Whatever Happened To The Curl Route/Button Hook or Hitch?

[BillsImpossible]

When is the last time you saw an NFL wide receiver or tight end run a button hook route?

I'm presuming that everyone here knows what a curl route is....a receiver runs 10 to 15 yards, stops abruptly and then runs back 3 or 4 yards for a catch.

You don't see it very often, why not?

If a wide receiver can stop on a dime, and run back towards a pass, one would think that a button hook/curl route would be the most difficult to defend.

So why isn't it used more often?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curl_(route)

[Mace]

Bills receivers run them all the time, except they run out 15 yards, then run back 14 and either linger along the line, try to draw defenders away from a running lane for the QB, try to block someone when he runs, or catch a sweet pass at the line of scrimmage for no yards because all the defenders are already there anyway, except for at least one guy running around in the open downfield waving his arms with no one near him (he was probably running the wrong route and wasn't 1 of the 2 reads).

[IlluminatusUIUC]

That was basically Nate Hackett's entire offense with EJ

[BillsImpossible]

That was basically Nate Hackett's entire offense with EJ

lol, good one Illuminatus.

[DraftBoy]

You gotta have a QB and WR who know how to run the route right. Neither EJ or Tyrod are the ideal QB for those types of routes.

[ICRockets]

I wonder why anyone runs anything BUT the curl route against Gilmore. I've never once seen him cover it properly.

[DraftBoy]

I wonder why anyone runs anything BUT the curl route against Gilmore. I've never once seen him cover it properly.

Technically the route, if run correctly, should be unstoppable against man coverage. The WR should sell the fly route so hard that the CB flips his hips. Once that happens, roughly 7-9 yards into the route, the WR should break the route off and hitch. Should give him 2-3 yards of separation every time. The QB should throw the ball before the WR hitches the route at the end of his three step drop.

[DynaPaul]

Isn't that the whole Patriots offense along with the WR screen with blockers in front and the infamous pick plays?

[Pinkerton Security]

When is the last time you saw an NFL wide receiver or tight end run a button hook route?

This route is probably run 30 times every single game in the NFL - wonderful observation there Copernicus.

[Homegrown]

The "Simms to Bavaro" curl route was unstoppable in Tecmo Bowl .....

[The King]

Edelman runs this a ton.

[Turf]

Better question in Buffalo is what ever happened to the quick hitter slant pattern.

[jimmifli]

Technically the route, if run correctly, should be unstoppable against man coverage. The WR should sell the fly route so hard that the CB flips his hips. Once that happens, roughly 7-9 yards into the route, the WR should break the route off and hitch. Should give him 2-3 yards of separation every time. The QB should throw the ball before the WR hitches the route at the end of his three step drop.
That's essentially Tom Brady, except instead of curls/hooks it's a route that leaves the WR running parallel with the LoS or a slant. And it's often paired with a pick or some other type of interference. And last but not least if the WR detects zone they just sit down and collect 200 before passing go. Put it all together for an 85% completion rate on short throws.

Start sitting on the short stuff and they'll nail you with double moves because their line can actually pass block. And if you blitz, well **** this is a bills board that has seen enough of that.

Timing wins.

[Mr. Pink]

Watch other games, you'll see that stuff like this hasn't left the NFL.

[YardRat]

Well, at least this explains the 'Cardale Jones is the Bills next Franchise QB' thread. A lot.

[DraftBoy]

That's essentially Tom Brady, except instead of curls/hooks it's a route that leaves the WR running parallel with the LoS or a slant. And it's often paired with a pick or some other type of interference. And last but not least if the WR detects zone they just sit down and collect 200 before passing go. Put it all together for an 85% completion rate on short throws.

Start sitting on the short stuff and they'll nail you with double moves because their line can actually pass block. And if you blitz, well **** this is a bills board that has seen enough of that.

Timing wins.

Timing, anticipation, and the ability to read a defense are some of the most important traits in a QB.