Coach Eric Boles Analysis
You don’t have to be tuned into a televised football game long before you start to hear commentators throw around the term RPO. Most people have a basic understanding of what that is: a run-pass option. Though it’s easy enough to understand that these are plays with both the option to run or to pass, packaged together, not everyone knows when they’re seeing one unfold before them.
In this particular case, Duck offensive coordinator Marcus Arroyo has taken an Oregon fan-favorite play, the outside zone, and evolved it into something new by adding an RPO.
The classic outside zone is a play that Duck fans have been accustomed to since the arrival of Chip Kelly 11 years ago. As you can see above, it remains a part of the Oregon playbook five offensive coordinators later, and still has the power to be an effective tool, complementing a more downhill approach.
New Outside Zone RPO
Though Oregon runs the classic outside zone with an RPO attachment, we’re going to take a look at something a little different. It takes all the things that makes the classic so strong and then adds a little extra, allowing for a bit more of a complex passing option.
The blocking scheme of this version of the play (diagrammed in the video above) is very similar to the classic. In fact, the first four linemen are going to block outside zone just as before. The difference comes with the backside tackle and the tight end. The tight end will become part of the passing option with a quick out to the flat, while the tackle pass sets. The pass set does something very important that we’ll get to in a moment.
The backside linebacker is the quarterback’s key on this play. What he does dictates whether the ball is handed to the RB or is distributed within the backside passing concept.
Notice above how the backside linebacker (No. 10) in this clip stays home at the snap of the ball. This is Justin Herbert’s key that he should hand it off. He does and Travis Dye carries the ball through the B-gap for 13 yards and a first down. Had the playside defensive end (No. 3) come inside instead of outside Dye would have taken the C-gap and maybe ended up in the end zone.
There’s something else to notice in this clip. This is where the importance of the backside tackle’s pass set comes into play. Look at how the backside linebacker stays home at first, then wants to chase the run, and then hesitates again. That’s because his key for whether the play is a run or pass is Calvin Throckmorton (No. 54). Dropping into a pass set makes the LB unsure of where the ball is going and forces him to do way more thinking than playing.
Above, the backside linebacker decides to play the run. This tells Herbert to pull the ball and read that backside pass concept. In this case it’s a slant-flat concept. Bryan Addison (No. 80) runs the three yard slant, while Jacob Breeland(No. 27) runs the quick out to the flat.
This concept is used to put pressure on the corner. If he stays in front of the slant, the QB will throw to the flat. If the CB takes the flat, the QB will throw the slant. It may look as though Herbert could have picked up more yardage throwing the slant, but he’s throwing hot here, meaning that he’s throwing to where the CB blitz is coming from. Breeland gets the ball for a decent six-yard gain.
In this last example (above), you can see that Herbert is given another pass read. This play goes against the idea that you go where the CB isn’t, but Josh Delgado out does the CB physically, and Herbert has to get it to him. That ends up being a good choice, as Delgado picks up the first down on a nine-yard reception.
This new outside zone RPO is a masterful design. It doesn’t just take the classic outside zone and milk it, but it enhances it to another level. Not only does the pass set of the tackle really affect the linebacker, but the use of outside zone blocking affords the QB the time to read the pass. In contrast, inside zone may not afford enough time before linemen are too far down field.
This play is a perfect way for a team, who may not want to run their QB 15 times per game, to still incorporate option football into their offensive scheme.
Coach Eric Boles
Newark, Ohio Top Photo Credit: Melissa Macatee
Spencer Thomas, the FishDuck.com Volunteer Editor for this article, is an attorney for the Social Security Administration in Atlanta, Georgia, and coaches High School Football for Hillgrove HS in Powder Springs, GA.
Related Articles:
Coach Eric Boles
Eric resides in Central Ohio, just outside the capital city of Columbus. He is a former offensive assistant and return game coordinator for the Ohio State – Newark/Central Ohio Technical College Titans football program.
He is an OSU-N graduate, having completed a Bachelor of Arts program in psychology.
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As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or opinions. However, I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in the article you shared. Let's break down the key concepts mentioned in the article:
RPO (Run-Pass Option)
RPO stands for Run-Pass Option. It is a term used in football to describe a play where the quarterback has the option to either hand the ball off to a running back or pass the ball to a receiver. The decision is made by the quarterback based on the defensive alignment and the read of a specific defender. RPOs are designed to keep the defense guessing and create mismatches.
Outside Zone
The outside zone is a running play in football where the offensive linemen block towards the sideline, creating a running lane for the ball carrier. It is a staple play in the Oregon Ducks' offensive playbook and has been used for many years. The outside zone play is known for its effectiveness in creating cutback lanes for the running back.
Oregon Ducks' Offense
The Oregon Ducks' offense is known for its fast-paced, high-scoring style of play. It has been successful under various offensive coordinators, including Chip Kelly. The offense often incorporates innovative concepts and plays, such as the RPO and the outside zone, to keep the defense off-balance. The article specifically discusses how the Ducks have combined the outside zone play with an RPO to create a more complex passing option.
Blocking Scheme
The blocking scheme refers to the specific assignments and techniques used by the offensive linemen to block the defenders. In the case of the new outside zone RPO discussed in the article, the blocking scheme is similar to the classic outside zone play, with the first four linemen blocking for the outside zone run. However, the backside tackle and tight end have different assignments to create a passing option. The backside tackle pass sets, which confuses the backside linebacker and allows the quarterback to read the defense and make a decision.
Backside Linebacker
The backside linebacker is a defensive player who lines up opposite the direction of the play. In the context of the article, the backside linebacker's movement and positioning are crucial for the quarterback's decision-making in the RPO play. The quarterback reads the backside linebacker to determine whether to hand the ball off to the running back or distribute the ball within the passing concept. The linebacker's reaction and movement dictate the quarterback's decision.
Passing Concepts
Passing concepts refer to the predetermined routes and options available to the receivers in a passing play. In the new outside zone RPO discussed in the article, the passing concept involves a slant-flat concept. One receiver runs a slant route, while another receiver runs a quick out to the flat. The quarterback reads the defense and decides which receiver to target based on the defender's positioning. The passing concept aims to put pressure on the cornerback and create mismatches in coverage. These are the key concepts mentioned in the article. If you have any further questions or need more information, feel free to ask!
