Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
Mesh Spot Rails aligns out of Shotgun Split Y Off Close with 11 personnel and sends both outside receivers vertical on rail routes up the numbers to clear the deep zones. Underneath, the two inside receivers run a mesh concept crossing low across the formation while the point of the spot works a quick out and settle into the void just outside the hash. This is a classic Cover 3 beater and man beater that puts natural rubs on the mesh crossers to shake man defenders while the rails stretch zone defenders vertically, and the primary read starts with the mesh crossers underneath before working out to the rails if a defender fails to carry the vertical route.
Defensive Reads
Watch the safety depth pre-snap, if both safeties sit at 10 to 12 yards the rails have a runway to work and you should be ready to protect the deep boundary against a vertical shot. Identify if the defense shows two-deep shell rotating to Cover 3 post-snap, this rotation leaves a natural window for the mesh crossers to settle in the vacated hook zone. Key the flat defenders and hook linebackers, if they widen or carry the rails vertically the underneath mesh crossers will have a soft spot to sit in against zone coverage. Man coverage with underneath help, such as Cover 1 with a rat linebacker, is the toughest matchup for this concept since the rat can rob the mesh crossing routes right as they clear the formation. Look for a user lurking in the shallow zone as this play's biggest weakness, an aggressive user flowing to the mesh action can undercut the crossers and jump the throw before it develops.
Usage Tips
Pre-snap, check for two high safeties versus single high because this concept thrives against Cover 3 rotation when the flat defenders bite on the mesh crossers and leave the rails uncovered up the sideline.
Use motion across the formation to identify man coverage early, if the defender follows the motion man you can hot route the mesh crossers to sit down versus zone or keep running them full speed into man leverage.
Hit the mesh crossers first on quick, rhythm throws against off man coverage since the natural pick action creates instant separation, then progress to the rails against zone drops that overcommit underneath.
This play pairs well with Portland HB Angle in the same set to keep linebackers honest on play action looks, then come back to Mesh Spot Rails once they start cheating up on run action.
Best called on second and medium or third and short to medium since the mesh concept gets to depth quickly and the rails provide a home run outlet if the defense sells out on the shallow crossers.
