Watch Riley break down “Elegant Simplicity”
Noah Riley’s journey from offense to defense and back again with the Baltimore Ravens gave him a rare, 360-degree view of football. Working under Todd Monken, he’s honed a sharp perspective on what makes an offense click in today’s NFL. At a recent clinic, Riley shared five rock-solid principles that power elite offenses, no matter the playbook. It all starts with one core idea: put players first.
1. Build Around Your Stars
“It seems obvious,” Riley says, “but it’s a skill to keep your best players doing what they do best, every single snap.”
Look at the Eagles—they lean hard into zone read to unleash their run game. Dallas schemes up screens, motions, and catch-and-run plays to keep CeeDee Lamb untouchable. These teams don’t just call plays; they build around their playmakers. When your scheme shifts snap to snap, defenses can’t lock in—they’re stuck chasing a moving target with your top talent at the heart.
2. Fundamentals Shape Who You Are
Winning offenses have a clear vibe, and it shows up every week on tape. The 49ers roll with tight formations and receivers who block like linemen. Kansas City flies with speed, quick throws, and RPOs. Baltimore hammers downhill gap schemes that crush soft edges.
“Fundamentals scream toughness,” Riley says. “It’s not always about pancaking guys—it’s about catching fast and going. That’s your edge.”
3. Keep It Simple, But Deadly
John Harbaugh calls it “elegant simplicity”—don’t pile on plays, make the ones you have unstoppable.
“You’re not just running plays,” Riley explains. “You’re building plays with answers baked in.”
This means teaching concepts, not rigid roles. Receivers learn spots, not just “X” or “Z.” Backs and linemen master techniques that work across gap schemes, whether it’s a wrap or trap look. The play stays the same, but the disguise changes.
“It’s about everything looking identical—until it’s not,” Riley says.
Take the Bucs or Sean McVay’s system: they mask wide zone and bootlegs with matching splits, stems, and backfield moves. Bite on one, and they’re already hitting you with the other.
4. Win Before the Snap
Riley splits pre-snap strategy into two buckets: chaos and premium looks. Washington’s no-huddle and messy sets force defensive errors. Dallas uses motion to hide who’s getting the ball, keeping Lamb in great matchups. The Chiefs’ formations yank defenders out of their comfort zone, making DBs tackle or blitzers pause.
“It’s not just tempo or formations,” Riley says. “It’s how you use them to get the answers you need.”
5. Play the Moment, Not the Playbook
Context is king. Kansas City might skip pounding the rock in short yardage, opting for shovels or shifts instead. Denver, with shaky protection, leans on dash passes and moving throws. Buffalo? Once Joe Brady took over from Ken Dorsey, he stopped leaning on Josh Allen’s heroics every play—turnovers dropped, and the offense clicked.
“You don’t need to run it every down,” Riley says, “but you’ve got to manage risk.”
Even a wizard like Patrick Mahomes saves his big swings for key moments. First down? Short passes. Third down? That’s when he flips on the highlight-reel magic.
Game Planning: It’s All About Matchups
When Riley dives into film, he’s not just scouting weaknesses—he’s hunting leverage. Field vs. boundary. Strong side vs. back. Front vs. tight end. From there, he schemes to tilt the scales:
- Can you force a DB to stop the run?
- Can you slide into a weak edge defender?
- Can you make a corner cover a crack-back block?
“We don’t win by sketching plays on a board,” Riley says. “But we’ve shut down tough teams by taking away their bread and butter.”
He loves using tempo against Seattle’s fire zones or fast motion to throw off Cleveland’s hard-charging linebackers. Every move forces the defense to react, not dictate.
The Bottom Line: Versatility Beats Volume
As Noah Riley climbs the coaching ranks with the Ravens, his message is spreading. Today’s NFL offenses don’t need a phone-book-sized call sheet—they need adaptability. Empower players, disguise schemes, and break tendencies before they take root.
“Elegant simplicity” isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the path to mastery.
This article was inspired by “Noah Riley – Principles of Game Planning”
