When NFL teams install a new offense, everyone searches for the flashy additions. They also look for new formations, new motions, and new personnel packages. The reality for the Philadelphia Eagles and other NFL teams is usually simpler. Most offensive coordinators build their systems around a handful of concepts they trust.
The plays may change from week to week, but the core ideas remain constant. As the preseason winds down, one trend has become increasingly difficult to ignore. Sean Mannion appears to have a strong appreciation for crossing routes.
That isn't a complaint. In fact, it may be one of the more encouraging developments of the summer. With each practice and preseason game, the evidence continues to pile up. Film studies, such as Devin
Jackson's, have highlighted backside-crossing routes in Mannion's bootleg package. Mesh concepts featuring shallow crossers have surfaced repeatedly. Even in vanilla preseason game plans, certain ideas continue revealing themselves.
Crossing routes can create answers for Jalen Hurts in the Eagles' offense.
Now, we all understand we've seen vanilla schemes during the preseason. Perhaps Mannion has put things on film so he can trick opposing defensive coordinators later. Still, we've seen Tanner McKee find Darius Cooper on a crossing pattern against the New England Patriots. Britain Covey has worked underneath traffic. Receivers are finding space during training camp practices.
The concept has surfaced consistently. It has possibly become one of the easiest ways to identify what Mannion wants his offense to accomplish. One reason crossing concepts remain popular throughout the NFL is their versatility. Against man coverage, they force defenders to navigate traffic while chasing receivers across the field.
Against zone coverage, they create natural stress points between defenders responsible for passing routes, forcing them to switch from one zone to another. Just as importantly, they provide quarterbacks with defined reads. That helps Jalen Hurts, and it is especially useful when installing a new offense. Rather than asking a passer to hold the ball and work through an entire progression, crossing concepts often create quick, high-percentage opportunities that keep the offense on schedule.
It's no coincidence that some of Tanner McKee's most efficient throws during the preseason have come on those types of plays. The concept also fits Philadelphia's roster. Guys who can create in space can become dangerous working across the middle of the field, especially if they can bounce off defenders or break tackles after the catch.
DeVonta Smith's route-running allows him to create separation at multiple depths. Dallas Goedert has spent years punishing defenses that lose track of him between the numbers. Even some of the younger players seem well-suited to the approach.
The Eagles have personnel built for this approach.
Darius Cooper continues to gain momentum. He generated one of Philadelphia's better offensive plays against New England during the second preseason gameafter catching a short crosser and creating additional yardage. Makai Lemon's agility and run-after-catch ability couldeventually make him another natural fit.
The preseason rarely reveals an entire offensive philosophy. Coaches intentionally keep large portions of the playbook hidden until the games begin to count. Still, patterns emerge. As Mannion continues shaping his first Eagles offense, crossing routes have appeared often enough to suggest they aren't merely a preseason coincidence. They may be one of the foundational concepts around which Philadelphia intends to build its attack. If that's the case, the Eagles already own the personnel to make those plays a major part of their offensive identity.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Crossing routes could be a staple of Eagles' offense under Sean Mannion
