Playbooks
Texan Deep In KO out of Shotgun Split Cowboy is a deep in breaking route concept built to attack single high shells and man coverage down the field. The design pairs an outside deep in with underneath crossers and a check down option, giving the quarterback a clear high low read from deep to shallow. This is a man beater first and foremost, though the deep in route also sits down nicely in the soft spot of Cover 3 zone drops if the quarters or curl flat defender bites on the shallow traffic. Primary progression starts with the deep in breaking route, works down to the intermediate crosser, and finishes at the check down or scramble drill if both are blanketed.
Identify single high versus two high safety alignment before the snap, since Texan Deep In KO wants one deep defender to isolate against the breaking route. Watch cornerback press alignment on the outside receiver running the deep in, tight press man coverage forces a longer route stem and delays the primary read. Track linebacker depth at the snap, shallow or aggressive linebackers create natural throwing lanes for both the deep in and the underneath crosser. Post snap, key any user controlled defender sitting in a lurk technique in the middle of the field, that player can jump the deep in route if the quarterback stares it down too long. Against zone drops, note whether the curl flat or hook defender sinks with the crosser or widens with flat routes, a defender who commits to the crosser opens the deep in window in the void behind him.
Pre-snap, check for single high safety alignment since that tells you the deep in should have room to work against Cover 1 or Cover 3 without a second deep defender squeezing the throwing window.
If the corner is playing outside leverage press man, hot route the deep in receiver to a slight speed release or use motion to get a free release before the ball is snapped.
This play shines on second and long or third and medium to long since the deep in route needs real air yardage to develop and separate.
Pair this call with HB Slip Screen or Read Option earlier in a series to bait linebackers into cheating downhill, then come back to Texan Deep In KO once you see aggressive run fits.
If you see Cover 2 or Cover 4 shells with two deep safeties, consider audibling to Falcons X Dig or Slot Cross instead since the deep in route loses value against a true two high look.