Inside the Mornhinweg Playbook: Jeff Cumberland for a 34 Yard TD: Week 4

Sep 29, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; New York Jets tight end

(87) breaks a tackle attempt by Tennessee Titans safety

(33) on his way to a touchdown during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jets 38-13. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning Jets’ fans. It’s a new week, so while we wait for the free agency period to begin on Tuesday afternoon, let’s go back to the video tape, and go “Inside the Mornhinweg Playbook”.

Each week on Sunday morning, we are going back to a well-executed offensive play from the 2013 season. We break the play down, talk about how it worked, and the fact that we want to see more of it come 2014.

This week, we head back to the game against the Titans. In this play, we are going to see the “West Coast” offense at work, as well as seeing a flash of why the Jets are bringing back Jeff Cumberland with a new three-year contract.

As always, let’s set the play up. This was from the fourth quarter of the game, after the Titans has established a sizeable lead.

Geno Smith is lined up in the shotgun, with one back lined up next to him.  There are two receivers line up to the right, circled in black, that are running their men deep.  The wide receiver to the left is running a short slant rout to the inside.  Jeff Cumberland is the receiver the ball is going to, circled in green.  He runs a short slant route as well coming out of his tight end position on the right side.  Let’s move the tape forward just a little.

The three receivers circled in black are clearly not open. Cumberland, circled in green, looks initially covered as well. But, Geno is going to make a great throw here, following the dotted line, essentially throwing Cumberland open. Here is what Geno sees…….

From this angle, you can see, and Geno can see as well, that Cumberland has the inside position on the defender. Smith knows if he leads Cumberland to the inside, he can hit him in stride, and the play can have big results. Take a look:

Geno makes a perfect throw, just past the outstretched arms of the defender. He hits Cumberland in stride, and he is off to the races.

34 yards later, after making one guy miss (lying on the ground), it’s a touchdown for the New York Jets.

Again, we see the Marty playbook at work here.  There are several passing options sent out in the pass pattern, the flagship characteristic of a West Coast offense.  Then, with the ball in his hands, we see Jeff Cumberland use his athleticism to get to the end zone.

Now this is something we can look forward to.