There's another creative way to bring routes from one play into another on Madden 2007. In this tip, SportsGamer's going to take this idea and use it to showcase the most effective unbumpable route in the game. The reason the route that we are going to show you is more effective than other unbumpable routes is because your receiver gets upfield much faster, allowing you to attack open areas more consistently. In addition, you don't have to be on a certain side of the field, or throw a lob pass to complete it. Take a look at this breakdown as SportsGamer shows you another Madden 2007 hidden gem.
Goalline - PA TE Corner
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook(s)
The Goalline PA TE Corner play can be found in ANY playbook. However, this is an advanced tip that can only be used if your playbook allows you to formation shift from a two running back set to a Singleback set. The example that we are using in today's tip comes from the San Francisco playbook.
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Come out in the play that you want to steal the running back route(s) from.
Step 2 - Audible to the two running back set that can be formation shifted to a Singleback set.
Step 3 - Formation shift to the Singleback Set.
Step 4 - Turn the play into playaction (XBOX - Y + up on the D-pad / PS2 - Triangle + up on the D-pad).
Step 5 - Formation shift back to the two running back set.
Step 6 - Steal the running back routes only by pressing (XBOX - Y + up on the D-pad / PS2 - Triangle + up on the D-pad) ONCE because you already hit it once in Step 4.
Step 7 - Formation shift back to the Singleback set to get the route(s) lined up at a wide receiver spot on the field.
Step 8 - (used in the example below) Smart route the fullback to change his assignment into a deadly unbumpable route .
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - In this first image you can see that the Dallas Cowboys have come out in the Goalline PA TE Corner. The route that we want to steal belongs to fullback Tyson Thompson. We substituted the 6'1 Thompson (94 speed) in at fullback because you will have the most success running this route with a tall and fast running back. Also, using a quarterback with good throwing power will help you make the reception with the most separation possible.
Figure 2 - The first step that we take is audibling to the two running back set that can be formation shifted into a Singleback set. In this example, we have audibled to the Split Back Normal Mid Split. Unfortunately, pressing (XBOX - Y + up, then Y + up / PS2 - Triangle + up, then Triangle + up) won't allow us to steal the routes like we normally can because of the play that we have audibled to. However, with most plays (many playaction plays will not allow you to add routes because they cannot be formation shifted) all it takes is a few more simple steps to create another way to bring the routes in the formation that you want. Remember, we have to get that fullback route in this set if we want to formation shift to a Singleback set and use it in a wide receiver spot on the field.
Figure 3 - The next step we take is formation shifting right to get to a Singleback formation. In this example, we have formation shifted down to get to the Singleback Twin TE WR formation.
Figure 4 - Once we've made it to the Singleback Twin TE WR formation, then we simply turn the play into playaction by pressing (XBOX - Y + up on the D-pad / PS2 - Triangle + up on the D-pad.
Figure 5 - We take step five by formation shifting back to the Split Backs Normal formation. Notice that the playaction we called in Step 4 carried over with the shift.
Figure 6 - Now we steal the running back routes by pressing (XBOX - Y + up on the D-pad / PS2 - Triangle + up on the D-pad) just ONCE more. Typically, you have to press Y + up twice on the controller to steal routes. However, we only need to press it once more because we already hit it earlier in the play when we called for playaction. Hightlighted fullback Tyson Thompson is now running the hard angle route that we wanted him to in the Split Backs Normal formation.
Figure 7 - Lastly, formation shift to the desired Singleback formation that we want to run this route from. In this picture, you can see that we chosen to run this play from the Singleback Slot Strong formation. However, we like to make a couple of additional changes to make sure this play is successful.
Figure 8 - The first change before beginning the play is hot routing the running back to stay in and block to get rid of the playaction. Then, we smart route the highlighted fullback's route to make is go further downfield. This is what the most effective unbumpable route in the game looks like on the field. However, we want to create a little more room on that side of the field, so we make just one more change before the snap.
Figure 9 - The last change we make is motioning tight end Jason Whitten to te left. Motioning Whitten to the left not only opens up the right side of the field, but it also acts as a distraction for our opponent. Furthermore, SportsGamer has provided tons of quick passes that can be made with the use of motion, so be sure to perfect those timing routes to make it a real threat on the field. Otherwise, if your opponent knows that the motion is just a decoy, then he will begin to manually guard the route on the right more often as the game wears on. Now we are ready to begin the play.
Figure 10 - As quarterback Drew Bledsoe drops back to pass, fullback Tyson Thompson begins his route by running to the outside. The defense has called for bump n' run on our outside receivers. Fortunately, this type of coverage is worthless against our fullback.
Figure 11 - In this image, you can see the tight end getting bumped just in front of the offensive line as he tries to run upfield. However, Thompson has blown by the defender at the top of the screen as Bledsoe is already in the process of delivering the football. This throw requires about a 3-4 yard drop, then press up on the directional pad as and make a bullet pass to the receiver. You will not be able to see the receiver in the screen, but after practicing this throw over and over you can expect to complete almost everytime.
Figure 12 - Thompson is already 4 yards behind the defender as the ball closes in quickly.
Figure 13 - The catch is made at the 25 yardline with room in front to run.
Figure 14 - Thompson is finally dragged down after a quick gain of 17 yards on the play.
Final Thoughts
With all of the different formations in the game you can only imagine just how many effective ways that you can use this unbumpable route. The only downside to using the PA TE Corner play is the fact that you have to come out of the huddle in the Goalline formation with much slower receiving targets. However, there are a number of great Madden players who enjoy using teams such as: the Colts, Ravens, Chiefs, and even the Patriots. All of these teams have solid tight ends that still provide you with the ability to move the ball through the air. Also, if your opponent comes out on defense in a Goalline or similar formation, then you will be able to exploit him through the air. If your opponent comes out in a Nickel or Dime formation to try to stop the pass, then you should be able to exploit him on the ground. Either way , this is a route that you're going to want to throw into your offense as soon as possible.
