The Bills are playing Cover 1. Against man defensive schemes, the spot route is tough to complete and can be jammed at the line. The flat route is easier to complete because several receivers cross each other, creating traffic. The deep corner route is toughest to defend man to man. The most common way to run the Spot concept is to have either the middle or inside receiver run the corner. However, there are several advantages to having the outside most receiver run the corner: first, the outside receiver can get to the deep third of the field quickest; and second, an outside corner back rarely plays a 7-route going toward the sideline. After recognizing that the defense is in Cover 1, it becomes a simple high low read between the flat route and the deep corner. The outside receiver (LaFell) takes an inside release, stacks the defensive back, and beats him to the corner:

Against Cover 3 zone, the Quarterback should read the flat and throw opposite of the flat defender. Against Cover 2 zone, the QB should still read the flat defender, but should also peak the corner route if the 2-high safety has poor leverage. Below are two examples of the Spot Concept against the Colts during the 2014 season. Note how the Broncos run the Spot Concept from a heavy set using motion:

Here, the flat defender (noted in the blue square above) is sucked in by the spot route, opening up the flat:

Later in the season, the Steelers use the same concept against the Colts from a heavy bunch set, with 3 TE/FB types making up the bunch. When the flat defender expands, the spot should open up underneath for an easy 5 yard completion:

Credit: James Light

The Spot Concept can be executed in almost any type of offense from numerous formations and personnel groupings. This and the fact that it is a relatively easy progression triangle read makes the Spot Concept a staple in many offenses. Finally, keep in mind that there is usually a single backside receiver opposite the Spot Concept who can run any route as well. Below are other ways to run the Spot Concept:

From Pro Personnel:

Credit: Matt Bowen

With an offset back, (particularly from shotgun) some Quarterbacks prefer the running back on a “wide” track as opposed to the traditional flat route because the ‘wide’ flare does not push coverage back into the intermediate level. Instead, a wide path provides a faster horizontal stretch threat and an easier throw to the ‘wide’ as a hot route. This “wide” track is exemplified below:

For another look, below is a more spread out bunch set:

Credit: Smartfootball’s “Snag, Stick, and the Importance of Triangles in the Passing Game”

Below, the Broncos run the Spot Concept at the bottom of the screen from an empty formation. A bubble route provides for the horizontal stretch instead of the traditional flat route:

Finally, the Spot Concept is a great red zone play because of the dilemma it creates. Playing zone makes a defense more susceptible to the run but also creates an easy window to hit the spot route. On the other hand, man to man creates confusion, traffic, and natural screens:

The Spot Concept wasn’t just limited to offense during the 2014 season. NFL teams even use the spot concept for fake punts! Below, the St. Louis Rams picked up a key first down against Seattle in the 4th quarter via motion and the Spot Concept:

Overall, the Spot Concept is simple to execute and extremely versatile with respect to formations and personnel groupings. It is a half field triangle read with a set progression that often results in easy completions. As seen above, it can be used via heavy sets, bunch, spread formations and in almost any situation: on your own goal line to gain a few yards, from the middle of the field to gain 5 yards on 1st or 3rd down, to make a big play, or in the red zone.

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Awareness

Devin McCourty made one of the best plays of the year from the Free Safety position during the 3rd Quarter of the 2014 divisional round due to his awareness and play recognition skills. On the first drive of the game, the Patriots gave up a big gain on this pass play:

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However, in the third quarter, Devin McCourty was able to recognize that the Ravens were in the same formation (flipped the other way) with the same motion pre-snap:

From his centerfield position in Cover 1, Devin McCourty recognizes that he has seen this formation before, and is able to diagnose the play due to his excellent awareness. Once he realizes the route combination, he breaks on the ball and covers nearly 30 yards to make the interception:

Range

The play above certainly also showed excellent range, but may not have been McCourty’s best effort with respect to range in the 2014 season. In week 2, he was in his usual Cover 1 Centerfield role when he broke on a Matt Cassel throw, covering about 30 yards of ground before making a great interception:

The play also shows just how fundamentally sound McCourty is with respect to backpedal technique and his eyes. As you can see, when Cassel is about to release the ball, McCourty is still deeper than the post route.

Versatility

Devin McCourty started his career as a Cornerback before switching to Free Safety. This factor combined with his excellent athleticism has also helped him become one of the most versatile Free Safeties in the game. While McCourty spends most of his time as the “Centerfielder” in Cover 1, he can also play man-to-man when needed:

Devin McCourty was also asked to play Man coverage against the Raven’s Owen Daniels in key situations during the playoffs. This ability gives New England scheme flexibility and enables them to disguise defenses better. The Patriots will certainly appreciate having Devin McCourty around for the next 5 years, even if it is at over 47 million dollars.

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