Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Comeback Z Post lines up out of Shotgun with 11 personnel and shows a five man route concept built to attack zone drops and single high safety looks. The backside X runs a corner breaking route toward the sideline, the inside slot runs a vertical seam that continues straight up the field, the Z receiver on the strong side runs a comeback that snaps back toward the sideline, and the TE runs an out and up that curls back into a shallow post underneath the comeback. The RB releases from the backfield on a check release angle route working the middle of the field, giving the quarterback a layered progression from the comeback to the post to the seam if the defense rotates coverage.
Defensive Reads
Look for cornerbacks playing off coverage on the Z receiver pre snap, since that tips a comeback route being open in front of them for an easy completion. Watch the strong side safety depth after the snap, if he bites on the TE out and up fake he opens the post window for a big chunk play. Man coverage on the outside receivers is vulnerable to the comeback breaking away from the defender, while zone shells with sink and drop linebackers can wall off the TE post if they get depth quickly. User controlled defenders sitting in a deep middle lurk can jump the post route, so be ready to peek the backside corner or check down to the RB if that window closes. Cover 3 with a hard buzz to the strong side flat can undercut both the comeback and the TE post, forcing the quarterback to reset to the vertical seam or backside corner route instead.
Usage Tips
Use this on second and medium to second and long when you need a chain mover but still want a shot at explosive yardage over the middle.
Check the safety alignment pre snap, if you see two high shells the comeback and post combo on the strong side has room to work against soft corners playing off coverage.
Hot route the RB into a check release block if you sense pressure off the edge, since his route is more of a scheme rhythm option than a true primary read against blitz heavy calls.
Progression should start with the Z comeback for a quick rhythm throw, then work to the TE post as your intermediate window, and finally the backside corner route if the defense collapses on the strong side concepts.
Pair this play with RPO Peek Slant or RPO Alert Bubble earlier in a drive to get defenders keying run action, then hit them with Comeback Z Post once linebackers start creeping into the box.
