Playbooks
Cover 2 Man out of the Predator 3-4 Base package is a hybrid coverage call that combines press man principles underneath with two deep safeties splitting the field. The two corners and linebackers lock onto their assigned receivers, while both safeties stay on top to erase anything over the deep middle or deep outside numbers. This is a pure coverage play with no blitz attached, best used to bait quarterbacks into deep shots that the two-deep shell is designed to close down, and your primary post-snap read is watching the underdneath defenders leverage their man matchups while keeping eyes on the safeties for any rotation or bracket over the top.
Watch both safeties pre-snap, if they are aligned deep and outside the numbers you are likely getting true Cover 2 Man rather than a disguised single-high shell Man beaters with rub routes and pick concepts can stress the underneath defenders, so user your most athletic linebacker or slot corner onto the opponent's best route runner This coverage is vulnerable to deep out routes and corner routes run into the seams between the safety and the sideline, so be ready to squeeze your zone drop with the flat defender if you see a stretch concept developing Play action rollouts can pull your underneath defenders out of position since they are locked in man technique, so discipline your linebackers to stay square and not bite hard on run fakes Blitz packages from the offense's protection scheme rarely affect this shell directly, but if the offense shows empty formations, check for a mismatch on your linebackers matched up against slot receivers or running backs in the pattern
Use this call on third and medium to third and long when opponents tend to attack vertically off play action
Pre-snap, check the WR splits and motion response to confirm it is true man coverage before the snap so you can key the safeties instead of guessing
Combine Cover 2 Man with Cov 1 QB Contain from this same Predator set to disguise your coverage shell, since both plays start with similar depth and DB alignment but rotate differently after the snap
Hot route your slot corner into a tighter press alignment against quick game teams to prevent easy option routes from beating the underneath leverage
Pair this play with Olb Strike 2 in your play-calling sequence so opponents cannot sit on the pure coverage look and must respect the added pressure package as a changeup