Assortment of Plays #1 - NFL

Handful of plays I watched recently and wanted to note down. Either old youtube videos or recent games. 

1. Fake Power Screen Away

• The fake same side power action by the Sniffer and OL has the LBs pushing away from the screen, creating favorable angles for the linemen getting out to block for the screen.
• Faking same side power with Sniffer lead and RG kick.
• LT, LG, C all block down but they make sure to stay on the LOS, to avoid getting downfield before the screen is thrown.
• LG and C take a 1 second count on their block, then shed out to the screen.
• HB fakes like he is picking up the Ni blitz after the PA, then olays and goes for screen.
• WRs run off the underneath coverage.

2.  QB motion spinout

• The QB taking the snap with speed to the boundary, as well as the offensive line blocking down and the HB leading to the edge, all encourage the line backers to flow boundary. This opens a window for the crosser when the QB spins out.
• QB steps to the field, then at a run back towards the center takes a snap in the gun (think jet motion). QB spins out to the field after taking the snap.
• Offensive line zone blocks down the line, with HB lead making it look like QB zone lead.
• TE hinging on the backside to seal the edge for the spinout.
• LBs flow with the backfield and OL actions, and CB steps down to set the edge, putting them all out of position against the crosser.

3. Punt - Jet RPO

• The jam/cornerback is conflicted 3 ways: jet away, punter running to him, and post behind him. This is an old game and the adjustment is probably to have everyone on the punt team to have peel rules for non-blockers, to have the LT accounted for on his route here. If there is a better solution please let me know. 
• Gunner jets on personal protector signal.
• Ball snapped when jet intersects punter.
• Punter keeps and runs to jet origin.
• LT releases on a corner, aiming behind the CB.
• CB is left in no-mans land between the jet, the punter with the ball, and the post behind him.

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.

Keiser Seahawks - Screens

 This is part 2 of our look at the Keiser Seahawks, aiming to get an idea of what they have been doing across all 3 phases to achieve their dominant start as a program under head coach Doug Socha.

Like part 1, this is from their first game as a program back in 2018.

8 total screen calls. 

• 5 Bubbles
• 2 HB Slips
• 1 Now Screen

SEE FILM AT THE BOTTOM.

In order of appearance in the game:

1. HB Slip

Field edge sinks to the hook, while Will sits in his hook to curl and eyes QB. Blows up the play as HB gets the ball. 

The 3 interior linemen all pass-set and begin working out to block after a 2 second count.

2. HB Slip

Here we have a full pivot play-action to the bubble, with the QB turning his head far behind the LOS directly towards the orbit runner. 

With the slip, the HB comes down as if picking up a block and after a 2count releases with the guards. RG turns around to see the pass rather than pick up his block, who gets into position to make an immediate stop if the pass to the halfback is completed. 

3. Bubble HB

QB eyes the slot crossing, keeping the overhang honest. 

After a 1count, the LT, LG, and RG come off their blocks. LT works to the swing side, while the guards both run the opposite direction. Camera does not show what happens to the boundary side where both guards are working. 

4. Bubble Slot

Soft PA with HB picking up the backside C gap, while the O-line full slides to the boundary.

The slot bubbles with crossover steps, while #1 and #3 pace themselves to take most dangerous and create some defined lanes for #2 to attack. 

5. Bubble Slot (1st-level RPO)

O-line full slides to the field with a Y arc, leaving the PSDE unblocked. Play may be DOA if PSDE continues his path to the mesh at full speed. 

QB pulls on DE crashing mesh, and throws the bubble. 

6. Bubble Orbit

PA, followed by QB setting feet and looking deep MOF as a timing mechanic to allow the bubble runner to get additional width.

O-line zone blocking left, pulling the defense away from the orbit. 

7. Bubble Slot RPO

Zone blocking left, leaving PSDE unblocked to be read. QB reads step-down, so keeps. 

QB then progresses to read the Will who expands with the QB keep, and then comes down on the ball. Seeing this, QB throws the bubble. Solid execution.

8. Now Screen

#1 takes a couple jab steps vertical, before turning inside for the ball.

#2 widens outside slightly before approaching a block. C and LG both take a 2count before releasing for their blocks.

FILM CUTUP

Keiser Seahawks - Jet Sweep Series

Keiser put up an impressive record in their first 3 years as a program, going 24-6 overall. This is part 1 of who knows how many writeups, looking at some of the things they do well and attempting to get an idea of how they have been so dominant. 

In this part, we are looking at their jet sweep series in their first game as a program back in 2018. 

Keiser gets a favorable alignment out of their 2x2 jet, in 3 of the 4 jet calls. Great angles to block the Sam or Will to the interior. 

There are 3 calls in their first possession, and one in the 3rd quarter. This does not include one call where there is no sweep action since ball is snapped after the jet motion is across. 

See cutup of these plays at the bottom of the page.

1. Fk Jet Duo

Line blocking duo, driving doubles and only coming off once backers declare. Y off slices backside. Ball is jumbled at the mesh. +2yds.

2. PA Jet Flood

All OL open to sideline and begin running to block for the sweep. QB fakes the jet give, and boots away. HB olays the standing DE and goes flat. Backers are influenced by the sweep action with no reaction to the split flow. HB ends up uncovered for a solid gain. +10yds.

3. Jet sweep lead

OL playing for doubleteam reach blocks on playside DL. C and LG drive nose into Mike 6yds deep. HB aims to lead up the edge, to the first threat (this time PSDE).  +7yds.

4. Jet sweep lead

Same offensive call as above, now in 3rd quarter. PSDE does not get reached, and CB plays hard on edge. +0yds. 

FILM CUTUP

Crack Bounce - Tampa Bay 2021 Superbowl

A quick look at some of Tampa's run calls, cracking the alley and bouncing the ball out to the CB. 

Key Points

• OL generally blocking head-up to inside gap
• OL working to second level slowly, letting LB come to them. Think DUO. 
• HB is getting downhill for the handoff and ~2 steps after handoff before bouncing outside.
• Think DUO. LB in the hole - HB bounce. LB scrape - HB hit an inside gap. (this is not a hard rule for Tampa)

• Cutup of TB WR cracks, as well as inserts from the Super Bowl: https://youtu.be/E4FxXXz5kYQ

Working to Deep Safety

• From a 4-3, 2-high look Tampa may have a WR slide motion towards the core and work inside towards the near safety.
• The ball carrier drives downhill on snap, banging to the outside late.
• OL are all zone-stepping to the field (away from the bounce), getting defense to flow with blocks.

Cracking Down Safety

• Against a 4-4, 1-high look, Tampa brings WR in motion to the core again and has him work to get square on the down-safety, who is flowing with the rest of the defense towards the counter footwork. 
• HB bounces outside hard and is put in a 1-on-1 in space with the CB who had bailed pre-snap on motion.

Inserting to Bring Safety Down

• On motion CB sinks to defend pass while SS comes down to replace in run fit. This makes is much easier to for TB get a blocker on SS, while making it convenient to leave CB unblocked. 
• The runner again departs downhill, bouncing to the outside quickly to exploit the mismatch on the perimeter vs a lone cornerback. 

New England 2019 Passing Concepts

STAFF

HC - Bill Belichick (20th year)

OC/QB - Josh McDaniels (7th year)

TE - Nick Caley (3rd year as TE coach)

OL - Dante Scarnecchia (21st year)

This is not the entirety of the New England passing game / all of their concepts.

Slant Flat Concept

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2019 Passing Concepts

Staff

HC - Bruce Arians (1st year, ARI)

AC - Harold Goodwin (1st year, ARI)

OC - Byron Leftwich (1st year, ARI)

QB - Clyde Christensen (1st year, MIA)

WR - Kevin Garver (1st year, ARI)

TE - Rick Christophel (1st year, ARI)

OL - Joe Gilbert (1st year, U Arizona)

This is not the entirety of the Tampa Bay passing game / all of their concepts.

CONCEPTS

Sail Concept

Miami Dolphins 2019 Passing Concepts

STAFF- 

HC - Brian Flores (1st year, NE)

OC - Chad O'Shea (1st year, NE)

QB - Jerry Schuplinski (1st year, NE)

WR - Karl Dorrell (1st year, NYJ)

TE - George Godsey (1st year, DET)

OL - Dave DeGugliemo (1st year, IND)

This is not the entirety of the Miami passing game / all of their concepts.

CONCEPTS

Curl Flat Concept

Sacks VS the Miami Dolphins, Weeks 1-6

Sacks VS the Miami Dolphins

    Taking a look at some of the causes and factors in each of the 10 sacks during Miami's first six games. We can also look back at problems, similarities, and differences in protection and sacks between R. Fitzpatrick and T. Tagovailoa after he starts a few games. 

Full film cutup is linked at the bottom.

Negative Run Plays in the NFL

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Negative Run Plays in the NFL

From offensive snaps in weeks 1–4 of the 2020 NFL season: New England, Tampa Bay, Miami. Cutups at the bottom.

Disclaimer: this is an experimental breakdown. The goal here is to attempt to divorce some very general causes of negative runs from the specific defensive fronts, blocking, and run schemes. At least divorce as far as possible without losing all meaning and context. Leave a comment here or on reddit with some feedback.

Here we will look at some of the most common causes of run plays in the NFL resulting in +1 yards or less. Causes being addressed are listed below.

1. Unblocked Backside Edge Defender

2. Defensive End/Edge + Linebacker Gap Exchange on a Down Block

3. Zone Runs Against Bear Fronts

4. Tight End Blocking a Defensive End at Point of Attack

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UNBLOCKED BACKSIDE DEFENDER