Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Tampa 2 out of the Nickel Double Mug set shows a two deep safety shell with both corners bailing to underneath zones, four defenders dropping to intermediate spots (two hook/curl defenders and two flat defenders shown by the red arrows), and the middle linebacker (olive colored icon) running the deep middle hole to close the void between the two safeties. This is a zone coverage shutdown call designed to defend the deep middle and take away vertical shots while still getting numbers underneath. Primary read progression is deep middle first (checking the MLB's depth in the pipe), then working outside to the flat defenders and hook/curl zones for anything underneath.
Defensive Reads
Watch the number two receiver to each side pre-snap, if they run vertical seams that is the classic Tampa 2 beater and your MLB needs to get depth immediately. Post-snap, key the MLB's drop, if he is too shallow or gets picked off by a rub route, seam routes will split the safeties for a big gain. This shell struggles against four verticals and deep post-corner combos if the MLB is slow to reach his zone, so watch for stacked or bunch formations trying to create that exact conflict. It shuts down most man beater double moves and shallow crossers since the underneath zone defenders squeeze the middle and the safeties stay deep. Look for offenses attacking the flats with speed outs or quick screens, since the corners bail deep and leave the flat defenders isolated against athletic receivers or backs.
Usage Tips
Call this on early downs or obvious pass downs when you expect play-action or shot plays, since the extra deep middle defender discourages posts and deep crossers.
Pre-snap, identify if the offense is stacking receivers to one side or running vertical stems, which signals they are trying to attack the deep middle before the MLB can get depth.
Hot route the flat defenders into deeper curl zones if you are facing heavy flood concepts to that side, since Tampa 2 flats can be exposed to quick outs and flood routes.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Sky or Cover 3 Match from the same set to disguise your shell, since both start with a similar two high look before rotating differently.
Use user control on the MLB dropping into the deep middle to jump any in-cuts or deep crossers, this is the key defender that makes Tampa 2 different from standard Cover 2.
