2023 Dolphins Outside Zone Crack Lead

Taking a deep dive into one of the newest schemes in the most creative run game in the NFL!

This week, we’re taking a look at Sideline Pin (Cat). Previously, I called this run “Force Crack,” for not knowing any different without seeing a playbook, but over the last month or two, the Mike McDaniel Dolphins playbook leaked, and we now know this play is called Sideline (Pin) Cat! At the end of the article, there will be a cutup of all the Dolphins Sideline Pin (Cat) runs from 2023.

WHAT IS SIDELINE PIN (CAT)?

Let’s break it down. First: SIDELINE. SIDELINE is an open side run which isolates the lead blocker on the C gap defender.

The Play-Side Tackle will either be in combination with the Play-Side Guard up to the ILB (as shown in the above diagram), or he will “Slip” past the EDGE up to the ILB if the B gap is open. That’s the base play.

PIN is a tag that tells the Play-Side WR that he is now going to “Pin” the play-side C gap defender, as shown in the full page diagram at the top of the article. Since the C gap defender is being blocked by the PSWR, the lead blocker (F or Y, depending on formation, but primarily the F) is now free to block the CB. In my opinion, this concept creates much better angles for an outside run than the base Sideline play.

CAT is a secondary tag used when running to a twins surface. The inside WR will Pin, and the outside WR will push crack the safety, just as he would on any other Cat run such as Zorro Cat. Again, this leaves the CB to be blocked by the lead blocker.

Housekeeping:

• Our final pre-season monthly clinic for paid subscribers will be next Saturday, June 27th, at 9:00 PM Central. I will be doing the clinic this month on Using Shifts and Motions to Add Layers to Offense and Regulate Defenses.

• Enrollment for my 2024 NFL All-22 Drive will be opening up soon!

So when should each variation be run? What causes the play to succeed or fail? Is it applicable to the high school and college levels of football, and if so, how? Let’s dive in!