Blitzing a 99 "sense rush" QB ---?

[jzicc]

I chose not to blitz at all and he still killed me; Is that normally the best way to deal with a QB with a real high sense rush? or do you just back off the blitz a little and not all the way

[Narcizo]

99 sense rush QBs are normally godlike so it doesn't really matter what you do on defence. Personally I wouldn't change the gameplan much for him but I'm not a great fan of blitzing anyway. Trying to outscore him is the best bet.

[Vinatieri for Prez]

I blitz regardless of his sense rush rating. Of course, it helps to have good pass rush ratings. Probably good to play some bump & run at the same time.

[gstelmack]

Yup. While sense rush may mean you get fewer sacks, you'll still pressure him into throwing before he wants to, thus increasing his incompletions.

[Noop]

Play the Tampa 2 and don't blitz that often. Also when you do blitz bring someone from the secondary to rush the QB.

[dj_morton]

Originally Posted by Noop

Play the Tampa 2 and don't blitz that often. Also when you do blitz bring someone from the secondary to rush the QB.

I agree

[JMO]

How are u supposed the play the tampa 2? The zone settings don't seem to differentiate between the Cover 2 and the tampa 2.

[Warhammer]

Tampa 2 is BnR coverage with the CBs I believe.

Also, agreed on what was said here. Blitz him anyway, just don't bring the kitchen sink. It will force him to get the ball away early, which will result in more incompletions and INTs.

[JMO]

Originally Posted by Warhammer

Tampa 2 is BnR coverage with the CBs I believe.

Also, agreed on what was said here. Blitz him anyway, just don't bring the kitchen sink. It will force him to get the ball away early, which will result in more incompletions and INTs.

Are you sure. In tampa 2 the middle linebacker plays the deep middle and the safeties take the outsides as far as I believe. In this scheme the CBs shouldn't be playing BnR, they would be playing shallow zones.

I think Cover2 bump and run is just that.. a cover 2 where the corners play bump and run. The diff between Cover2 and tampa 2 is the mlb covering the middle deep. I don't see how cover2 BnR indicates that, this is happenig.

[Dutch]

Here's a pretty solid article describing the differences, including the cover-2/tampa-2 difference. Or m2m vs bnr.

Although a defense may employ 20 to 30 different pass coverages, “Cover 1,” “Cover 2,” “Cover 3” and “Cover 4” are the most basic secondary schemes, which usually include four defensive backs -- two safeties and two cornerbacks. In layman’s terms, the number of “covers” refers to how many of those four defensive backs are “deep,” or approximately 12-15 yards away from the line of scrimmage.

“Each coverage has advantages and disadvantages,” says Carolina Panthers secondary coach Mike Gillhammer. “Some work really well against the run, others work well against the pass, but the idea is to keep switching it up so the offense isn’t sure what you’re doing.”

Below is a description of the four main coverages:

Cover 1: In this formation, only one safety is deep. He is usually in the middle of the field and his presence is largely precautionary – the defense is anticipating a run. The two cornerbacks are in “press coverage,” which means they are matched up man-to-man against the opposing team’s wide receivers. The second safety is approximately five yards off the line, preparing to cover the tight end.

“A disadvantage of this formation is the vulnerability of the single deep safety to the long pass play, but it’s very effective against the run,” explains Gillhammer.

Cover 2: A favorite of many coaches because the secondary can more readily adjust to different plays and audibles. Both safeties stay deep, while the cornerbacks cover the receivers on the line. It’s advantageous because the safeties are prepared to help out on deep pass plays, but they can also come forward to defend against the run.

“There are two general types of a Cover 2 defense,” explains Gillhammer. “There is the standard Cover 2 (described above), and there is also what is known as the ‘Tampa 2,’” made famous by the schemes of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

“In the Tampa 2, the cornerback jams the outside receiver toward the middle of the field, while the MIC, or middle linebacker, focuses on preventing him from penetrating up the middle,” Gillhammer says. “The double coverage makes it more difficult for big-time receivers like Terrell Owens and Steve Smith to make the play.”

Cover 3: A formation in which one safety is approximately 12-15 yards deep, while the cornerbacks are shallower at 10-12 yards, and the second safety is near the line in press coverage against the tight end.

“This zone defense also works well against the run, but a good quarterback and receiver tandem can pick it apart by throwing short passes ‘underneath,’ or in front of the secondary, because it’s difficult for bigger, slower linebackers to keep up with quick receivers,” says Gillhammer.

Cover 4: This coverage requires all four defensive backs to stay off the line. They can play “tight,” or five yards away, as they would in red-zone situations, or to stop the run, or they could play “loose,” at 12-15 yards away, to prevent the deep pass play.

A coach might use this coverage towards the end of the game when he is trying to protect the lead and run out the clock.

http://colts.scout.com/2/567734.html

[Leonidas]

Originally Posted by Noop

Play the Tampa 2 and don't blitz that often. Also when you do blitz bring someone from the secondary to rush the QB.

Absolutely the way to go. I've done tests on heavy blitzing and it kills your pass D. It does surprisingly well against the run, but overall your pass D gets crucified blitzing. Go cover two, get some ends who can move, and some corners who can BnR.