The tight end leak concept is one of the most devastating pass plays in the modern NFL canon. This is largely because of the repopularization of the Mike Shanahan and Alex Gibbs run scheme, which includes a hefty diet of hard, downhill running to the outside. On most variations of the leak concept, a tight end is blocking “down,” or toward the direction of the running play. The tight end then emerges as a pass catcher, running what appears to be a low “drag” style route close to the line of scrimmage before drifting vertically once the linebacker or safety assigned to the tight end has committed to the shallow route.
This is a fun play with lots of potential to hang various bells and whistles off it. Here’s the University of Texas running a myriad of misdirections that totally scramble Iowa State’s front, unwrapping this defense like a Christmas present.
