Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
TE Middle Screen out of Shotgun Trips TE is a designed screen pass that gets the tight end matched up in space with blockers building a wall in front of him. The three receivers to the trips side clear out vertically and horizontally (a deep vertical, a deep out, and a short comeback) to drag coverage away from the middle of the field, while the offensive line and TE release to set up blocking angles for the screen. The primary read is the TE screen itself: the QB looks to get the ball out quickly to the tight end running the shallow flat-to-middle route, using the offensive line as lead blockers against pursuing linebackers.
Defensive Reads
Watch for a middle linebacker who reads screen quickly and sits at a shallow depth, he is the primary threat to blow this play up before the blockers get set. Check the slot cornerback and nickel defender alignment presnap, if they are playing off man or soft zone toward the trips side, the middle of the field is more likely to be open for the TE to catch and run. Post-snap, key on any user-controlled defender spying the backfield or sitting in a shallow zone drop near the line of scrimmage, since a disciplined spy or lurker can jump the screen route before the blockers arrive. This play struggles against zone coverages with a linebacker sitting in the shallow middle hole (like Tampa 2 or Cover 3 with a hard-sitting mike), since that defender has eyes on the QB and can jump the throw. Aggressive interior blitzes that bring extra rushers up the middle can actually help this play if the blockers get out in front, but a delayed blitz or contain rush that stays home on the TE screen will blow up the timing.
Usage Tips
Call this play when you see man coverage or an aggressive four man rush, since blitzing linebackers and slot defenders running with the trips receivers will vacate the middle of the field for the TE screen to develop.
Use your presnap read to check the depth of the middle linebacker, if he is sitting at or above five yards he can jump the screen, so consider motioning or checking to a different concept if that look shows up.
Snap the ball quickly on the screen timing, do not let the play hang because the offensive line blockers need to get out in front before the defense reads screen.
Pair this play in your call sheet with Read Option Bubble or RPO Alert Bubble from the same Trips TE set so the defense has to respect quick game to the trips side, which sets up the delayed TE screen as a change of pace.
Best used on early downs (first or second and short to medium) when defenses are more likely to sit in base zone or man coverage rather than bringing exotic blitz pressure that can blow up the screen before it sets.
