Double A Gap Mug Cross Fire Pressure

The Patriots are in a Nickel personnel with OLB bodies at DE on 2nd & 6.

The Rush:
3 Tech DT to the side of the RB is working contain through the B gap while the opposite DT and Rush LB are in their expected rush lanes. The Mike engages the Center before crossing face. The Will shows in his A gap before timing his pressure off the Mike, ultimately the Will is pressuring the opposite A. The ILBs create a delayed A gap crossfire effect.

The Coverage:
Cover 1 with the Rush LB to the RB in man coverage on the back

The protection is a 6 man protection with the RB assigned to an A gap rush threat. The anticipated pick looks like:

The OL is handling the primary pass rush threats. The Center is handling an A gap threat while the RB has the opposite A gap rusher.

The technique of the A gap rush LBs is what makes this pressure effective.

The Mike engages the Center before crossing face. The Mike's initial rush combined with the Will's timing draws the RB to the opposite A gap. The RB wants momentum and speed to get set up to make his block. The Will's technique forces the RB to first be aggressive to the opposite A gap before being forced to redirect to pick up in the opposite A gap. This is a difficult redirect block for the RB to make effectively. The RB naturally loses power and body position on the redirect giving the pass rushing LB an added advantage. One valuable asset of pressure in general is it forces offensive players who expect to be initiators into becoming reactors. The forced reaction of the RB in pass pro helps the LB win the 1 on 1 matchup. The Rush's man technique to mirror the RB also has a nice effect. The T/G treat the situation like a twist game. The Guard still has eyes and is setting to the Rush for the twist exchange as the pressure happens inside preventing any help late from the Guard on the Will. 

The technique and timing is well coached and executed. The pressure not only creates 5 1 on 1 matchups in pass pro, it also isolates the RB on a LB in an A gap while putting the RB in a disadvantaged position to make his block. Picked up doesn't equal protected. 

As always this is really good stuff from Bill Belichick.