Playbooks
Texans Deep In
Breakdown
Texans Deep In is a play-action pass out of Shotgun Y Trips Wk that attacks the middle and edges of the field with a dagger-style concept. The outside trips receiver runs a deep go route to clear the top of the coverage while the inside trips receiver breaks off a deep in (dig) route working underneath the vacated space, and the backside X runs a curl to sit down in soft zone. The HB runs a screen out to the flat off play action, giving a checkdown/outlet if the coverage sits on the deeper routes. Primary read starts with the deep in coming across the middle, then works down to the curl and HB screen if the linebackers or safeties rob the dig.
Defensive Reads
Key the safety over the trips side pre-snap since a two high shell tells you the go route is likely capped and the deep in should be your first read. Watch the middle linebacker depth at the snap because a shallow drop signals zone coverage and opens a throwing lane for the dig behind him. If the defense shows Cover 3, attack the seam created between the flat defender and the deep third corner with the deep in route. Against Cover 4, look for the safety to carry the go route vertically, which should widen the passing lane for the dig underneath. Watch for a user controlled linebacker sitting in the middle hook zone since he can rob the deep in route if you stare it down, so be ready to reset to the curl or HB screen.
Usage Tips
Look for single high safety or two deep shells before the snap to decide whether the go route or the deep in is more likely to hit.
Use play action on early downs when the defense shows run blitz keys or heavy box counts to freeze the linebackers and open the deep in.
Hot route the curl into a quick out if you see aggressive flat corners jumping short zone routes.
Pair this with Fl Short Dig or Fl Dig from the same set to keep defenders guessing on whether the in route comes from the slot or the outside.
Use the HB screen as a built in answer against zone blitzes since the underneath defenders are pulled into pass rush lanes.
