Cutup Friday: 2021 Browns Power Base
This breakdown is taken from The 2021 Cleveland Browns Complete Offensive Manual. This book remains one of my favorite/underrated studies I’ve done. Incredible run game diversity and technique/execution.
Power is a concept found in many NFL offenses. It usually involved a kickout/base block and a puller.
All power variations account for about 6% of the Browns total play calls in 2021. This does not include play action off power.
For most teams, 22 personnel power is exclusively a four minute play to run out the clock. For the Browns, it is a core component of the offense that allows them to call Power without worrying about many “bad looks” or having to check out of it due to high box counts.
The Browns are unique in the sense that their most commonly called version of 2-back power is a version I call “Power – Base”. The Base term refers to the play side tight end in a 1 on 1 block with the EMOL. On this block, the technique and footwork of the tight end will match his assignment to open up a hole in the C-gap. The fullback will lead/kickout the most dangerous 2nd level defender off the block of the tight end (could be inside or outside the TE).
Many teams (49ers/Packers) will instead have the play side tight end work *Down* with the PST on their versions of power.
Because of the Base tag, the fullback does not have to kickout. He can lead through now. Because of the back side tight end/cutoff, his main responsibility is usually a support safety.
The Browns favorite way to run this concept is out of 22 personnel, away from a nub tight end. This version is shown in the first diagram. This formation gives the offense a few benefits:
The nub tight end on the back side creates a longer edge. Any edge pressure or pursuit through the back side of the run has a longer path to take.
Against heavy fronts, the tight end on the back side allows for easier back blocks. The tight end and squeeze-hinge to the stand up player.
Against single high teams where the offense wont have enough blockers in the box, having a nub back side tight end will leave the corner back as the unblocked player (along with the free safety).
The third diagram shows a way to run the concept from 21 personnel. The X receiver will tighten his split and cut off the back side defensive end. The assignments stay the same.
The Browns will also run it with the play side tight end off the ball, sometimes after a motion.
The Browns run this concept almost exclusively out of the formation shown in the first diagram. It is a strong tendency for them. With hat said, they do their best to hide it with shifts and motions. A few of the common ones are shown in the next images. Shifts are shown with loops on the defensive side of the ball.
The next image shows the 22 personnel variation against a 4 down front. With the tight end on the back side, the backside tackle will work up to the weak linebacker if the defensive end is in a 6 technique.
Many teams that have a 6 technique to the tight end will slant him inside if the PST blocks down. The tight end should wash the defensive end down the line of scrimmage against this technique. In this case, the fullback will lead outside and kick out the first defender that shows. The BSG will also pull around the tight end’s block.
The next image shows the concept against an odd front. Power – Down is a more common version of the concept against odd fronts (described in detail in my 49ers books and Packers book). In this version, the PST and TE are in 1 on 1 blocks. The block of the PST could be a liability depending on the defensive tackle’s technique.
Against an Under front, the angles work out real nicely. Both the PST and TE block out on the 5-9 look. The fullback and BSG are able to both pull through the open B-gap. The next image shows the play.
Why it Worked: The week 3 long run shows the concept against an Over front with the Will on the ball. The Browns often motion to the concept to create this look against 5-down teams that get into under fronts. The next image shows how this blocks up, which the Browns execute nicely in this clip. This is a great front to run Power – Base against. Easy base block for the PSTE, 3 technique to the play side. Three on-ball defenders away from the call.
The week 8 clip shows the concept against an odd front cover 2. Against two high, the offense can work two lineman up to a 2nd level defender. In this case. Both guards end up on the back side linebacker.
Why it Didn’t Work: The week 1 clip shows the difficulty of this concept against a 6 technique on the tight end. The defensive end wins the matchup at the point of attack and the ball has to bounce outside. The Sam linebacker maintains outside leverage on the fullback and peels off for the tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
The week 9 clip shows the concept against a 6-down front. While the concept can still work against this front, there will be no double teams to help the offensive line. All it takes is one defender to win his matchup for the run to be stopped at the line of scrimmage. In this clip, the single blocks don’t get much movement.
The following video shows over 15 minutes of Power - Base clips.
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