Inside the Playbook
NFL
Scores/Schedules
Standings
Statistics
Transactions
Injuries
Players
Weekly lineup

 Thursday, September 16
Keyshawn Johnson's far right base right 844
 
By Sean Salisbury
Special to ESPN.com

 

<img src="hhttp://espn.go.com/i/nfl/playbook99/wk2_nyjbuf_2.jpg" width=400 height=480 border=0>

About the play: The Jets seem to make big plays at the right times. Keyshawn Johnson is a big-play receiver with great size and speed. He wants the ball all the time.

Quarterbacks love a player who wants the ball. Even without Vinny Testaverde, the Jets will use the deep post route to give their best athlete a chance to do his thing, score touchdowns and make big plays.

Keys to the play: This play is great against a three-deep zone or man-to-man coverage. In a three-deep zone, the safety is in the middle of the field. This work well against three-deep because it puts the free safety in a bind -- he must choose the in-cut or the post over the top. The main key is the Z receiver's ability to attract the free safety and his vision, allowing Keyshawn to beat the corner to the post.

If the Z receiver does not attract the free safety, then he will get deep and take away the deep post. Plus, the offensive line must protect Rick Mirer, because this play takes a bit longer to develop.

Critical player: The Z receiver must go full speed to get the free safety's attention.

When to expect the play: Expect this play to be run after the Jets have set it up by throwing the 16- to 18-yard in-cut once or twice. The free safety will then start to bite and try to defend the in-cut. Then Mirer should be able to get deep to Johnson.

Defense's keys: The best defense for this play is to play a two-deep zone so Keyshawn can't get to the post. The other option is to have a free safety who can read routes well.



 


ALSO SEE
Theismann's Sunday night spotlight

Playbook: Doug Flutie's rollout

NFL Week 2 previews

Week 2 injury report

Cannizzaro: The mourning after

Playbook: Emmitt Smith's 40 gut

Playbook: Tony Gonzalez's comeback route

Playbook: Jamal Anderson's 60 OT