Running the Weak Side Option Route to the Strong Side(?)

One of the more thought provoking concepts I saw while studying Matt LaFleur's 2018 offense was a play that was only called once. The concept appeared to me as a neat way to run the weak side option route that I often discuss (click here for an article on it). The play is drawn below (diagrams via JustPlay Sports).

This diagram unfortunately did not make its way into the Passing Index. I have a general rule that concepts that are only used once are just charted in the back of the book. This one, however, needed some more attention.

As discussed in the linked article above, the weak side option route can be covered up in single high safety structures. This play from the Titans struck me as a good way to get the 1on1 matchup with the option route against single high looks.

If you draw this play with the comeback-seam combination on both sides, it appears to attack the same landmarks as the often discussed "Hoss Juke" concept. The return route on the backside creates the differentiation here.

Against a single high safety, the running back will be isolated against the strong side hook defender. If the quarterback feels the option route getting squeezed from a second defender, he will move to the route left open by that squeezer. This will be either be the return route from the weak hook defender or the seam route from the strong flat defender. The double move of the return route will stretch the weak flat defender, leaving a nice window if the weak hook defender vacates for the option route.

The 1on1 should still hold up against two high safeties. The RB will have a two way go on the Middle Linebacker. If the weak hook defender cheats to the RB, the return route will open up in that void.

Here is the clip of the Titans calling it in 2018.



With the hook defenders playing deep, Mariota hits the RB on time.

I also saw Kyle Shanahan run this concept later on in the season.  The clip is below.




Based on how much time Mullens spends looking at the option route, I am going to assume he was expecting an inside break from the RB with the even leverage. The Giants do a nice job of covering up Kittle on the return route as well. A better throw probably gets a completion here, however.

Shanahan has run this throughout the years, with different back side combinations and formations. The diagram and video below shows the play out of a trips set. The drive route from #3 and the back side dig create a high low on the weak side. This has the same effect as the return route in the versions above.

All in all, I thought this was a neat way to fool-proof the weak side option route against all looks. This play matches a concept already in their playbook, just different guys running the routes vs different defenders.