Playbooks
Breakdown
Saw Blitz 3 is a five-man pressure package out of the Penny 3-3-5 Big Nickel personnel that drops into a Cover 3 shell behind the rush. The blitz brings extra numbers off the edge or through an interior gap while three deep defenders split the field into thirds and underneath zone defenders wall off the short and intermediate throwing lanes. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise pressure while still protecting against big plays over the top, so the primary read for the defense is to time the snap, get quick vertical pressure on the quarterback, and force a hurried throw into a closing underneath zone defender.
Defensive Reads
Watch for offenses sliding protection toward the blitz side presnap, which tells you the quarterback has identified the extra rusher and you should consider checking to a different look. This play beats offenses that rely on quick game and man beater route combos since the added rush disrupts timing before receivers can separate. Spread formations and empty backfields are dangerous versus this call because the extra blitzer removes a potential zone defender, so watch for hot routes into the vacated area if you get the low blitz number. Post snap, key the running back or tight end checking into a hot route pattern against your blitzer, since that is the first outlet the quarterback looks for versus pressure. Play action out of run heavy personnel can slow your rush timing, so if you see run action alignment presnap be ready for the quarterback to hold the ball and target a receiver working behind your rotating deep thirds.
Usage Tips
Use this call on early downs or second and medium when offenses are still establishing their run-pass tendencies, since the disguised pressure can catch play callers off guard before they commit to protection checks.
Show the same pre-snap alignment you use for Corner Blitz 3 or Slot Blitz 3 so quarterbacks cannot key on the extra rusher just from formation and depth of the second level defenders.
User the underneath zone defender closest to the strongside slot receiver to jump quick game throws like slants and shallow crosses, since the blitz naturally speeds up the quarterback's decision clock.
If the offense runs empty or spread sets, be ready to hot route the deep third defenders to squeeze throwing windows against four and five receiver looks.
Mix this in with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Buzz from the same set so your Cover 3 shell looks identical presnap regardless of whether you are bringing extra pressure or dropping eight.
