The New Orleans starting tight end has been a nightmare this season for opposing defenses. In this X’s and O’s breakdown, we want to take a look at a play action play that New Orleans ran in their week 4 match up against Jacksonville that allows the tight end to get open deep down the left side line.
New Orleans came out in a Weak I Twins formation. The tight end is lined up in the backfield at the fullback position. The pass route he runs is a wheel route towards the left side line. Two other routes we want to mention is the in route ran by the X receiver and the post route ran by the Z receiver. These two routes are important to getting the tight end open because they draw coverage away from him.
Initially, it looks like the the Z receiver is covered by the right outside linebacker.
However, that’s not the case, the right outside linebacker is actually covering the tight end, while the free safety is covering the X receiver.
Once the ball is snapped, the right outside linebacker goes to cover the tight end, leaving him in 1 on 1 coverage.
Once the tight end is able to gain separation from the right outside linebacker, the New Orleans quarterback see this and makes the throw.
The tight end makes the catch around the New Orleans 45. He then up heads up the field for a big gain.
Video Breakdown
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