Mtn Drag Sluggo

Read the safety alignment before the snap, since a single high safety cheating toward the trips side signals man coverage and tells you the sluggo has a favorable one on one matchup. Watch the flat defender's reaction to the jet motion, since a defender who widens with the motion man opens up the drag route working underneath. Key the underneath linebackers after the snap, since if they sink deep to take away the drag it usually means the defense is playing zone match and the sluggo window will be tighter but still open behind the linebackers. This concept struggles against a two high shell with disciplined corners who stay on top of the sluggo route, so expect the quarterback to check down quickly to the flat or pivot route in that look. Blitz heavy fronts that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play before the sluggo develops, so watch for the running back's check release and confirm he is picking up the free rusher rather than leaking out immediately.