New York Giants: 5 creative ways to rush the passer

Dec 14, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) fumbles the ball as he

2. Great Stunts:

This is where the Giants defensive linemen get to have all the fun. A stunt is a coordinated attack by the defensive linemen. Sometimes it is as simple as slanting the linemen to the strong side to stop the run. Sometimes it is a little more elaborate.

Offensive linemen generally don’t want defensive linemen to cross their face. So defensive linemen can be used as a tool to occupy blockers where the defensive coordinator wants them. Now the offensive line coach can come up with protection schemes that negate this but it often works. The goal with stunts is threefold. The defense either wants to create a mismatch, set up a blitzer with a free rush at the QB or free a defensive linemen to get an easy sack.

One of my favorite stunts is called a super stick. The defensive end crashes down into the A gap. The nose guard is where the variation comes in. The nose guard can either engage with the center so the defensive end has a clear path once he burns past the guard. Or the nose guard can crash down at the guard. The advantage of this is that is that the guard cannot help. This is a good stunt to call against a stationary pocket passer.

Next: 1. Creative Zone Blitzes