The Tight Flex formation out of Tennessee’s playbook has been one of the most effective formations in Madden 2007. Billy “Da Secret” Wolf has already exemplified one effective play out of this formation, and in this tip we are going to show another play that will give you instant success. One of the reasons the Tight Flex formation is so effective is because you can formation shift plays from the I-Form formation into it. This creates unique routes that can take advantage of man to man and zone defenses. In this example we will take I-Form Normal TE Quick Hit and formation shift it into the Tight Flex formation. However, what really makes this play work is the motion that is used before the snap. Check it out!
I-Form Normal - TE Quick Hit (formation shifted)
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook(s)
Tennessee
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Place I-Form Normal TE Quick Hit into your audibles.
Step 2 - Formation shift to the Singleback Tight Flex formation.
Step 3 - Assign your running back to stay back and block so he doesn’t interfere with the TE’s route
Play Breakdown
Image 1 - The Chicago Bears have come out in the Singleback Tight Flex Slot Corner. Now we already know the effectiveness of this formation from “Da Secret’s” previous write-up. Howsever, this time we are going to take it one step further by showing you how easy it can be to add another effective play right into your Tight Flex offense.
Image 2 - The Indianapolis Colts have come out in a Simple Cover 1 Defense.
Image 3 - The next step we take is audibling to I-Form Normal TE Quick Hit.
Image 4 - By pressing the formation shift button and right on the d-pad we move the TE Quick Hit play into the Tight Flex formation.
Image 5 - We streak wide receivers Mark Bradley and Mushin Muhammad to open up our routes underneath. We also want to hot route Running back Thomas Jones to stay in and block so his flat route doesn’t interfere with tight end Desmond Clark’s angle route over the middle.
Image 6 - The defense has called bump and run coverage on our receivers. We know that formation shifting the TE Quick Hit play absolutely abuses bump n' run defenses. If bump and run is not called, both routes will still be effective.
Image 7 - We motion inside receiver Bernard Berrian to the left and snap it right when he goes behind Bradley.
Image 8 - Berrian starts up field and does not get bumped. You may have to work on the timing of the snap to ensure this WR doesn’t get bumped.
Image 9 - Berrian is to the outside of his defender as he begins his route. When we see our receiver on the outside we know that this throw will be open momentarily.
Image 10 - From this angle you can see Berrian starting to make his cut towards the middle of the field. He is in perfect position for us to make the throw in just another second.
Image 11 - Berrian cuts hard to the outside after initially taking a couple of steps inside. The defender typically gets beat at this point in the play.
Image 12 - We hold left as we make the throw with quarterback Rex Grossman. Berrian has his man beat by about two yards.
Image 13 - The catch is made by Berrian with plenty of room in front.
Image 14 - Now we're going to move to the other extremely effective route in this play. This time we'll focus on tight end Desmond Clark as he runs his quick hit angle route.
Image 15 - Clark releases from the bump and prepares to runs his route.
Image 16 - We wait in the pocket for Clark to make his cut to the inside.
Image 17 - Right when Clark makes his cut we deliver a high pass to place the ball in a spot that only he can catch.
Image 18 - The defender is in a decent position as the ball is thrown. However, we all know how helpful it can be when your receiver goes into any pass-catching animation.
Image 19 - The defender fails to react as Clark hauls in the pass.
Image 20 - Clark runs after the catch, looking for someone to hit downfield.
Image 21 - Clark is brought down at about the 20 for a gain of 15 yards
Final Thoughts
Having multiple options in a single play is essential in Madden 2007. By adding this play to the Slot Cross you will have an effective one two punch to work with out of the Tight Flex formation. Remember to hit the lab and practice your timing of the snap so Berrian releases without being bumped. Also, perfect the timing of the throw to Clark to enable him to get animation over his defender. Now head on into practice mode and check it out.
