Last time, we talked about the basics of Cover 2. Today, we’ll again look at this scheme in action and how playing “trail” technique led to an Ike Taylor interception Week 9 against the Giants.
First and ten for the Giants who are in Weak I out of 21 (2 RBs, 1 TE) personnel. The Steelers are playing Cover 2 Man out of their 3-4 base. Same overall scheme as in Cover 2 (two deep shell) but the CBs play man coverage with the linebackers out in the flats.
With Ryan Clark over the top to play anything deep, Taylor has the luxury to play “trail” or to the hip of the receiver. Typically, it’s to the inside hip though he’s to the outside because of Cruz’s initial inside release. Trail technique lets Ike play underneath on any break routes.
Cruz breaks on the flag (corner) route and Taylor is able to break underneath it, get his head around, and make a play on the ball.
Good scheme and technique leads to turnovers. It’s a throw Eli Manning probably shouldn’t have made, and the Steelers made him pay the price for it.
