Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
PA TE Corner runs a play-action fake out of I Form Close Flex to hold the linebackers before releasing the tight end on a corner route from the slot alignment. The backside receiver runs a deep post while the frontside receiver works a short out to the flat, giving you a full field stretch off the run fake. This is a man beater at its core since the TE corner route attacks off-man leverage and the post pulls a single-high safety away from the throwing lane, with the primary read progression starting on the TE corner, then working to the post if a safety jumps the corner route, and checking down to the flat route as the last resort.
Defensive Reads
Look for linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers biting on the play fake open up the underneath flat and corner routes. Identify single high safety shells pre-snap, which tells you the post route has a favorable window against Cover 3 or Cover 1. Watch for user-controlled defenders spying the TE release, since a lurking linebacker or nickel defender can undercut the corner route before it clears the numbers. Cover 2 shells with two deep safeties are the toughest matchup for this play since the corner route runs into the deep half defender. Key the flat defender's drop, since if he sinks with the corner route instead of the flat, the checkdown route becomes wide open underneath.
Usage Tips
Sell the play action by holding the fake through the animation before looking to pass, since defenders that bite on the run fake open up the TE corner route immediately.
Check safety alignment before the snap: a single high safety favors the post route beating over the top, while two deep safeties means you should prioritize the TE corner into the vacated flat zone.
Use this play on early downs like first and second and ten when defenses are more likely to respect the run look out of I Form personnel.
Hot route the flat route into a shallow drag if you see man coverage with no underneath help, giving you a rhythm throw against blitz-heavy fronts.
Pair this play with HB Iso or HB Power O earlier in a series so the play action fake carries more weight and linebackers sit on the run action.
