Playbooks
Edge Blitz 3 is a Cover 3 zone blitz out of the 3-3 Will Nickel package that sends edge pressure off both corners while dropping into a three deep, four under zone shell behind it. The design forces the offensive line into quick protection decisions since the edge rushers are attacking outside the tackles, while the linebackers and slot corner sink into underneath zones to take away quick game and shallow crossers. Primary read progression starts with identifying if the quarterback has a hot throw prepped for the edge pressure, then working from the deep middle third defender out to the flat zones as the play develops.
Pre snap, check safety depth and cornerback alignment, if both safeties are deep and corners are playing off, this confirms the Cover 3 shell and tells you the offense may test the deep thirds with go routes or deep outs. Watch for trips or bunch formations, since this play's underneath zone drops can get stressed by natural picks and rub routes, requiring a user controlled defender to sink under the traffic instead of chasing receivers man to man. Post snap, key the running back's release, if he leaks out to the flat vacated by the blitzing edge defender, that is the first answer hot routes will attack, so be ready to close that throwing lane with a user controlled linebacker. This play shuts down quick game and shallow drag concepts because of the underneath zone integrity, but it is exposed to well timed screens away from the blitz side, so respect bubble screens and jailbreak screens on passing downs. Look for four verticals or deep crossing concepts designed to stretch the deep third defenders, since the single high safety in the deep middle zone can be isolated if two receivers threaten his zone simultaneously.
Call this on third and medium to third and long when you expect the offense to sit in the pocket for a deeper drop, since the edge rush timing overwhelms five man protections before routes develop.
Check the offensive personnel pre snap, if you see three or more receivers spread wide, consider audibling the underneath zone drops slightly wider to protect against quick out and slant combos.
Use the flick up to manually spy the running back on passing downs if you see empty or shotgun spread looks, since the edge rushers can be sealed by chip blocks and leave a lane for a checkdown.
Pair this with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Match on early downs in the same set to disguise the blitz look, then bring Edge Blitz 3 on the down after the offense settles into a rhythm reading zone coverage.
Against mobile quarterbacks, user one of the edge rushers to contain the pocket rather than crashing straight upfield, since Edge Blitz 3 is vulnerable to scrambles if both edges commit too hard inside.