Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Tampa 2 out of the 3-3 Load Dbl Mug Nickel package drops both deep safeties to the outside thirds while the middle linebacker sinks down the pipe to close the deep middle void, creating the classic four-deep look underneath a two-deep shell. The three underneath zone defenders (two flat corners and one hook player) sink to their landmarks at the sticks, with the two inside defenders crossing shallow zones near the box while the deep MLB carries vertically to rob any post or seam throw. This is a zone beater designed to shut down four verticals and deep in-cuts, so the primary read progression for the offense facing this call is to attack the flats and hooks underneath before the Tampa 2 hole closes, since the deep middle threat gets erased once the MLB gets his depth.
Defensive Reads
Watch the offense's number two and three receivers immediately after the snap since seam routes and deep digs into the Tampa 2 hole are the primary conflict for the sinking MLB. If the running back or slot receiver releases into the flat, key the corner and outside underneath defender to squeeze the route before it develops width. This shell is vulnerable to quick game and RPO stick concepts underneath, so if the offense comes out in a bunch or trips look, expect a spacing or shallow drag concept designed to sit underneath the sinking linebacker. It shuts down four verticals and deep post shots cold, but if the offense audibles into a heavy run look, get ready to fill downhill quickly since this call sacrifices an extra box defender for coverage depth. Watch for a lurking user defender jumping the flat route, since that is the most common user assignment in this shell and quarterbacks who throw hot to the flat without checking leverage will get picked.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or third and medium when you expect the offense to test the middle of the field with posts or deep crossers, since the extra deep defender in the middle takes that away. Pre-snap, identify if the offense is in a stack or bunch look designed to pick the flat defenders, and be ready to user the underneath hook defender to jump any quick out or curl route. Bait quarterbacks into throwing behind the sinking MLB by initially showing a single high safety look before rotating to the two-deep shell at the snap. Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky and Cover 3 Match from the same set so quarterbacks cannot key deep safety width or MLB depth pre-snap, forcing hesitation on their first read. Avoid this call on third and long against spread sets since the flat defenders can be stressed horizontally if the offense has four or five receiving options attacking the same level.
