Flurry

Description

An extremely well balanced passing play that compliments the primarily running attacks from the Diamond Wing formation. All five eligible receivers burst out into fairly quick developing routes with an easy, right-to-left scan across the field read progression. Quick tight end and fullback routes developing over the middle will take advantage of any linebackers in a run blitz, while other routes deep and to the outside will spread the remaining defenders.

Of all of the passing plays I've developed, Flurry may be one of the most well balanced. There are no primary targets, though I personally throw a little more often to the right SE curl, fullback and tight end than to the left SE or running back. The curl route usually nets 5-10 yards, the FB post 10-15, and the TE about 8-12. The SE post is the best bet for big yardage, but can be a tough throw unless the FB and TE draw one or both safeties down close. The RB swing can be used as an emergency dumpoff, a way to get the RB the ball in open space to allow him to outmaneuver defenders (if you're good with those juke and spin moves), or as a late target running up the left sideline.

Player Assignments

See the Madden Playbook Guide for a description of these symbols.

Read Progression

1. Right SE corner curl
2. FB post in (right after first turn)
3. TE over middle
4. Left SE post
5. RB swing
6. FB corner out (after second turn)

The read progression as shown is very easy to pick up, you just scan the field from right to left. However, the FB and TE routes can get jammed due to how close they are to the O-line, so you may have to improvise a bit. Usually these jams are caused by LBs blitzing or just close to the line of scrimmage to stop the run; if only one route is jammed this may open up the other. It may also be a line stunt to open up an inside blitz, in which case you need to look for the RB on the wide swing.

The fullback route is kind of an X-factor in this play. The primary read for him is right after he makes his turn to the inside (the ball should be released just before he starts to turn). However, if the play is able to develop longer, he can often get lost in the secondary, since he's probably working against a linebacker rather than a DB. This can lead to a big play.

Analysis

Pros:

• Very effective passing play out of primarily running formation
• Features two relatively easy targets over the middle, as well as a safe dumpoff route on the RB swing
• Post and FB corner routes give big play potential

Cons:

• The FB and TE routes can get jammed up at the line of scrimmage, disrupting timing and read progression
• Many fullbacks have mediocre catching ability, and are prone to dropping easy catches right over the middle
• No extra blockers means that blitzes, especially inside blitzes that the line does not pick up, can cause serious problems