Anatomy of Browns Shotgun Run Game

The Cleveland Browns are going to be operating heavily out of the shotgun going forward, which is beneficial to both the passing and run game. Today we're going to be looking at some of the run plays in detail, that Cleveland will most likely be utilizing in the 2023 season and beyond.

Running the ball while in the shotgun or pistol formation is something that the Browns haven't done much over the past few seasons. They're going to be living in the 'gun for the foreseeable future, and though it undeniably benefits the passing game, the run game will gain a few advantages too.

The Browns' run game has actually been slightly more efficient when in shotgun, and the 2022 season was a great example of this fact. Cleveland ran the ball 92 times from the 'gun which resulted in ball carriers averaging a whopping 6 yards per carry and +6.31 EPA. They ran the ball 210 times from under center and only averaged 4.7 yards per carry with a -3.84 EPA. If they can sustain this type of success and efficiency throughout the entire regular season, this 2023 offense is going to be really hard to stop.

There are five main benefits that operating out of the shotgun will provide for Nick Chubb and Cleveland's rushing attack this season. 

1. Lateral play-faking and deception.

2. More receivers on the field equals fewer defenders in the box.

3. It forces defenses to use smaller personnel.

4. It allows the offense to read specific defenders if they're having trouble blocking them.

5. Deshaun Watson could become a designated run threat. This would actually take some of the load off of Nick Chubb in terms of defenses being able to key on him as the only rushing threat.

There are more in-depth explanations of these benefits here.

There are seven basic run designs that Cleveland will most likely be using based on Kevin Stefanski's recent offensive tendencies, as well as the most commonly used in typical spread offenses. A few of these schemes have actually been run throughout the first two preseason games as well.

1. Inside Zone

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The Inside Zone play is an effective, downhill run play that's used in a lot of different offensive schemes.

Play Analysis: 

The offensive linemen all take lateral "zone" steps toward the play side. Their job is to get vertical displacement of the defensive line so that the ball carrier can push upfield north and south. If an offensive lineman is covered, then they'd block the man over him. If they're not covered, then they'd either look to help the next lineman on a double team or move to the second level to block a linebacker. 

The back side wide receivers will usually run a route combo that's aimed towards influencing defensive backs, such as a bubble screen. The play side wide receiver will stalk block their assigned defender. The tight end will help double team the play side defensive end, and then move downfield to block the SAM linebacker. The running back's target varies depending on the offensive coordinator, but will usually be the play side "A" gap.

2. Outside Zone

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The Outside Zone play is another play that's extremely popular in a variety of different offensive schemes.

Play Analysis:

The offensive line once again takes lateral "zone" steps toward the play side. Their job is to get lateral displacement of the defensive line so that they can use the "rip and run" technique. The linemen start moving laterally down the LOS and "rip" a defender by cutting them off and driving them back inside away from the ball carrier. The linemen "run" or drive a defender towards the sideline, so the ball carrier can cut up inside behind them. If an offensive lineman is covered, then they'd block the man over him. 

The back side wide receivers will usually run a route combo that is aimed towards influencing defensive backs, similar to inside zone. The play side wide receiver will stalk block their assigned defender. The tight end will help double-team the play side defensive end, and then move downfield to block the SAM linebacker or overhang defender. The running back's target varies depending on the offensive coordinator, but will usually be the play side "B-C" gap.

3. Split Zone

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The Split Zone play has been growing in popularity as of late because it helps negate athletic defensive ends or EDGE players from chasing down ball carriers from behind.

Play Analysis:

The offensive linemen take their usual zone steps to the play side, while the "wing" tight end flows across the formation post-snap and blocks the back side EDGE player. 

The back side wide receivers typically fake a screen pass or run a shallow route combo that will hold the defensive backs on that side of the field. The play side wide receiver will stalk block the corner that's assigned to him. The running back's target is the same as it is with inside zone, which is normally the "A" gap.

4. RB Draw

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The RB Draw play is an extremely effective play when defenses are "locked in" on stopping the passing game. Cleveland has used the play a few times throughout the first two preseason games to great effect.

Play Analysis:

The offensive linemen take their normal 3-step, quick pass footwork in order to "sell" the pass to get the defensive lineman to shoot upfield. After engaging the defensive lineman, they start walling off or drive blocking the defenders away from the ball carrier. 

The wide receivers and tight ends run vertical routes or route combos that break away from the middle of the field. The running back's initial footwork varies but once the offensive line engages the defenders, the ball carrier accelerates through the largest gap created by the offensive line. 

5. Power

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The "A" or "B" gap Power is a staple in most run games across all levels of football.

Play Analysis:

The back side offensive guard pulls and kicks out the play side defensive end or EDGE player. The offensive tackle pulls and loops up inside of the guard's block and attacks the SAM linebacker. The center will either double team a head-up nose tackle with the play side guard, or gap block the nearest back side defensive lineman. The play side guard and tackle double team the 3-technique defensive tackle. The tight end will free release outside of the play side EDGE player, and attempt to block the strong safety or overhang defender if there is one. The "F" or wing player in this scenario will attempt to get to the second level and cut off the WILL linebacker. 

The wide receivers will stalk block their assigned defenders. The running back will hit the hole that's created by the back side guard's kick-out block and the play side tackle's double team block.

There are different ways to run Power such as with Pin/Pull blocking variations, which refers to the blocking rules for the offensive line. It's fairly simple to understand but very effective based on its versatility and adaptability. If a lineman is covered, they pull. If a lineman is uncovered, they gap down and block the defensive lineman that's covering the pulling offensive lineman.

6. Counter

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Similar to the Power play, some variation of the Counter play is run in most offenses at all levels.

Play Analysis:

The assignments of the back side offensive linemen are the same here, as they are with the power play. The back side offensive guard pulls and kicks out the play side defensive end or EDGE player. The offensive tackle pulls and loops up inside of the guard's block and attacks the WILL linebacker. The center will either double team a head-up nose tackle with the play side guard, or gap block the nearest back side defensive lineman. The play side guard and tackle double team the 3-technique defensive tackle. The tight end will free release outside of the play side EDGE player, and attempt to cut off the SAM linebacker. 

The wide receivers will stalk block their assigned defenders. The running back will take one to two steps towards the tight end side, and then cut or bend it back side and hit the hole that's created by the strong side guard's kick-out block and the strong side tackle's double team block.

7. Duo

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Duo is an extremely effective play when an offense has a running back with excellent awareness and vision, like Nick Chubb.

Play Analysis:

The back side offensive tackle "Man" blocks the EDGE player over him. The backside guard and center, as well as the play side guard and tackle, both double team the defensive tackles and work their way up to the linebackers. The tight end also "Man" blocks the play side defensive end. 

All of the wide receivers will stalk block their assigned defenders. The running back reads the SAM linebacker to determine where he goes. If the linebacker shoots upfield or drifts outside, then he cuts inside to the "A" or "B" gap. If the linebacker flows inside or shoots/plugs the interior gaps, then the ball carrier takes the ball outside.