Playbooks
Comebacks is a timing based passing concept out of Shotgun Box Y Split with 11 personnel that attacks the boundary and the numbers with a full field comeback route package. All eligible receivers break outward and settle back toward the sideline at intermediate depth, forcing corners to respect the vertical stem before the ball is snapped back to the receiver's frame. This is a man beater first, since it exploits corners playing off leverage or trailing outside technique, but it also holds up against zone shells because the comebacks sit down in the soft spot between the cornerback and underneath linebacker. Primary progression starts with the boundary comeback, works to the field side comeback, and checks down to the HB or TE if both outside windows are covered.
Check pre-snap safety alignment first, two high shells with corners playing off coverage are the easiest matchup for this concept since the comeback route settles in front of the deep half defenders. Watch for press man corners, if the defense shows press at the line the comeback route becomes risky because a jammed receiver cannot create the separation needed to break back to the sideline in time. Identify Cover 3 sky or buzz rotations, if the flat defender sinks late or the corner reads the quarterback's eyes and jumps the route this concept gets shut down quickly, so be ready to work the backside window instead. Key the underneath linebackers, if they show blitz or crash hard on the run fake portion of your pre-snap motion the middle of the field opens up for a faster completion. Watch for a user controlled defender lurking in the throwing lane between the numbers and the sideline, since a savvy human defender can bait the quarterback into throwing the comeback route into a trap read.
Look at cornerback depth before the snap, this play thrives against corners lined up seven or more yards off the line since they have to turn and run before the comeback route breaks back downhill. Use the right stick to peek at the boundary corner's leverage first, if he is playing outside shade you have an easy throwing lane to the sideline. Hot route the backside receiver into a quick out or slant if you diagnose man coverage with no safety help over the top, this gives you a faster rhythm throw on third and short. This play pairs well with Curls in the same set since both attack similar depths but Curls holds defenders shorter, run Comebacks first to bait corners into playing tighter, then hit Curls underneath once they overcompensate. Third and medium to third and long is the sweet spot for this play, the route depth typically sits around twelve to fourteen yards which lines up with common sticks to gain situations.