An Average Joe's Playbook: The Spread Offense

5,069 passing yards. 50 passing touchdowns. 635 passing attempts. Lofty numbers? Sure. Out of the norm these days...nope. With the passing years, things come and go in football. There was the single wing, then the power I, then came the veer. After this, people saw passing become more standard. A few short decades later, the football world saw the development of the West Coast and Air Coryell offenses. The passing game seemed to be overtaking the running game, and many in the copycat NFL scrambled to switch to pass happy offenses, with gunslingers at quarterback and burners at receiver. Jim Kelly in Buffalo, Warren Moon in Houston, and Dan Marino in Miami became so called, "gunslingers", throwing the ball 40+ times a game, putting up large numbers, and wowing audiences across the country. Jim Kelly even started using the "no huddle" offense out of a spread, shotgun look.

That was the 80s and 90s. Football was booming, and the NFL seemed to be headed in a good direction, adding two more teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Carolina Panthers, in the mid nineties. In the 2000 season, the Baltimore Ravens seemed to reverse the trend. They won the SuperBowl with a power running game, and a journey man quarterback in Trent Dilfer. 

After that 2001 season, portions of the league have turned to, and dominated with, forms of the spread offense. With each passing year, as offenses find success with the spread, teams change to it to try their franchises hand at offensive success. 

While the Jaguars are not equipped and do not necessarily agree with all of the philosophies of the spread offense, is it possible they could implement some elements of it? 

Believe it or not, the term "spread offense" could very well be one of the most general terms in football, with multiple variants. Today we see college teams such as Florida and Texas Tech, almost always operating out of the shotgun, with 3,4, and 5 receivers on the field. But then we also see teams such as Georgia Tech and Navy, with 2 receivers and 3 running backs. This is called the "spread option". The former definition is the true spread offense, and is what will be discussed right now.

The spread offense is the descendent of the run-n-shoot offense. Both systems rely on multiple receiver sets that spread the defense out, and the quarterback is almost always in the shotgun. However there are a few differences, but often spread systems will use elements of the run-n-shoot, making the two systems nearly identical. In the run-n-shoot, also known more commonly as the run-n-gun in high school, the slot receivers are often running backs with pass catching skills. This allows versatility on things such as fly sweeps, where the receiver would come in motion before the ball is snapped, then receiving the handoff from the quarterback once the play has begun. What the offense may sacrifice in pass catching ability, the make up for in versatility. Another common difference is the run-n-shoot gives the receivers more responsibility. Most routes are option routes, meaning the receiver has different times where he could break, or run a different route completely based on how he personally reads the defense. The quarterback typically has more freedom at the line as well, having the ability to call "checks", hot routes, and even changing the play all together. 

As the spread has evolved even more, it has actually come closer to its predecessor. Receivers in the spread are more versatile without being running backs. They can catch as good as a receiver, but can run the ball as well. Also, when quarterbacks and receivers gain experience, playing time, and make plays, they can be rewarded with more freedom at the line. QBs can call an audible to their liking, and receivers can be given more complicated routes and trust. A great example of a receiver with freedom in his system is Randy Moss. Perhaps one of the best at his position at recognizing coverages, Randy has the ability to break early, sit in a zone, and change his route based on what the defense is doing. 

At the college level, a quarterback not reading the defense is perhaps the biggest thing that could turn an NFL scout away. A quarterback who makes his own reads in the spread has a coordinator that uses elements of the run-n-shoot. A good example of a quarterback not making his reads in the spread is Sam Bradford. If his coach sees a better opportunity, he will often call the audible from the sidelines using hand signals. 

Good examples of pure run-n-shoot teams at the college level would be the Hawaii "Warriors" and the North Texas "Mean Green". Good examples of the pure spread are Texas Tech, which often incorporates receivers running to spots rather than running routes, and Florida, which relies much more on running the ball than the Red Raiders. At the NFL level, the spread and run-n-shoot are blended. The quarterbacks make their own reads and audibles, and receivers are given option routes... however the offense is still almost always referred to as the spread because it's generally excepted as the more evolved of the two. 

NFL teams aren't fully spread like some college programs. You will still see teams like the Patriots in the "I formation" from time to time, and you will sometimes see the Cardinals change to an under-center jumbo package in the middle of the field. Every NFL team has elements of the spread in their playbook. Some teams that are heavy in the spread are the New England Patriots, the Arizona Cardinals, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the New Orleans Saints.

In the spread, a quarterback who is accurate, smart, and has good arm strength is desired. However, the spread often enables a team to get by a problem with their quarterback. For example Drew Brees is considered short, and doesn't have a rocket arm... but he still threw for over 5,000 yards this past season. Mobility and the ability to scramble are treasured in the spread, especially in the college versions, in which thing such as speed options are more common.

Running backs have to be versatile. Often a spread team will have multiple backs used in a committee approach, depending on the teams situation. An open field runner who can catch out of the backfield is key. Also since spread formations spread a defense out, the running back should be able to take advantage of bigger running lanes. In addition, a power runner is needed to get the tough yardage when passing the ball isn't the best option. Also many NFL spread teams need a back that can run out of I and offset I formations.

Receivers don't have to be dominant to find success in the spread. Size and deep speed isn't always as important as quickness and route running. A good skill set is needed though, especially when the defense knows the offense is going to pass. Often teams will have different receivers with different specialties, just like the running backs. Take the New England Patriots for example. Randy Moss is their deep threat and red zone specialist. Wes Welker is their second receiver. Despite being short and not having great speed, Welker is able to make plays on third down at the sticks, and gain yards after the catch on shorter and crossing routes. As their third receiver, they have another burner type in Joey Galloway.

Tight ends must be decent blockers, as with any team. But if they are utilized in their respective system, they must have good speed and size to create matchup problems, as well as good ball skills to make the catch. Teams like the Saints use their tight ends, like Billy Miller and Jeremy Shockey. Other spread teams don't, like the Cardinals rarely using Leonard Pope on passing downs.

The offensive line really depends on the system. Some coordinators like smaller, quicker offensive linemen, while others like their linemen to bulk up. Most NFL systems utilize bigger lineman more often than not. The Patriots and Cowboys both have large, but also athletic lineman who can both pass and run block. 

Above is a play you might see an NFL style spread team run. Notice this is a play with added protection, as the running back stays in to block. Also notice the quarterback is in the basic shotgun normal slot formation. This is an ideal play to counter the "Cover 3" defense. In the Cover 3, there are 3 deep zones, as indicated by the "3". For all intents and purposes, we are assuming the offense is facing a 4-3 style defense. Both outside corners and the free safety form the 3 deep shell. The strong safety comes down to form an underneath middle zone along with the middle linebacker. The strong side backer will drop to the flats on his side(right from offensive view). Depending on if the defense is in it's base or nickel coverage, either the weakside backer or the nickelback will drop to the offense's left to form a zone in the left flats. The tight end is the first read on the play. The free safety and corner should be dropping into their respective zones. The corner will drop with the Flanker(right side receiver), trying to disguise if he is in man or zone. Once the receiver breaks, the quarterback may give him a pump fake. The corner might break on the route. If he enjoys taking risks and intercepting passes, he could very well bite on this. If he does, the quarterback will throw to the tight end on the corner route, as the deep right third will be uncovered. If the corner is more disciplined, he will not bite on the fake, and keep dropping when he sees the tight end shading out of the free safeties zone. If this is the case, the quarterback will have an easy 10-15 yard completion to the flanker. The middle backer and strong safety are underneath, but are both in the middle of the field, away from the flanker, who is outside of the numbers. The strongside backer is in the flats near the line of scrimmage, leaving the flanker open. If for some reason the corner keeps the tight end covered, and the strongside backer drops once he's sees no one in the flats to pick up the flanker, the quarterback will shift his focus to the left. The slot receiver could have an option route here. His standard route is a corner, but he could break on a post in this scenario: the free safety follows the tight end out of his zone to compensate for the corner biting on the hitch. This would open up the slot receiver in the middle of the field with room to run. If all else fails, and the defense shuts down the tight end, flanker, and slot receiver, the quarterback could tuck it and run, or dump it underneath to the split end to pick up a few additional yards after the catch.

This play is less likely to find success against the cover 2. In the cover 2, the free and strong safety drop to form a two deep shell. The outside corners and Sam, Mike, and Will/Nickel backers all drop to underneath zones, creating a five across look. The flanker is unlikely to get open on this play against a teams number 1 corner. He is always in the corners zone, and the corner has little chance to make mistakes, neutralizing the flanker. The cover two takes away corner routes, so the tight end is neutralized. Same goes for the slot receiver, who is also on a corner. Even if he breaks on an option route, the free safety has no worries on his side, so he will likely follow the receiver over the middle. The split end is just running across zones, meaning if it is complete, it will unlikely go for more than 2-3 yards. The quarterback is best to run or throw it away against the cover 2.

With good route running, this play could find great success against the cover 1. In the cover 1, one of the safeties will drop into a deep zone and play center field. The safety that doesn't drop has an underneath zone in the middle of the field as well. Everyone else mans up across the board. The defense will likely go nickel to avoid having a linebacker covering a slot receiver. The middle linebacker picks up the running back, and the Sam backer is responsible for the tight end. The first read could again be the tight end. Since he runs a corner route, he will run away from the deep center zone being played by one of the safeties. If the tight end is faster or bigger than the linebacker, he should have a favorable one on one matchup the quarterback should exploit. The quarterback should also watch the flanker. If he can sell the deep route and get his corner turned, he can quickly break and run the comeback sideline route for a solid completion. If the safety follows the tight end to assist the Sam linebacker, then the slot receiver will be one on one on the corner route against a nickel back, offering a chance for a sideline pass. The split end could gain separation with a solid cut underneath, leaving him with a few steps on his corner over the middle for some solid yards. When manned up, route running is key, so whoever beats their man should get a long look for the ball.

If the defense runs cover zero, it is man across the board. The means the defense is bringing at least 6 guys, so the quarterback should look for any open receiver, and try to get the ball out quick.

Above is an empty backfield spread set with five receivers. Teams such as New Orleans and New England often run this formation to change the defense up and try to get favorable match ups. For this analysis, lets assume the defense has changed to the quarter package. In the quarter package, the defense has three down linemen, the mike backer, 5 cornerbacks, and two safeties. There are other variants of the quarter, but this is the most common and basic. This package allows the defense to have eight zones going, because they also take away a lineman.

The cover three looks the same, the three corners in the middle take the responsibilities of the linebackers that would be there, plus another zone in place of another lineman. The defense has the five underneath zones, plus the 3 shell created by the outside corners and the free safety. The first read is the split end(left outside receiver). Since their are so many receivers on the field, we will refer to him as X. He will take the corner into his deep zone, break outside, and then in. Good route running is key here. A strong armed quarterback could fit the ball in to the sideline. The flanker(right outside receiver) and the slot receiver next to him run verts. We will refer to them as Z and Y respectively. The two will run directly at the corner, meaning this could be a potential hot route, and probably the best read to begin with. When the two get about 15 yards down field, they will begin to separate. The Z will stay straight down the sideline, while the Y begins to shade over. If the corner turns and runs with the Z, the Y should be open for a short time. If the pass is thrown on a wire, the ball should get there before the Y gets into the free safety's zone. If the corner breaks with the Y and tries to be a hero and cover two guys, then the ball should be thrown to the Z down the sideline with plenty of air under it, as the Z may only have two or three steps on the corner. The slot receiver next to the Y will be referred to as B. He has an out the will be neutralized by the underneath zone. The slot receiver next to the X has an in route. He will be referred to as A. His route will be neutralized by the underneath zones as well. If the X can't work his way to the sideline, and the combination of the Z and Y don't get open, the quarterback will need to throw the ball away or tuck it and pick up a few yards.

The cover two from the quarter package now has six underneath zones, along with the two deep. As a result it is nearly impossible to throw the ball for any meaningful yards underneath. Once again the X will have a corner all to himself. If he is able to break his route convincingly, there is a chance for a completion here. The better bet again is the combination of the Z and Y. The Y can shade his route even more, forcing the corner to choose between the Y and Z. Whichever he doesn't choose should have a touchdown. The Y in the middle of the field has literally 20 yards of space until the next defender, since the other corner is on the other sideline fighting the post-corner. The other two routes will again be canceled be underneath zone coverage.

Cover 1 has two zones again, both in the middle of the field. Everyone else mans up, with one receiver either getting double coverage, or a corner/Mike linebacker blitzing. If Z or Y can get a step on their man, a touchdown is possible. Again the X has to beat his man all by himself, and A and B can get open underneath with route running. If the quarterback decides to run, he must check if the middle backer is spying him. If the backer is, its probably a better idea for the QB to throw the ball away. 

In cover zero, the defense is probably coming, with possibly up to 6 total blitzing. In single coverage, a receiver or two should be able to get open, especially the A and B, who are matched up on the fourth and fifth corner, and are running underneath routes across the middle. The blitz should be coming mainly from the outside, so the quarterback may be able to step up and escape, gaining massive yards up the middle of the field.

Now in no way am I suggesting the Jaguars turn into a spread formation team 85-90% of the time. But when used in the correct situation, the spread can be a great asset to any offense/team. With the recent personnel moves, such as picking up more receivers and drafting pass blocking offensive linemen, it makes the fan wonder how the Jaguars plan to run their offense in the future. I think it's possible that we could see some elements of the spread/run-n-gun in the Jaguars game plan in the future... we already saw some of that last year.

-Bestjagfan