Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 14 playbooks
Breakdown
Edge Blitz 2 brings a four man edge pressure package with both outside rushers crashing off the corners while the interior rusher loops through the middle of the box, all converging toward the quarterback's launch point. Behind the pressure, the coverage rolls into a two deep shell with both safeties bracketing the deep thirds and the underneath defenders sinking into short zone drops on the edges and hook areas. This is a zone blitz designed to disguise a Cover 2 shell while sending extra numbers off the edge, so the primary read for the offense is identifying which edge the free rusher is coming from and getting the ball out before the pocket collapses.
Defensive Reads
Pre snap, check the offensive line's protection call and identify if they are sliding toward one edge, which tells you which rusher will win first. Watch for max protect looks with running backs or tight ends releasing late, since that neutralizes the edge pressure and forces the coverage shell to hold up longer. This beats slow developing man beater concepts and rollout play action because the edge rushers close the pocket before the quarterback can reset his platform. It struggles against hot route sight adjustments and quick slants thrown before the rush arrives, so user the underneath zone defender toward the field side to jump those routes. Post snap, if the quarterback immediately looks to the flat or checks it down, spy the running back with your user controlled linebacker to eliminate the outlet before it develops.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or second and medium when you want to disrupt offensive rhythm without fully committing to a zero blitz look.
Pre snap, identify if the offense is in a spread formation with quick game concepts, since the fast edge pressure eats into shotgun quick throw timing.
Motion an offensive skill player pre snap if you are on offense against this look to force the defense to declare its rotation, then attack the vacated flat or seam.
On defense, pair Edge Blitz 2 with Cover 2 Hard Flat or Cover 2 Sink in the same set to keep quarterbacks guessing between a two deep shell with different underneath drop depths.
Use this play in short yardage or third and long situations where the offense is likely to hold blockers in, since the extra rushers can overwhelm a five man protection.
