Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 14 playbooks
Breakdown
DB Fire 2 is a DB blitz out of the Dime Big 2-3-6 Will set that brings pressure from the slot corners while dropping the two deep safeties into a Cover 2 shell over the top. The two underneath defensive backs and the middle linebacker zone drop into shallow window spots to take away quick hitters while the box shows five rushers with the fire zone blitz off the edges. This is a zone beater blitz designed to disrupt the quarterback's rhythm on early down-and-distance while still protecting deep with two safeties over the top, so the primary read is getting the fire zone pressure home before the underneath zone defenders can be picked apart by combo routes.
Defensive Reads
Watch the running back pre-snap, if he stays in to block the blitz can still get home, but if he releases into the vacated underneath zone he becomes an easy check down target. Key the slot receivers at the snap, since the underneath zone defenders are reading their initial release before sinking into their landmarks. This blitz beats man beater concepts and quick game because the fire zone pressure collapses the pocket before receivers can separate downfield. Cover 2 hard flat and shallow drag combos with a seam route can exploit this if the underneath zone defenders overcommit to the flat, so keep eyes on any receiver sitting in the void between the blitzers and the deep safeties. If the offense audibles to a max protect or play-action rollout, the blitz can be neutralized, so be ready to user the closest rusher to contain the quarterback and prevent the scramble drill.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect the offense to attack the middle with drag or crossing combos, since the fire zone pressure disrupts timing before those routes develop.
Check pre-snap for offenses lined up in spread sets with no extra blockers, since the blitzing DBs will win one on one against tackles and running backs.
If the offense shows empty backfield or trips to one side, user the deep half safety away from the blitz to help bracket any go route or deep out that tries to exploit the vacated underneath zone.
Pair this play with Cover 2 Sink or Tampa 2 in the same set so quarterbacks cannot key the two deep safety look and anticipate the extra rushers.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against empty formations with quick game concepts, since the hot underneath throws can beat the blitz before the fire zone rushers arrive.
