Romeo Crennel Pass Defense: Part 1 - Terms & Definitions

This is based on the 2010 KC Chiefs defensive playbook, which can be found online. 

This is part 1 of a (??) part series. In this first part, we are outlining the core terms of Coach Crennel's coverages during his time at Kansas City in 2010. This is to establish concrete definitions to some of the base terms before getting into the coverages themselves.

After the first few parts of this series going over coverages and rules, we will look at the 2020 Texans film and see how concept have carried over to Romeo Crennel's current team. 

ZONE DESCRIPTIONS

UNDERNEATH AND SHORT ZONES

1. Flat - 12 to 15yds, midpoint 3yds outside numbers
2. Curl - 15yds, midpoint on numbers
3. Slot - 15yds, midpoint 3yds inside numbers
4. Hook - 12 to 15yds, midpoint 2yds outside hash
5. No Cover - Behind LOS, up to 5yds beyond LOS
6. Reroute Level - 5 to 12yds, where receivers must be rerouted or patterns matched

Other Terms

• "Hold the Curl" - Tells curl defender to hang in curl zone as long as needed to prevent a pass.
• "2nd Man Thru" - Refers to second receiver running through an outside zone (curl or flat). Defender responsible for that zone will play the 2nd man all the way. 

INTERMEDIATE ZONES

1. Fade - from sideline +4yds inside, 15-25yds depth
2. Seam - from inside of numbers +3yds, 15-25yds depth
3. Middle Read - Basically between hashes, 17-25yds depth (cover 2)

Other Terms

• "Hold the Seam" - Tells seam defender to hang in the seam as long as needed to prevent a pass.
• "Carry the Fade" - Tells cornerback to sink with the receiver through the fade area.

DEEP ZONES (thirds and halves)

1. Deep 1/3 Zone - Covers 1/3 of field, from 15yds to end line.
2. Deep 1/3 Midpoints - 9yds from sideline, and the middle of the field.
3. Deep 1/2 Zone - 1/2 of field, from 17yds to the end line.
4. Deep 1/2 Midpoint - 17yds, 3yds from inside numbers and extending to the end line.

In part 2, we will look at coverage calls vs Empty sets.