Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 1 playbook
Breakdown
TE Corners is a play-action-style dropback pass out of Singleback Wing Tight with 13 personnel that floods the field with three corner-breaking routes. The two receivers to the left run a deep crossing double corner (the classic X-post-corner look), the TE releases from the wing into a deep corner route on the right, and the slot man works underneath as a swing/flat check-down. The blocking is a standard pass protection with the backfield player scanning the flat, and the primary read progression starts with the TE corner attacking the seam-to-sideline void, moves to the crossing corners for a deep shot against man coverage, and finishes with the underneath flat route as the safety valve.
Defensive Reads
Identify single high safety alignment pre-snap since this play is designed to win over the top against Cover 1 and Cover 3 man or match zone shells. Watch the flow of the strong side safety and corner after the snap, if they stay deep and outside they can take away both the TE corner and the far corner route, forcing you to the underneath flat. Key on any blitz package that brings five or more rushers, since the protection is a standard drop back scheme and a well-timed nano blitz or overload pressure can collapse the pocket before routes develop. Look for a user lurk defender sitting in the intermediate crossing lanes, since a sim blitz that drops a linebacker into the crossing route zone can jump the double corner combo for a turnover. Against Cover 2, respect the flat defender jumping the underdneath check-down and the deep half safeties squeezing the outside corner routes, which makes the seam window between the numbers the best available throw.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second and long or third and medium when you need a big chunk gain against man coverage, since the double corner cross creates natural rub separation against man defenders trailing from the slot. Pre-snap, check for single high safety looks (Cover 1 or Cover 3) because the crossing corner routes stress the deep outside thirds and exploit any CB who bites on the initial vertical stem. If you see two high safeties or Cover 4, hot route the underneath flat man into a quick option or drag to give yourself a faster outlet against the extra deep defender taking away the corners. Pair this call with Y Stick or Quick Slant earlier in a drive to set up the defense expecting short and quick game, then hit them with TE Corners for the double move payoff. Watch out for user-controlled safeties sitting on the TE corner route, if you see the user drift toward the TE side pre-snap, work your eyes to the crossing corner on the opposite hash instead.
