Cutup Friday: 2023 Ravens Zone Lock RPO's
Zone Lock RPO’s are my favorite way to incorporate quick game into an offense, particularly Double Slant and Dragon variations. Throw vs premier looks, hand the ball off vs light boxes.
Here is my breakdown section on them found in The 2023 Baltimore Ravens Complete Offensive Manual.
As part of their Inside Zone package, the Ravens used a back side “Lock” tag to create 10 personnel RPO’s. Lock asks the BST and BSG to man block the defensive end and nearest interior defensive lineman. The Lock tag allows the offense to work more 3-step concepts, particularly Dragon and Double Slants.
The QB is asked to read the back side linebacker (6th box defender). If he flows with the run action, the Slant window behind him is open. If he hesitates and stays back, the running back can hit the open gap and get going downhill before he reacts.
These RPO’s have the ability to really cut through single high defenses. Single high defenses count on the presence of inside linebackers to take away the hook windows. When the run action creates horizontal displacement, windows can open up. Because of the theoretical extra help over the middle, the slot defender is usually in outside leverage.
Against two high looks, the ball was most often handed off. Inside Zone Lock is a great run scheme against two high defenses, making it a great all-purpose early down concept.
The 3rd diagram, showing a variation with a Y Seam, was called twice in week 5.
Why it Worked: In the first week 16 clip, the 49ers call a single high coverage. Fred Warner, the BSLB, commits to his run gap. Lamar pulls the ball and throws the Slant route on the Dragon concept right behind where Warner vacated.
In week 15, the Ravens rip off a nice run against two high coverage. They get a good combination on the 1-tech to the play side, up to the Mike linebacker.
Why it Didn’t Work: In the first week 17 clip, the Ravens call the Double Slants into the boundary, instead of the wide side of the field. With less ground to cover, the BSLB slow plays his run fit. Lamar hands the ball off, and the running back has to string the play out on the front side. The Double Slants space out much better to the wide side of the field. It makes the decision for the quarterback easier, and does not allow the linebacker to defend both elements.
The Videos below show 15 minutes of Zone Lock RPO’s.
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