Billick's basketball team
It's interesting how we always used to talk about receivers and their roles as X, Z and slot and how you needed your point guard possession guy (slot), your power forward (Z) and your speed guy (X). Obviously our offense has changed quite a bit since the days of Moss, Carter and Billick, but this basketball analogy from Daniel Jeremiah really nails it.
"Coach (Brian) Billick used to always say it and we used to talk about it all the time on the podcast, which is you build out a basketball team of receivers. You want guys with different skill sets, different sizes, you know, different speed. All that stuff. You just wanted a basketball team. Then, kind of with the Shanahan system, you kind of see more, we want guys that are interchangeable. They can play every spot, and they're real versatile in that way. So, two different schools of thought around the league."
I think as we see more and more offenses from the Shanahan tree, it probably explains why we're seeing fewer oversized receivers and more average size guys with speed who run precision routes. You can put them anywhere and mix them up at will.
“A gentleman is someone who can play the accordion, but doesn't." - Tom Waits
I would not mind a DK Metcalf or AJ Brown. Both are big guys who can run. Then there is Tyreek, Deebo, Michael Thomas, ... Anybody who can make explosive plays will do.
100% agree. You also have to have an OC or HC who is able to adjust their offense based on the WR/TE group. Ok, we dont have top end Tyreek Hill speed but we have great route runners in JJ and AT. Maybe that means we draft a receiver with insane speed or we draft another with great route running.
An athletic TE really can open up an offense if you have versatile threats at RB and WR.
@"Hawkvike25" said: 100% agree. You also have to have an OC or HC who is able to adjust their offense based on the WR/TE group. Ok, we dont have top end Tyreek Hill speed but we have great route runners in JJ and AT. Maybe that means we draft a receiver with insane speed or we draft another with great route running.IMO, route running is, by far, the most underrated quality in a receiver. I don't know how many busts the NFL needs from speed-only guys like Ruggs, Ross, Coleman, Fuller, Perriman, Williamson, before it realizes that the corners in the NFL are pretty fast too and the only way they can get open is by running a great route.
@"MaroonBells" said:Not just that the dbs are fast, but if they know where you are going, they can beat you to that spot. Film study is so critical in the NFL and not having tells is the key.@"Hawkvike25" said: 100% agree. You also have to have an OC or HC who is able to adjust their offense based on the WR/TE group. Ok, we dont have top end Tyreek Hill speed but we have great route runners in JJ and AT. Maybe that means we draft a receiver with insane speed or we draft another with great route running. IMO, route running is, by far, the most underrated quality in a receiver. I don't know how many busts the NFL needs from speed-only guys like Ruggs, Ross, Coleman, Fuller, Perriman, Williamson, before it realizes that the corners in the NFL are pretty fast too and the only way they can get open is by running a great route.
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