Inside the Morninweg Playbook: Geno Smith to David Nelson for the TD: Week 16

Dec 22, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver

(86) celebrates his touchdown catch during the second half of their game against the Cleveland Browns at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Browns 24-13. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Back to the 17 part series, “Inside the Mornhinweg Playbook”. Each week, we breakdown a play from the great Marty Mornhinweg’s playbook, one that was successful of course, and look at how it worked. Basically, why we hope to see more of it in 2014.

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This week, we are up to week 16, when the Jets took on the Cleveland Browns. In this one, which the Jets won 24-13, Geno Smith connected with David Nelson on two touchdown passes. We are going to look at the first one, because Geno showed some exciting pin-point accuracy. Let’s set it up.

Here we go.  Geno Smith is lined up in the gun, with three receivers stacked to the right, and two to the left.  David Nelson, circled, is the primary target here.  Nelson is going to run a post pattern, where you take it forward like a go route,and then cut towards the goalpost.  The other two receivers to the right are going to run towards the corner, simply drawing attention away from Nelson.  The slot receiver to the left is going to run a corner run, to the back pylon.  Kerley, wide left, starts running a hitch route, but then runs across the formation.

The Browns only rush four, so they are expecting the pass.  Watch how Geno beats it.

The five receivers are into their routes at this point, including David Nelson, who is in the circle. Like we always said, the West Coast offense is all about many options to throw to.

\nHere is where it gets good. Geno Smith is locked in on David Nelson from the start, but it still works, thanks to an accurate and well-timed throw. Take a look at Nelson for a second. He is making his cut right now. But Geno is not throwing to Nelson’s body, he is throwing to the circle in the endzone, where Nelson is going to end up. That’s the West Coast offense in a nutshell; throw to a spot before the defense can react. How did it work out?

The first of two touchdowns on the day for Nelson, on the way to a 24-13 win.

See? The West Coast offense executed beautifully. The Jets will have a special quarterback in their midst if Geno can do that consistently.