My Understanding? of the Receiver Positions

[yazoo]

South Carolina Receiver Position Designations

The 2012 football season practices for the South Carolina Gamecocks began about ten days ago. The players are giving the media short interviews about the practices.

Mostly, the media seems focused on discerning the depth chart. I am not sure why. It is so early that even the players themselves are not really sure about who will play the most in the August 30 opening game at Vanderbilt. The nationally televised ESPN game is scheduled to start at 7 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

When interviewing receivers, the reporters ask what position the receiver is playing. They answer by saying "Z" or "X" or "B." Some of the reporters, whose job it is to cover football, are confused and the receivers have to explain.

The chart below was made based on Spurrier's Florida Fun-N-Gun playbook. The receiver positions are diagrammed here with eight formations. This post attempts to evaluate these positions and speculates about how they might be applicable to the 2012 Gamecock receivers.

Ace Sanders is now playing Alshon's old position, the X position. This has the media confused because Alshon was big and rangy while Ace is smaller and quicker. Does this mean the character of Spurrier's offense has taken on a new dimension?

It seems to me that the answer to why Alshon played X is pretty simple. The X receiver is designated in every Fun-N-Gun formation. That probably remains true now in Spurrier's evolving offense. It makes sense that the Gamecocks best receiver would play X. A talented receiver like Alshon had to play X. Anything else and Spurrier would be stupid.

Because the X receiver plays in many formations, that player needs to have a great understanding of the offensive playbook. According to reports, Ace is now the best of the returning Gamecock receivers. He, according to most of the receivers who have been interviewed, is teaching other receivers the playbook, where to lineup, how to read defenses, etc. Ace is also a more natural X because of his size disparity with Alshon. Spurrier Junior stated that he likes Ace at X because, "The outside guy gets a little more freedom."

Reporters want to know if Ace will take Alshon's role as a go-to receiver this season. Ace shot that idea down by stating that, "Nobody is looking to be Alshon. Everyone is trying to be our own identity." Spurrier Junior said he hopes that four receivers can be go-to guys.

According to Damiere Byrd, Bruce Ellington and he are playing the Z position. This is pretty interesting because the Z position is the slot receiver in many formations. The slot receiver is often called upon to block a linebacker or a strong safety on running plays. Spurrier Junior stated in a recent interview that, "the Z player has to be a better blocker."

Clearly, the smaller guys like Byrd or even Ellington will have a tough time blocking against bigger athletes, who can toss them aside like rag dolls. The media hones in on that blocking issue. It seems like they are second guessing the coaches' position selection for the players. But Spurrier Junior defended Byrd's blocking ability saying, "He tougher than you think he is."

Moreover, The size advantage defenders enjoy on running plays is a disadvantage on passing plays. Ace described it as a "mismatch." Spurrier Junior said he likes Byrd at Z because defenders have a tough time, "getting their hands on him." Additionally, the diagram shows that twenty-five percent of formations has the Z is often split out into a wide receiver position. So, while the Z receiver is mostly in the slot, sometimes he is not. Throw in motion, and shifting, and you can see how this could make defending a small, quick Z receiver difficult for a big safety or linebacker.

The chart also indicates the X and Z will be on the field in many formations. Thus, you want your second best receiver starting at the Z position so he is playing a lot. The South Carolina depth chart, shows the X at the top, and the Z as the second set of receivers.

The B receiver position are shown in the third set on the depth chart. A B receiver is on the field for only twenty-five percent of the Fun-N-Gun formations. Thus, B receivers play only when the offense is set wide-open into a passing formation. How often this will happen in 2012 considering the Gamecock running attack and tight ends remains to be seen.

The Y and S receivers indicate formations for the tight ends and running backs. South Carolina's offense will feature tight ends and running backs a lot this year due to the talent at those positions.

The coaches have seemed somewhat excited about two freshman tight ends, Jerrell Adams and Drew Owens. Coupled with Justice Cunningham and Buster Anderson, a receiver who had several big plays last year, the sky could be the limit at Y receiver. Does that mean the Y receivers will see the field more often than the B? Most probably.

Obviously, with five pretty decent running backs, people are also talking about a two back setup. If that happens, the B receiver spot may not see as much action.

South Carolina Receiver Position Designations

[Loathor]

A++ Would read again.

[Gamecockfanatic4]

huh I thought Ace, Ellington and Byrd were all practicing in the slot?

[PageUSC]

Originally Posted by Gamecockfanatic4

huh I thought Ace, Ellington and Byrd were all practicing in the slot?

Ace is going to the X

[crowcutta]

going into the season, but they moved ace to x with ellington currently running with the one's in the slot and byrd behind them. iono what ellington weighs now but the 5'9 197 listed size is basically tailback size. hes not as slight as sanders or byrd in a blocking matchup.

[AtlGAMECOCK]

i played wr in high school and i understand the players u would think writers that cover this everyday would as well.

[Ace Dilcock]

Bruce is very strong for his size. He was basically a power PG in b-ball that used his strength to overpower opponents. His lack of height will just help with leverage on blocks.

I think that Bruce plays a lot in running situations. Byrd will play in passing situations and can be used to stretch the field and create space underneath for TEs and RBs.

[yazoo]

Originally Posted by AtlGAMECOCK

i played wr in high school and i understand the players u would think writers that cover this everyday would as well.

I think it's the terminology X, Z, and B that throws people. Some of the writers might understand it. However, not all of them are completely in the loop.

What I find interesting about it, is the PT element of the positions. I didn't know that until I found the playbook diagram, and then put two and two together.

Of course, I could be completely off base. I appreciate your comments on this post.

Originally Posted by Loathor

A++ Would read again.

Thank you.

[CoverTwo]

Pretty good breakdown there.

Jody Fuller is the most prototypical Z we have but he is inconsistent right now. He fits the body type to the T though and he has a bright future. He will end up being the starter there in the near future.

We have got to start getting more production from the B receiver. Brent, Moore, Jones, Smith .. one of those guys has got to step up when their number is called. Bubba said that they are going to make a concentrated effort to get the ball thrown their way more this year.

I personally don't think Sanders is going to stick at the X. I think he is a temporary placement until Roland comes around. Everyone knows that Shaq is the future there.

For those that are wondering:

X - Sanders, Roland, D. Smith, Jeffery
B - Moore, Brent, Jones, K. Smith
Z - Ellington, Byrd, Fuller

[Gamecock Rob]

Awesome write up. Thanks!

[gamecock82]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Pretty good breakdown there.

Jody Fuller is the most prototypical Z we have but he is inconsistent right now. He fits the body type to the T though and he has a bright future. He will end up being the starter there in the near future.

We have got to start getting more production from the B receiver. Brent, Moore, Jones, Smith .. one of those guys has got to step up when their number is called. Bubba said that they are going to make a concentrated effort to get the ball thrown their way more this year.

I personally don't think Sanders is going to stick at the X. I think he is a temporary placement until Roland comes around. Everyone knows that Shaq is the future there.

For those that are wondering:

X - Sanders, Roland, D. Smith, Jeffery
B - Moore, Brent, Jones, K. Smith
Z - Ellington, Byrd, Fuller

Why is jeffery so far back i thought he was doing well???

[cocky2476]

roland reminds me of jermele kelly.

[Gamecocktuck]

Originally Posted by AtlGAMECOCK

i played wr in high school and i understand the players u would think writers that cover this everyday would as well.

Most writers do not even understand simple pass routes.

This was a good write up and much appreciated. I learned a good deal by reading and studying the diagrams.

[Gamecocktuck]

Originally Posted by gamecock82

Why is jeffery so far back i thought he was doing well???

He is just behind a couple that have much more experience and one that just has incredible talent. Playing QB in HS didn't do him any favors as to his development. Give him another year for sure and he'll break into the rotation.

[AtlGAMECOCK]

Originally Posted by yazoo

I think it's the terminology X, Z, and B that throws people. Some of the writers might understand it. However, not all of them are completely in the loop.

What I find interesting about it, is the PT element of the positions. I didn't know that until I found the playbook diagram, and then put two and two together.

Of course, I could be completely off base. I appreciate your comments on this post.



Thank you.

U did a great breakdown for anyone that doesn't know. I just find it funny that a writer that watches practice ( i guess they watch it) everyday can't put two and two together .

[ReCOCKulous]

Am I the only one who watches a football game and pretends to press the corresponding game controller button to receivers I see that are open. I also mime the hit stick for tackles and use the boost button. I'm not the only one, right? Right?

[reddot8481]

So basically we are in the exact opposite situation we were in not 3 years ago, with short speedsters to the outside and the taller receivers/TEs on the inside. I'm expecting a good deal of motions and crossing routes to create mismatches within the Defensive secondary. Scatter....

[YouCanNeverTell]

Originally Posted by CoverTwo

Pretty good breakdown there.

Jody Fuller is the most prototypical Z we have but he is inconsistent right now. He fits the body type to the T though and he has a bright future. He will end up being the starter there in the near future.

We have got to start getting more production from the B receiver. Brent, Moore, Jones, Smith .. one of those guys has got to step up when their number is called. Bubba said that they are going to make a concentrated effort to get the ball thrown their way more this year.

I personally don't think Sanders is going to stick at the X. I think he is a temporary placement until Roland comes around. Everyone knows that Shaq is the future there.

For those that are wondering:

X - Sanders, Roland, D. Smith, Jeffery
B - Moore, Brent, Jones, K. Smith
Z - Ellington, Byrd, Fuller

I agree with you about Ace. If/when Shaq catches up Ace will move to the slot. Personally I want to see a taller longer guy in that X spot. I'd also like to see Anderson line up in the slot with Justice at TE some. I think it would help with blocking on those zone reads and give us another big body target downfield.

[Regalcock]

Originally Posted by cocky2476

roland reminds me of jermele kelly.

I don't. Kelly was a good bit taller if i remeber correctly , ran great routes, and had only avg speed. They both have excellent hands though.
U
I do see shaq as the future at "X" as covertwo said. This is a very good thread.

[CockySpaniel]

Originally Posted by ReCOCKulous

Am I the only one who watches a football game and pretends to press the corresponding game controller button to receivers I see that are open. I also mime the hit stick for tackles and use the boost button. I'm not the only one, right? Right?