Playbooks
Rams Dig N Up is a dropback pass concept out of Singleback Doubles South that pairs a deep dig from the boundary with an up seam or vertical push from the slot to stress the middle of the field. The dig sits down in the zone between 12 and 15 yards while the up route occupies the deep hole defender, creating a natural high low read against zone shells and a pick style rub against man coverage. The primary read progression starts with the dig against Cover 3 or Cover 4 zone drops, then works to the up route or a checkdown to the running back if the middle is clogged by a robber or MLB dropping into the throwing lane.
Read the middle linebacker depth at the snap since a shallow drop signals zone coverage and opens the throwing window for the dig. Watch for a robber or spy sitting in the intermediate middle, as that defender can jump the dig route and turn it into a pick six if you force the throw. Against Cover 3, the dig sits in the soft spot behind the underneath zone and in front of the deep third defender, so timing the throw before the flat defender can sink is critical. Man coverage with a single high safety is where the up route wins big since the safety has to choose between the vertical threat and help over the top on the dig. Blitz packages with a nano blitz off the edge can collapse the pocket before the dig has time to develop, so identify overload fronts pre-snap and be ready to check to a hot route or throw the checkdown quickly.
Use this on second and long or third and medium when you need a chunk play over the middle rather than a quick sideline throw. Check the safety alignment pre-snap: two high safeties with soft corners tells you the dig will have room to sit down in the honey hole. If you see man coverage indicators like corners pressed on the outside receivers, hot route the dig to a slant or use the up route as your first look since it can win as a man beater against off man technique. Pair this play with Stick or Flanker Spot earlier in a drive to condition the defense to expect quick game, then hit them with Rams Dig N Up for the deep shot once linebackers start jumping short routes. Motion the slot receiver or TE pre-snap to identify man versus zone before the snap, since a defender following the motion confirms man coverage and tells you to lean on the up route.