X,Y, & Z Receivers

Rugby Saint II · 05-29-2021, 02:30 PM

While it's slow let's discuss the X, Y, & Z position and who we have on the roster with the skill set to play each position and why. Also, I'm a little fuzzy about what each receiver position is expected to do and where they line up. I'm a rugby player who never played football but I've learned a lot of the X's and O's of football here on the BNG!

It's time for a refresher. Please chime in with your thoughts about each position and the player who can best fill that spot and why. Not everyone is an expert but we have some knowledgeable posters. Then everyone would have a better idea how the depth chart shakes out and why before the season starts. Thanks. Go Saints!

SmashMouth · 05-29-2021, 02:43 PM

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The Dude · 05-29-2021, 03:12 PM

Y’all should do a thread a week breaking down the different position groups and their individual responsibilities. Would be great for the few on the board who want a better understanding for the game. Great thread topic Rug.

Boston Saint · 05-29-2021, 03:25 PM

It’s X,Y, and Z if you have an X-box. It’s Triangle, Square, and Circle if you ave a Playstation ! 🤪

SmashMouth · 05-29-2021, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by The Dude

Y’all should do a thread a week breaking down the different position groups and their individual responsibilities. Would be great for the few on the board who want a better understanding for the game. Great thread topic Rug.

I nominate Rez and JP !

rezburna · 05-29-2021, 08:12 PM

The X is usually your main guy.

The Y is your slot guy or your TE.

The Z stretches the field.

The roles aren’t necessarily written in stone, but that’s how it goes in theory.

The best example was our Super Bowl team.

Colston was our X receiver back in the day. He was big, and the X lines up on the ball so he has to be able to beat the press. That’s why they like big, strong receivers to play the X.

Devery Henderson was our Z. He was fast. He could stretch the defense and open things up underneath.

Then you had Lance Moore. He was more of a Y, but he could play some Z too. We saw that a lot. Colston at the X, Moore at the Y. More definitely wasn’t an X though.

Robert Meachem was a Z that was built like a X and probably had the potential to be one. It just never happened. I thought he would be a superstar, but I digress.

We took Dante Stallworth in the first round but everything about his skill set screamed Z. WR2. Same for Brandin Cooks...Cooks really screamed slot guy, but Z works since he’s off the line and it isn’t as easy to press.

What’s special about people like a Julio Jones is...he can do all of those roles.

jeanpierre · 05-29-2021, 09:58 PM

What's so very different about the Saints is that we move our WRx into the slot to gain a match-up advantage particularly in red zone and 3rd down...

Now that the league has moved toward this WestCoast pass-happy league with nearly 3WR sets on most downs now, there's now a 4th receiver (WRslot)...

If the CB1 moves with our WRx (i.e. Colston, Thomas), then Sean is also able to take our WRx2, isolate on a SS or NB for a mismatch out on the perimeter...

If the CB1 stays zone, then you've got the elite-strength WRx Thomas on the inside slant out of the slot, usually getting some YAC to move the chains...

Last couple of years Brees typically never went through his X-Y-Z progression and just went with the short AirYards attempt to Thomas out of the slot...

When he had Lance Moore and Willie Snead the IV, he'd go pre-snap read/quick-release to opposite slot WR (opposite Colston who'd move to slot on 3rd)...

Colston and Thomas are the best WRx we've had as a franchise; Jimmy G and Hoby Brenner our best TEy; Brandon Cooks our best WRz along with Wes Chandler...

Eric Martin and Danny Abramowicz while playing the WRx, with elite hands, really were slot WRs; despite suspect routes/hands, Devery was our best value$ WRz...

rezburna · 05-30-2021, 07:36 AM

Originally Posted by jeanpierre

What's so very different about the Saints is that we move our WRx into the slot to gain a match-up advantage particularly in red zone and 3rd down...

Now that the league has moved toward this WestCoast pass-happy league with nearly 3WR sets on most downs now, there's now a 4th receiver (WRslot)...

If the CB1 moves with our WRx (i.e. Colston, Thomas), then Sean is also able to take our WRx2, isolate on a SS or NB for a mismatch out on the perimeter...

If the CB1 stays zone, then you've got the elite-strength WRx Thomas on the inside slant out of the slot, usually getting some YAC to move the chains...

Last couple of years Brees typically never went through his X-Y-Z progression and just went with the short AirYards attempt to Thomas out of the slot...

When he had Lance Moore and Willie Snead the IV, he'd go pre-snap read/quick-release to opposite slot WR (opposite Colston who'd move to slot on 3rd)...

Colston and Thomas are the best WRx we've had as a franchise; Jimmy G and Hoby Brenner our best TEy; Brandon Cooks our best WRz along with Wes Chandler...

Eric Martin and Danny Abramowicz while playing the WRx, with elite hands, really were slot WRs; despite suspect routes/hands, Devery was our best value$ WRz...

Devery was such a good pick up at the Z. He was never too expensive and he played his role perfectly. I thought Tre’Quan Smith would be the modern day version. One more year to see if he finally shows up.

dizzle88 · 05-30-2021, 07:59 AM

Originally Posted by rezburna

Devery was such a good pick up at the Z. He was never too expensive and he played his role perfectly. I thought Tre’Quan Smith would be the modern day version. One more year to see if he finally shows up.

Devery was so underrated it wasn't even funny.

Guy had lightning speed and he went from leading the league in drops, to being one of the most sure handed receivers we had from 08 onwards.

I think my favourite Devery play was the 78 yard TD vs Bears in 2011, he just flew past the LB and split the safeties too.

Trequan is the spitting image of one of my work colleagues, nice guy but has a look about him that says he doesn't know what to do half the time.

SmashMouth · 05-30-2021, 09:54 AM

What is Kamara's best role as a WR?

05-29-2021, 02:30 PM	#1
Rugby Saint II Bounty Money $$$ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 5800 Airline Dr. Metairie, LA. Posts: 23,725	X,Y, & Z Receivers While it's slow let's discuss the X, Y, & Z position and who we have on the roster with the skill set to play each position and why. Also, I'm a little fuzzy about what each receiver position is expected to do and where they line up. I'm a rugby player who never played football but I've learned a lot of the X's and O's of football here on the BNG! It's time for a refresher. Please chime in with your thoughts about each position and the player who can best fill that spot and why. Not everyone is an expert but we have some knowledgeable posters. Then everyone would have a better idea how the depth chart shakes out and why before the season starts. Thanks. Go Saints! jeanpierre likes this.
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05-29-2021, 03:12 PM	#3
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,006	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers Y’all should do a thread a week breaking down the different position groups and their individual responsibilities. Would be great for the few on the board who want a better understanding for the game. Great thread topic Rug. jeanpierre and Rugby Saint II like this.
The Dude 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 9,006

05-29-2021, 03:25 PM	#4
Boston Saint 1000 Posts + Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 4,869	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers It’s X,Y, and Z if you have an X-box. It’s Triangle, Square, and Circle if you ave a Playstation ! 🤪 jnormand, Rugby Saint II, The Dude and 1 others like this.

05-29-2021, 05:22 PM	#5
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 36,978 Blog Entries: 29	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers Originally Posted by The Dude Y’all should do a thread a week breaking down the different position groups and their individual responsibilities. Would be great for the few on the board who want a better understanding for the game. Great thread topic Rug. I nominate Rez and JP ! jeanpierre and rezburna like this.

05-29-2021, 08:12 PM	#6
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 7,650	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers The X is usually your main guy. The Y is your slot guy or your TE. The Z stretches the field. The roles aren’t necessarily written in stone, but that’s how it goes in theory. The best example was our Super Bowl team. Colston was our X receiver back in the day. He was big, and the X lines up on the ball so he has to be able to beat the press. That’s why they like big, strong receivers to play the X. Devery Henderson was our Z. He was fast. He could stretch the defense and open things up underneath. Then you had Lance Moore. He was more of a Y, but he could play some Z too. We saw that a lot. Colston at the X, Moore at the Y. More definitely wasn’t an X though. Robert Meachem was a Z that was built like a X and probably had the potential to be one. It just never happened. I thought he would be a superstar, but I digress. We took Dante Stallworth in the first round but everything about his skill set screamed Z. WR2. Same for Brandin Cooks...Cooks really screamed slot guy, but Z works since he’s off the line and it isn’t as easy to press. What’s special about people like a Julio Jones is...he can do all of those roles. MatthewT, Rsanders24, SmashMouth and 3 others like this.
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05-29-2021, 09:58 PM	#7
jeanpierre Site Donor 2018 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Thibodaux Posts: 43,543 Blog Entries: 39	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers What's so very different about the Saints is that we move our WRx into the slot to gain a match-up advantage particularly in red zone and 3rd down... Now that the league has moved toward this WestCoast pass-happy league with nearly 3WR sets on most downs now, there's now a 4th receiver (WRslot)... If the CB1 moves with our WRx (i.e. Colston, Thomas), then Sean is also able to take our WRx2, isolate on a SS or NB for a mismatch out on the perimeter... If the CB1 stays zone, then you've got the elite-strength WRx Thomas on the inside slant out of the slot, usually getting some YAC to move the chains... Last couple of years Brees typically never went through his X-Y-Z progression and just went with the short AirYards attempt to Thomas out of the slot... When he had Lance Moore and Willie Snead the IV, he'd go pre-snap read/quick-release to opposite slot WR (opposite Colston who'd move to slot on 3rd)... Colston and Thomas are the best WRx we've had as a franchise; Jimmy G and Hoby Brenner our best TEy; Brandon Cooks our best WRz along with Wes Chandler... Eric Martin and Danny Abramowicz while playing the WRx, with elite hands, really were slot WRs; despite suspect routes/hands, Devery was our best value$ WRz... MatthewT, saintsfan1976, SmashMouth and 1 others like this.
	It's not that my way is the right way, I just make the right way my way... Last edited by jeanpierre; 05-29-2021 at 10:30 PM..

05-30-2021, 07:36 AM	#8
rezburna 5000 POSTS! + Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Kenner, LA Posts: 7,650	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers Originally Posted by jeanpierre What's so very different about the Saints is that we move our WRx into the slot to gain a match-up advantage particularly in red zone and 3rd down... Now that the league has moved toward this WestCoast pass-happy league with nearly 3WR sets on most downs now, there's now a 4th receiver (WRslot)... If the CB1 moves with our WRx (i.e. Colston, Thomas), then Sean is also able to take our WRx2, isolate on a SS or NB for a mismatch out on the perimeter... If the CB1 stays zone, then you've got the elite-strength WRx Thomas on the inside slant out of the slot, usually getting some YAC to move the chains... Last couple of years Brees typically never went through his X-Y-Z progression and just went with the short AirYards attempt to Thomas out of the slot... When he had Lance Moore and Willie Snead the IV, he'd go pre-snap read/quick-release to opposite slot WR (opposite Colston who'd move to slot on 3rd)... Colston and Thomas are the best WRx we've had as a franchise; Jimmy G and Hoby Brenner our best TEy; Brandon Cooks our best WRz along with Wes Chandler... Eric Martin and Danny Abramowicz while playing the WRx, with elite hands, really were slot WRs; despite suspect routes/hands, Devery was our best value$ WRz... Devery was such a good pick up at the Z. He was never too expensive and he played his role perfectly. I thought Tre’Quan Smith would be the modern day version. One more year to see if he finally shows up. MatthewT, SmashMouth, jeanpierre and 2 others like this.

05-30-2021, 07:59 AM	#9
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 10,838	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers Originally Posted by rezburna Devery was such a good pick up at the Z. He was never too expensive and he played his role perfectly. I thought Tre’Quan Smith would be the modern day version. One more year to see if he finally shows up. Devery was so underrated it wasn't even funny. Guy had lightning speed and he went from leading the league in drops, to being one of the most sure handed receivers we had from 08 onwards. I think my favourite Devery play was the 78 yard TD vs Bears in 2011, he just flew past the LB and split the safeties too. Trequan is the spitting image of one of my work colleagues, nice guy but has a look about him that says he doesn't know what to do half the time. jnormand, saintsfan1976, SmashMouth and 3 others like this.

05-30-2021, 09:54 AM	#10
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 36,978 Blog Entries: 29	Re: X,Y, & Z Receivers What is Kamara's best role as a WR?