Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dagger out of Empty Chips Nasty features a classic deep dig and seam combo on the play side, with the outer receiver running a deep dig that sits down over the middle while the inner receiver clears vertically on a seam to occupy the deep safety. On the backside, the receiver runs an in route working underneath while the far outside receiver runs a deep comeback breaking to the sideline. This is a route concept built to beat man and zone coverage, with the deep dig sitting in the void created by the seam route stretching the defense vertically, and the primary read progression starts with the deep dig, then works to the seam if the middle of the field opens up, and finally checks down to the underneath in route if both are covered.
Defensive Reads
Presnap, identify the safety alignment first, since two high safeties invites the dig into the Cover 2 hole while a single high safety means the dig has to fit between shallow and deep zone defenders in Cover 3. Watch the flat defender and the seam route relationship post snap, because if the flat defender sinks with the dig, the seam route window opens for a big play against Cover 2 match principles. Key linebacker depth at the snap, since shallow linebackers can undercut the dig route if they read the quarterback's eyes quickly, especially in zone match or Tampa 2 shells. This concept struggles against a well timed inside blitz or nano blitz that collapses the pocket before the dig has time to break, so watch for delayed pressure off the edge or interior gap exchanges. Man coverage with a deep half safety helping over the top can take away the dig's window, so look for the underneath in route to be the first available answer against tight man coverage.
Usage Tips
Look presnap for two deep safeties versus one, since Dagger is built to attack Cover 2 shells where the dig can settle in the hole between the corner and safety.
If you see Cover 3 with a single high safety, key the deep dig against the flat defender and the underneath in route as your quick outlet against a sinking zone.
Use the seam route as a clear out tool versus man coverage to open a window for the dig, and if the defense shows man match principles, expect the dig to be tightly covered so be ready to reset to the underneath in route.
Pair this play with Dagger Deep Curl or Post Cross in your play calling sequence so the defense cannot key on the seam and dig combo every snap, forcing them to respect multiple vertical shots from the same personnel look.
Best used on second and medium to second and long, or on first down to stay ahead of the sticks, since the dig needs time to develop and a clean pocket to hit the intermediate window.
Other Plays in Empty Chips Nasty
Dagger Deep CurlCurl, Dagger, Pass Play +2
Deep Post OutOut, Post, Pass Play
Dig StickDig, Stick, Stick Concept +1
Double 7 StopPass Play, Hitch, Out +4
Double SwirlPass Play, Quick Pass, Out +4
Out X DigOut, Dig, Pass Play
Post CrossPost, Pass Play, Crosser- QB Zone
Slot SailSail, Pass Play, Cover 2 Beater +1
X CrossCrosser, Pass Play- X Whip In