Playbooks
Normal Wing Pats Close is a Patriots-flavored Shotgun look that pairs an offset back beside the quarterback with a wing player aligned just off the edge of the line, while the receivers to the closed side work from reduced, tight splits. Most Shotgun sets spread the field with wide splits to create space. This one compresses the formation on purpose. The close alignment gives receivers free releases, room to work inside and outside leverage, and natural rub opportunities against press man. Defenders are forced to declare how they will handle stacked and tight receivers before the snap.
The wing alignment is what separates this set from standard Shotgun Normal or Wing looks. The wing adds a gap to the edge in the run game and doubles as a flexible release player on crossers, flats, and screens. That puts pressure on the overhang defender and the nickel to cover both run fits and quick perimeter throws. The result is the defining conflict of this set: RPO Alert Bubble, RPO Buck Alert Bubble, and RPO Alert Mtn Bubble all put a second level defender in a run or pass bind, while Mtn Slot Corner and Mtn PA Cross attack vertically once the defense starts triggering downhill.
The play list is compact but covers every layer of a sound call sheet. You get RPO answers for loaded boxes, a slot corner concept that isolates your best inside receiver against a nickel or safety, a play-action crosser built to punish aggressive linebackers, and Mtn HB Cross Screen as a pressure release. Because every play comes from the same compressed shell, opponents have a very hard time keying tendencies off the pre-snap picture.
Before the snap, count the box: with six or fewer defenders in the box, give the run on the RPO Alert plays, and with seven or more, throw the bubble immediately
Motion the slot or wing across the formation to read coverage: a defender following the motion signals man, so audible to Mtn Slot Corner or Mtn PA Cross to exploit rubs and crossers
Use Mtn HB Cross Screen on second and long or against obvious blitz looks, where showing pressure pulls pass rushers upfield and leaves open grass behind them
Hot route the wing to a block or slant against edge pressure to buy time on Mtn Slot Corner, or streak the backside receiver to hold the deep safety and open the corner window
Stay on schedule on first and ten with the RPO concepts, then bring out Mtn PA Cross on second and short once the defense starts crashing linebackers downhill