Im in the beginning of my 3rd season.  The previous two I had ran the 5-2 defense and nickel as my primary defenses.  The reason for this was the roster I inherited had 6 good young DL's.  I had played pretty good defense both seasons.  Some of the games against sim teams the stats were nasty but human opponents was hit or miss.  Some success also some bad games.  That leads me to this season and the new engine .  I had good success in the exhibition games.  But when I got to Shenandoah they gouged my 5-2 bad.  It seemed like they got into my secondary with ease and then they were gone with several 50+ runs.  They were in the wishbone.  Heres my question.  I feel like I should ditch the 5-2 in favor of the 4-3(4-3 is what I like and would have started with if not for my dl's heavy roster I started out with.  But what about all the formation practice ive got built up with the 5-2.  What you guys think stick with it.  Anybody using it as their primary defense.  Anyway to make it better at preventing the RB getting into your second level of defense so easily?
Thanks for the help guys

Posted by caesari on 11/17/2013 7:46:00 PM (view original):
I don't think the 5-2 should be your base defense, but you don't have to abandon it completely. It could be the defense you run against the teams that are run heavy out of the NDB or Wishbone, and you could use it situationally in other settings. However, I'd start transitioning to the 3-4 or 4-3, whichever you prefer. 

I usually recommend 65 minutes of Formation practice, and that accounts for 3 O formations, 3 D, and ST. I have a few extra minutes thrown in as well, but you get the drift. I'd continue practicing the 5-2 and Nickel, and throw in another base defense.