How to attack the Tampa 2 from a 3 X 1 alignment

[MightyGiants]

I love his Xs and Os series:

The two route concepts we consistently see in the NFL to target the top of Cover 2 (or Tampa 2) are Flat-7 and 4 Verticals. Today, let

[JimboWHO]

So cool.  Thanks for always supplying all the content you do.

I discovered Bowen's stuff about a year ago.  Can't get enough.


JJM

[MightyGiants]

No problem Jim.  You know what's funny, the casual fan would watch the play and see a completion to the X receiver and think the corner got beat deep.  Even though the corner wasn't supposed to follow the receiver all the way down the field. 

[JimboWHO]

No problem Jim.  You know what's funny, the casual fan would watch the play and see a completion to the X receiver and think the corner got beat deep.  Even though the corner wasn't supposed to follow the receiver all the way down the field.

Yeah, there's a lot going on within those lines on a football field - far more than we fans know and realize.

JJM

[vette5573]

That's assuming that the corners will only be in zone and not man coverage. No way in that situation should the CB be in press. He should be 7 yards off the LOS and stay with his man. In this case though, the Mike has to stay on the Y post route and keep the receiver underneath.

I actually think the correct read should be to the W playing off the line against the nickel back. There are less defenders on that strong side and assuming a right handed passer he doesn't have to throw across the field. His check down is the RB on that side and without any backfield protection, he would naturally roll out to his right. That way he can get an open passing lane.

Chalk board theory is just that. Theory. Then there is common sense and player reaction. Eli would definitely go to Cruz on that Slot route.

[murderhill]

So a couple of plays that we all remember

[bighitterdalama]

Not to nit pick here, but this is not a double slot formation. It is a split left, strong right, double flank right. The formation has no slot receivers. Also, the defensive formation, as shown, has the safeties way too close to the LOS, 8-9 yards deep. In a Tampa 2, the safeties start out 14-15 yards deep (the strong side safety cheats up a little). A Tampa 2 coverage rolls up (and laterally), not back, into short and intermediate pass routes.