We have talked multiple times before about the problems a Tight End causes with the Inside Zone Scheme. By adding an extra gap, the defense must bring another defender down to deal with the run threat. This can make for a powerful run game but can also open up the RPO world with our Wall Tag.
Wall Tag off of Inside Zone with a Tight-end
We believe in keeping our tags as simple and universal as possible. We keep our tags the same across all of our schemes. Whenever we use a wall tag it means that the line will be blocking the C gap player and the Quarterback will move his read to the linebacker. We have found that the majority of defenses are capable of dealing with this tag and RPOs from a set with 4 wide receivers and no Tight Ends. Once the offense puts a Tight End into the formation things get significantly more difficult for the defense.
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We will run the Wall Tag from a Tight End on the Backside and keep everything the same. The rules will stay the same for all receivers. As a result it is a very simple install and looks like a completely different play to the defense.
In addition this extra lineman causes the defense to respond differently to the formation. One of the top ways to defeat the Wall Tag against a 4 receiver look is to stunt and twist the defensive linemen. With the addition of the Tight End the defense is less likely to make any stunts.
Adding a Tight End while running the Wall Tag from Inside Zone is a great way to add window dressing and offer different fronts to the defense while still keeping things very simple for your players.