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"What is the first thing Jay Gruden should teach Robert Griffin III?"
I was asked this question earlier in the week on Twitter and figured I'd share my thoughts on the subject here. Despite shedding the knee brace in 2014 and the boost in speed and agility it will bring, Robert Griffin's success will still ride heavily on his ability to play from the pocket. Most effective offensive coordinators will design a pass plays with a route combination that beats one type of coverage on one side, and a different type of coverage on the other side. RG3's ability to read the coverage and knowing which side to go with the ball will be crucial to the Redskins success this year. Below is a "cheat sheet" on how to recognize coverages and how to beat them. Some of you may know this stuff, for some it will be new, and some of you will use it to improve your Madden game. There are exceptions to every rule (disguises,etc.), but these are the basic philosophies.
Coverages
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If there are no safeties deep, it indicates Cover 0 Man Coverage. Susceptible to Cross routes, pick routes, and Deep post routes.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421757493044199425">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If there is 1 safety back, indicates Cover 1 Man Coverage. Could bring extra pressure. Susceptible to crosses, picks, and play-action</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421757799358418944">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>If you have 1 Safety and the CBs bail, thats Cover 3. Susceptible to Hitches, Comebacks, Square-Ins, and Flood Concepts.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421758778082476032">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Seeing two safeties could mean Cover 2 Zone (Tampa 2). Susceptible to Curl routes, Deep middle and fade routes.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421758143975022593">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Seeing 2 safeties could also mean Cover 2 man. Still susceptible to Cross routes and pick routes.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421758506962649089">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Jay Gruden likes to use motion to gain an advantage by forcing the defense to show their coverage pre-snap. If Griffin memorizes this, it will also be a huge benefit to both his development and success in 2014. Once again, there are exceptions to every rule but these are the basic philosophies.
Motions
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use motion out of the backfield, and theres no defensive movement, that indicated Zone Coverage</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755180221075457">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use motion out of the backfield, and a LB moves out with him, that indicated Man Coverage underneath</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755304095653889">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use motion out of the backfield, and a defensive back follows him, that indicates a blitz is coming.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755398270377984">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use Tight End motion, no defensive movement indicates Zone Coverage</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755593896902656">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use Tight End motion, and LB follows him, that indicates Man Coverage underneath.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755787870867456">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use Tight End motion, and a Safety follows him, that indicates a Blitz is coming.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421755876324569088">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use Flanker motion (Z Receiver), a "locked" CB indicates Man Coverage.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421756014086475776">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>When you use Flanker motion (Z Receiver), Sliding or "bumping" a defender out indicates Zone Coverage.</p>— Paul Conner (@P_Hazard) <a href="https://twitter.com/P_Hazard/statuses/421756274661793792">January 10, 2014</a></blockquote>
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One other thing that is extremely important in Jay Gruden's offense, and something he'll teach Robert early, will be counting defenders in the box. There could be a run play called in the offense but if there are too many defenders in the box (more than the offense can block), RG3 will have a built in screen audible if he looks out and sees an "uncovered" WR. Jay Gruden likes to take advantage of the numbers game and this is a big part of his offense. No screen is off-limits.