NFL Pass Concepts: Mesh Dagger Variation

The Mesh Dagger variation is another concept I like. I have done numerous posts about combining concepts and this one is no different. The mesh-dagger concept is one of my favorites. It is very similar to traditional dagger in the read process, except you have a mesh underneath.

The Route Concept

The concept is run 3x1. The concept is excellent and very similar to dagger except you are adding a mesh component to it. The read is very similar for the QB which ties into some of the route concepts you may be running. You can run it from a bunch look, inside stack and any way you want to align the 3 inside players

#1 WR runs the dig
#2 WR runs the mesh 
#3 WR runs the thru route
#1 weak runs the mesh the other way
RB runs a swing

You can vary who does what but this is one of the ways.

The Seahawks run it the same way but motion to it.

Cardinals Empty variation

Strong side 
#1 wr runs the mesh
#2 wr runs the dig
#3 wr runs the thru
weakside
#2 runs the mesh
#1 runs a go route

Advantages of the concept and Read:

1. It is good against any zone: cover 2, cover 4, 6 or cover 3 variations.  The read is the same, read the alley player(curl, flat defender. You read the dig to the mesh route coming in that direction.  It is also effective vs cover 1 defenses.

2. The safeties and cb are taken care of by the post and dig by #1 and the #2 wr and this opens the dig window.

3. It is excellent vs man and can be run it vs some type of inside stack formation. This usually creates some type of soft coverage and again the reads are the same. 

4. It is a great route to run with 6 man protection. You can handle most 5 man pressures and the shallow cross is a great man beater if it's a 5 man pressure with man principles. There is no sit down and he usually can get open on the crossing route.

5. When you hit the shallow it allows the wr to catch the ball full speed with room to make more plays in the open field.

Let’s look at some clips!

1st Example Lions

The Lions run it with #3 and #1 weak as the crossers with the dagger concept on the outside. The read doesn’t change.

The mike runs with the thru route and the will jumps the crosser which makes it an easy read for the QB.

The dagger route opens up with the dig because the LB jumps the crosser.

Film

Cardinals run it out of empty with a bunch look to the trips side.

The defense is in cover 2 with a hole defender, the Curl defender drops taking away the dig which opens the mesh route on the shallow.

Film #1

Next Example:

The defense is in man free and they try to swap and switch off on the mesh. The mesh to the playside and the primary read becomes open so they throw it.

Film #2

Watch the confusion with the DB’s

Additional Film Clips

I hope you enjoyed this article and use the route in your offensive system. It is relatively easy to teach and tie into your system