Thread: Matt Bowen; "Sucker" Route Give Hanie Multiple Options..........

'Sucker' route gives Hanie options

Standard element of Martz playbook works off of Raiders defenders' leverage

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Matt Bowen Scouting the Bears 7:53 p.m. CST, November 26, 2011


With Jay Cutler out of the lineup Sunday in Oakland, the Bears might adapt their play-calling and design a game plan around Matt Forte. However, the passing concepts and targets won't change for backup quarterback Caleb Hanie. The Bears will use inside breaking schemes to challenge the leverage of the Raiders' defensive backs.

In this diagram, the Bears have their Posse personnel (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) in a three-by-one alignment with Earl Bennett in the slot. The Raiders counter with their base nickel package (four linemen, two linebackers, five backs) playing Cover-1 (man-free). The Bears will run the "Sucker" route and work the deep dig route to Johnny Knox.

'Sucker' route

The Sucker route is a classic Mike Martz scheme designed to test Cover-1, Cover-4 (quarters) and Cover-2 (two-deep) formations. To the open (weak) side, Roy Williams (X) will stem his release inside and vertically up the field on the 7 cut (corner route) with running back Matt Forte (R) working the option route off of the linebacker's (W) leverage. To the closed (strong) side, tight end Kellen Davis (Y) will clear out on the inside vertical seam with Bennett (W) running the underneath curl. To complete the route, Johnny Knox (Z) will run the deep dig back to the middle of the field as the primary target to move the sticks.

Beating Cover-1

NFL defensive backs are coached to play with leverage in Cover-1. Align with an outside shade (outside shoulder of the receiver) and funnel the release, stem and route back to the safety help. Knox will stem his route vertically up the field to test the cushion of cornerback Stanford Routt (LC), create separation and break the dig route back to the middle. With Davis clearing out and occupying free safety Michael Huff on the seam route, Knox has room to work back to the quarterback with Routt playing from a trail position.

Hanie's route progression

Knox is the primary target in the Sucker concept; however, Hanie will have to go through his progressions if Knox is covered. Bennett is his second read on the curl to the closed side, with Forte his third and final read to the open side on the option route. If the linebacker plays the initial release with an inside shade, Forte (aligned in a "chowed" position) will break the route to the outside, creating a flat-7 combo to the open side. It's a safe, efficient throw for Hanie in a matchup Forte can win.

'Hi-Lo' concept

Break down this route, and it is nothing more than a "Hi-Lo" concept — a standard in Martz's playbook. The Bears will run variations of the Hi-Lo with underneath crossers, multiple formations, pre-snap motion and added window dressing. However, the concept is the same: a second-level read (dig) with an underneath option (curl). More importantly, it is a familiar route concept for Hanie to run in his first start.

Special contributor Matt Bowen, who played at Glenbard West and Iowa, spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety. You also can find his work at nationalfootballpost.com