Cutup Friday: 2024 Commanders Pin Pull RPO's
This breakdown is taken directly from The 2024 Washington Commanders Complete Offensive Manual.
Pin Pull is a gap compliment for Outside Zone. If your offensive line struggles with combinations blocks (doesn’t get any movement, linebacker run-thru’s, etc.), Pin Pull might be the adjustment you are looking for.
Against most fronts, two offensive linemen will pull. Who the pullers are depends on the front. Pin Pull rules are usually explained as covered/uncovered. If an offensive lineman is covered away from the play call, he will down block. If he is uncovered back side, he will pull. The BST will block outside zone rules The Commanders often treated head up defenders as covered.
The PSTE will be responsible for the #2 box defender if he does not have down block responsibility.
This section covers the various RPO’s the Commanders called with Pin Pull.
Bubbles and Nows were used as advantage throws on the perimeter vs extra box defenders. They also served as protection against bad looks specifically, when the defense brings edge pressure away from the run, they will typically stunt to the run call. Down blocks are mush harder when the defender is trying to stunt across your face. The bubble/Now gets the offense out of these bad looks.
The other RPO’s can be categorized as downfield RPO’s. The Commanders will lock the back side of the offensive line and pair it with Double Slant or a Bang route. In these versions, the quarterback is taught to read the BSLB. If he commits to the run, there is a natural void behind him. These are good ways to attack single high coverages.
Why it Worked: In the first Divisional round clip, the Commanders rip off a nice gain against a hybrid front from the Lions. It looks like an Over front, but the back side defensive end is playing head up, with the Mike as the apex/C-gap player. Against Over fronts with a 1-technique nose, the Commanders will pull both guards most of the time. First guard kicks, second guard leads. The Mike stays out of the box enough for the box numbers to look good for the handoff.
Paid subscribers have access to the rest of the breakdown:
The rest of the Why it Worked section (4 diagrams)
Why it Didn’t Work
21 minute full season cutup