.

F: heavy linebacker and defensive back substitution.

G: heavy substitution for linemen, linebackers, and defensive backs.

H: normal defensive substitution.

I:  extremely heavy substitution ( OUT 97/ IN 99) for all positions.

Here is what we found out:

Looking at numerous teams we have came up with the following results:

Atlanta: (Ben)

Offense: Runs and Passes quite a bit out of the Pro-I and Pro Set formations, likes to pass out of the Shotgun with 4 WRs and will sometimes run out of this formation, Occasionally runs and passes using Ace, Spread (4 WRs), Shotgun with 3 WRs, and passes out of K-gun, Offset I Strong, and the shotgun with 5 WRs

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-3, some nickel and dime

PR: CB1

Arizona (Michael C.):

Offense: Pro, I (3WR), Near/Far, Shotgun (4WR), Spread, K-Gun

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-6, 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR5

Buffalo:

Offense:Pro (all kinds), Near, Far, K-Gun, Ace (trips and wing), shotgun, goal line

KR WR5

Defense 4-3, Nickel, Dime, Goalline PR WR2

Baltimore (Michael C.):

Offense: Broken I, Pro (3WR), Shotgun (2RB, 3WR) (4WR), Ace (Trips)

KR: WR3/WR4

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR3

Carolina: (Ben)

Offense: Mainly K-gun, Pro Set (pass only including some 3 WR sets), and Offset I (strong and weak); occasionally uses Pro-I, Near, and spread (4 WR); rarely uses Far, Ace, Deuce, and Shotgun (2WR)

KR: WR5

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR5

Chicago: (Ben)

Offense: Likes using K-gun (especially for passing), Offset I (strong and weak, especially for running), pass using spread (4 and 5 WRs), and Pro Set; occasionally passes using Shotgun (3, 4 and 5 WRs); rarely uses Ace and Deuce

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: HB3

Cincinnati: (Ben)

Offense: Pro Set, Offset I (Strong and Weak), K-gun (almost always pass), occasionally uses Deuce and Shotgun (3 and 4 WR sets)
Likes to run out of the Offset I formations, but will run out of the Spread, Pro-I, and Ace formations

KR: HB2

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR1

Cleveland (Jake):

Offset I, K-Gun, Shot Gun, Ace (wing), Spread

KR HB3

Defense 4-3, Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR WR2

Dallas: (Ben)

Offense: Pro Set, Pro-I, Offset I (strong only), and Shotgun (2-5 WRs, especially 4 WR), occasionally uses K-gun, spread, Ace.  Will run a QB draw out of the 2 WR shotgun formations a few times per game. 

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR4

Denver: (Ben)

Offense:  Offset I (strong and weak), Pro Set, Shotgun (3 and 4 WR sets) Uses some K-gun and Far.  Occasionally the Pro-I, Ace, Spread (4WR), and Shotgun (3 and 5 WRs)
KR:  WR4

Defense:  4-3, some nickel and dime
PR:  CB1

Green Bay: (Ben)

Offense: Primarily uses 3 sets---Pro-I, Pro Set, and K-gun.  Will rarely pass out of shotgun (3-5 WRs), spread (4WR), Deuce, and Offset I (weak)

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-3, nickel and dime

PR: WR4

Indianapolis: (Ben)

Offense: Primarily run out of the Ace formation and pass using K-gun and Ace.  Occasionally uses Shotgun (2-5 WRS, will only run using 4WR), Offset I (strong for run and weak for both) and Pro Set (pass only).  Rarely passes using Near and runs using K-gun.

KR: WR3

Defense: 4-3, nickel and dime

PR: WR3

Jacksonville (Michael C.):

Offense: Pro, Pro (Twins), K-Gun, Ace (Trips), Ace (Wing), Broken-I, Far/Near, Shotgun (5WR)

KR: WR5/WR1

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR1

Kansas City (Jake):

Offense: Pro (all kinds), Ace (all kinds), offset I, K-Gun

KR WR4

Defense 4-3, Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR WR4

Miami: (Michael C.)

Offense: A variety including: I, Broken-I (Strong, Weak, Twins), Pro-Set, Spread, K-Gun

KR: WR3

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR3/WR5

Minnesota (Jake):

Offense: Spread, Pro (all kinds), Offset I, Near, Far, K-gun, Ace (trips and wing), Shotgun, Goal Line KR WR5

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR WR5

New England: (Ben)

Offense: Primarily uses K-gun and Pro Set, Also uses Offset I (Weak and Strong), Spread (4 WRs), and Deuce, occasionally runs out of the Pro-I and Ace formations and passes out of the shotgun (4 WRs)

KR: HB3

Defense: 4-3, some nickel and dime

PR: WR1

New Orleans (Jake):

Offense: Pro (all kinds), Ace (both), Offset I, Near, Far, K-Gun, Spread KR HB2

Defense: 3-4, Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR WR4

New York (A): (Michael C.)

Offense: Pro (including 3WR), Ace, K-Gun, Trips, Shotgun, Spread, I

KR: WR5/WR6

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR5

New York (N) (Michael C.):

Offense: Ace, Pro, Pro (Twins), I (2TE), Broken-I (Twins), Spread (4WR & Trips), K-Gun

KR: WR3

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: HB1

Oakland: (Michael C.)

Offense: Far/Near, Broken I (Strong), Pro-Set (3WR), Trips, I, Spread

KR: HB1

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR5

Philadelphia (Jake):

Offense: Ace, Shotgun, Pro, Off Set I, K-Gun, Spread

KR HB2

Defense: 4-3. Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR HB2

Pittsburgh: (Michael C.)

Offense: Broken I (Strong & Weak) (Also out of a 3 WR set.), I, Shotgun, (Deuce, 2RB, 3 WR), Far, near, and Spread (4 WR 1 RB)

KR: CB3/WR4/WR5

Defense: 3-4, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR3

San Diego (Jake):

Offset I, Spread, Ace, K-Gun

KR: HB3

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime, Goal Line

PR: WR3

San Francisco: (Ben)

Offense: Primarily passes out of the K-gun and Pro Set formations, Uses some Offset I (strong and weak), Pro-I, and Near, Occasionally runs using K-gun, Duece, and Shotgun 5 WRs (QB draw), occasionally passes out of the Shotgun (4 WRs), Spread (4 and 5 WRs), and Far

KR: WR4

Defense: 4-3, some nickel and dime

PR: WR4

St. Louis: (Michael C.)

Offense: K-Gun, Broken I, Ace, Ace (Wing) Shotgun – 4 WR, 3 TE

KR: WR3

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: HB2

Seattle: (Ben)

Offense: Likes to run and pass using Ace and Offset I (strong and weak), passes and occasionally runs using K-gun and Shotgun (3 and 4 WRs), Also likes to run (but rarely pass) out of the Pro-I set, will occasionally use Pro Set and rarely passes using Far

KR: HB3

Defense: 4-3, some nickel and dime

PR: HB3

Tampa Bay: (Michael C.)

Offense: I, Broken I (Weak), Far, Near, and Ace (Wing)

KR: WR5/WR3

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: WR1

Tennessee: (Michael C.)

Offense: K-Gun, Spread, Broken – I (Weak) Broken – I (3 WR), Trips, Ace, Ace (Wing)

KR: WR2

Defense: 4-6, Nickel, Dime

PR: HB2

Washington: (Michael C.)

Offense: Pro-Set, Far/Near, I K-Gun, Ace (Wing), Broken I (Weak/Strong), Spread, Trips

KR: WR5

Defense: 4-3, Nickel, Dime

PR: HB2