Playbooks
Breakdown
Edge Blitz 1 out of the Dime 2-3-6 Sam set brings pressure off the edge while playing Cover 1 man behind it, with five underneath defenders showing blitz paths crashing downhill and a single deep safety sitting over the top of the number one receiver. The blocking diagram shows two rushers crossing off the strong side edge to create a stunt or twist while the remaining defenders funnel toward the box, leaving the deep middle defender isolated in man coverage on the vertical threat. This is a man beater blitz package designed to win with pressure before the quarterback can find a hole in the coverage, and the primary read progression for the offense facing this look is to identify the crossing stunt quickly and get the ball out to the shallow or hot route before the free rusher arrives.
Defensive Reads
Pre-snap, check for a lone deep safety and press corners on the outside, which confirms the Cover 1 man shell behind the blitz. Identify running backs staying in to block versus releasing into routes, since a check release back can pick up your edge rushers and buy the quarterback extra time. Post-snap, watch the crossing stunt develop off the strong edge and be ready to user the looping defender if the tackle correctly blocks the initial rusher. This look is vulnerable to quick game concepts like slants and stick routes that attack the underneath void created by the blitzing linebackers. Beware of empty formations and quick screens to the perimeter, since the aggressive downhill pursuit can be outflanked if receivers get outside the crashing defenders.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and short when you expect a run or a quick pass, since the aggressive edge pressure can be gashed by screens if the offense diagnoses it pre-snap.
Check the offensive formation for trips or bunch sets before the snap, since Cover 1 man behind this blitz can get picked on natural rub routes if you do not adjust your press alignment.
Use the crossing stunt on the strong side edge to confuse the offensive tackle and guard, and user the looping rusher if you want manual control over the free lane.
Mix this with Cover 1 Contain and Cover 1 Robber Press from the same set so quarterbacks cannot key blitz versus coverage based on your pre-snap look.
Avoid calling this on third and long against empty backfields, since the single high safety leaves your man corners exposed on deep comebacks and posts if the rush does not get home in time.
