Playbooks
SS Sim 2 is a five man pressure package out of the 3-2 Swap Dbl Mug front in Dime personnel, built to disguise where the extra rush is coming from while dropping into a two deep shell behind it. The Mug alignment shows blitz from both inside linebackers pre snap, but this call sends a simulated pressure look, meaning at least one of those defenders bails into a zone drop instead of rushing. Your primary read is the strong safety, track his blitz or drop trigger at the snap since he dictates whether you have five or six in coverage, then work zone drops from the underneath linebackers out to the deep half safeties.
Pre snap, identify if the offense is sliding protection toward the Mug linebackers, which tells you they respect the pressure and are more likely to throw quick or check down. Post snap, key the strong safety's first two steps to confirm whether he is blitzing or dropping, since user controlling him wrong can leave a wide open void in the middle of the field. This call beats teams that rely on quick game man beater combos like slants and speed outs, since the simulated pressure disguises the extra underneath defender who can jump those throws. Watch for offenses running deep crossers or dig routes against your two deep safety shell, since a well timed throw between the numbers can exploit any late rotation from your safeties. Avoid this call against heavy play action rollout teams, since a delayed pass rush combined with drop coverage responsibilities can get exposed if your edge defenders do not disengage quickly from run fits.
Use this call on early downs or second and medium when offenses expect a standard four man rush and are not anticipating a mugged look. Bait the quarterback into thinking a full six man blitz is coming, then user the strong safety and drop him into the shallow hole to jump quick game throws like slants and stick routes. Pair this play with SS 2 Trap in the same set so the offense cannot key on your Mug front, since one shows extra pressure while the other stays true to a trap coverage concept. Watch the offensive line's protection slide before the snap, if they shift toward the Mug side you can confidently drop into coverage knowing the fake pressure already won the mental battle. Save this for third and long situations where quarterbacks are primed to check down quickly, since the two deep safety shell takes away the deep ball while your underneath defenders squeeze the middle.