The Steelers defense under coordinator Dick LeBeau will use complex blitz schemes Sunday against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Super Bowl XLV.
LeBeau will rush six defenders to create an overload blitz and drop five into coverage with both zone and man principles in the secondary.
To illustrate this scheme, here are the Steelers in their four linebacker nickel alignment (two defensive lineman, four linebackers, five defensive backs) against the Packers’ base Posse personnel (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) in a two-by-two set.
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The blitz scheme
The key for the Steelers is their pre-snap disguise. Free safety Ryan Clark will show a single high safety look (Cover 1 to the offense) while strong safety Troy Polamalu will move to his blitz alignment and time the snap of the ball. What the Steelers create is a two-on-one blitz versus the running back in protection (strong safety and nickel back) with the outside linebacker “scooping” to attack the left tackle. This blitz will test the protection schemes of the Packers’ offensive line and could get a free runner at Rodgers’ blind side.
‘Vertical hook’ droppers
Similar to a base-zone blitz scheme, the vertical hook players (inside linebackers) will play underneath No. 1 (X) and No. 2 (W) to the open (weak) side of the formation. The Steelers will try to take away inside breaking routes (the “swipe” technique) with the cornerback dropping to the deep half to protect any vertical schemes. Against the Packers smash-7 (flag) concept, the right inside linebacker will drive to the smash (5-yard square-in) with the left inside linebacker playing in a trail position against the 7 and reacting to a possible dig route (deep square-in) from the W receiver.
‘Solo’ coverage
There is a weakness to every blitz scheme if the pressure doesn’t get home. Here the Steelers’ vulnerability is to the closed (strong) side of the formation. Both Clark and the left cornerback are in “solo” coverage — with no help. The Packers will try to exploit with an option-9 (fade) combo (Y, Z). If the blitz doesn’t force Rodgers to unload the ball, the FS and LC will have no inside help. The idea behind the risk is simple: the throw has to come out quickly because of the pressure.
Defeating the blitz
Slide the protection. The Packers are using a six-man protection scheme, but if they don’t slide the protection to the overload side, this blitz can’t be blocked. This is the exact reason why the Steelers are a heavy pressure team. It all comes back to reading the safeties. Rodgers has to identify Polamalu as an extra rusher and either switch the protection or check out of the play altogether.
After playing at Glenbard West and Iowa, Matt Bowen spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety with the Rams, Packers, Redskins and Bills, including playing for Lovie Smith and Mike Martz in St. Louis. When he’s not writing for the Tribune, you can find his work at nationalfootballpost.com.
