Thank you for taking the time to read this. This will be a trial and error process both determining the type of content written here and the methods that will make the visual aids look the best. I appreciate you taking this journey with me. Now let’s get to it.
Adjustments within games are frequently discussed but rarely explored.
I was thinking about this watching some of the film from last weekend’s game between the Buccaneers and the Rams.
On the Rams first offensive play of the game they go to an empty backfield with Tyler Higbee running a short out route to the flat and Cooper Kupp on a corner route.
The Bucs send the standard four pass rushers. They are the three down linemen and linebacker Devin White. However, the alignment of the defensive players allows White to run free at quarterback Matthew Stafford as Jason Pierre-Paul is occupying the blocker on the edge, left tackle Andrew Whitworth.
Kupp is open, but the pressure makes Stafford misfire.
Later in the first quarter the Rams go with an empty backfield again. This play doesn’t feature the exact same concept because there is a third man in this route combination, Van Jefferson, who is offering a vertical aspect to stretch the defense.
But again it does feature Kupp on a corner route and a flat route run this time by Malcolm Brown.
After what happened last time, the Rams leave the two eligible receivers at the edge in to help before releasing into their routes, Brown and Higbee who is on the other side of the formation this time. They are there to help pick up any linebackers who blitz. There are no linebackers blitzing this time, but they still are able to help chip the edge defenders.
This time Stafford hits Kupp on the corner aided in part by the extra protection.
Adjustments aren’t always made by coaches. Sometimes players themselves make them from one play to another. Take this two snap sequence featuring Desean Jackson in the second half.
Running a vertical route, Jackson has to deal with two defenders. Carlton Davis (red) has anything outside while Mike Edwards (yellow) has him inside.
Desean doesn’t have much happening on this play.
On the next play the obstacle remains the same. The initial alignment of the defenders is inverted with Davis now low and Edwards now high at the snap, but the responsibilities remain the same. Davis has anything outside. Edwards has anything inside.
For Desean to get open deep, he is going to need to get outside Davis. He stems his route differently showing a hard inside move to make it look like he’s running a quick slant.
This catches Davis off balance.
He again makes it look like he’s going to break inside but really plans to head up the field.
This route running opened up space to the outside by drawing Davis too far inside. Edwards probably couldn’t help since he has inside responsibility, but these movements make him trip.
From there it’s a touchdown.
The next time you call for your coach to make adjustments, just remember sometimes they are very subtle. You also don’t always need to rely on coaches to make them. Players are perfectly capable of making them as well.
Great read as always John B! Can't wait to see what comes next.