TALON

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Split-Field Match Coverage Defense

"Inspired by, but not a replica of, the Vic Fangio (DC) / Philadelphia Eagle defense."

+ Multipe fronts : Mostly 3-4 & but also 4-3

+ Primarily based out of a Big Nickel (Penny), Nickel (2-4) & Dime (3-2) packages

+ Heavy usage of Single Mug fronts & 5-man looks at the L.O.S

+ Focuses on a consistent 2-High shell, and Quarters-base Split Field coverage system

+ Looks to build off of pre-snap disguise & post-snap rotations + Primarily Quarters & Split Field Quarters like Cover 6 & Cover 9 + Mixes in combo coverages like Cover 6 Willie & Cover 9 Sammie into the callsheet

+ 2-High versions for Single High man/match concepts (Robber & Buzz Match)

+ Inverted Cover 2's and lots of Rolled coverages for the post-snap rotations

+ Some use of Sim Pressures, to maintain a solid 7 in coverage

+ Some use of 3-Deep Fire Zones to blitz while remaining in Match Coverage base

+ Some use of Cover 0 & Cover 1 Blitzes to help keep your foot down

+ Relies on a good Front 4 for consistent pressure, leaning more towards a dominant interior than a dominant edge pairing (like the DEJA VU defense). + Versatility is the name of the game in the secondary, as they all need to be capable of doing each other's jobs, as safeties are constantly sliding down to play the slot (Dime & Dollar).

Scouting Report

Hybrid

Fronts

Split-Field

Coverages

Feigned

Pressures

FORMATIONS / SETS

4-3

EVEN 6-1

3-4

GRIZZLY OVER*

OVER ED (4-3)

TITE

UNDER 4 TECH*

2-5

OVER WIDE (4-3)

3-3-5

PENNY*

NICKEL

OVER*

2-4 SINGLE MUG*

2-4 DOUBLE MUG 2-4 LOAD

2-4 LOAD MUG 2-4 LOAD DBL MUG

3-3 CUB*

3-3 WIDE JACK*

DIME

2-3-6

3-2 RUSH*

LOAD WEAK

DOLLAR

SUGAR 3-2

PREVENT

3 DEEP

GOAL LINE

6-2

IDEAL ARCHETYPES

POSITION	ARCHETYPE(S)	ROLE
LEDGE	Edge Setter / Power Rusher / Speed Rusher DT*	LEDGE / DT3*
REDGE	Speed Rusher / Power Rusher	REDGE / Rush End
DT	Gap Specialist / Pure Power / Power Rusher	NT / DT1/ DT2 / DT3
SAM	Thumper / Signal Caller	3-4 EDGEs / Rush End*
MIKE	Signal Caller / Lurker / Thumper*	MIKE / SAM* / SUBLB
WILL	Lurker / Signal Caller / Thumper*	WILL /SAM* / SUBLB
CB	Boundary / Field / Zone*	LCB / RCB / SLCB
FS	Hybrid / Coverage Specialist	FS / SLCB*
SS	Hybrid / Coverage Specialist	SS / SLCB*

Notes :

DT : Being such a hybrid defense, that is multiple-front based, I want to account for the various DL groupings that will appear in the gameplan. Similar to MONSOON where there is a mix of 3 tackle fronts, traditional 4-man fronts, subpackage 4-man fronts, as well as 5-man fronts. Unlike MONSOON, this scheme will use a Gap Speciliast NT and Pass Rushing DT, bringing in the additional run stuffer at DT3 for those 3 tackle fronts, moving some of the pass rush to the interior, as the Rush End positions won't be occupied by developmental LBs.
EDGE : The scheme primarily bounces between Sub-Personnel but does use some traditional fronts here or there (Penny, 6-1 Even), so that is why I specify for Edge Setter or Power Rusher for the strongside EDGE. To provide some balance to the non-subpackages beyond 3-4. Also creates a nice rotation up front when the Depth Chart is setup correctly, regardless of any W&T or auto-subs settings.
SAM : Most multiple-front & subpersonnel schemes I make will have this position earmarked to be a pass-rushing specialist. But in this scheme, there is quite a bit of 3-4, even mixing it in against Nickel & Bunch looks, so I'm using it solely as a 3-4 OLB role. Playing primarily Quarters out of 3-4, it is important to be able to cover but also stop the run as Quarters is a run fit coverage. So, you really can't go wrong with either choice here, so I haven't boldened one over the other, but I did list Thumper first, because that high strength & Grip Breaker ability, along with Blow Up (which they both have), can truly become a game changer for SIM, at the higher tiers.
MIKE : Personal opinion, but I feel like the goal for every MIKE should be a Signal Caller. As they can handle coverage just fine, but also have run stopping abilities & pass rush capabilities with room to grow for cheap.
WILL : Lurkers can really work when placed anywhere on the second level, because of athleticism, but my personal opinion is that in a perfect world, they live at WILL. With the added athleticism to Signal Callers, they can also work here, but I like Lurkers here for specialization purposes.
CB : I have Boundary & Field corners listed, for their overall versatility & access to abilities. Field is great for SLCB with their quickness & zone abilities, but I still hold Boundary in higher regard as outside CBs, while also not being slouches in the slot either (Quick Jump). Zone is another choice due to their size, athleticism, & tackling, but need some time to develop & balance out their coverage skill disparity.
S : I have Hybrid & Coverage Specialist safeties being fairly interchangable in this scheme. The key is versatility. In general, Coverage Specialist/Hybrid/Boundary archetypes are all pretty similar as incoming skillsets, what separates them is cost to upgrade and access to abilities. But these guys you're going to want to be super versatile players. Capable of playing in man/zone, in the slot for 3-3-5 & Dime, and back in 2-High for 3-4 & Nickel looks.

DEPTH CHART SETUP

POSITION	STARTER
REDG	Best Speed/Pass Rushing EDGE
LEDG	Better Balanced/Run Stopping EDGE
DT1	#1 DT or Best Run Stuffing DT
DT2	#2 DT or Best Pass Rushing DT
DT3	#3 DT or Next Best Run Stopping DT
SAM	#2 MIKE or Better Run Stopping Linebacker (MIKE/WILL)
MIKE	#1 MIKE or More Balanced Linebacker (MIKE/WILL)
WILL	#1 WILL or Better Coverage Linebacker (MIKE/WILL)
CB1 (LCB)	#1 CB, plays left side of the field (Most often matched up vs. #1 WR)
CB2 (RCB)	#2 CB, plays right side of the field (Most often matched up vs. #2 WR)
FS1	#1 FS or Best Zone Coverage Safety
SS1	#1 SS or Best Man Coverage Safety
SS2	Next Best Hybrid/Coverage Safety (FS/SS)
RRE	Better Balanced Pass Rusher of the EDGE players (LEDG) or SAM if developing
RLE	Best Pure Pass Rusher of the EDGE players (REDG) or SAM if developing
RDT1	Best Pass Rushing DT (N/A in CFB27)
RDT2	Best Run Stopping DE (N/A in CFB27)
NT	#1 NT or Biggest/Strongest/Highest-tiered Grip Breaker
SUBLB1	Best Coverage Linebacker (WILL/MIKE), plays in all packages
SUBLB2	Better Balanced/Overall Linebacker (MIKE/WILL), plays all snaps but DIME
SLCB1	Highest rated non-starter CB or FS/SS if rated higher
SLCB2	Next Highest rated non-starter CB or FS/SS if deep at safety position

NOTES :	The reason for flipping sides for the EDGEs between Base/Sub personnel, is largely due for fun and variety, but also lines up the better pass rusher over an "easier" matchup being the RT is typically worse than the LT at Pass Pro (based on how the game auto-reorders depth charts). Typically in these 3-4/Multiple based playbooks, I like to designate the SAM as a "Jack" and use them as a pass rushing specialist, but not this one. Feel free to still utilize them that way, if you choose, but this scheme utilizes a bit more 3-4, so I wanted to designate them solely as 3-4 EDGE backers instead of pass rushers. Needing to develop more run stopping & coverage than pure pass rush. This also allows more room on the depth chart to rotate DL depth in & out of the games via the REDG/LEDG & RRE/RLE all being available to the EDGE players once again. The reason for flipping the MIKE/WILL hierarchy in subpackages (SUBLB), even if the MIKE is a better overall player, is probably a less than 10% difference in snaps overall, but fits the Dime packages better, and puts the MIKE in position as the more common blitzer in LB blitz situations. If you don't have a solid CB3 or CB4 that you like for SLCB, I highly advise using a backup safety (suggest FS2 for rotational purposes, as SS2 already has a large role in Penny). In a perfect world, they're alread super versatile and primed for the position, as you're going to want the better tackling. A lot of this scheme involves quarters-based coverages, trending towards a need to drop & rally. Almost everything is played in front of them, allowing them to read & react, so they have to be able to come downhill and wrap up tackles underneath, when not in press coverages.