Following A&M’s sack of LSU QB Max Johnson on 2nd and 1, the Tigers faced a 3rd down and 8. A&M ran another double safety blitz, this time bringing both the free safety and nickelback for a FS-NB Blitz. Today we’re breaking down another defensive play from A&M’s season, the FS-NB Blitz.
Play Concept
Similar to what we saw in the M-N Stunt, the defensive line is working to occupy the pass protection to allow other rushers come free. A&M has two down linemen and five potential rushers standing representing a possible seven pass rushers on the play.
A&M is in a 3-2-6 pass rush sub package. WDE and 1-tech are down on the line, SDE is standing. MLB is aligned to the weak A-gap and WLB is aligned in the strong A gap. NB is aligned outside the WDE and FS is up on the slot receiver showing press coverage. At the snap, WDE takes an outside speed rush and NB comes outside him. MLB drops to middle flat. 1-tech attacks center and WLB attacks strong A gap. FS blitzes off slot receiver and allows CB behind him to pick up coverage. SDE attacks RT.
Idea is to force pass protection to compress inside. LT has to choose between blocking WDE or blitzing NB. If he chooses WDE, RB has to pick up NB. If RB chooses NB, FS has a free shot coming off the strongside. When RB flows in front of QB to block FS, NB is coming free on the blitz. Either way, play design forces offensive line to compress inside and one man is coming free.
Executing FS-NB Blitz
Michael Clemons is WDE, DeMarvin Leal is 1-tech, Aaron Hansford is MLB, Andre White is WLB, and Tyree Johnson is the SDE. Jardin Gilbert is the nickelback and Demani Richardson is the free safety.
At the snap, Clemons takes a wide speed rush and left tackle picks him up. Gilbert rushes right outside Johnson, forcing the RB to pick him up. Aaron Hansford drops to the middle flat. Leal attacks the center and White comes right at the strong A gap, forcing the RG to pick him up. Tyree Johnson speed rushes the RT, forcing him to condense and pick him up. FS Demani Richardson comes off his press coverage alignment on the slot receiver and blitzes. The TE picks up him then drops off for a zero route. Richardson slams into Max Johnson for the sack. Result of the play is a loss of 7 yards and a 4th and 15.
End Zone View
End zone view shows movement inside as front compresses pass protection to bring FS free from the outside.