Playbook - Hot Route
The most deceptive thing about The Patriots Offense is their ability to run nearly all of their concepts with each and every one of their personnel packages. In this instance we're looking at 12 personnel (2WR/2TE/1RB). The Defense usually responds to this personnel package with run oriented defenders, especially with Stevan Ridley at RB.
Well, what is a Defense supposed to do when a run package shows 5-WR?
As you can see, Brady operates from the shotgun, and Ridley is split wide to the left. Fells is in the slot and Gronk is in the wing spot. Gronkowski draws a double team from the LB and Safety while Fells runs a jerk route over the middle. Ridley doesn't really run a route, but his presence out wide forces the Defense to put a man on him. Also, The CB plays Ridley up close to guard against screens behind Gronk and Fells.
On the other side, Welker and Lloyd seem to have man-coverage with a Safety high and inside. However, the Defense is disguising a blitz from the slot. Wes Welker sees the blitz, and he runs the hot route to beat the Safety. Brady throws on a quick drop back, and the blitz has no chance to get to him. Quite simply, this is The Patriots bread and butter: beating the blitz with quick throws to Welker.
This play is a testament to the talent of Welker and Lloyd. Having those two on the same side of the field is usually a match-up problem for the Defense. The route running and awareness of Welker combined with the speed and savvy of Lloyd force Defenses to allot 3 defenders to cover 2 WRs. If the Defense leaves a Safety on Welker in space, they will get burned every time.
I want to see more out of Ridley when he's split out wide. His effort on this "route" was pretty poor, but he served well as a decoy. However, I'd like him to be more than a decoy. I would like to see some screen passes from the same formation. I think it would work best when the CB is playing further off Ridley than he is in this instance, but a quick motion should give him a step. Check it out:
Having Fells and Gronkowski criss-cross will open up a hole between the DE and the slot CB for Ridley to run. Hopefully the timing of the play will allow Ridley to lose his man-coverage behing Gronkowski's block. Also, since Daniel Fells takes out the DE with a crack back block, LT Nate Solder or LG Logan Mankins is free to seal off the weak-side LB. Solid execution would leave Ridley 1-on-1 with the Safety with a chance for a big gain. If Ridley can start to become a factor in the passing game, The Patriots Offense will get even better. Obviously, I'd love to see that happen.
Well, what is a Defense supposed to do when a run package shows 5-WR?
As you can see, Brady operates from the shotgun, and Ridley is split wide to the left. Fells is in the slot and Gronk is in the wing spot. Gronkowski draws a double team from the LB and Safety while Fells runs a jerk route over the middle. Ridley doesn't really run a route, but his presence out wide forces the Defense to put a man on him. Also, The CB plays Ridley up close to guard against screens behind Gronk and Fells.
On the other side, Welker and Lloyd seem to have man-coverage with a Safety high and inside. However, the Defense is disguising a blitz from the slot. Wes Welker sees the blitz, and he runs the hot route to beat the Safety. Brady throws on a quick drop back, and the blitz has no chance to get to him. Quite simply, this is The Patriots bread and butter: beating the blitz with quick throws to Welker.
This play is a testament to the talent of Welker and Lloyd. Having those two on the same side of the field is usually a match-up problem for the Defense. The route running and awareness of Welker combined with the speed and savvy of Lloyd force Defenses to allot 3 defenders to cover 2 WRs. If the Defense leaves a Safety on Welker in space, they will get burned every time.
I want to see more out of Ridley when he's split out wide. His effort on this "route" was pretty poor, but he served well as a decoy. However, I'd like him to be more than a decoy. I would like to see some screen passes from the same formation. I think it would work best when the CB is playing further off Ridley than he is in this instance, but a quick motion should give him a step. Check it out:
Having Fells and Gronkowski criss-cross will open up a hole between the DE and the slot CB for Ridley to run. Hopefully the timing of the play will allow Ridley to lose his man-coverage behing Gronkowski's block. Also, since Daniel Fells takes out the DE with a crack back block, LT Nate Solder or LG Logan Mankins is free to seal off the weak-side LB. Solid execution would leave Ridley 1-on-1 with the Safety with a chance for a big gain. If Ridley can start to become a factor in the passing game, The Patriots Offense will get even better. Obviously, I'd love to see that happen.
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