From time to time, I like to break down plays I see in the Seahawks arsenal, especially ones that I haven’t seen before. In last Saturday’s game, you probably noticed the Seahawks run a play that resembled a college option play to a WR. It was successful both times, with the second time resulting in the Hawks final TD. The basic premise of the play is to confuse the defense with misdirection by having the whole offensive line and running back drive hard in the opposite direction the play is intended to go, and then have a WR drag across in the opposite direction to catch a little pitch from the QB.
The formation starts with 3 WR, 1 TE and 1 RB. The RB is on the side opposite the two stacked WRs.
1. The flanker motions inside the slot receiver
2. The ball is snapped and the RB slides in front of the QB in what looks like a sweep right. The entire offensive line and TE are pulling hard in that direction to sell the play.
3. The QB keeps the football and starts drifting left with the dragging flanker who has now come all the way across the formation.
4. The QB pitches or throws the ball forward to allow the flanker to get the ball in open space.
This seems like a great play for a player like Golden Tate to get some space and make people miss. It worked wonderfully on the goal line to Ben Obamanu, and well enough inside the 20 to Mike Williams. It looks like something that may be part of the team’s red zone package. I doubt we’ll see it again this pre-season, but if you see a 3 WR set with the flanker motioning inside the slot receiver, you may be the first fan to know what’s coming!
Click the arrow on the graphic to run through the play