TUNNEL SCREEN

The Broncos run the Tunnel Screen (a/k/a Jailbreak Screen) more than any team in the NFL, with 6’3 230 Thomas on the receiving end almost every time. Denver runs the play from a variety of formations. Below is the play, with Denver is in Trips tight:

Assignments: (#1 WR): Sell Vertical, Bend back square to QB (#2 WR): Block out CB on #1 WR (#3 WR): Arc Block to Safety over #2 WR( Right Tackle): Sell Stretch Left, arc to first defender outside box (Right Guard): Sell Stretch Left, arc to first defender inside box

Above, the Broncos fake stretch play action going left, with the Tunnel Screen coming from the right. In order to execute the Tunnel Screen, Demaryius Thomas must first create space between him and the cornerback lined up over him by so the next inside Wide Receiver can block out his man. Thomas does this by selling hard vertically for 2-3 yards to drive back the cornerback before bending back to the ball with shoulders square to Manning. The inside most Wide Receiver here then arc blocks to the next inside defender (here, it is #29 Safety Eric Berry). This area is also known as “the sidewalk.” This creates the lane for Demaryius Thomas to run inside of:

Coaches sometimes break up the blocking assignment on Tunnel Screen by area, with the above delineations

Now, the inside of the defense must be sealed off to give Thomas a lane to run. Both the right guard and right tackle take their outside zone step to the left to sell the play action stretch, and then widen out to their blocking assignment. The right tackle blocks the first player outside the box (the alley), and the right guard blocks the next inside player (here, the outside linebacker). This creates the lane or “Tunnel” (depicted in blue in first picture) to run through. After he sells vertical (driving back the corner nearly 7 years) and bends back square, he catches the ball and finds the crease between where the Safety and Corner have been blocked out and where the right guard and tackle have sealed off the defense:

Denver can also run Tunnel Screen from a 2-WR or 1-WR 1-TE set to a side:

The Tunnel Screen works especially well here because of the Rams blitz, which makes it easier for the right guard and tackle to identify who to block in space:

Denver also runs the play with the Center pulling, depending on the front 7 look the defense is giving. Here the Tunnel Screen is once again run with a play action stretch fake going the other way. The #2 Receiver blocks the defender over Thomas, with the Right Tackle blocking the “sidewalk”, the right guard blocking the “alley”, and the center going straight down the middle of the field looking for someone to block:

The Tunnel Screen has become a staple of the Broncos offense; Manning loves to call it against blitzes, in short yardage when the box is loaded, and against both press and off coverage. Overall, it’s a great way to get a big fast Wideout an easy catch and have the ball in space.

 “NOW” SLANT

The “Now” slant (Or no step slant) isn’t a screen, but it functions similarly to the Tunnel screen by getting the ball to Demaryius Thomas on an easy catch in space with a head of steam. The Broncos run the “now” slant with Thomas from various formations. Thomas is always the outside most Receiver and either one or two inside Receivers clear out the space within the first five yards of the line of scrimmage for him. Thomas takes one jab step outside without going upfield and runs his slant route:

The play is particularly effective against Man coverage and blitzes because as long as Thomas beats his man with the outside jab, he’ll catch the ball on the run with the space vacated by other defenders:

Thomas does an excellent job of planting a foot in the ground and getting upfield almost immediately after the catch. The play is extremely simple yet incredibly effective for the Broncos. Denver especially likes the “now” slant in the red zone, serving almost as an extended handoff but gaining almost 7 yards a pop. While the above cutup has Wes Welker running a route, toward the goal line it appears as if the Bronco Receivers are just clearing out to block:

TRIPS X-DRAG

The Broncos like the Trips X-Drag in 3rd and more than 7. Demaryius Thomas is the lone receiver on the backside of Trips (or Tight End Trips), with the Running back as #4 strong, meaning he is also to the side of the Trips. Thomas runs a drag route across the formation, while the 3 Receivers on the other side push vertical but really look to block, as they know the ball will be out quickly to Thomas with a head of steam. Also take note of the running back, who runs an angle route but is also clearly looking to block. The running back is specifically looking to pick the linebacker or DB who is pursuing Thomas from the middle of the field:

A few clips of the Broncos running Trips X-Drag, picking up yards on 3rd and long either for a first down or to set up better field position:

These 3 concepts made up around 20% of all of Demaryius Thomas’ production on the 2014 season. They are plays specifically designed to get the ball in his hands, as no other Bronco runs them. Even with some questioning Peyton Manning’s health, notice that all these pass concepts are short throws and actually highlight Manning’s greatest strength: assessing the defense and calling the right play. When Manning notices a blitz or off coverage, the Tunnel Screen is a great audible. When Manning sees Cover 0, Cover 1, or an edge blitz from the secondary, the “now” slant is a perfect check.  Be sure to notice them while watching Denver next season!

The post Peyton to Demaryius: Breaking down the Broncos Tunnel Screen, Now Slant, and Trips X-Drag Concepts appeared first on Syed Schemes.

Via Bleacher Report

This play resulted in a Touchdown via a Julius Thomas backside slant route. Fast forward to week 1 of the 2014 season. The Colts see the Dakota formation and decide to play Safety LaRon Landry in Man-to-Man coverage. Julius Thomas runs a slant again:

Julius Thomas toasts LaRon Landry for a Touchdown. In Week 6, the Broncos came out in Dakota formation in the Red Zone once again versus the Jets:

Once again, Julius Thomas is going to run the slant. While there is an inside Linebacker, there is no inside help from a secondary member, as seen by the completely empty JETS logo in the end zone. This matches up rookie safety Calvin Pryor with Julius Thomas in true man-to-man coverage. Although tape gives a slant route tendency, Pryor allows Thomas inside for an easy score:

Keep note of this formation going forward late in the season and the playoffs. Given how many times Julius Thomas has scored from this formation and route, NFL defenses certainly will adjust and take away the inside slant in some way. This can be done with a Robber, an extra safety, a dropping defensive lineman or linebacker. The Cornerback could also play hard to the inside, but this could leave a smaller Cornerback vulnerable to a fade route from the 6’5 Thomas. If too much attention is focused on Julius Thomas, the Trips side will become the go to side, via run or pass.

Looking for the “Dakota” formation elsewhere in the NFL? The Saints with Jimmy Graham, Patriots with Rob Gronkowski, and Chargers with Antonio Gates use the Dakota formation most in the NFL. Several other NFL Analysts have also noticed the Broncos prevelant use of the Dakota formation.

Post-Season Note: Julius Thomas has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. While he won’t be as productive as he was in Denver, the favorable match ups Julius Thomas creates (via Dakota formation and others) should certainly help out young QB Blake Bortles in 2015.

The post Dakota formation: How Julius Thomas makes it look “So Easy” vs. NYJ appeared first on Syed Schemes.

The Post-Wheel combo involves the outside Wide Receiver running around 10 yards and breaking 45 degrees toward the goal post. The inside, or slot Wide Receiver will break as if he is running an out route, then turn up the field looking for a big play.

On defense, Seattle is playing Cover 1 Robber. Seattle defensive backs are all matched up man-to-man, except Earl Thomas (the robber) and Cam Chancellor (playing deep middle). Another indicator of man coverage is that Denver’s running back (Montee Ball) is lined up on the bottom of the screen closest to the sideline, and Seattle’s Linebacker Bobby Wagner follows him. Richard Sherman then moves inside to line up with Wide Receiver Wes Welker.

Here is a still shot of what Peyton Manning sees pre-snap and what will unfold schematically:

Below is Denver’s first play of the drive, an incomplete pass. Seattle should have taken note, however, because Emmanuel Sanders was wide open after beating his man-to-man coverage. Here’s how it unfolds:

Seattle adjusts by switching to their patent Cover 3 Buzz, a true and full zone scheme. Here is what Cover 3 Buzz is supposed to look like (from last year’s Super Bowl):

Courtesy of Bleacher Report (Matt Bowen)

The second time Denver runs Post-Wheel, it’s against Cover 3 Buzz. Just as the first still picture shows, Earl Thomas will still be the Robber and Cam Chancellor will still have the deep middle of the field. However, the Cornerback at the top of the screen, Byron Maxwell, is responsible for the top deep 1/3 of the field. The Post-Wheel combo puts Maxwell in a predicament because Seattle plays extremely aggressive Cover 3 by “Pattern Matching”, or having the freedom to follow certain vertical routes.

Should Maxwell continue with Demaryius Thomas’ Post route, or stay in his 1/3 of the field and Cover Emmanuel Sanders’ wheel route and pass off the post route to Cam Chancellor? If Maxwell chooses to follow Demaryius Thomas on the Post, then the linebacker must “carry” Emmanuel Sanders’ wheel route and cover him up the sideline.

Below, the blue lines represent Denver’s routes, and the red represents Seattle’s choices defensively:

If the neither happens, see the result:

In the NFL, making a mistake is not a cardinal sin. However, there is nothing that aggravates coaches more than being a “mistake repeater.” On the 26 yard touchdown, Denver runs a Post-Wheel for the THIRD time in a 1-minute span (from a different formation), with Seattle in Cover 3 Buzz again. However, inexplicably, Seattle has not learned from the earlier plays in this drive. Here is the Touchdown in standard speed, with another Post-Wheel:

On the touchdown, Seattle has 3 ways to avoid this touchdown: the Cornerback could sink and stay “on top” of the wheel route, Earl Thomas as the robber could turn his hips and follow the wheel route, or the linebacker could carry and cover the wheel route. While the linebacker reacts faster this time, it is still far too late. It appears as if he is trying to protect the sideline and keep everything in bounds to keep the clock moving. But, because they’ve seen Post-Wheel twice on this drive already, the linebacker should have been more aware. (Earl Thomas attempts to rob the post route).

Note*: None of the Post-Wheel combinations targeted Richard Sherman, who likely would have played them differently.

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