Keep it simple stupid is an old coaching adage that I think applies to the Patriots when it comes to how they approach today’s game against the Lions offensively. Particularly the passing game.
Rookie Bailey Zappe is going to be making his first career and if I were coordinating the Patriots offense, I would build off of what we did last week. I would keep it simple and I would play to Zappe’s strengths.
That means more shotgun, play action and moving the pocket for him.
Zappe is at his best throwing the ball outside the hashes but this is the NFL, you can’t just throw the ball along the sideline. Patricia and the offensive coaches will need to find concepts that Zappe can complete inside the numbers .
Middle floods are the answer. By running hi-lo concepts in the middle of the field, the Patriots can isolate defenders and make the reads easy for Zappe. Patricia has emphasized attacking the middle of the field more thus far this season so the Patriots have already made this part of their passing game a focal point. Here are two examples of middle floods that Zappe can execute.
Diagram 1: Z-Drive: Classic middle flood play that is a West Coast offense staple. Isolates the MIKE linebacker. If he drives to the crossing route, the quarterback throws the settling dig behind him. If he drops to the dig, throw the crosser on the move. Both routes settle versus zone coverage. Zappe could go back side if this is called in a high red zone situation.
Diagram 2: Middle Flood: Classic middle flood where again, the focal point is the MIKE linebacker. The short motion front side post is the shot component of the play. It is also a route that controls the middle safety or splits Cover 2. That forces the safeties or safety depending on the coverage to stay over the top and not drive on the dig route.
Diagram 3: Mesh Rail: A classic man beater that can be called in any situation. The first read on the combination is the mesh. The Patriots mesh their receivers at 3 and 4 yards which is tight but also creates separation sooner. If the mesh is covered, the quarterback can hang and deliver the back side dig if it comes open or settles. The H-Rail is a red zone, match up option. It is a route James White ran for years.
Diagram 4: 3-Step: Easiest way to get a quarterback in rhythm. I would run some empty, four wide or trips three step early to get Zappe in a rhythm. A simple double slant, out with a back side shot fade and slot option route is easy to execute.
Diagrams 5 & 6: Play-Action: Whether it’s front side play-action or moving the pocket on a naked bootleg, the Patriots must throw off run action with Zappe. The Patriots are going to run the ball a lot today which means they will get a lot of eight and even nine man fronts. When they do, they must throw play-action. It is especially important on first down.
Diagram 7: Perimeter Screens: Staying with the theme of play-action. Perimeter screens off the running game are another easy way to control the defense and make the game easy for Zappe. Zappe is used to playing fast and making quick decisions as a spread quarterback. Pre-determined perimeter screens where he can token fake and pull it and throw it are a great way to get him into a rhythm.
Diagram 8: RPO’s: Zappe can run RPO’s in his sleep. He’s run them since high school. A simple Y-Pop RPO off inside zone would be a great way to work the middle of the field especially in the red zone.