49ers Outside Zone "Edge" Variations w/ Cutup

The 49ers have quite a few tags on their base Outside Zone call to attack the different fronts they face. This post discusses what I call “Edge”. It is characterized by the fullback blocking the EMOL, both strong and weak. This breakdown focuses on calls from the 2022 season.

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Week 8 vs LAR

The 49ers called their “Edge” tag on Outside Zone Strong – Lead concept. I have written about Edge in a few of my books. This version of outside zone calls for the PSWR to block any secondary support. With strong rotation, this allows the combination blocks to work back a linebacker and take more time on the double team. The next image shows what this looks like, and how the Rams defended it.

This version is relatively unique. With the fast motion, the play initially looks like their zorro action.

The 49ers historically like to game plan this against Under fronts. It ensures they get two double teams at the point of attack. Against an Under, with Zorro called, the PST has to work out to a 5 technique without much help. Edge gives them better angles to get to the perimeter.

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Week 14 vs Tampa Bay

At 1Q 3:46, the 49ers get a nice cutback off of their Outside Zone - Edge concept. In this example, they run it weak.

The Will and Mike pursue hard and fill their front side gap responsibility, forcing a cutback. The BST is able to reach the 3-technique, which gets the BSG up to the Sam.

The Sam is not as quick to pursue. The tight end is also able to work up to him. This allows CMC to cut back for a nice gain.

This clip is a good example of how hard it is to stop the 49ers run game. Shifting to an I formation, using the fullback to create an extra gap. One defender a little slow to fill the new gap is all it takes.

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The video below shows a 10-minute cutup of OZ - Edge