Variation in formation is another benefit of majoring in Mesh. The general spacing remains the same for the Quarterback while the defense is forced to adjust it’s structure to account for formational oddities. Here, you see 2014 Cal aligning in Empty Nub Quads. The defense will have to choose how to align to both the Nub TE and the Quads - will they travel a Corner or try to keep a balanced back-end shell? The Mesh is set by the TE with the Slot clearing the Mesh and the Running Back on Secondary clear with the Trail Route. To the Quads side, the two outside Receivers switch release to run the Pre-Snap Slot Fade from #2 and inside stem OTB or Crosser from #1.
Protection: 5-Man Protection Big on Big - Inside Out
Coverage ID: Cover 0 with 6-Man Mug Pressure
This is a bit of bust in Empty Protection. Ideally the Offensive Line will squeeze Big on Big and leave the free runner off the edge to give the Quarterback as much time as possible to get the ball out hot. Unfortunately, this concept is not equipped with a built in “Hot.” Ideally we would see a Shoot Route to the 4x1 side (maybe instead of the Trail) for the Quarterback to throw against a 6-Man Pressure. With that being said, the beauty of the Mesh throw is that the Quarterback is often able to retreat to buy time. Since the throw is so short, the QB gain depth and throw the Shallow off a the back foot. So many big plays can happen if the QB is willing to hang in the pocket long enough for the Mesh to clear.
