Strengths and Weaknesses of Cover 2

The biggest weakness of 2 deep is when an offense sends more than 2 receivers deep. You would have to teach your corners to pattern read. If #1 goes vertical, they get their eyes to #2. If he's vertical also, they must stay on #1 deep. If #2 breaks out, then they can release #1 to the safety over the top, and come underneath.

The holes in the coverage are deep down the sideline "fade" areas 18-22 yards deep. Also deep middle. If #1 to each side ran a corner and a third receiver/tight end ran deep up the middle of the field, the defense would be put into conflict.

The defense has very good underneath coverage with 5 or 6 defenders (depending on whether you are runnning a 3 or 4 man front). It also allows the corners to jam the receivers and throw off many of the quick passing plays timing.