Vic Fangio’s Defense 101: Part 3 – MFC Coverages

The “Fangio protection”. Named after its creator, Vic Fangio, who was just lately employed because the Eagles’ defensive coordinator, this protection is understood for being complicated. Particularly, Fangio’s protection is understood for utilizing complicated terminology that may make issues sound extra sophisticated than they’re. I needed to check Fangio’s protection once more and write a collection of posts the place I’ll try to simplify the Vic Fangio model protection, breaking it down into easy-to-understand elements.

Quite a few writers have already written extremely in-depth articles on Fangio’s protection. I’ve discovered essentially the most from Trustworthy NFL, Shawn Syed, and Cody Alexander (Match Quarters). I’ll ceaselessly use their work in these articles, and I can’t thank them sufficient for his or her work and for instructing me the intricacies of Fangio’s protection.

Nonetheless, whereas these accounts do an excellent job explaining the intricacies of the Fangio protection, I believe a few of it may be too sophisticated or crucial for the fan who desires to grasp the fundamentals when watching the sport on Sunday. Not everybody wants to investigate soccer, however understanding the schemes could make watching the sport extra satisfying. So, my aim for this collection is to simplify the Vic Fangio-style protection and break it down into easy-to-understand elements. Please learn the articles so as in order that they make sense.

Beforehand: Half 1: The Fundamentals / Half 2: MFO Coverages

Half 3: Center of the Subject Closed Coverages

On this article, I’ll look at Fangio’s fundamental MOFC coverages. As a fast reminder, MOFC means there’s a security in the course of the sphere, so it’s ‘closed,’ as you may see under.

That is additionally referred to as single-high. Fangio runs many MFC coverages regardless of many individuals considering he solely runs MFO (two-high) coverages. Though he strains up pre-snap with a MFO look, this doesn’t imply he at all times finally ends up enjoying MFO coverages. You will note a number of post-snap rotation from an MFO look to an MFC look.

Zone (Match) Coverages

I gained’t clarify zone match once more, so please learn the earlier article if uncertain! Keep in mind that Fangio’s zone coverages are match coverages quite than customary spot-drop coverages.

Cowl 3 / Cowl 9

I’m guessing all of you should have heard of Cowl 3, however chances are you’ll be uncertain of Cowl 9. Fangio prefers to name Cowl 9′ weak rotation Cowl 3′, however they’re mainly the identical protection. Cowl 9 is what is named ‘weak rotation Cowl 3’. It’s the place the weak aspect security (away from the passing power) will come down and turn out to be one of many beneath defenders. Fangio prefers this as he at all times has his Nickel defender to the passing power.

To be trustworthy, you may name it Cowl 3. Who cares. However remember that Fangio guys check with this as Cowl 9. So for those who hear Cowl 9, simply keep in mind it’s weak rotated Cowl 3. Fangio runs a number of this protection, and it’s extra fashionable than many individuals assume.

4 verticals is the proper name in opposition to conventional Cowl 3 (as you get 4 receivers in opposition to 3 deep defenders), however in Fangio’s Cowl 3/9, the nickel or the security (relying on formation) will carry the receiver vertically if he runs a vertical route. So, in Fangio’s protection, you shouldn’t see the protection get outnumbered by 4 verticals. You’ll be able to see that within the diagram under from Trustworthy NFL.

In customary Cowl 3, the security and nickel would play the flat/curl zones. However in Fangio’s Cowl 3/9, they’re referred to as seam/flat defenders, as they carry their receivers vertically if wanted. Keep in mind that, ideologically, Fangio hates giving up large performs. Even his MFC coverages not often hand over deep photographs. Right here’s a beautiful instance of Cowl 9, with Fangio’s typical post-snap rotation.

Man Coverages

Fangio is understood for his zone match coverages, however he performs a number of man protection.

Cowl 1

Cowl 1 is a quite simple protection to identify. It’s man protection with a single-high security, and there’s normally a ‘free’ defender (not in man protection) who can have numerous roles relying on the offense’s formation and personnel. The ‘free’ defender performs what we name the ‘gap’. The outlet defender can range relying on the decision. Right here’s the traditional Cowl 1 on Madden, with a linebacker as the opening defender and, due to this fact, not in man protection.

Fangio has completely different phrases for Cowl 1 come right down to regardless of the gap defender is doing. As with all of Fangio’s coverages, It’s laborious to distinguish what he’s operating pre-snap, with the safeties normally staying in 2 Excessive and never rotating till after the ball has been snapped. You don’t really want to know the phrases. However I’ll let you know anyway as a result of I spent an embarrassing period of time making an attempt to determine Fangio’s Cowl 1 terminology. Typically, it’s unattainable to inform precisely what Fangio is operating, however I can provide you an thought of the three fundamental variations to look out for.

Robber / Lurk / Gap

Robber is when a security or linebacker turns into the opening participant, relying on the operating again’s launch.

Lurk is when a security is in man protection with a receiver or tight finish, and the opening defender is without doubt one of the linebackers, relying on the operating again’s launch. Lurk is a superb protection if in case you have a security who is robust in protection (aka CGJ) and a linebacker who is healthier suited. The linebacker may also double up as a QB spy in Lurk, so I like this name in opposition to cell quarterbacks.

Gap is when a security at all times performs the opening defender, and the linebackers are in man protection. Many different groups name this Robber or Cross, however Fangio calls it Cowl 1 Gap. Gap is a incredible protection to remove crossing routes, as the security within the gap ought to have the ability to see it coming.

I mentioned I might provide you with three variations. I lied. Right here’s a bonus one to complete off this text. What is de facto cool about Fangio’s Cowl 1 is that typically the opening defenders can take a crossing route and stay in man protection with the receiver as they’ve inside leverage already. This implies the cornerback, who was in man protection, is now free to turn out to be the free gap defender. That is typically generally known as swap. This requires a number of talent and communication, however it’s actually robust for a quarterback to learn.

Even quarterbacks as good as Dak Prescott may be fooled by this one…

How lovely is that protection? It doesn’t get any higher.

Cowl 1 Canine

Lastly, there’s one other model of Cowl 1 that Fangio runs with out a gap defender. This can be a five-man rush, with 5 defenders in man protection and a deep security. The diagrams are somewhat odd right here because of the movement, however you may see no gap defender.

Fangio ceaselessly runs this from a 5-man entrance. I might anticipate to see this rather a lot subsequent yr as not one of the Eagles’ EDGE defenders are nice at dropping into protection.

I hope half three of this breakdown of Fangio’s protection has given you a clearer image of his MFC coverages. As at all times, I might love to listen to your suggestions and ideas, and if in case you have any questions, simply let me know!