Black and Gold X's and O's | Identifying Concepts: Press Coverage

This is the fifth of eight summer articles intended to go into greater depth on some of the schematics the Saints will use this upcoming season, in hopes of retaking control of the NFC South.

Today's edition deals with the defensive backfield, and one of Gregg Williams' favorite type of coverage—press coverage.

Why would a corner get right on a receiver at the line of scrimmage, especially if that receiver is bigger and quicker or faster?

The truth is that often times if the receiver is bigger and quicker, getting into that guy early—press coverage—may be the corner's only chance at all.

Of course, there is the possibility that the receiver will simply use a swim or a rip move to outmuscle the corner. Or he could use a double move—a la Steve Smith—and blow by the corner with quickness.

But the reality is that most receivers, even at the NFL level, are not good at getting off press coverage. Therefore, defensive coaches are going to use one of the few effective schemes they have left.

Individual Elements of Press Coverage

One of the main keys to press coverage for the corner is to get his hands on the receiver immediately, and to be as physical as possible. Remember in the NFL, you are only allowed to bump the receiver for the first five yards after the line of scrimmage.

This certainly helps the receivers, but it gives the defender a small ray of hope. If he can bump him off his intended path, even to the -nth degree, he has a much better chance of holding that receiver catchless on that play.

Another key though, is to focus on moving the feet. It is common to see a corner get overextended in trying to bump the receiver, and lose his leverage. This is one thing I noticed with Malcolm Jenkins when he was in press coverage. He was slow in getting his hands on a receiver, and as a result would reach for the receiver.

He got away with it in college against less talented receivers. But if he wants to start and have a successful career as a pro, he better get quicker in bumping the receiver.

Another key is the hips. A corner has NO chance to be successful if he cannot turn those things with the best of them. This is because eventually he is going to have to turn and run with the receiver.

Quickly let's assume the corner is strong and/or quick enough to stay with the receiver off the line. What comes next?

Well, the corner needs to stay in front of the receiver as best as possible. This is where the feet and hips come into play. But the hands also help redirect the receiver to wherever the corner wants him to go. Ideally, the corner would simply knock the receiver to the ground within those first five yards.

If he is unable to do that, he must get his hands off but stay on the receiver's hip—generally the outside, to move him inside where the big boys lay waiting.

It is interesting though, because there is a form of press coverage, like this where the corner gets up on the receiver, redirects him, and intentionally lets him get by him. This is called bump-and-run. The key to this, as I mentioned, is to stay hip-to-hip with the receiver.

The only difference is the corner plays back hip, assuming the receiver is getting vertical.

Either form of press coverage can be extremely effective for a number of reasons. 

It throws off the timing of the receiver's route. And as a result, generally changes the path of his route.

Also, by playing close to the receiver, it forces the quarterback to make extremely accurate throws. He often must thread the ball to the outside shoulder near the sideline, which may be the toughest throw a QB has to make.

Team Concepts of Press Coverage

While Press Coverage is generally a man-to-man coverage, that doesn't mean the other six-or so- backfield members are unrelated. Most of the time, press coverage will be accompanied by either a Two-Deep Shell (Cover Two) or Bracket Coverage—where the safety plays the inside of the man, while the corner's main responsibility is the outside.

Either way, the point is that the safety assumes responsibility for the receiver if he gets past the corner.

In the Two-Deep Shell (Cover Two), the corner will generally stay to the outside and simply bump the receiver inside, while maintaining the flat-area coverage. At that point, he essentially becomes the safety's man, although the corner is still minding that area and working to the ball if it's thrown in that direction.

In the bump-and-run, the safety makes sure to stay on top of the route at all times. He should never be beat deep on bump-and-run, as it is his only responsibility to stay deep. The corner has the underthrown ball, or the shorter pass coming underneath.

Why This Will Be Effective for the Saints

Most of the receivers the Saints face are either strong or fast, but not both. Steve Smith is likely the only exception. Playing press on these guys allows the defender the option to rely on his greatest area of strength, and not the receiver's.   

Additionally, Darren Sharper will be an effective deep safety to help out when the corner does get beat.

And finally, the Saints blitzing style will help, as it will give the QB and his receiver less time, and make the QB try to fit balls into tight spots while being pressured.

Doing that is nearly impossible, even for the best QBs.

For these reasons, I love fact the Saints will play an aggressive form of press man-to-man this season.

Until next time, Geaux Saints!