TE Seam Option lines up in Singleback Ace with 12 personnel, showing two outside receivers on vertical releases from the numbers and a TE running a seam option route off the ball, breaking either up the seam or working an inside option based on the leverage of the flowing linebacker or safety. The backside slot runs a shallow drag/crosser underneath while the RB releases to the opposite flat, giving the quarterback a built in checkdown away from the seam read. This is a man beater at its core, using the option route to create a natural rub against man coverage while the two verticals stretch the deep half, and the primary progression starts with the TE seam option before working to the vertical on the option side and finally down to the flat and drag combo.

Defensive Reads

Key the middle linebacker's depth and drop angle since a shallow, aggressive drop signals zone coverage that will collision the TE seam option at the top of his route. Watch the strong safety pre-snap alignment, if he is rotated to the seam side pre-snap this play is likely covered and you should progress quickly to the drag or flat combo. Identify single high versus two high safety shells before the snap, single high leaves the seam option vulnerable to a robber technique while two high often opens a clean throwing lane up the middle. Track any user-controlled defender spying the TE release, a delayed jam or shadow on the seam option is a sign of man coverage or a disguised blitz meant to bait the quick throw. Look for late blitz timing off the edge from a nano blitz package, since the quarterback needs a full progression read here, an unblocked rusher can force a premature checkdown to the flat or drag.

Usage Tips

Read the middle linebacker and strong safety pre-snap to see if they are sitting in the seam window before the snap. If the defense shows a single high shell, expect the TE seam option to break inside against man leverage since the deep safety cannot help over the top on both verticals. Hot route the backside outside receiver into a comeback or hitch against soft zone corners to give yourself a quick answer if the seam read is covered. Use this play on second and medium or third and short distances where the defense is more likely to play man coverage and bite on the vertical shell. Pair this play with PA Post Dig or PA Post Cross Shot earlier in a series so the defense respects the play-action look, then come back to TE Seam Option to attack a defense that starts squeezing down on run action.

TE Seam Option

Quick Reference

In 1 playbook

Receiver routes

Read progression

Breakdown

Defensive Reads

Usage Tips

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