How the Cowboys Could Use Jalen McCleskey (Pt. 3)

In this week’s Chalk Talk, we have focused on sophomore wide receiver Jalen McCleskey and how his strengths could easily be incorporated into the OSU offense. We have already talked about how McCleskey could be used in the true screen and misdirection game. In the last part of this week’s Chalk Talk, we’re going to look at how McCleskey could be used in RPOs (run-pass options) through attached screens and simple route combos.

McCleskey can easily be featured on the perimeter with attached screens. That’s an easy opportunity for yards and an easy install for any offense.

The Holgorsen/Monken Cowboys of late would always pair a screen with their base run plays. Weeden would have the option to hand the ball off or throw to the screen, depending on the defense. They also used these plays with tempo, so the defense wouldn’t have time to fully align; if the defense had time to align, the play would not have as much success.

Simple screen attachments would lead to easy yardage for players like McCleskey. All he has to do is catch the ball and he’s already in the open field (this is assuming that the quarterback made the right read and the receiver makes his block on the off-man corner).

But attachments aren’t limited to simple screens; many teams use actual route combinations in tandem with their run schemes. Take this 2012 Tavon Austin touchdown reception for example:

In this play, the Mountaineers run a basic three-man pass concept with a crossbuck inside zone. The quarterback reads the box; if the defense sucks in on the run, he has the option to abort the handoff and throw to the slant behind them. He can also throw to either outside route, although they are both pre-snap reads.

In this particular play, Geno Smith sees the defense suck in on the run and completes an accurate pass to Austin, who then takes it 46 yards to the end zone.

This pass combo/run play juxtaposition is used by just about every spread team. It has even found its way to the NFL. Here’s a buck sweep/slant-curl combo that the Dolphins have used.

The Cowboys had a tendency of running the ball on first down a lot last season. In anticipation for this, opposing defenses would frequently load the box. If OSU had updated their playbook to include attachments on every play, they could have torn up defenses on first down instead of getting a measly one or two yards against a stacked box.

McCleskey is a dangerous receiver as is; imagine what he could do on wide-open looks like these. Players like McCleskey can turn a simple five-yard reception into a fifty-yard touchdown. Just like any RPO, these route combo attachments put heavy stress on the defense and makes them pay for overplaying the run.

Prevent negative run plays? Check. Give the offense a chance for easy yards? Check. Allow McCleskey to rack up yards on easy receptions? Check. Give McCleskey the opportunity to succeed in his sophomore season and he should be ready to capitalize. Now we just have to wait and see if he’s given that chance.

How would you use a player like Jalen McCleskey? Put your opinions in the comments below.