Nickel Sim 2

Watch for the offense to check into a hot route or quick screen the moment they see the mugged front, since that tells you they respect the pressure and will throw hot. If the quarterback holds the ball and looks downfield, your two deep safeties in the Cover 2 shell should stay disciplined and not bite on double moves. This look beats man concepts and rub routes underneath because the zone drops clog crossing patterns designed to shake man defenders. It is vulnerable to quick slants and stick routes to the flat if your underneath defenders sim too early or attack the wrong gap. Post snap, key the running back's release: if he leaks out for a check down, your dropping linebacker should be sitting in that throwing lane rather than continuing to fake the rush.