How to use Derrick Thomas right

[Kdrontle]

I never seem to be able to get Derrick Thomas to have a huge game for me. I've heard tall tales on here about a guy that can fly to the ball at the speed of a DB and fly to the QB with the power of a DE.

Generally I've placed DT on the weakside of a 3-4 defense (the left side when looking at the D) I've blitzed him very often trying to free him up or even single block him and I seem to never get pressure much less even dream of a forced fumble! ha!

Where do you guys place him to make him the most successful, particularly on passing downs? Is it a good idea to move him around the field and just constantly have him blitz from different areas, or maybe delay/QB spy pass rushes? I honestly am very perplexed in my situation with him.

Blitz him every 3rd and long? Mix it up? send him in coverage too? Does blitzing the weak side of a run take him out of run plays too often? Maybe QB spy/delay blitz on run downs and all out blitz on 3rd?

Advice is much appreciated!

[Tuboware67]

How to use Derrick Thomas correctly:

1. Pick him to be on your team
2. Blitz him
3. Have him pursue ball carriers
4. ???
5. Prosper.

[The Truth 808]

i have him on one of my teams with mike singletary. if the opposition runs play him in man because he breaks off blocks easily to get to the ball carrier. Blitz him outside like usual but u have to play him sometimes in order to be successful. He also makes a great coverage guy on backs and slot wr's.

[nepharius4]

I dunno i control him all day.

[wolfman23]

I do know what you mean. When I first used DT I just couldn't get anything out of him. What I do is play him on the strong side. Assign him to the oppositions star TE or HB on first and second down. Blitz him selectively, not all the time.

When you get your opponent in 3rd and long and you will frequently with DT covering their star offensive player, sub DT in as your lone LB in dime, or one of two LBs in nickle, and then blitz him. This is where he shines.

Who is on your D line BTW? Thomas, as all LBs, will benefit from some legends on the D line.

I really like Thomas, but Dave Wilcox, is fantastic in coverage, and just as good, if not better than Thomas against the run...Thomas is still the best pass rusher.

Good luck, and stick with it!

[Get Crazy]

I dunno i control him all day.

THE BEST MANUAL LB USER I've played on 2k8

I haven't feared anyone's manually controlled player since Quickwithdahands using Milloy and Intox Showtime using Urlacher in 2k5

[tpaterniti]

How to use Derrick Thomas correctly:

1. Pick him to be on your team
2. Blitz him
3. Have him pursue ball carriers
4. ???
5. Prosper.

LOL.

1. Step 1: Steal socks from dryer.
2. Step 2:
3. Step 3: Profit

[Kdrontle]

lol so I'm just guessing I need to mix up WHERE I blitz him from. I think I was just getting too predictable always sending him off the edge from the same area and such. Making him more of a free roaming player would maybe unleash his power! Thank you for the tips guys!

[SmallAlienGray]

I blow by people when I am Thomas. I might be better using him now than when I first started. I have mastered tackling with the right stick, wrap tackles, reach tackles, and high and low big hits. I still like Wilcox better. He can stay with the best TE's.

[xboxuser209]

I controlled him all game and the guy I was playijng against today called me a cheeser

[writer21]

THE BEST MANUAL LB USER I've played on 2k8

I haven't feared anyone's manually controlled player since Quickwithdahands using Milloy and Intox Showtime using Urlacher in 2k5

Well you would fear me again if you gave me the chance to play. I use greg lloyd or cap Angelo Crowell.

[Kdrontle]

writer do you just manually fly to the ball with your linebackers? Last night I created a cover 2 team that, in my opinion, has much promise. Heres why: I can take away the outside, and hopefully the deep part of the field calling a lot of cover 2 shading outside.

What I intend to have then happen with this is to have passes funneled to the middle of the field where not only do I have my big hitters/talent but I am manually controlling/taking away the middle. This leaves the game in my hands more than the AI. Take away out routes, manually cover posts over the middle, it forces people to get more creative and not run their favorite stuff.

I was thinking of getting DT or wilcox to do this, right now I have Butkus. All 5 of my defensive legends have strip ball. Have you guys had any success with strip ball players, such as DT? I'd LOVE to play "bend but don't break" defense and get forced fumbles every one in awhile. So far in my experience with this game, it doesn't seem possible.

Is there ANY way to get strip ball to work better? Charge players I'm assuming? Maybe "big hit" them high?

[CUBANO KATZ]

A 5-2 DEFENCE WITH DERRICK IS GREAT HE GOES IN UNTOUCHED AND CAN AVERAGE ABOUT 10 TO 15 SACKS ON THE QB

[nyknicks33]

writer do you just manually fly to the ball with your linebackers? Last night I created a cover 2 team that, in my opinion, has much promise. Heres why: I can take away the outside, and hopefully the deep part of the field calling a lot of cover 2 shading outside.

What I intend to have then happen with this is to have passes funneled to the middle of the field where not only do I have my big hitters/talent but I am manually controlling/taking away the middle. This leaves the game in my hands more than the AI. Take away out routes, manually cover posts over the middle, it forces people to get more creative and not run their favorite stuff.

I was thinking of getting DT or wilcox to do this, right now I have Butkus. All 5 of my defensive legends have strip ball. Have you guys had any success with strip ball players, such as DT? I'd LOVE to play "bend but don't break" defense and get forced fumbles every one in awhile. So far in my experience with this game, it doesn't seem possible.

Is there ANY way to get strip ball to work better? Charge players I'm assuming? Maybe "big hit" them high?


If you are going to play this kind of scheme..im thinking a LB core of DT, Bunocontti and Wilcox could do really well.

Bunoconti isnt the greates run coverage guy, but he's a good tackler and the only MLB with coverage bonus..you can cover a lot of the middle 1/3 of the field with him

[xManning1018x]

A 5-2 DEFENCE WITH DERRICK IS GREAT HE GOES IN UNTOUCHED AND CAN AVERAGE ABOUT 10 TO 15 SACKS ON THE QB

Negative - Abuses exploits.

[writer21]

writer do you just manually fly to the ball with your linebackers? Last night I created a cover 2 team that, in my opinion, has much promise. Heres why: I can take away the outside, and hopefully the deep part of the field calling a lot of cover 2 shading outside.

What I intend to have then happen with this is to have passes funneled to the middle of the field where not only do I have my big hitters/talent but I am manually controlling/taking away the middle. This leaves the game in my hands more than the AI. Take away out routes, manually cover posts over the middle, it forces people to get more creative and not run their favorite stuff.

I was thinking of getting DT or wilcox to do this, right now I have Butkus. All 5 of my defensive legends have strip ball. Have you guys had any success with strip ball players, such as DT? I'd LOVE to play "bend but don't break" defense and get forced fumbles every one in awhile. So far in my experience with this game, it doesn't seem possible.

Is there ANY way to get strip ball to work better? Charge players I'm assuming? Maybe "big hit" them high?

Well the defense you just described is basically what I've been using. But I mix in different zone coverages. Its actually better in this game then 2k5 because in 2k5 zones were not disguised well so you could easily read the coverage. In this game however you are forced 90% of the time to make quick reads with that scheme. What I suggest is you use Greg Lloyd and manually control him. Dont waste a gold pick on a LB. Use that for a shut down corner or safety if you run alot of cover 2. If you get good at manually covering you will force them to either run the ball or dump it off most of the times which will lead to mistakes most of the time. Bend but dont break basically. Btw dont use d-line either. Thats a waste as well. I would tell you more but thats up to you to figure out.

[writer21]

writer do you just manually fly to the ball with your linebackers? Last night I created a cover 2 team that, in my opinion, has much promise. Heres why: I can take away the outside, and hopefully the deep part of the field calling a lot of cover 2 shading outside.

What I intend to have then happen with this is to have passes funneled to the middle of the field where not only do I have my big hitters/talent but I am manually controlling/taking away the middle. This leaves the game in my hands more than the AI. Take away out routes, manually cover posts over the middle, it forces people to get more creative and not run their favorite stuff.

I was thinking of getting DT or wilcox to do this, right now I have Butkus. All 5 of my defensive legends have strip ball. Have you guys had any success with strip ball players, such as DT? I'd LOVE to play "bend but don't break" defense and get forced fumbles every one in awhile. So far in my experience with this game, it doesn't seem possible.

Is there ANY way to get strip ball to work better? Charge players I'm assuming? Maybe "big hit" them high?

Sorry I forgot to reply about the big hit question. I dont attempt the hit stick much. It usually causes you to badly miss and if you're the only one stopping the running back forget about it they're gone. As for ball strip, doesnt really work. Its a wasted ability imo. You know who I find to cause the most fumbles are legends or caps with Leadership. They just always make plays.

[Higgus]

Okay, I understand how to use Derrick Thomas right. But how do I use him left?

[bayjerk]

use him like a end and mix up spots where he blitzes... try to put in more plays like 3-3 and 3-2

[newuser123]

You press the button 2 times to the guy you are throwing to and he will chuck it long.

[Kdrontle]

Well the defense you just described is basically what I've been using. But I mix in different zone coverages. Its actually better in this game then 2k5 because in 2k5 zones were not disguised well so you could easily read the coverage. In this game however you are forced 90% of the time to make quick reads with that scheme. What I suggest is you use Greg Lloyd and manually control him. Dont waste a gold pick on a LB. Use that for a shut down corner or safety if you run alot of cover 2. If you get good at manually covering you will force them to either run the ball or dump it off most of the times which will lead to mistakes most of the time. Bend but dont break basically. Btw dont use d-line either. Thats a waste as well. I would tell you more but thats up to you to figure out.

Yeah I personally think I'm solid at manual coverage. In fact, with other teams I've just manually covered legends with a generic DB and did just fine. The reason I'm throwing a gold pick at LB is to be different, to try to break the mold of what I see online and have success with it.

Every team online is 4 DB's 1 LB 1 DL. I'd like to make LB's the strength of my team and therefore force people to adjust. It'd be fun to have a defense that can leave 7 in the box to stop the run with some legend LB's and still be in position against the pass which I manually can take away with the best of 'em.

The answer to all my passing problems would come with a decent pass rush also. This is where I struggle to find an answer, and I thought DT might be that answer. He'd be dynamic enough to factor into run plays, and also be a threat stopping the pass through both coverage and blitzing... I've just never had the guy take over a game, or even a series for that matter.

I feel like DT doesn't get off blocks that well. Whenever I play him I run right at him. In rushing the passer it seems as though he just isn't as relentless for me as his attributes may indicate. He may actually do real well in a QB spy/Delayed blitz situation off the outside. Either way, to make him worth a selection he HAS to be feared and accounted for in the passing game.

If anyone can tell me some other wonderful stories of DT having ridiculous games and how that happened for you, I'm all ears. Also, thank you for the advice so far guys, writer in particular.

[nepharius4]

When i use to never control DT he was always around the runner, rarely next to the QB and always in the middle of short passes, and running people down like crazy. The thing is when you manually control him and rush the qb he gets a crazy amount of boost to run down the qb i mean its ridiculous how fast he gets when he's chasing them down, i dont know if its some type of QB run down ability but it feels good until you get that animation where he misses the qb like he did on against dave kreig that day he got 7 sacks...bleh

[nyknicks33]

When i use to never control DT he was always around the runner, rarely next to the QB and always in the middle of short passes, and running people down like crazy. The thing is when you manually control him and rush the qb he gets a crazy amount of boost to run down the qb i mean its ridiculous how fast he gets when he's chasing them down, i dont know if its some type of QB run down ability but it feels good until you get that animation where he misses the qb like he did on against dave kreig that day he got 7 sacks...bleh


I believe he has speed burner and sack master correct? that would be a pretty deadly QB pursuit combo

[nepharius4]

and pass rush or something, i think its either 2 qb ability things or 2 fumble like things, either way yes the ******* is the Attack Cat

[25centsandwich]

I normally put DT at Will. He literally shuts down that whole side of the field when it comes to the run. Got Leon Lett over there and they're quite a combo. I can't tell you how many tackles for losses Thomas has when I overloaded the strong side of the offensive formation and had DT back there all alone. The guy beats blockers and gets to the ball.

As far as pass rush goes, he's not Superman in this area but if you call some DL stunts he is very effective at reading them and puttin pressure on the QB.

[kcxiv]

hmm.. so your putting a DT at linebacker? thats pretty cheesy.

ALso, using a pick on a dline isnt really a bad thing. I played this one guy the other day and his DT was getting in on my QB fast and almost every time i dropped back i had to throw the ball really fast. He was by far the best defense i have played in 2k8. I could litterally do Nothing against him. Throw short he was there. throw deep he was there. run right, left middle, he was there. All with a Star DT.

[Get Crazy]

DT= Derrick Thomas

[LSUTIGERSPHXSUNS]

If I made an OLB with Speed, quick feet, closing speed, and two other abilities, would he be as fast as DT??

[nepharius4]

you see thats a good question because we don't know what goes into the hidden ratings we don't see.

[LSUTIGERSPHXSUNS]

Yeah, I just used Derrick Thomas, and hes sooo fast and agile.

[Kdrontle]

OK, I figured him out! Had a ridiculous play where he flew off the edge, stripped Cunningham of the ball, picked up the ball and took it to the house like the stud he is! Aaaaanyway...

Basically getting him to fly to the QB untouched or just outrunning a lineman is preferred more than usual. Unlike DL, Thomas doesn't have the strength to consistently get off blocks and get immediate pressure like a Reggie White may. Instead, Thomas shines when he flies in untouched or minimally challenged. This means blitzing and depending on some DB's! Against the run DT is a freak as long as they don't run AT you and get a blocker over you.

Here's my current defensive set-up that, in my opinion, allows DT to be the feared gold OLB I always envisioned him to be:

G Thomas OLB

S Butler SS
S Cherry FS (absolute STUD on special teams)

B Lewis CB
B McDaniel CB
B Studwell LB
B Perry DT (might swap for Saleaumua...Perry is less mobile, but clogs well)

I control Thomas most of the time, and usually have him playing "downhill" attacking the play regardless if it's a pass or run. With 4 DB's blitzing IS a legitimate option and is necessary for success. I attempt a ball control offense so the idea on defense is to make plays and STOP them, NOT "bend but don't break".

Do any other players in the game get that coveted strip ball animation occasionally when hitting the QB?