Playbooks
SS Sim 2 out of the Nickel Swap Dbl Mug set is a zone pressure package that shows a mugged double A gap look before dropping into a simulated four man rush behind a two deep shell underneath. The offense sees blitzers stacked at the line but the defense swaps out one or both mugged linebackers into coverage, creating a disguised zone drop scheme designed to bait quick throws into traffic. Primary read progression for the defense starts with the initial mug threat off the edge or A gap, then flows to reading the quarterback's eyes as the shown blitzers drop into underneath zones or hook areas while the safeties hold their two deep shell over the top.
Watch the running back and tight end release patterns first since they are the most common outlets against perceived pressure and the underneath zone droppers are sitting right in those lanes. If the offense calls a screen or quick RPO to beat what they think is pressure, the dropped zone defenders should be sitting on that route, so stay patient and let the play come to the defender. Beats teams that key blitz recognition based on defender depth at the snap, since the disguise holds defenders in blitz posture until the last possible frame before dropping. Gets exposed by quarterbacks who go through a full progression instead of throwing hot, since the simulated pressure only rushes four and can be picked apart by receivers working deep into the two deep shell voids. Check safety alignment before the snap, if both safeties are deep and level it confirms the two deep shell tag holds after the drop, if one safety creeps down late that usually signals the mug is a real blitz instead of the sim drop.
Show the double mug pre-snap for as long as possible before the play clock forces the snap to maximize the disguise factor and freeze the quarterback's presnap protection calls.
User the mugged linebacker who drops into coverage since he is your best chance at jumping a hot read or slant that the offense expects to be open against pressure.
Use this on early downs or third and short when offenses are conditioned to expect max protection or quick game against a mug look, since the simulated drop punishes hot routes and hitches.
Pair SS Sim 2 with Blitz Loop 3 or Blitz Loop 0 in the same set so the offense cannot key on the mug look alone and has to respect the real blitz threat every snap.
Mix in SS 2 Trap from this set as a changeup so your opponent sees the same double mug picture but has to guess whether it is a trap coverage or the Sim 2 drop.