Playbooks
SS Dog 3 is a five-man pressure package out of the 3-2 Swap Dbl Mug look in Dime personnel, sending the Strong Safety off the edge as an extra rusher while the defense rotates into a Cover 3 shell behind it. The double mug alignment at the second level disguises exactly who is coming, since either linebacker or the safety can be the free rusher depending on the blitz assignment. Post-snap, the primary read is the quarterback's eyes to the flat and underneath hook zones, since the Cover 3 defenders sink to take away the deep thirds while the blitz forces a quick decision.
Watch the running back's release at the snap, since a blocking back can pick up the safety blitz and buy the quarterback extra time. Key the offensive line's slide protection, if they slide toward the mugged linebackers, the safety rush lane off the edge should be wide open. This play struggles against quick game route combos and hot RPOs that get the ball out before the rush arrives, so respect three step drops. It shuts down max protect shotgun sets and empty formations that cannot account for the extra rusher, forcing hurried throws into the Cover 3 zones. Post-snap, user the flat defender to react to swing passes and screens, since offenses will try to beat the pressure with a quick outlet throw to the perimeter.
Use SS Dog 3 on early downs or third and medium when you want pressure without fully exposing a Cover 0 look, since the Cover 3 shell behind the blitz still protects the deep field. Show the same pre-snap mugged alignment before running Blitz Loop 3 or Blitz Loop Sim 3 from this set so quarterbacks cannot key on which look brings the extra rusher based on the walk-up. Before the snap, identify if the offense has a running back staying in to block, since that will affect whether your fifth rusher gets home cleanly. Hot route the flat defender to jump underneath routes if you see a quick game concept like slants or stick, since the Cover 3 sink can be attacked with fast timing throws. Mix this call with Cover 3 Sky and Cover 3 Match on early downs so your Cover 3 shell tendency covers the blitz without becoming predictable.