Playbooks
Nickel Sim 2 is a five man pressure package out of the Swap Dbl Mug front that disguises a double mug look at the line before dropping into a two deep zone shell behind it. The simulated pressure sends only a portion of the mugged defenders while the rest bail into coverage, creating confusion for the quarterback on protection identification and blitz recognition. Primary read progression starts by identifying which mugged linebacker actually rushes versus drops, then working from the initial user controlled defender at the line to the deep half safeties to close passing lanes underneath.
Read the quarterback's eyes immediately after the snap since sim pressure is designed to bait a hot throw into a zone that is actually occupied. Watch for the offense sliding protection toward the mugged linebackers, which tells you they respect the blitz and may leave the play side open for a delayed rush. Key the tight end and running back releases, since sim packages are most vulnerable to check release routes into the vacated underneath zones. This call is effective against man beater route combos and rub concepts because the underneath defenders sit and read rather than chase in man coverage. It can be exploited by quick game concepts like slants and hitches thrown before the zone defenders fully rotate, so user a defender to jump the most likely quick throw based on formation and personnel.
Show the double mug look consistently on early downs so the offense cannot key off your tendencies when you actually bring the house on other calls in the set like Blitz Loop 3 or Blitz Loop 0.
Use this on third and medium when the offense is likely to call a quick game or hot route beater, since the simulated drop confuses timing throws.
Manually spy the running back or slot receiver with your user controlled defender if you suspect a check release into the flat, since the sim disguise leaves that area vulnerable for a beat.
Pair this call with Cover 3 Match or Cover 3 Sky earlier in the series so the quarterback sees a similar pre snap picture and cannot distinguish sim pressure from a true blitz.
Avoid calling this on obvious passing downs against mobile quarterbacks who can escape the pocket, since only limited rushers are actually attacking the backfield.