Doug Pederson's "Smash - Levels Swap" Concept

The following breakdown can be found in The 2022 Jacksonville Jaguars Complete Offensive Manual. This book is a 250 page breakdown of Doug Pederson’s offense, broken down by concept.

*There is a 6-minute cutup of the concept at the end of the article for paid subscribers.

Smash - Levels Swap

Smash – Levels Swap is another ball-control drop back pass concept in Doug Pederson’s playbook. The play can be read many ways, but I like to assign it with a consistent progression read for the quarterback:

1.      RB Arrow

2.      Corner (#1 Weak)

3.      Fin (#3 Strong)

4.      Basic Dig (#2 Strong

5.      Stutter Fin (#1 Strong)

The Arrow and Corner are the “gimmie” throws in the progression. If the defense fails to get 3 over 2 to the boundary, the offense should have leverage on one of the routes.

The Fin from #3 is a nice compliment to a Stick route or a Whip route, both of which are common in the Pederson offense. Evan Engram ran this route with great technique throughout the season. This was the most commonly thrown route in the progression. The next image shows how the isolation on the Mike, with a stutter at the top of the stem, can open this route up.

Why it Worked: This concept was efficient for the Jaguars in 2022. In week 9, Lawrence hits Etienne on the Arrow out of the backfield. Lawrence hits the #3 on the Fin in the first clip of week 1, week 3, and for a big play in the Wild Card Game. Lawrence hits the #1 on the Stutter Fin in the second clip in week 1.

Why it Didn’t Work: In the first clip of the Wild Card game, the Chargers play sticky man coverage (cover 1). Lawrence is forced to get to #1 strong on the Fin, contested with inside leverage form the corner back. The corner is able to drive it and break it up. In cover 1, the defense can leverage the Arrow and Corner with outside leverage and play 2 on 2. The robber/hole player will bracket the #3 strong on the fin route. The next image shows how this played out

The 6-minute cutup below is for paid subscribers: