In the past, I've coach defense for many teams over the years and the hardest offenses to defend were always split back formations with 3 WRs. Its really a great offensive concept with many options in the passing and running game. For two reasons these type offenses give defenses issues schematically and personnel wise.
First, schematically split back sets causes the defense to have balance alignments and limits the type of overload pressures you can bring in passing downs. Its harder to bring a guy of the edge if the offense can dump it over the blitz in the flat and nullify the pressure and get a back in the open field against a ILB or SS. Along with the 3 wide it forces defenses to keep the safety over top and doesn't allow the SS to bring a lot of backside pressures. It also, provides more protection on pass plays for the QB.
Secondly and very simply it causes a defense to use their base defense for most of the game, because the stress of a two backs in the backfield and 3 wide it hard to run much sub packages. It honestly, can generate so many mismatches in the run and pass game.
This is just my thoughts from coaching experiences, would love to hear other ideas.
First, schematically split back sets causes the defense to have balance alignments and limits the type of overload pressures you can bring in passing downs. Its harder to bring a guy of the edge if the offense can dump it over the blitz in the flat and nullify the pressure and get a back in the open field against a ILB or SS. Along with the 3 wide it forces defenses to keep the safety over top and doesn't allow the SS to bring a lot of backside pressures. It also, provides more protection on pass plays for the QB.
Secondly and very simply it causes a defense to use their base defense for most of the game, because the stress of a two backs in the backfield and 3 wide it hard to run much sub packages. It honestly, can generate so many mismatches in the run and pass game.
This is just my thoughts from coaching experiences, would love to hear other ideas.
