Playbooks
Breakdown
Nickel Sim 2 is a simulated pressure package out of the 3-3 Load Dbl Mug set in Nickel personnel. Pre snap, both mug linebackers show blitz at the second level while the defense drops into a two deep shell with the corners and safeties bracketing the field, and the diagram shows two deep safeties rotating to the outside thirds while a shallow zone defender sits underneath. Only four rushers actually come as red arrows indicate the interior rush lanes, while the rest of the front drops into coverage, disguising the true blitz count. This is a zone based simulated pressure look, not a true blitz, so the primary read is the underneath crossing zone defender in the middle of the field followed by the flat defenders on each side.
Defensive Reads
Read the two deep safeties rotating outside pre snap, which signals a Cover 2 style shell over the top rather than a true all out blitz. Watch the mugged linebackers at the snap, since only the interior rushers shown by the red arrows are committing while the rest drop into zone. This beats quick game and hot route throws into the shallow middle since the underneath zone defender sits in that exact area to jump crossing routes. This is vulnerable to well timed deep shots to the corners if the offense recognizes the two deep safety rotation early and attacks the seams before the zone defenders settle. Post snap, key the flat defenders on both sides, since they will squeeze wide receiver hitches and quick outs if the quarterback tries to escape the middle read.
Usage Tips
Use pre snap motion to bait the offense into thinking this is a full blitz, since the mug backers show pressure but only rush four in the actual play design.
Call this on early downs when opponents expect a blitz based on the mugged look, since the drop into zone coverage will bait quick throws into traffic.
Pair Nickel Sim 2 with Blitz Loop Sim 3 and Blitz Loop 0 in the same set so opponents cannot key on pre snap disguise, since all three show similar mugged fronts but send different pressure.
Spy the middle of the field with your user controlled defender to help the shallow zone defender close on any drag or crosser trying to sit in the void underneath the deep safeties.
Use this on third and medium situations where the simulated pressure disguise forces a quick decision, since the true rush lanes come from the interior gaps shown by the red arrows.
