One of the major concepts of the Chip Kelly/Pat Shurmur offense that led to explosive plays in 2013 was the screen game. You need to look no further than the first play from scrimmage against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in week 6.
A lot of things go into a screen play that results in a 45-yard gain. Let's break it down and take a further look at a few other explosive screen plays in 2013.
The play begins with Desean Jackson and Lesean McCoy lined up in the backfield:
Desean will go in motion to the top of the field. This overloads the top of the screen with 3 eligible receivers to the top half of the field and only one receiver on the bottom. The Bucs are in zone coverage. Furthermore, the Bucs make exactly the wrong call for the play the Eagles called on this one. You'll see that they blitz 3 defenders over the left tackle including the LDE stunting from a stand-up position to the other side of the field:
This vacates the whole area of the field where McCoy is going to sneak out on the screen. You can see Kelce and Herremans are beginning to release downfield:
McCoy now with the ball in his hands has Mathis take out one of the chase defenders behind him. Meanwhile Kelce and Herremans are a good 5 yards in front of McCoy leading the way for a big gain:
Kelce and Avant execute brilliant blocks downfield:
Strangely, McCoy could have scored on this play if he just stayed on a straight line to the end zone. You can see from this view he has a clear, uncontested line:
But Shady decides to cut back across the field, and as a result, Riley Cooper overruns a defender he could have blocked:
Here's another example of a mis-direction screen play with a similar motion concept. Against the Vikings the Eagles called a screen in 1st quarter. This time it is Avant who is lined up in the backfield and goes in motion pre-snap. This time the Vikings are in man coverage as illustrated by the DB chasing Avant across the field:
Post-snap, check out the attention Avant grabs based on his pre-snap motion. Foles does a nice job of faking to Avant as the screen begins to develop on the other side:
The downfield blocks are developing. Mathis is the ambush player and Kelce and Herremans will lead block down the field for an explosive play:
Later in the 4th quarter, they re-visit this concept. Avant in motion in the backfield again:
Who draws attention and fools Chad Greenway for the second time. Check out how he overreacts to Avant's motion opening space on the bottom of the field:
McCoy sneaks out and the screen is deployed. Again, Mathis being the ambush player and Kelce and Herremans leading the way:
Kelce and Herremans deliver terrific blocks and you can also see Desean Jackson joining the fun downfield:
Finally in game 2 against the Redskins, we see this concept again and Chip also introduces a new wrinkle. Again, we have a WR motioning out of the backfield. This time it is Brad Smith:
Again, you see the attention he draws at the top of the screen:
The screen develops at the bottom with a lot of space to work. Finally, we see some good recognition by a linebacker, Perry Riley. Jason Kelce is designed to peel off and get him:
However Riley reacts well and gets out to Bryce limiting the play.
The screen game is an area where you can expect Darren Sproles to play a significant role. He's a small guy behind that line who is sometimes difficult to see. And I think we've all seen over the years how dangerous he is in space:
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