Playbooks
Quick Reference
In 2 playbooks
Breakdown
TE Corner out of Weak I Slot Flex is a five man route concept built to attack zone leverage on the outside. The TE releases from the slot and breaks to the corner, stretching the deep third defender vertically while the outside WR runs a deep post to occupy the safety over the top. Underneath, the fullback runs a flat route out of the backfield and the backside WR runs an out breaking route with an inside receiver on a short drag, giving you a full field high low read against zone coverage. The primary read progression starts with the TE corner route against the flat defender or deep zone defender, works to the post if the safety bites on the corner, and comes down to the flat and drag combo underneath if the deep routes are covered.
Defensive Reads
Watch the deep third or deep half defender on the TE side before the snap, since a defender sitting too shallow will get beaten over the top by the corner route. Key the flat defender after the snap, if he sinks with the TE the post route from the outside WR should be wide open behind him. Look for a single high safety rotating late, which tells you the defense is likely playing man or a sim blitz that leaves the flat and drag combo uncovered underneath. This play struggles against a two high shell with disciplined corners playing outside leverage, since the corner route has no room to work and the post gets doubled. Blitz packages that bring extra rushers off the edge can beat this play quickly if the fullback flat route is not accounted for in protection, so check the pass protection numbers before snapping against known blitz heavy defenses.
Usage Tips
Use this play on second or third and medium when you need a chunk gain but still have a checkdown safety valve underneath. Pre snap, identify if the defense is showing two high safeties or a single high shell, since the corner route works best against single high looks where the flat defender has to widen and open a passing lane behind him. If you see man coverage with a corner shaded outside on the TE, hot route the TE to a slant or speed out to beat the trail technique instead of forcing the corner. Pair this play with Slot Drag or PA Boot Lt in your play calling sequence so the defense has to respect both the vertical corner shot and the quick underneath game from the same formation look. Against zone heavy defenses, get the ball out on time to the flat or drag route since the corner and post routes need a few extra seconds to develop and will get you sacked if the protection breaks down.
