Playbooks
Quick Reference
Breakdown
Bronco DBL Dig is a five-man route concept out of Shotgun Empty HB Wide that floods the field with two dig routes crossing at the same depth. The backside X runs a deep dig that breaks across the middle in red as the primary route, while the slot receiver on that side runs a shallow out to the sideline. On the strongside, the outside receiver runs a shorter dig that sits underneath, the inner slot runs a drag across the field, and the outermost receiver runs a flat route to the sideline. This is a zone beater designed to attack the middle of the field with the two digs settling into passing lanes against Cover 3 and Cover 4 shells, with the primary read progression starting on the deep dig from the backside X before working to the underneath dig and flat combination on the strongside.
Defensive Reads
Watch the middle linebacker and hook zone defenders presnap, if they are sitting shallow they can jump the underneath dig and bait a mistake throw. Check safety depth and width before the snap, split safeties in a two high shell will have an easier time collapsing on the deep dig from the backside. Post-snap look for a user-controlled lurk defender sitting in the middle of the field, that is the biggest threat to both dig routes converging at similar depths. Man coverage with no safety help over the top struggles to defend the deep dig since the receiver breaks away from the defender's momentum, but tight man coverage with a deep safety in the middle of the field can close the window fast. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers up front can disrupt this play's timing since both digs need a full three step break to develop, so a quick interior pressure look is a strong counter to this concept.
Usage Tips
Presnap identify whether the defense is showing a two high or single high safety look since this concept is built to exploit zone drops in the intermediate middle of the field.
Start your read on the deep dig from the backside X, it is your primary route and will settle into the void behind the linebackers and in front of the safeties against Cover 3.
If the underneath dig on the strongside is open sooner due to a blitz or man coverage bust, take that quicker throw to avoid holding the ball too long against pressure.
Use hot routes to convert the flat route into a quick out or speed out if you are facing aggressive corner blitzes off the edge.
Pair this play with Bronco Seams or Curl Flats in your play-calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the deep seam shots and the intermediate dig combos from the same formation and personnel look.
