DOUBLE MUG PRESSURE LOOKS
This article looks specifically at double mug looks and how they cause problems with protections. The defense is hoping for full slide protection which means the line slides one way and the back is responsible for the defensive end. This creates a favorable matchup. You see more full slide protections in college than the nfl level as in the NFL they don't like to put the RB vs. the defensive end in protection.
The NFL will take one of the mug linebackers with the running back. They call it half man protection because they don't want this mismatch.
From a coverage standpoint, you can play any defense you want from these looks. You can also play some cover 2, 2 man which is nice because the mug look often forces teams to go 6 man protection and keep the back in. I think this allows you to play more cover 2 man and even send 5(blitz engage principle) and leave the hook open in 2x2 situations.
so for the article we will focus mostly on the protection issues the mug looks cause.
First lets look at the 2 protections you will see when blocking these looks.
FULL SLIDE PROTECTION
Here's 2 examples of Iowa State vs Louisiana-Lafayette. The protection is full slide on 2 of the clips below. The first time they get a hit on the qb, the next time Iowa State gets the sack.
Both times it was show and bail and rush 4, but they got the protection they wanted.
#1 They show pressure but bail on the snap. The RB is forced in a 1x1 situation against the running back and the RB whifs and they get the sack against the qb.
Force the slidePressure gets home.
The Titans used a similar concept 2x vs the Jaguars. They get an interception.
Scheme: Mug B gap but drop both LB. The Titans engage their 2 ILB and then drop them into the hook. It's successful as Lawrence doesn't see the Rat defender and gets a nice pick. They ran it because they knew the Jaguars were a full slide team in protection. Nice design and interception. The late drops causes issues.
Pressure leads to interception.
Man Protections
Here is the look below
On 3rd and 12. They show again and only send 5. This time the Jets somewhat pick up the pressure but the E and Tackle stunt gets home. Lewis gets beat by the defensive end and the help is too late with the rb.
The earlier pressure forces the Jets to go max protection.
The Dolphins bail and only bring 4 players. They essentially get 2x1 to the weakside and 4x2 to the strong side as they are playing 1/4, 1/4 , 1/2. Nice design but understand that sending 6 earlier got the Jets nervous, they go max and the Dolphins make them pay by only sending 4 and still getting home.
The guard doesn't get off.
Nice design by Boyer and the Dolphins.
Bengals Cross Dog
The Bengals run a similar blitz vs the Broncos in 2021. On a key 3rd and 5 they run a cross dog with their 2 LBs. They get the first LB to occupy both the center and the RB and the looper gets free.
Pocket collapses before they get home.
Nice game inside with the 2 ILB
Nice stunt and the game.
Dolphins vs Rams.
Here the Dolphins go double b gap look ? Why double B, you force a slide protection and the end comes free. It's man free coverage on the back end.
They ran this pressure the first 2 times in the Ram game. One incomplete, one interception. The Rams have no other choice than to slide left or right because they are in empty. They feel they can match up with the Rams and they get great pressure.
They get the free rusher home!
Dolphins vs Rams:
The Dolphins ran a 6 man pressure early in the game twice out of base personnel early in the game and the Rams checked to their quick passing game but get a pick later in the game by dropping the def lineman with the appearance of the same pressure.
6 man pressure- Man Coverage, cover 0
The 1st example is man to man and bring 6. Teams will bring double mug looks and mug the a or b gap with the linebackers.
Here the Dolphins go double b gap look ? Why double B, you force a slide protection and the end comes free.
They ran this pressure the first 2 times in the Ram game. One incomplete, one interception.
Here's a Bills mug pressure from a 3 hands look.
They mug the A and B with the LB while playing 3 tech and 5 tech on the other side. Very effective as the rb gets confused in protection. Guard takes the LB, the other bails, but the RB doesn't pick up the edge DB rushing.
Tua gets sacked as he has no chance.
Film with the analysis above:
Wide Copy
TIte copy
The Giants run a 4 man pressure from a double mug look. They bring the sam and the play side LB on a delayed blitz. great design by coach Wink Martindale on 3rd down. Sam #39 and Mike #24 come thru the b gap with the DE opposite the pressure dropping.
Hope you enjoyed all the different mug looks and pressure packages off it.