Playbooks
Edge Blitz 0 is a Cover 0 man blitz out of the 3-3 Over Jack Nickel package that sends pressure off both edges while leaving zero deep safety help behind man coverage. The blocking assignment for the defense is designed to overload the tackles with simultaneous edge rushers while the second and third level defenders lock up in man across the board. As the defensive play caller, your primary read progression is presnap: identify the running back's protection assignment and confirm whether the offense has a hot route or check release that can beat the blitz before the snap, then post snap track the quarterback's eyes to jump the first in-breaking route since there is no deep safety to bail you out.
Presnap, check for stacked or bunched receivers since those alignments create natural rubs that beat man coverage and make this call risky. Watch the running back's alignment and eyes before the snap, since if he stays in to block you get a numbers advantage on the rush, but if he leaks out for a check release he becomes the first read against your blitz. Post snap, key the slot defender's man matchup, since quick slants and option routes from the slot are the fastest answer to Cover 0 and the first place a smart quarterback will attack. This call dominates against play designs that need time to develop, such as deep shots or multiple progression reads, because the free rushers force an early throw. This call gets exposed against hot route beaters, quick screens, and any route combo with natural picks or rub concepts, so respect formations that suggest those answers before you commit.
Only call this play on early downs or third and long when you are confident in your man matchups across the board since there is no safety help over the top.
Use presnap motion adjustments to check if the offense shifts protection toward one edge, and if they slide protection to the blitz side, consider audibling to FS Will Blitz 0 instead to attack the opposite edge.
User the most dangerous edge rusher immediately at the snap to speed rush past the tackle before the quarterback can get through his first read, since any hesitation lets the blitz get picked up.
Pair this call with Cover 1 LB Blitz or Cover 1 Robber on the following snap so the offense cannot key on Cover 0 look every time you show single high presnap.
Avoid calling this against empty formations or against quarterbacks who beat the blitz quickly with quick game concepts, since man coverage with no help is vulnerable to any free access beater.