Wikipedia defines the Tampa 2 is an American
football defensive strategy popularized by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers National
Football League (NFL) teams in the 1990s-early 2000s. It was designed by then
head coach Tony Dungy, defensive
coordinator Monte Kiffin, and then-linebackers coach
Lovie Smith.
After Dungy
became head coach of the Indianapolis Colts and
Smith became head coach to the Chicago Bears, they
installed the Tampa 2 in their respective teams. During the 2005 NFL
season, The Buccaneers,
still under defensive coordinator Kiffin, ranked first in the league in total
yards allowed, Smith's Bears ranked number two, and Dungy's Colts ranked
eleventh.
The Tampa 2
typically consists of 4 linemen,
3 linebackers, 2 cornerbacks,
and 2 safeties. The scheme is known for its simple
format, speed, and the aggressive mentality of its players. Although it lacks
the complexity of other defenses, it instead relies heavily on the attitudes of
its players and tremendous team speed. Tampa 2 teams are known as gang tacklers,
and practice always running to the ball.
With the
addition of head coach Rod Marinelli, and defensive coordinator Donnie
Henderson, the Lions are sure to be running a version of the Tampa 2 defensive
scheme, but will include subtle differences to match the Lions defensive
personnel.
But what does the Cover 2 really mean?
The name Cover 2 is referring to the 2 safeties playing
deep and the safeties dividing the field into 2 deep zones. For the most part is
a zone defense but the underneath routes can become man to man on crossing and
short routes. What this means is if the safeties get stretched by receivers the
linebackers have to make the read and go man to man with the slot receiver,
tight end or running back, whoever is on the underneath routes. One aspect that
is imperative to the success of the cover 2 is the cornerback’s ability to jam
the receivers at the line of scrimmage. Letting receivers stretch the field
fast will over load the safeties and cause huge breakdowns.
Teams counter the Cover 2 with post corner routes that drag
the safeties down field to support the cornerback leaving the middle of the
field or flats open for a tight end or running back. Teams also try to breakdown
the Cover 2 with four receiver sets. Four receivers stretching the field can
leave a running back or tight end underneath one on one with a linebacker and
can result in a big play on offense.
There are many variations of the Cover 2 like man over or
man under. At the moment, no one knows what variation the Lions will run. The
key areas involved in running the Cover 2 are having speedy safeties, jamming
the receivers at the line of scrimmage, and a great pass rush. Letting
receiver’s release freely and not having speedy safeties will end in tragedy
when trying to run the cover 2.
So what does the cover 2 mean for the Lions?
With the VERY conservative nature of the last few years on
defense there will be many questions if the Lions personnel will be a good fit
for the cover 2.
Let’s start with the most key position in the cover 2. The
safeties.
Kennedy is a hard hitter and a speedy guy. His cover skills
have always been overshadowed by his thug image. Kennedy is no ball hawk only
having 6 interceptions in his entire career but Kennedy did lead the Lions with
96 tackles in 2005, 72 of those solo.
Holt has shown a nose for the ball in the past few years in
the NFL but lacks the speed to compete with faster receivers. He is not a big
physical safety and has struggled in coverage and against the run throughout his
career.
As a fan of Holt it is sad for me to say that he is the
week link on this defense. Maybe he is an adequate back up but he is not a good
starter in the Cover 2. Even Kennedy has struggled in coverage and is much
better in run support. To run the Cover 2 the Lions will definitely need an
upgrade at the safety position. They might look to fill that spot with a speedy
safety like Michael Huff in this year’s draft.
The second position to look at is cornerback.
Bly is very fast and has some of the best hands in the
game. His change of direction and speed to make up ground on receivers is second
to none in the NFL but the Cover 2 calls for a corner to be physical. At 185
lbs. can Bly jam a receiver at the Line? The past few seasons Bly has played 5
to 10 yards off the Line of scrimmage using his speed and rarely given the
chance to jam the receiver. Who knows if he can, but if he lacks the skill at
the Line there will have to be some adjustments made for sure.
I won’t even comment on Bryant as a 2nd corner,
or the Linebackers. I think we can all agree that the health and skill at those
positions need to be addressed no matter what defense the Lions run.
The last important thing for the Cover 2, and maybe the
biggest question for the Lions due to the conservative defenses run in the past,
is the pass rush.
It has been said that Marinelli believes in rushing 4 or 5
and not an aggressive blitz defense, but Donnie Henderson is a big fan of the
blitz. It is only a guess how aggressive this new defense will be and the
effect this will have on the pass rush. Both Marinelli and Henderson have had
done well with there style of defense so as a fan all I can hope is they find
the right mix to get it done.
With any new system there
will be personnel changes and adjustments to make, and with the NFL Draft coming
up and June 15 cuts the Lions will have their fair share to make.
