The danger defender

When processing the field geography, knowing man or zone is a start, but not the end of the pre snap process. A general starting point is to identify the danger defender. When zone, this is often times the next defender inside where the route will end,

In Penn State vs Oregon the game ended when an Oregon defender intercepted the Penn St quarterback on the 1st play of the second overtime. Penn St was faking a jet sweep run, with the tight end bluff blocking before wheeling to the sideline. Presnap the motion confirms zone meaning the danger defender would be the Will linebacker. But, the Will linebacker blitzed, meaning so long as the corner matches the outside receiver, the tight end should be uncovered. This is the exact picture presented but, the nickle linebacker was replacing the Will and ran directly into an interception.

Another example in Pittsburg v Louisville. Louisville aligns in 2x2 ten personnel (10) Pittsburg aligns in over front with inside linebackers in pressure alert. The alley defender is set at 10 yards in the strong side linebacker tube. This alignment would coincide with a inside pressure.

At the snap both inside linebackers drop to cover hook to curl zones. The alley defender drops into the deep hole creating a Tampa cover 2 shell.

Louisville sends both inside receivers on incuts which will create a high low read on the strongside linebacker. When the strong side linebacker matches the vertical release of rhe inside dig on the outside of the route space,

Miller Moss releases the ball into the window.

Since the coverage post snap was zone, the danger defender for the dig route would be the weak side inside linebacker. On this snap the linebacker spot drops but does not simply cover grass. His key went in so he is likely looking in for the next receiver to be coming to him from the opposite direction. Here, it took him into the hallway of the in cut dig. The perfect storm was that the receiver was in a condensed spilt which moved the hallway between the hashes bringing the linebacker further into play.

Know where the danger defender is aligned for zone routes is imperative to throw on time and with decisiveness.