Playbooks
Mtn Out Deep Corner is a trio (three receiver strong side) route concept built off the Y Off Trio Close WK set that combines a deep corner route with an out breaking route underneath to stress the sideline vertically and horizontally. The tight end and running back stay in to protect against blitz-heavy fronts, giving the quarterback a clean pocket to climb through as the deep corner route develops. This is primarily a man beater because the corner route creates natural separation against trailing defenders, though it also holds up against single high zone shells if the corner clears out the deep third. The primary read progression starts with the deep corner route to the boundary, then works down to the underneath out route, and finishes with a check to the flat or checkdown if both are covered.
Pre snap, identify whether the safety to the trio side is aligned deep or has crept toward the box, since a deep safety signals two high shell that can bracket the corner route. Watch the cornerback's press alignment at the line, because tight press man coverage without safety help over the top is exactly what this corner route is designed to beat. Post snap, key the flat defender and outside linebacker drop depth, since a shallow flat drop opens a throwing window for the underneath out route but a deep flat drop can undercut it. Beware of Cover 3 sky or a user controlled deep third defender sitting on the corner route, as a patient user rolling over the top will bait the quarterback into an interception. Also watch for blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge, since the tight end and running back protection can get overloaded, forcing a quick checkdown read instead of letting the corner route fully develop.
Use this play on second and long or third and long situations where you need a chunk gain and defenses are more likely to sit in zone shells rather than blitz. Check the corner pre snap for a two high safety look because if the safety to that side is shaded inside, you have a clean throwing lane for the deep corner route against Cover 2 or Cover 4. Hot route the underneath receiver into a shallow drag or spot if you see man coverage with no help over the top, giving you a quicker outlet against blitz packages. Pair this play with Mtn Fork Dagger or Mtn X-Dig Slot Corner in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect multiple deep corner and dig combinations from the same formation, making it harder for them to jump the route with a user controlled defender. If the defense shows Cover 3 with a hard flat defender, look to throw with anticipation before the deep corner route enters the safety's zone, since sitting in the pocket too long allows the deep defender to rally over.