Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Dagger out of Empty Chips Tight lines up five wide with no running back in the backfield, and the diagram shows the two inside receivers stacking vertical concepts on the right while the outside receivers work horizontal breaks on the left. The far right receiver runs a straight vertical seam while the receiver stacked behind him breaks off with a deep in route sitting behind the linebackers, forming the classic Dagger combo of a clear-out seam and a deep dig. On the backside, the outside receiver runs a deep comeback and the inside slot works a short out underneath, giving the quarterback a full-field progression from the deep dig to the comeback and finally the checkdown out route. This is a pass play built as a Cover 2 and Cover 3 beater, using the vertical seam to occupy the deep safety and clear a throwing lane for the dig behind the linebacker level.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep safeties at the snap, since two-high shells that hold their depth are prime targets for the dig route sitting behind the linebackers. Track the middle linebacker or any user-controlled defender dropping into the deep middle hole, because a lurking defender there can jump the dig and turn it into a pick six. Check corner alignment on the seam route, since a corner playing outside leverage in Cover 3 will struggle to help on the vertical release. Look for underneath zone defenders squatting on the short out route, since sitting linebackers can bait the quarterback into a checkdown throw. This play is vulnerable to disguised Cover 4 or Cover 6 shells where the deep safety can rotate over the top of the dig, and heavy interior blitz pressure can force the quarterback off his primary read before the concept fully develops.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, identify whether the safeties are showing two-high or rotating to single-high before the snap, since Dagger is designed to exploit exactly those two shells. If you see Cover 2, key on the seam runner to hold the corner and safety, then work the deep dig as your primary read once it clears the linebacker level. Against Cover 3, the seam route occupies the deep third defender while the dig settles into the vacated middle hole, so trust the timing and let the route develop before pulling the trigger. Use hot routes to convert the underneath out into a quicker option against blitz-heavy looks, or slide protection if you diagnose pressure off the edge. Pair this play with SFT Outs Y-Post or Post Cross from the same set to keep defenses guessing between quick game and shot plays off similar formation looks.
