The Far Pro 3 WR Slot Cross is a great play to use to help compliment the Slant Hook play that SportsGamer released not too long ago. In this tip, we're going to use the exact same motion before the snap that we used in the Slant Hook play to show our opponent an identical look. However, this play is designed to mainly attack the left side of the field. The great thing about this play is even if the left side of the field is covered you will still have a sneaky option deep downfield. Take a look below as we walk you through the play.
Far Pro 3 WR - Slot Cross (formation shifted to Far Tight Twins)
Console(s)
XBOX / PS2
Playbook(s)
Seattle
Quick Setup
Step 1 - Formation shift to the Far Tight Twins.
Step 2 - Hot route the #1 receiver to perform a streak route (on the far left side of the field).
Step 3 - Hot route the inside receiver to stay in and block.
Step 4 - Motion the running back out to the right and snap the ball before he sets to avoid the bump from the defender.
Play Breakdown
Figure 1 - The Arizona Cardinals have come out in the Far Pro 3 WR Slot Cross. We have substituted our tight end in at the slot receiver position (Triangle) because he will move into the tight end position when we call for the formation shift.
Figure 2 - In this image you can see that we have formation shifted to the Far Pro 3 WR. All we have to do now is make a couple quick hot routes before the snap in order to get the most out of this play.
Figure 3 - Our opponent has come out in a man to man defense with two deep safeties over the top. The Slot Cross play not only will not only help us beat the man to man defense consistently, but it will also allow us to beat the defense deep if we want to.
Figure 4 - In this image we've hot routed Boldin to perform a streak route downfield. This change provides us with a deep threat on the left side of the field now.
Figure 5 - Next, we hot route inside wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald to stay in and block to provide us with extra protection on the left side of the line. The last thing that we need to do is motion running back Edgerrin James out of the backfield to the right side of the field. Motioning James to the right will provide us with the same look that we showed in the Slot Cross play. However, the result will be completely different because James will shoot across the middle of field without being bumped.
Figure 6 - We move the icon onto James and prepare to send him in motion.
Figure 7 - We snap the ball just before James sets on the right side of the field. If you wait until the running back sets before you snap the ball, then you can expect him to get bumped.
Figure 8 - James immediately pivots and turns the other direction to begin running his route over the middle of the field as Leinart takes the snap.
Figure 9 - The first look is to the fullback running into the flats on the right side of the field. Then, look to either hit the tight end or the running back (James) that we sent in motion as they both move over the middle. James has a huge head start on the defender guarding him because of the immediate change of direction after the snap. The last thing that we want you to notice in this image is that inside wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (#11) on the left side of the field makes the block on the right defensive end. We now have the option to roll slightly to our left if we need to.
Figure 10 - James is running underneath and is well ahead of the defender at the 35 yardline. Throwing the ball to the running back underneath is the easiest and safest read on this play. However, what really makes this play so special is the route that the tight end deep over the middle. The reason this route is so helpful is because is pulls the backside strong safety towards the middle of the field. Once the strong safety has been sucked in to the middle of the field, then we look back to our original read on the play for a big play opportunity.
Figure 11 - The strong safety is sitting at the 20 yardline in the middle of the field as we throw back across our body to hit the streaking fullback. There is definitely timing involved in this pass, but it's not as difficult as it may appear. We press up on the directional pad to put the ball in a spot that only our receiver can catch.
Figure 12 - The defender is close as the ball closes in. Fortunately, we've thrown deep passes enough to know that our player will get that little speed burst animation right at the end to create extra space.
Figure 13 - Backup running back J.J. Arrington makes the catch as the defender can only swat at the ball. You will want to place your fastest running back in at the fullback position to create as much spearation as possible on this throw. Arrington only has 91 speed, but if you use someone faster you will see a much bigger difference.
Figure 14 - Arrington takes it the rest of the way as our opponent wonders what happened to his two deep zones.
