No one executed Four Verts better than Peyton Manning and few TE’s had a better feel for the Bender Route than Dallas Clark. Obviously, these two players formed a great connection, but OC Tom Moore and QB Coach Jim Caldwell did some things with play design that made this play incredibly difficult to defend, especially if the defense was going to play Tampa 2.
Deuce Formation into the Boundary (TE on the Ball + WR Off the Ball)
Play Action Power (TE Releases & Guard Pulls for Boundary Pass Pro)
Tampa 2 Coverage - Middle of the Field Open
Four Verts with WR’s taking inside Releases and Fading to the Sidelines
Slot works outside the Nickel and Bends to the Hash
TE Stacks on top of Will LB and Bends Inside the Boundary Numbers
Play Action (especially with a Pulling Guard) is able to hold the Will and Mike LB’s just long enough for the TE to stack on top and bend into the Window behind the Will LB and in front of the FS. It also helps when the Mike LB in Tampa 2 opens up to the Field - leaving more room in the Boundary. When the ball is released the TE looks covered, but this play is perfectly designed to open late. Throw it to grass and trust your TE to Bend into the opening.
Tampa 2 is coming back in a big way with Iowa State style 3 Safety Alignments. This relatively simple play design (even from the Gun) could have the same influence on LB’s and Safeties in a modern Spread Offense.
