Re: what the heck is 'cover 2' defence.??
It is a pretty standard zone coverage (as opposed to a man to man coverage) with two safeties back in coverage, each defensive back, as well as linebackers, are responsible for a "zone" of the field.<br />The two safeties back are what give it its name "cover 2"<br /><br />It is a pretty effective defense if a team can mount a good rush on the qback with just the 4 down lineman with no blitzing. A quality quarterback, without pressure, can pick this defense apart. Most teams use it as a "bend but don't break" type defense, keeping the plays in front of them---Tampa used it very effectively as a styfiling defense because of their speed rushers like Simeon Rice could put so much pressure on Gannon so fast. For it to work as effectively as it did for TB, you need the talent that TB has on the defensive line--which not many teams have, however.
