NFL pass routes concepts#1- the Dover(deep over) route

 The deep over route is a good pass concept in the NFL. It is great vs zone as it gives you a high low read on the curl flat defender. Usually, the offense will run the tight end or slot across the field at 10-12 yards and tries to get on an angle of 18-20 yards. read the outside curl/flat defender. It is also effective vs man to man coverage, thus the reason it is an excellent universal route. Also, note the #2 wr always wants to release inside when running the deep over route then work vertically. 

Lets start with vs zone. 

The read vs zone is clear.

Vs 3 and 4 the concepts is very similar: 

    1. The first option is to throw the. dover to flat off the curl flat defender. You need to see how the curl/flat defender plays it.

    2. If the dover is covered then you work the dig route to the rb. 

    3. If cover 4 the qb does have the option to sneak a look to the post first before the dover if the safety is  aggressive and jumps the  dig(sometimes this is an alert call) Often times this route will be open vs cover 4.

Here is a you tube video link that goes with our article.

https://youtu.be/4koVaxZpRL4

Here are some film clips on the routes with the coverages its being run against:

Written examples vs each coverage

First example is Vs. Cover 4

Nice route concept as you have the dover to the dig

Cb expands so the dover is open and the qb makes the read.

Example #2 vs the Bears who are in cover 4

The Lions are 2x2 and run the tight end across. They read the curl/flat defender who expands and hit the tight end for a 15 yard gain.

Here is the post option when the safety jumps the dover route. Diggs runs a great route and out runs the cb

Nice job as they hit dig on the route

Wide open diggs

Lions version Vs cover 3

 

Nice concept  as they get the high low on the flat defender

Vs Man Coverage

The most  important aspect of the dover route is for the #2 wr to release inside, immediatley work vertically to a depth of about 8 yards and then break the route across roughly at 10-12. If the dover is not open then work the dig to rb.

So the read  vs man is dover to dig to rb.

Here you see the dover being open in the first 2 clips.

They rn a good route vs man

WR does a good job getting separation and #1 is starting to run the dig.

Bengals- another example vs cover 1. qb works the dover to the dig. Good route concept but notice the difference when you get man coverage.

1. inside release.

2. Get vertical as soon as possible for 8 yards then break it in on angle. He takes it shallow enough so the free safety can't break on it. 

The dover is open so he hits it.

Nice job on the inside release

 

The cross is open so he takes it.

VS Man Coverage

Here the dig progression after the dover is covered. Remember, they are working deep over to the dig route. Again this is the 2nd read vs man to man.

Dover is taken so they work the dig

Wr #1 gets open and they throw the nice route.

Ohio State Deep Over Route Concept

They see the sam pressure and pick it up

The WR attacks leverage and is wide open 

No inside help so plenty of room to operate. The wr does a nice job attacking leverage. 

This is the dover route and the progresssions associated with zone and man. The next route concept discussed will be the mesh concept.