Cleveland Browns: Todd Haley adds continuity to offense
By Joel W. Cade
X’s and O’s
Hue Jackson and Todd Haley agree philosophically. That agreement is demonstrated in Haley’s play calling.
Todd Haley’s rushing attack integrates pass option elements designed to open holes and prevent defenders from cheating up. The run pass options give the zone or power look effectively putting defenders in a bind. If they play the run first, the pass option with be open. If they sit back on the pass, offensive lineman can get to the second level thereby opening the potential for a big gain. Through schemes and play calling, Haley puts the offensive line, running back and receivers in positions to succeed.
In the running game Haley primarily employs power run schemes. He also uses zone schemes to offset the power run game. He even uses a hybrid zone scheme with a pulling guard element thrown in.
The most interesting play Haley employs is the weak power run scheme. The power run game is designed to get more numbers on offense at the point of attack than the defense. Traditionally this has been done by putting a tight end on the line or having a fullback attack that area at the snap. Such formations usually put the power to the strong side of the offensive formation.
But Haley (and Jackson while he was in Cincinnati) employed the power run scheme to the weak side of the formation away from where the tight ends are lined up. This is an effective scheme because it forces defenses to load up on the strong side. Then getting pulling linemen, fullbacks and tight ends to cross the formation to attack the weak side often catches defenses off guard.
An example of the weak power or counter power is at 1:30 in the following video. The reader can happily disregard the rest of the video.
Hue Jackson used the weak side power his first season in Cleveland. The most memorable usage of it was Isaiah Crowell’s long run against the Baltimore Ravens in week 2 of the 2016 season.
Haley’s arrival should be a boon to the running game as it will be less predictable. It will have a more dynamic flavor to it as there will be built in pass schemes to keep defenders honest and open holes.
In the pass game Todd Haley and Hue Jackson agree philosophically. Both like to use concepts that attack the defense at every level vertically. Both run concepts that attack the short, middle and deep parts of the field on every play. The value of the attack lies in forcing the defense to defend every blade of grass in the passing game.
The approach exposes zones by putting zone defenders in binds in coverage. Depending on the defense, they may be put into a bind to cover the middle and low parts of the field vertically.
Against man to man, a receiver can attack any area of the field with their route putting the defender on his heels trying to protect the long ball opening the middle and short game. The schematics open space for receivers (provided the receivers can run effective routes).