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Franchise Playsheet
Max Protect
PlaysheetOffenseOverview
Max Protect is a 30 play franchise situational playsheet built around one idea: keep extra bodies in to block, sell play action, and give the quarterback time for routes that take a while to develop. Its concept list shows the intent. Play Action, Block and Release, Deep Cross, Post Corner, Corner and Post are the core, and Drag, Flat, Out and Speed Out serve as outlets once protection has bought a clean pocket. Sample calls like PA Deep Cross Go, Mtn PA Power Spot and Close PA Cross show the formula: a hard run fake, a max protect shell, then a deep crosser or vertical shot.
The formation spread is top heavy. Singleback carries 15 plays (50%) across 3 sets. Shotgun adds 9 plays (30%) across 4 sets, and I Form and Pistol get 3 plays each (10%) from a single set apiece. Personnel runs from 23 (2 RB, 3 TE, 0 WR) and 21 up through 12 and 11, so the sheet can go from a jumbo protection look to a three receiver spread without leaving the plan. The larger formations come from multi back and multi tight end groups, which is exactly what a max protect sheet needs to pick up five and six man pressure.
This sheet is larger than 20% of the game's 42 offensive franchise playsheets. That gives you more than a token handful of max protect calls: you can actually build a series from it instead of one surprise play. Pick Max Protect over a quick game or spread heavy sheet when your opponent lives on the blitz, when your line cannot hold up in a five man protection, or when you want downfield shots off play action on early downs and in long yardage.
Scheme Fit
Max Protect wants a pocket passer with strong deep accuracy and throw power, a play action rating that sells fakes, big-bodied tight ends and a fullback with good pass block ratings, and at least one route runner who can win on deep crossers and corner routes. It suits a patient, methodical play caller who likes to take calculated shots downfield behind extra protection, especially someone facing blitz heavy opponents or managing an offensive line that struggles in five man protection.
Playsheet bonuses
- IUnlocks the playsheet
- II+5Deep Route Running, Spectacular CatchWR/TE
- III+5Deep AccuracyQBs+2Throw PowerQBs
- IV+7Pass Block, Pass Block Power, Pass Block FinesseOL
Every play in this playsheet (30 plays)
Singleback Deuce Close6 plays
Singleback Wing6 plays
I Form Close3 plays
Pistol Ace Double Wing3 plays
Shotgun Ace3 plays
Shotgun Y Off Trio Close3 plays
Shotgun Y Off Trips2 plays
Shotgun Y Off Trips Stack1 play
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Strengths
- Singleback holds half the playbook across 3 sets, so you can run a full play action series (Deep Cross, Post Corner, Corner) from one formation family and punish a defense that has to respect the run fake every snap from the same look.
- The 23 and 21 personnel groups put extra backs and tight ends on the field, and Block and Release concepts let those extra blockers pick up a nano blitz before leaking to the flat, which beats pressure-heavy players who overload one side.
- Shotgun gives you 9 plays across 4 sets, the most set variety in the sheet, so you can motion or shift into 11 or 12 personnel spacing and hot route a Drag or Speed Out as a blitz beater when max protect is not needed.
- Deep Cross and Post Corner are paired with extra protection, so you get the two most reliable Madden zone beaters against Cover 3 and Cover 4 with the time to let them finish, instead of throwing them hot from an empty backfield.
- Formation subs across 23, 21, 12 and 11 let you swap a third tight end or fullback for blocking without changing the call, which keeps your audible package flexible against dime and nickel pressure packages.
Weaknesses
- The listed concepts are all pass oriented with play action tags and no standalone run concepts, so a smart opponent can sit in pass coverage and ignore your run fakes once they notice you never hand the ball off from this sheet.
- I Form and Pistol get only 3 plays each from a single set, so those looks become obvious tells. When you line up in them, the defense can narrow its read to a very short list of calls.
- Max protect means fewer route runners. From 23 personnel you have zero wide receivers, and a user controlled robber or a spy on the crosser can erase your only primary read.
- The deep developing routes (Deep Cross, Post Corner, Corner) need long drops and play action timing, which makes this sheet a poor fit for two minute drills or clock management where quick outs and sideline throws matter most.
- With 50% of the plays in Singleback, a defender who keys that formation can settle into one coverage call on a large share of your snaps and stop respecting the rest of the sheet.
Usage Tips
Build your base audible package around Singleback's 3 sets. Call the play action Deep Cross and Post Corner shots on 1st and 10 and 2nd and short, when the defense is most likely to bite on a run fake and bring a safety down.
On 3rd and long against a blitzing opponent, go to the Shotgun sets and keep a Block and Release call ready. Hot route the release back to a Flat or Drag so you have a checkdown if the rush gets home.
Save the I Form set for 2nd and short or short yardage near midfield, where the heavy personnel sells run, then take a play action shot. Use it sparingly because it only holds 3 plays.
Use the Pistol set as a change up after two or three Singleback play action calls in a row. A call like Mtn PA Power Spot shows a different backfield alignment while still keeping the extra protection look.
When your opponent sits in soft zone and refuses to blitz, switch to 11 personnel Shotgun calls like Deep Stick and Speed Out variants to get more receivers into routes instead of wasting blockers.
Formations in this playbook
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