Playbooks
Edge Blitz 2 out of 3 High Over in the 3-3-5 Big Nickel package is a five or six man pressure package designed to attack the tackles with speed rushers off both edges while dropping the rest of the defense into a two deep, man under shell behind it. The blocking scheme this beats relies on a running back or tight end having to identify the extra rusher late, and it wins most often on quick game and three step drops before the protection can adjust. Your primary read as the defense is to trigger fast off the edges and force the quarterback into a hurried decision while the underneath defenders lock up any in and out breaking routes.
Key the running back's eyes and shoulders at the snap, if he sits and scans for a blitzer that confirms the offense expects extra pressure Watch for the tackle to widen his base pre-snap, that is a tell he is anticipating an edge rusher and will kick out to protect This play beats man concepts and any protection that keeps the back in on check release duty, since the edge rushers get a two on one against the tackle Drop shells with a lurking linebacker or a robber safety can shut this down if the quarterback has time to find the middle of the field void created by the rush Man beater route combos like quick outs and speed motion into the boundary can exploit this if your slot corner bites on the blitz call, so stay disciplined on your man assignment underneath
Call this on third and medium to third and long when the offense is likely to use a five or six man protection with no extra chip help on the edges
Check the running back and tight end alignment before the snap, if both are staying in to block you have a numbers advantage off the edge
Use the defensive line hot route or slide protection beater by dragging your outside rushers wide to keep contain if you see a mobile quarterback tendency
Pair this with Cover 2 Match or Cover 4 Quarters earlier in a series so the offense has seen a two deep shell without pressure, then dial up Edge Blitz 2 to disguise the extra rusher out of the same look
Avoid calling this against empty formations or against quarterbacks who consistently hot route into quick slants, since the underneath defenders may be outleveraged before the rush arrives