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Breakdown
Comebacks out of I Form Pro 21 personnel sends both outside receivers vertical before snapping their routes back downward and toward the sideline, creating a comeback route on each side of the field. The inside vertical route from the middle of the diagram (likely the TE) occupies the middle of the field and can pull a linebacker or safety off the hook, opening throwing lanes to either comeback. This is a man beater that uses the vertical stem to freeze cornerbacks before breaking outside, and it also works against zone defenders who sit too shallow in their drops. The primary read progression starts with the comeback that has the most separation based on the corner's depth, usually working strong side first, then working back to the backside comeback if the first read is covered.
Defensive Reads
Check safety depth before the snap, single high safety alignment usually signals man coverage underneath which is exactly what this route concept is designed to attack with the double move stem. Watch the cornerback's feet at the snap, if he opens his hips and turns to run with the vertical stem, the comeback break should create real separation for an easy completion. Key the middle linebacker or seam defender on the inside vertical route, aggressive robber or lurk defenders sitting in the middle of the field can jump underneath comeback throws if the quarterback holds the ball too long. Cover 3 with hard sink corners can shut this down because those defenders stay deep and squeeze the comeback window, so be ready to check to a hitch or quick game if you see three deep defenders splitting the field evenly. Blitz packages that send extra rushers off the edge can disrupt this play's timing since both comeback breaks require a full vertical stem before working back, so identify pressure looks and be ready to get the ball out on time or check protection.
Usage Tips
Look at pre-snap corner alignment before the snap, since Comebacks punishes corners playing tight or aggressive man coverage because the vertical stem sets up the double move look and forces them to open their hips early.
Use the middle vertical route as a clock read, if the deep safety bites on it or a linebacker widens to cover it, that confirms zone coverage and tells you to work the comeback on the side away from the extra defender.
Hot route the backside comeback into a hitch or quick out if you diagnose Cover 2 or Cover 4 with corners sitting low, since the natural comeback break can bump into a zone defender sinking underneath.
This play pairs well with Curls and Slant And Go's in the same set, since all three use vertical stems that look identical pre-snap but break differently, making it hard for defenders to jump routes on repeated calls.
Best used on second and long or third and medium situations where defenders are more likely to sit in zone drops and give up the comeback window at the sideline.
