Do they work for someone? In all the games that I watch, even the best/fastest running backs are caught mercilessly before "turning the corner". I'm not sure that it's very realistic that outside runs have an ypp consistently lower than inside ones. I'm not sure but I've the impression that it's the plays themselves that have a problem : either there are no (or not enough) blockers, either they are behind the running back and useless. But it could just be that the ability of defenders to detect an end run and choose the perfect angle are much superior to those of their nfl counterparts Maybe another thing : the tackles seem much more dependable on outside runs than on inside ones. Anyway it all boils down to one thing : in my opinion, outside runs are broken :) Fire away!

i measured the field sideline to sideline and found the field to be too narrow. Of course that could be due to my widescreen tv stretching the playing field.

My teams have all had success on the outside, however I do tend to find them to be very boom or bust. Either you turn the corner for 10+ yards or you're squished at the LOS.

Some of my teams are able to run outside, and some aren't. I haven't yet discovered the reason why I can't do it with all of them.

And, similar to Ares, I find that it's boom or bust. Either 10+ yards or -2.

I wish we had some good scouting tools, especially self-scouting, so I could get a better feel for what works and what doesn't. It would be helpful in this discussion.

It takes a lot of speed to hit the outside, most backs are just not fast enough to beat the defenders to the edge…just like in the NFL.

I think everyone is kind of touching on all the right points..

IMO...

Yes these plays are boom or bust.

Don't be fooled into thinking you HAVE to have a HB with blazing speed, not so. In fact it can be to your detriment.
Very rarely as the OP pointed out do HBs turn the corner and get a good gain, from what I've seen. But I have had success on these plays by using a HB with LESS speed but with quicker linemen that can pull, its no good having a a HB matched up with a quick OLB or secondary, if they get to your HB behind the LOS, you are most certainly going to lose out every time.

For me, it's always been about the blockers. If they can get outside and block defenders, then you're going to have success. Toss plays are hit-and-miss all throughout football. Rarely do backs just make 1-2 defenders outright miss when they're not even at full-speed, before they've crossed the line of scrimmage. Gotta get blocks until you hit the edge, then speed matters.

A Fast TE, fast FB and pulling lineman are the keys to more success outside. That being said -2 yard results are much more common after the last persuit update. The outside run used to be a staple play, but has become a change up on my teams.

Oh and a run blocking wr!