Romeo Crennel Pass Defense: Part 3 - Man Coverages and Rules

This is part 3 of the Romeo Crennel 2010 defensive coverage series. This article will outline some man coverages and the rules within them, including vice/cone double coverages and funneling.

Man-free and 2-man are not included here. Man-blitzes will be in a separate writeup.

Part 4 will be a continuation of man-coverages, looking at more man-matched calls including C4 Quarters.

VICE - Double Coverage on #2

Man-matched coverage call. This is a coverage built to distribute stress by alignment. Having the backer aligned inside taking inside routes, and safety aligned outside taking outside routes from #2. 

Vice Route Distributions

• Cornerback: lock on #1, outside and on top of the route. Late help from Will or WS to the inside and under. 
• Will: Cover #2 inside-out to 12yds (WS take #2 vertical). Carries #2 across formation on unders. If #2 breaks out, look to #1. 
• Weak Safety: Cover #2 outside-in and vertically. if #2 breaks out, take him man. If #2 breaks under, rob the curl of #1. Take all of #2 vertical. 

CONE - Double coverage on the #1 

Man-matched coverage call. Technique used to double the outside WR in and out. Called against tight split #1. Run force changes based on release of #1.

Cone Route Distributions

• Cornerback: Press #1 outside-in. Responsible for all outside and deep routes. If #1 under, get depth and play QB. 
• Will: Cover running back man-man on everything. Expect no help.
• Weak Safety: Read release of #1. Cover #1 inside and deep. If #1 out, drop to deep 1/2 and play QB.  

Cover 1 Funnel (3-4)

3 on 2 funnel, with 3 backers funneling the 2 backs. 

• Man/Man coverage, with weak safety in the post and linebackers man-matching. 
• The backside outside linebacker will be tagged to rush (Roy/Lee call). 4man rush call.
• Vs 2 back sets, linebackers funneling 3 on 2 against 2 backs.
• vs 1 back sets, linebackers funneling 3 on 2 against HB and TE.
• Manned safety is free to align deep or come down pre-snap.

Funnel Technique

• This coverage employs a 3-on-2 funnel, with three backers on two running backs, or an HB and TE. There are three base distributions. 
• If both backs go STRONG, Sam takes first out, Mike takes second out, will sits in the hole
• If both backs go WEAK, Will takes first out, Mike takes second out, Sam sits in the hole
• If backs SPLIT, Sam takes the strong back, Will takes the weak back, and Mike stays in the hole. 

Funnel against LOAD FLOW (2 backs release strong)

• If TE shallow, Will picks up TE and SS robs the in-breaker from the opposite side. (SS must see the Y picked up by Will before releasing)
• If TE up or out, Will replaces Mike in low hole and hunts crossers.
• If both backs release same side, the backers initially taking them will carry them everywhere. 

• Load Flow Rules
• Sam/Will
• Take first back to my side.
• If he goes shallow, release calling "under under", push to the hole. Opposite outside backer will pick up this release shallow if the 2nd back is not shallow. 
• If both backs away, Push to the hole. Look for first crosser.
• Mike
• Take second back to my side.
• if he goes shallow, release and look to the flow side for a follow crosser.
• Think a release like a back coming out in the "down" and breaking across the formation, followed by an angle route. You are releasing the down back and picking up the angle. 

Funnel against SPLIT FLOW (1 back strong, 1 back weak)

• Mike takes first crosser across his face
• Sam/Will are passing the first crosser and looking opposite for a return crosser. 
• After distribution of backs, the free backer will prioritize cutting the TE.

• Split Flow Rules
• Will/Sam
• First back to my side unless shallow (crossing). Release shallows.
• If shallow released, check opposite side for first crosser coming my way.
• If shallow released and no crosser, robot and cut the TE.
• Mike
• First crosser (Sam/Will call UNDER)
• No crosser, robot and cut the TE

NFL Run Game - A Small Collection of Unique Run Calls

Taking a quick look at a handful of less-often seen runs, or standard runs with a bit of unique window dressing. 

Notes are focused on the concept to be taken away from the clip, which can be applied across different calls and situations. Some of these concepts might be very basic or simple.

DAL vs MIN

HB is motioned from behind the QB, out to behind the first attached TE. 

Concept: Sets up the near backers to be blocked at the second level with more favorable angles for the RG and TE, thanks to widening with the HB.

NE vs CLE

Gun toss sweep, with a tight bunch to gain a shortened edge. 

Concept: Attacking the edge quickly has a chance of causing over pursuit. Keep an eye open for a cutback, or design to have blockers wall the pursuit away from desired cutback.

OAK vs LAC 1

Split zone with a counter/misdirection. Slicing TE skips PSDE.

QB/HB showing split zone before re-routing to follow the slice, as well as OL blocking away, has PSDE step down too far to deal with HB coming his direction, gaining a blocker to that side by leaving PSDE unblocked.

Concept: If you are getting hard step-downs by the backside DE on zone block away, you can come back around with a puller/slicer and either log him inside or arc him as he takes himself out of the play.

OAK vs LAC 2

Another misdirection, this time with a detached HB coming jetting across. TE to the jet slices opposite. 

Concept: Getting split flow independent of the ball carrier presents a very difficult situation to defenders.

SEA vs TB

End-around action by #1 to the field pulls the field safety away from the play, which leaves the alley open for the HB. 

Concept: WR actions will typically disrupt the overhangs or 3rd level defenders. Aim the ball to the outside to attack this.