Seattle Seahawks: 3 ways to get Russell Wilson more time to throw
By Ed Stein
Play Action/Misdirection
The purpose of a play-action pass is to move the linebackers out of position. Instead of making a b-line to the quarterback or go into coverage, the linebackers have to stop what they think is a run play. The QB then has more room, and more time to set up in the pocket.
Against Denver, the Seahawks only handed off 14 times, with limited success. If either Chris Carson or Rashaad Penny can break a run early, it would greatly help. When Wilson tried to play action, he didn’t sell the fake handoff well. In other words, the Broncos never really believed Seattle was willing to run.
The offensive line also needs to sell that a handoff is coming. Remember the whole play is predicated on the defense believing a run play is happening. When the play action works, the middle of the field should be open. Even better, if the entire defense is fooled, the cornerbacks will suck into the middle and the wide receivers can get a step or two running a deep route.
A play action pass is a form of misdirection, but this other misdirection goes a bit deeper. Not only is there a fake handoff, but after the fake Russell Wilson needs to do something else. Ideally, with his speed, Wilson would takeoff in a different direction than his running back, and turn up the field for a big gain. Watch Blake Bortles run the play.
In the video, both New York Giants middle linebackers read handoff up the middle and move to stop it. The right defensive end thinks the offensive tackle didn’t pick him up and goes for the running back. Bortles runs outside of where the DE would normally be and takes the ball for a 41-yard gain. Misdirection at it’s best.