Delay Streaks

Description

Delay Streaks is a play built around confusion and timing. The play is named after the routes run by the flankers, each of which stands still for two seconds after the snap before breaking into a sprint straight downfield. These routes have multiple purposes: daring man coverage to run into the backfield to cover close and then throwing the streak as the flanker runs right by, easy catches in the open area vacated by the split end, and a safety valve in case the quarterback is pressured early.

Despite the versatility of the delay streak routes, most of the passes in this play will probably go to the split ends quickly after the snap. The left end runs a skinny post. Because the slot man defender may be looking at the flanker in the backfield the split end may be able to get open early by running to the inside of the outside cornerback. On the other side the right split end runs a quick slant right off of the line. This is usually good for 10 or more yards and gets open quickly and often.

The biggest problem with Delay Streaks, like many of my Max Spread plays, is that the primary routes are stopped fairly easily by jamming the receivers at the line of scrimmage. Motioning a flanker up near the line of scrimmage is not very effective here (unless you only need a couple of yards) because they don't run anywhere immediately. Unfortunately there is not a lot that can be done against this other that using the pre-snap Playmaker control to switch to wheel routes for the SEs or switch to standard routes for the flankers. It shouldn't be too much of a problem though, as long as you don't overuse this play.

Player Assignments

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

Read Progression

1. Right SE quick slant
2. Left SE skinny post
3. Left Flanker delay streak
4. Right Flanker delay streak

Delay Streaks requires a fairly flexible read progression. The standard reads are the slant and post first, followed by the delay routes. In some cases you may want to make adjustments to this basic order. If the defense likes to jam the outside receivers it can be a good idea to quickly get the ball to one of the flankers, turning the jam into a block for your side. It's also a good idea to work the delay routes early and often if you're especially good with moves in the open field, or if your opponent is a poor open field tackler. For best results though, the SE routes are your best bet, with the delay routes most effective when the defense drops back into a deep zone.

Analysis

Pros:

• Slant and skinny post offer quick throws for solid yardage
• Delay Streak routes can cause confusion and breakdowns in defenses
• Difficult for opponents to defend against both the quick SE routes and the underneath streak routes

Cons:

• Press coverage by CBs effectively takes away SE routes
• Dropped delay route passes may be fumbles, risking a turnover
• Delay streak routes may be caught for a loss when thrown early unless the receiver can elude a defender or get a block springing him to the outside