Cutup Friday: 2021 Browns RB Slip Screens
I continually come back to the 2021 Browns as one of my most underrated studies. They did so many things well. They were a great screen team, in general.
Slip Screens
The Browns are an incredible Slip Screen team. Their offensive line is so technically sound and the running backs have great timing and vision for the concept.
Running back Slip Screens are an effective play call for all downs and distances. Often, they get forgotten about on base downs. In many instances, they can be most effective on base downs as well. The Browns averaged over 8 yards per attempt on Slip Screens on first downs.
The running back will work into the line of scrimmage, then follow the PSG out. The PSG will kick out the first threat. The center will lead up through the alley, the BSG will look to clean up any trash that traces back from the defensive front. The next image shows how the screen will generally play out.
On the screens that looks the cleanest, the PST gets a deep pass set and invites the defensive end inside or a tight rush. This creates a nice throwing window and prevents the end from retracing the screen from behind.
On Slip Screens, the offense wants to work the running back up the numbers as the landmark for the play.
Why it Worked: In general, Kareem Hunt has great vision for Slip Screens. He sets up his blocks and helps out the offensive line by preventing them from having bad angles on their blocks.
Traditionally, screens are most effective against blitzes. The week 16 clip shows a clip against a linebacker coming off the edge.
Even if a screen does not work, the threat and presence of a screen will help slow down a pass rush for the drop back pass game.
Why it Didn’t Work: In the second week 5 clip, the Chargers are able to trigger their second level defenders quickly. If the offensive line is not able to get vertical after getting to their landmark, the defense can funnel the screen back to an interior defensive lineman trailing from behind. On a few occasions, the quick trigger even beats the offensive line to their spot.
An occasional poor throw or poor timing on the throw to the running back created incompletions.
The videos below show about 15 minutes of Slip Screen Cutups from the 2021 Browns:
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