Playbooks
Fl Screen out of Shotgun Doubles Flex WK Pats is a flanker screen built to punish aggressive edge pressure and man coverage that bails hard off the line. The outside receiver to the flanker side sits at the line while linemen release to set up a wall of blockers in front of him, giving you a numbers advantage on the perimeter. The primary read is the screen itself: get the ball out on time to the flanker and let your blockers work, only peeling off to a checkdown or backside route if the screen is blown up before the catch.
Pre snap, check for corners playing tight press man since press defenders can jump the screen before blockers get set and blow it up for a loss Watch defensive ends and outside linebackers for wide upfield rush angles, this play thrives against edge rushers selling out for the quarterback Identify Cover 3 cloud or Cover 2 with the corner sitting flat, these shells put an extra defender right in the throwing lane and kill the screen quickly Post snap, key user controlled defenders dropping to a shallow zone or spying the flanker, a smart user can jump the route before blockers arrive If the linebackers or safeties fire on a blitz immediately after the snap, expect the screen to have room since interior defenders are out of the picture
Call this against defenses showing Cover 3 sky, Cover 1, or any look with corners playing off man technique since the cushion gives your blockers time to set the wall
Use it as a change up after establishing Patriots Drag or Patriots Drive to slow down defenders keying quick game routes to the flanker side
Throw it decisively as soon as the receiver turns upfield, do not wait on blockers to fully engage or the screen will die behind the line
Best called on early downs or after a stuffed run to catch aggressive fronts pinning their ears back on obvious pass downs
Pair with RPO Power Alert in your play calling sequence to keep the defense honest between run fits and perimeter screens