I have a feeling this could be a topic of conversation come training camp as the Giants try to set their WR lineup. Just listened to Ross Tucker's Podcast where Greg Cosell, an NFL analyst and a senior producer at NFL Films, discussed the difference between the WR positions. You can listen to it here (It's RTFP #60 starting starting at 14:25):
http://podcastone.com/Ross-Tucker-Football-Podcast
From my own research over the years I could describe the positions like this:
X Receiver or Split End- This is usually a team's number one WR. He is usually tethered to the line of scrimmage and lined up on the weakside (the side without the TE) of the formation. There are two things about that position. Because he can't move (he is a LOS guy) and he is right on that line he frequently faces press coverage. That means he needs to be strong enough or have the quickness and body control to beat that press coverage. Defenses will also tend to play M2M coverage on him. So if he can consistently beat M2M coverage he gives your offense a real edge as teams will need to roll a safety to his side to assist.
The Z receiver or Flanker- This guy has to line up off the LOS (otherwise the TE is not an eligible receiver) on the strongside of the formation. As a result of lining off the line he can go in motion and he has room to try and beat press coverage. As a result this receiver can be a smaller receiver and often the routes he runs will be ones that set up yards after the catch situations. He will often work combo routes so being a smarter receiver is an asset. A Z can really enjoy a lot of receptions if the team has good X receiver that demands the defense's attention. This position will often be called on to do more run blocking.
The Slot receiver or H receiver- This receiver lines up inside off the line of scrimmage and can go in motion. Often the receiver will run his route based on coverage and the route run by other receivers. So football smarts is key. The slot guy needs to be able to find the weakness of the defensive coverage. Most slot receivers tend to be on the smaller size as they rarely will face press coverage and usually don't run routes where size will help (although there are notable exceptions). Again yards after the catch is often an important part of this receiver's abilities.
When you look at the Giants receiving corps:
Victor Cruz- Has shown to be a solid slot WR and good as a Z receiver. Not an X receiver by any stretch of the imagination
Ruben Randle- Has the size to be an X receiver. I don't think he has shown the ability to consistently beat man coverage though.
Odell Beckham- He is your prototypical Z receiver. Has great YAC ability and the speed to stretch the field in route combinations. He would also most likely do well in the slot position. The interesting thing is he was drafted with people assuming he would replace Nicks (who played the X position). I am not sure at Beckham's size he will have the ability to consistently beat press coverage. That will be something to watch in camp and in PS games as it could go a long way to how the Giants use their WRs. After all of Beckham could play the X then Cruz can go Z and JJ could come in and play slot (his prefered position)
I think Manningham is pretty much just a Z receiver. I think Julian Talley is a backup X or Z guy.
http://podcastone.com/Ross-Tucker-Football-Podcast
From my own research over the years I could describe the positions like this:
X Receiver or Split End- This is usually a team's number one WR. He is usually tethered to the line of scrimmage and lined up on the weakside (the side without the TE) of the formation. There are two things about that position. Because he can't move (he is a LOS guy) and he is right on that line he frequently faces press coverage. That means he needs to be strong enough or have the quickness and body control to beat that press coverage. Defenses will also tend to play M2M coverage on him. So if he can consistently beat M2M coverage he gives your offense a real edge as teams will need to roll a safety to his side to assist.
The Z receiver or Flanker- This guy has to line up off the LOS (otherwise the TE is not an eligible receiver) on the strongside of the formation. As a result of lining off the line he can go in motion and he has room to try and beat press coverage. As a result this receiver can be a smaller receiver and often the routes he runs will be ones that set up yards after the catch situations. He will often work combo routes so being a smarter receiver is an asset. A Z can really enjoy a lot of receptions if the team has good X receiver that demands the defense's attention. This position will often be called on to do more run blocking.
The Slot receiver or H receiver- This receiver lines up inside off the line of scrimmage and can go in motion. Often the receiver will run his route based on coverage and the route run by other receivers. So football smarts is key. The slot guy needs to be able to find the weakness of the defensive coverage. Most slot receivers tend to be on the smaller size as they rarely will face press coverage and usually don't run routes where size will help (although there are notable exceptions). Again yards after the catch is often an important part of this receiver's abilities.
When you look at the Giants receiving corps:
Victor Cruz- Has shown to be a solid slot WR and good as a Z receiver. Not an X receiver by any stretch of the imagination
Ruben Randle- Has the size to be an X receiver. I don't think he has shown the ability to consistently beat man coverage though.
Odell Beckham- He is your prototypical Z receiver. Has great YAC ability and the speed to stretch the field in route combinations. He would also most likely do well in the slot position. The interesting thing is he was drafted with people assuming he would replace Nicks (who played the X position). I am not sure at Beckham's size he will have the ability to consistently beat press coverage. That will be something to watch in camp and in PS games as it could go a long way to how the Giants use their WRs. After all of Beckham could play the X then Cruz can go Z and JJ could come in and play slot (his prefered position)
I think Manningham is pretty much just a Z receiver. I think Julian Talley is a backup X or Z guy.
