Playbooks

Big Dime 3-2-6

1 Set1 Formation

Defensive Front

3 DT2 MIKE3 CBFS2 SS

Overview

Big Dime 3-2-6 puts three defensive linemen, two linebackers, and six defensive backs on the field, which in Madden shows up under the Dollar family with the 3-2 sub formation. The extra defensive back is typically a third safety rather than a fourth corner, so you keep coverage speed without giving up all of your tackling and run fit ability in the box. Against 10 and 11 personnel spread looks, this package lets you match every eligible with a defensive back while still keeping two linebackers to carry the back and the seams, and it forces the offense to either check into a run against a light box or accept one on one matchups on the outside.

Strengths

  • Six defensive backs means you can match speed with speed against 4x1 and empty sets, eliminating the linebacker on a slot receiver mismatch that spread offenses hunt every snap.
  • The third safety plays more physically in run support than a fourth corner would, so screens, draws, and QB scrambles do not automatically turn into chunk gains.
  • The 3-2 front leaves two extra bodies for disguise: you can show two high and rotate to Cover 3 or Cover 1 post snap, or creep a safety down for a delayed A gap blitz that the back cannot pick up.
  • Three down linemen plus edge blitzes off the second level create free rushers when you time the snap right, and overloading one side against a slide protection generates pressure without sending six.
  • Coverage depth lets you user the middle of the field aggressively while your zone defenders carry verticals, which shuts down deep crossers and seam shots from bunch and trips.

Weaknesses

  • Only three linemen and two linebackers means heavy personnel gets a numbers advantage in the box, and a good user will motion into 12 or 21 personnel and pound inside zone or a lead run at your undersized fits.
  • A three man rush without a blitz gives the QB a clean pocket, and against a mobile quarterback the two linebackers get stressed in the run/pass conflict when he takes off up the middle.
  • Play action holds your linebackers and instantly opens the intermediate hook and curl zones because you do not have a third second level defender to fill the void.
  • If you leave this package on the field for extended drives, opponents will key the tendency and audible into power run concepts or max protect deep shots that punish a light front.
  • Backup safeties and third corners in most rosters have coverage ratings that drop off quickly, so isolating your sixth defensive back with a motion and a quick slant or option route is a repeatable answer.

Sets (1)

Set· Dollar

3-2

35 Plays
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