Playbooks
Mike Sam Cross 3 is a blitz package out of the Over Wide 4-2-5 set that sends both the Mike and Sam linebackers on a crossing blitz path to confuse offensive line blocking assignments while the defense rotates into a Cover 3 shell behind it. The three deep defenders split the field into thirds while the underneath zone defenders and the crossing blitzers create a five-man pressure look that disguises where the extra rushers are coming from. Your primary read is to identify which blocker picks up the crossing linebacker first, then user the free rusher off that exchange to attack the quarterback before the protection can adjust.
Check pre-snap for max protect looks with two backs staying in, since extra blockers can pick up both crossing linebackers and kill the pressure before it develops. Watch the tackle and tight end depth at the snap, if they widen out early they are anticipating the cross and will jump the exchange point. Identify empty backfield sets and trips formations since offenses without extra blockers cannot account for both crossing linebackers and this play wins fast against those looks. Read the quarterback's eyes post snap, if he immediately looks to the running back in the flat he is countering the blitz with a checkdown that beats the underneath zone vacated by the cross. Watch for hot route sight adjustments on slants, aggressive quick game beats this blitz before the crossing rushers can affect the pocket.
Show a standard four man front pre-snap and delay the linebacker crash animations as long as possible so the offense cannot identify the cross blitz until the ball is snapped.
User the Sam linebacker through his cross path since he usually wins the rep against a tackle or tight end who is late diagnosing the exchange.
Call this on early down and distance or short yardage third downs when offenses are more likely to run quick game or standard drop back passing instead of max protect looks.
Pair this with Cover 3 Sky and Sam Blitz 3 in the same play calling sequence so the offense sees a similar pre-snap picture but cannot key on which linebacker is actually coming free.
Spy the running back out of the backfield with your zone underneath defender if the offense has shown check release routes on film, since a free running back can beat this blitz to the flat.