Josh McCown and the Bears can target a below-average Vikings secondary Sunday with play action in plus territory. Sell the run fake and work the top of the vertical route tree to test the technique of the free safety in the middle of the field. On a “Dino” double post, McCown will have two options working away from the defender’s leverage.
In this diagram, the Bears have their Posse personnel
(three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) in a two-by-two alignment. The Vikings counter with their base nickel package (four linemen, two linebackers, five backs) playing Cover-1 (man-free) in the secondary. The Bears want to take a shot and throw the ball in the end zone.
Route scheme
The “Dino” double post is a Mike Martz staple. It’s a Cover-1 beater that focuses on working the free safety in the deep middle of the field. To the open (weak) side of the formation, the Bears will run two post routes with Dane Sanzenbacher (W) on the inside post and Earl Bennett (X) over the top. To the closed side, Roy Williams (Z) will clear out with the 9 (fade) route. Tight end Kellen Davis (Y) will stay in on protection.
Bennett’s route stem
Bennett, a key to the success of the route, has to create separation versus the open side cornerback, Cedric Griffin (RC). He will take a hard inside release, work vertically up the field and then stem to the corner before breaking back to the post (double move). With a cornerback playing outside leverage (man-free technique), Bennett can force him to open his hips at the top of the route stem, putting the defender in a trail position versus an inside breaking route.
Testing free safety
Vikings free safety Mistral Raymond (FS) is in a tough position and has to play two routes (Bennett and Sanzenbacher). NFL coaches will teach the free safety to drive downhill on the underneath post or open his hips and flip back to the deep post. It’s a challenging technique for any player. However, if the free safety commits early, McCown has an opportunity to target one of the post routes and take advantage of the Cover-1 scheme.
Seven-man protection
Once McCown sells the play fake with running back Kahlil Bell (R), the Bears have seven to block four. Bell will chip (or double) on defensive end Jared Allen (RE) to the open side, and Davis will hinge block to the closed side. Even if strong safety Jamarca Sanford (SS) “green dogs” (adding to the blitz front when your coverage assignment blocks), McCown should have time to read the free safety and throw the ball downfield. If the Bears keep Allen away from the quarterback, it should generate an explosive play that leads to points.
Special contributor Matt Bowen, who played at Glenbard West and Iowa, spent seven seasons in the NFL as a strong safety. You also can find his work at nationalfootballpost.com
