RPO Alert Dive Smoke

Look for stacked boxes with seven or more defenders pre-snap, that alignment tells you to lean toward the smoke throw instead of the dive. Identify the flat defender's assignment before the snap, if it is a cornerback playing off you can win the smoke easily, if it is a safety rotating down expect a quicker close. Man coverage with the corner pressed on the smoke receiver is the toughest look for this play since it removes the easy pitch and forces you into the dive versus a loaded front. Watch for slot or overhang blitzers crashing downhill at the snap, that usually signals a run blitz which makes the smoke the correct answer almost every time. Zone coverage with a flat defender sitting at five yards or deeper is where this concept gets shut down, since he can play both the run alley and the smoke route simultaneously.