Thread: Jeffery Gives Bears Pass Route Options...........

Inside the playbook: the NFL route tree

Breaking down the passing game on the chalkboard. Matt Bowen



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Print This June 30, 2011, 05:30 AM EST

Click here for the entire Inside the Playbook series.


Over the past couple of weeks here at the NFP, we have spent some time on the chalkboard breaking down route concepts. From the basic passing schemes in every NFL playbook to Andy Reid’s Hi-Lo concepts, along with the routes that will show up inside of the 20-yard line.


Today, let’s take a step back from route combinations that we see on game tape and break it down in very basic terms by checking out the actual route tree. Because if you want to play receiver in this league, you have to be able to run every route in the game plan.


Check out the diagram below, and then we will get into some coaching points to discuss the NFL route tree



Where do routes break?
Before we get into the actual routes, we need to know when the WR is going to break. And outside of the 3-step game (Slant, Flat), every route breaks at a depth of 12-15 yards. Why is that important? Double moves. If you are playing defensive back and see the WR stutter his feet at a depth of 8-yards, expect him to get vertical up the field—because there isn’t a route that breaks at 8-yards. However, remember one very important detail: if the WR doesn’t break his route between a depth of 12-15 yards, you better open your hips and run. Because he is running straight down the field.


Making it simple…:
Flat (1) Think Slant-Flat, Curl-Flat, Flat-7. It is the one route that will show up consistently in combination concepts. You will get it out the backfield, plus from a No.1 WR with a reduced split and a No.2 aligned inside of the numbers.


Slant (2) You see it at the high school level on Friday nights and on Sunday in the NFL because it is the top 3-step concept in any playbook. Look for a wide split (outside of the numbers) and vs. a 3x1 formation. The ideal, quick Cover 1 (man-free) beater.
ICONThe elite receivers, such as Andre Johnson, can produce in the entire route tree.


Comeback (3) One of the tougher throws in the NFL when it is run at a deep depth (15-yards). We will see it vs. Cover 1 and it is the only route (outside of the fade or 9 route) where a WR aligns wide (outside of the numbers) with a hard outside vertical release.


Curl (4) The curl route is simple, yet it is essential for working vs. off-man coverage and zone based defenses. Stem hard up the field and break back downhill to the QB. There is a reason defenses have “curl to flat” zone players in Cover 3 and Cover 4—because you have to stop this route.


Out (5) Again, similar to the comeback, the deep out is route we use to judge NFL QBs. Can they make that throw? Look for the WR to align inside of the numbers or on top of the numbers at the widest. You need to create room to run this route.


Dig (6) The classic intermediate to deep inside breaking route in the NFL. Mike Martz made it big (sometimes at a depth of 20-plus yards) when he was the coach of the Rams with Isaac Bruce and we see it today in multiple combinations. Get a vertical stem up the numbers from the WR and break it across the middle vs. any coverage.


Corner (7) The top route we see vs. Tampa 2 defenses as it puts stress on both the corner sinking and the deep half safety. And, just like the comeback and the out, you must create room to work for the WR. Can’t run the 7 route from outside of the numbers—because the WR will run out of bounds.


Post (8) We will see the “Skinny Post” (or “Bang 8”) on Sundays, but the basic post route is a concept that allows a WR to win vs. man-coverage as he works to the deep middle of the field. A big play waiting to happen when you work vs. a FS that doesn’t have disciple in his drop and depth.


Fade (9) The ultimate deep ball. The “go route” is in every NFL playbook when you want to win a one-on-one matchup down the field. And just like I said above, when you get an outside vertical release vs. a WR aligned outside of the numbers, you either get the comeback or a shot down the field.


Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41

Well I guess the good news in all of this is that apparently Jeffery may be a bit more advanced in his route running skills than originally thought. THAT will open up more options for Cutler and Bates as far as how to use him. Jay has never had two "aircraft carriers" to throw to before so he should be smiling ear to ear by now based on this report.

These were Bowen's first thoughts pre-draft but after a weekend look-see first hand he seems to have expanded his opinion.

NFL Draft: A look at Alshon Jeffery in the red zone

Using video to break down the 8 (post) vs. Cover 0. Matt Bowen

April 16, 2012 Share
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Today, let’s take a quick look at Alshon Jeffery running the post route vs. man-coverage. With the WR from South Carolina, you should think inside breaking concepts and red zone football because of his size (6-4, 216) at the position. Check out the replay and then we will get into some coaching points…


Clemson vs. South Carolina
Personnel: Ace (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB)
Formation: Unit Slot
Scheme: Double-Post
Coverage: Cover 0 (blitz-man)

- Start with the scheme: double-post. You will see this concept (along with the “Dino Double Post”) show up inside of the red zone and the “high red zone” (20-35 yard line) vs. defenses that use single high safety looks (Cover 1, Cover 3). Force the FS to read (and play) two post routes with WRs breaking back across the field to take advantage of leverage. In a slot formation, you usually get the open (weak) side 7 (corner) route from the TE to clear the outside deep third.


- Jeffery gets a clean vertical release here. It’s too easy. The Clemson CB is aligned in press-man, however he doesn’t use his hands when Jeffery eats up the short cushion and he also takes a false step when opening his hips. Not what you want to see in Cover 0 (DBs need to maintain inside leverage) or vs. the size of Jeffery down the field.


- Now that Jeffery has the CB on his outside hip and has established leverage to the inside, the 8 (post) route is a money play for the offense. This reminds me of Plaxico Burress in the red zone or Keyshawn Johnson from back in my career. When they win to the inside, you aren’t going to make the play unless you can undercut the route or find a way to strip the ball through the up field shoulder. Size and leverage can be a nasty thing for a DB inside of the red zone.


- Good ball and a clean finish from Jeffery. And looking at the route tree, the inside breaking concepts (along with the fade) should be a major part of Jeffery’s game at the pro level. The slant, dig (square-in) and post. The key for the WR on Sundays: win at the line of scrimmage. Jeffery won’t see these free releases off the line vs. NFL DBs.


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Follow me on Twitter: @MattBowen41

Once he gets better at the pro tree I think he would really flourish running flag routes, sluggos, and curved hook routes. For now I'll just be happy he runs simple routes,catches, and maintains ball control.

Hey is that anyway to talk about our former #1....#2....and now #3 WR? Actually I like the thought of pairing those two as our "weapon" guys along with Marshall and Bennett both of whom we know can get open and catch anything they can get a hand on. Using Hester upfield where he has room to run on shorter routes or stretch the field to open room underneath and then shifting to Jeffery as the field gets shorter where Hester's speed loses it's edge and Jeffery's size adds to his may be a very good strategy.

They seem bound and determined to use Hester as much as possible, Marshall will be the pillar at SE and neither Hester or Jeffery will be a better clutch guy or route runner than Bennett is now so those two are the guys you design your "packages" around to where you have an almost constant mis-match of one kind of another going on. You're giving Cutler a lot of options out there.

The Giants benefited offensively by throwing the ball around quite a bit so no one could focus on any one guy to shut down. That was the Pats downfall when they chose to focus on Nicks and Cruz and let Manningham have more space. We're building that same advantage. You take this WR core and then add pass catching TE's and RB's into the mix and somebody is gonna be open somewhere. They can't cover them all.

I am so delighted to hear that Jeffery is so far along in his progression into becoming a very good NFL wide receiver. I believe that this season, he will make an immediate impact on this team. He was a steal in the second round of the draft when he was clearly first round talent. His weight problem turned out to be our gain in a big way. (No pun intended.)