Back to School: The Portland Concept
The world of football continually offers a variety of passing schemes that challenge defenses and provide opportunities for big plays. Among the plethora of passing designs, the Portland concept holds its unique space. A potent weapon to attack certain coverages, particularly Cover 2, the Portland concept is a valuable tool for both real-world quarterbacks and Madden gamers, especially in the highly competitive PML arena. Let’s delve into the Portland concept, explore its tactical intricacies, and determine how to maximize it in Madden.
Portland Concept: Attacking the Sidelines
High-Low Read: The core of the Portland concept is to create a high-low read against the Cover 2 defense on the sidelines. This is achieved using a deep corner route by an outside receiver and a short out or flat route by an inside receiver or running back.
Stretching the Cornerback: The primary aim is to stress the cornerback in Cover 2. If the cornerback drops deep to cover the corner route, the short out/flat is open. Conversely, if the cornerback plays shallow, the deeper corner route can be targeted.
Formations and Sets in Madden: The Portland concept can be executed from a variety of formations, but it’s particularly effective from sets that position two receiving options on the same sideline.
Madden Nuances and PML Application
Reading the Cornerback: In Madden, the key for the user-QB is to read the cornerback’s movement post-snap. If he sinks deep with the corner route, hitting the flat quickly can yield good yardage. If he crashes on the short route, the corner route becomes the prime target.
PML Play: PML defenders, especially those usering the cornerback or safety, need to be adept at recognizing the Portland concept early. It demands quick decisions, whether to rally to the flat or protect deep. One misstep can result in significant gains.
Conclusion: The Portland concept’s beauty lies in its simplicity and its ability to put defenders in conflict. For PML players, mastering this concept can create consistent yardage opportunities against Cover 2 defenses. Whether on the virtual gridiron of Madden or the real turf of NFL fields, the Portland concept remains an essential part of any offensive playbook.
