The swing Pass
 

Why the swing pass to the RB is so hard to defend. Granted, I love it when Reggie breaks one for 10-15 yards. But it seems like the spy on the back should be able to come up and pick that thing for six every time!

If i'm a linebacker assigned to the RB, i'm following him to the outside, if I see his head looking back i'm taking off as if they are throwing to him.

More times than not, that play is good for at least 6-8 yards.

Only reason I think of this is I see the Rams doing this a lot if Jackson plays sunday!!

Re: The swing Pass
 

Well, good point that a spy should be able to pick that pass off. The problem is not many linebackers can even think about covering a guy like Reggie Bush, and Brees is usually good enough at reading defenses not to throw that pass if the LB plays it right. If a LB has a tendency to take off, a good pump fake would leave a guy like Bush wide open. Then a guy like Bush has nothing but open field and a potential TD. So far I would say teams are doing OK at defending Bush in the passing game.

Re: The swing Pass
 

He seems to do well with it. But as soon as Reggie and the O-Line get on the same page they will be able to run alot also.

Re: The swing Pass
 

QBREES I see your point and I've thought about that too. I agree with MathewT, it seems the defenses we've played would rather play the containment than go for the pick.
But then you look at a team like the RAMS 0-8, what do they really have to lose? We're probably gonna see them take some chances for big plays on both sides of the ball.

Re: The swing Pass
 

What makes you think that Bush and the J5 are not on the same page? In the last 4 games Reggie has broken off several long runs running inside the tackles. The lack of consistency comes from a lack of playcalling, not execution.

17 for 72 yards is 4.2 YPC. That's respectable.

SFIAH

Re: The swing Pass
 

The swing pass works for a few reasons. First, they usually run it out of a two-tight or three wide single back set. Generally speaking either the MLB in a two tight or weakside LB in a 3-wide will have back responsibility (especially in a nickle set). These guys can't beat Reggie to the corner.

Also, the pass is behind the LOS so the Center can go downfield and block these linebackers.