49ers film study: 2017 roster fits in Robert Saleh’s nickel defense
By Chris Wilson
Nickel Double A-Gap Blitz vs. 11 Personnel
For the overall scheme to be effective, the defense needs to get consistent pressure from their front four rushers. However, merely threatening the a-gap blitz would not be productive, so the Jaguars blitz either one or both of their inside LBs in a fair amount of nickel situations.
The Jaguars have their linemen in their standard techniques, but they replace a pass-rushing DE for a larger DT who normally plays either 1-technique or 3-technique in base fronts.
The WILL and MIKE LBs are both threatening a-gap blitzes, and the left-side CB is just off the line of scrimmage:
The Jaguars blitz both their inside linebackers up the middle, and drop the LEO on the trips side of the offensive formation back into coverage. They effectively play a Cover-3 on the right side of the field, and man defense on the left side.
The CB who lines up across from the TE is actually responsible for the running back in the backfield, and will be able to blitz when the RB stays in to pick up one of the blitzing LBs. The SS is singled up on the TE with little help over the top, so it’s imperative for the pass rush to quickly get to the quarterback:
The 49ers line up with their standard nickel secondary and inside LBs. On the outside of the line, Armstead will stunt to the inside, and Lynch will drop back into the short zone, as he’s the more reliable of the two in coverage.
Buckner will rush from his normal DT position, and Quinton Dial will attempt to occupy the offensive guard and tackle long enough for Armstead to wrap around the line and come in for the sack.
Next: 49ers 2017 roster in Saleh's 4-3 base defense
The 49ers may be a single-high safety team, but that doesn’t mean their defense will be simple. If Saleh brings the 2016 Jacksonville scheme to San Francisco, opposing teams will have to prepare for a number of complex looks from the 49ers’ nickel defense.