Blurring the Lines

[KT2000]

I think about what I'm seeing the NFL with players such as Steve Smith, Desean Jackson, Percy Harvin, Josh Cribbs and Brad Smith, and I believe this is the new wave of skill player. It seems like it has caught on big time in the last 2-3 years in the league. Everyone wants one of these do-it-all players now to plug and play across the field. I think it will eventually break the hyper-specialist nature of NFL rosters. These types of players can not only be one thing, but also everything else at the same time. I don't think this has been limited to offense necessarily either. The Steelers led the innovation of the hybrid defender.

Of course, nothing new is ever really new when you break it down. It's simply a rebirth or reinvention of something we've seen before. This sort of player was commonplace decades ago when players literally had to do it all.

I believe offenses are recognizing the need to break the rigid, hyper specialist structure that settled into the game with the pro style systems of the 80s and 90s post option era. I believe modern day skill athletes like the ones I've mentioned above will do for football what guerilla tactics did for warfare- blur the lines.

And this isn't limited to the pro game. Look at what Oregon has done this year in the college ranks by breaking the mold. Auburn has also done it to an extent.

On the high school level, there will be two such players in the Division 1 championship game this Saturday. Euless Trinity's Brandon Carter and Pearland's Myles Kanipes are good examples of what we're starting to see across all levels of football now with regard to skill players.

We are seeing some interesting, though not completely new (single wing), tactical innovations as a result of this type of player.

[slcdragonfan]

I think about what I'm seeing the NFL with players such as Steve Smith, Desean Jackson, Percy Harvin, Josh Cribbs and Brad Smith, and I believe this is the new wave of skill player. It seems like it has caught on big time in the last 2-3 years in the league. Everyone wants one of these do-it-all players now to plug and play across the field. I think it will eventually break the hyper-specialist nature of NFL rosters. These types of players can not only be one thing, but also everything else at the same time. I don't think this has been limited to offense necessarily either. The Steelers led the innovation of the hybrid defender.

Of course, nothing new is ever really new when you break it down. It's simply a rebirth or reinvention of something we've seen before. This sort of player was commonplace decades ago when players literally had to do it all.

I believe offenses are recognizing the need to break the rigid, hyper specialist structure that settled into the game with the pro style systems of the 80s and 90s post option era. I believe modern day skill athletes like the ones I've mentioned above will do for football what guerilla tactics did for warfare- blur the lines.

And this isn't limited to the pro game. Look at what Oregon has done this year in the college ranks by breaking the mold. Auburn has also done it to an extent.

On the high school level, there will be two such players in the Division 1 championship game this Saturday. Euless Trinity's Brandon Carter and Pearland's Myles Kanipes are good examples of what we're starting to see across all levels of football now with regard to skill players.

We are seeing some interesting, though not completely new (single wing), tactical innovations as a result of this type of player.

first person I thought of after reading this was Burkhead. Second was Carter.

[Favpack]

Brad Smith is under-paid -- tell the fat coach I said so.

[twcpfan1]

You know what this means. American Football will be inundated with Rugby players in the near future. Teams will have 4 guys in each possession who can run the ball, throw the ball, play receiver and punt. Defenses will have to guess who and what on every play.

[Austin109]

Well then eventually it goes back to its next step. If you have the do it all guy its natural to want MORE! If you dont have the personel you end up relying on fakes/misdirections to make enhance the play of 3 - 4 guys around 1 central bad ***. Wing T is coming back. Mark my words.

Good god think about the pros running something like a Wing-t, Box, or something to that effect.

[ThE uNdEr DaWg]

You know what this means. American Football will be inundated with Rugby players in the near future. Teams will have 4 guys in each possession who can run the ball, throw the ball, play receiver and punt. Defenses will have to guess who and what on every play.

Whoaaaaaaaa slow down lets not go this far yet. But really we have to think theres already 4 in the back field that can run, catch, and at least one can throw...... Maybe theres some truth behind that but not near future this reality ,if it is one, will not be in the near future. Coaches are strategists none the less.