If your GP calls for running Trips on third down often, do you specify a 3rd down back?  If so, do you plug in a guy who can catch and run, or a guy who can stay back and block.  Don't say both, I don't have that guy... :)

tend towards a guy with attributes closer to a WR -- seems to work

Posted by glaity on 6/26/2012 2:03:00 PM (view original):
tend towards a guy with attributes closer to a WR -- seems to work

  I agree for 3rd down back.  But for a short yardage back I want as good a runner as I have. Unless the opposition has superb run D and then I might just try a toss on short yardage and I would put in my normal pass catching 3rd down back.

Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

i go for receiver out of the backfield

It depends on what your pass/run balance is on 3rd down and what yardage you're facing. I would tend to stick my most well rounded player in on 3rd down as you'll face a variety of distances and there's arguably no more important down

Posted by mgm0461 on 6/26/2012 3:50:00 PM (view original):
Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

I didn't know this - thank you.  But it makes sense now that you mention it.

On a related topic - slot receiver....

I haven't been specifying one; I had assumed that my #3 WR(the guy backing up my #1 WR) is getting the slot, (fatigue and subs notwithstanding).  Not sure what the difference is if I put list him on the depth chart as the slot receiver..

I use the pass catcher as the 3rd down back, and the hard nosed runner as the short yardage back.

Regarding the slot, I have not quite figured that one out yet myself.  Seems convoluded

Posted by jc1796 on 6/26/2012 5:16:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mgm0461 on 6/26/2012 3:50:00 PM (view original):
Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

I didn't know this - thank you.  But it makes sense now that you mention it.

On a related topic - slot receiver....

I haven't been specifying one; I had assumed that my #3 WR(the guy backing up my #1 WR) is getting the slot, (fatigue and subs notwithstanding).  Not sure what the difference is if I put list him on the depth chart as the slot receiver..

for the slot.. i tend to pick my highest ELU/STR guy and if those are equal i look at Hands then speed.. to me, your slot guy needs to be elusive and strong to get free off the snap.. i could be way off but that's the way ive been using my slot WR over my short GD career..

Posted by ohhale on 6/27/2012 4:02:00 AM (view original):

Posted by jc1796 on 6/26/2012 5:16:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mgm0461 on 6/26/2012 3:50:00 PM (view original):
Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

I didn't know this - thank you.  But it makes sense now that you mention it.

On a related topic - slot receiver....

I haven't been specifying one; I had assumed that my #3 WR(the guy backing up my #1 WR) is getting the slot, (fatigue and subs notwithstanding).  Not sure what the difference is if I put list him on the depth chart as the slot receiver..

for the slot.. i tend to pick my highest ELU/STR guy and if those are equal i look at Hands then speed.. to me, your slot guy needs to be elusive and strong to get free off the snap.. i could be way off but that's the way ive been using my slot WR over my short GD career..

No need to look at hands.

They don't matter

all depends on your settings, if you pass cons. or bal. then put your best wr there.  He is usually the fastest and has the best hands.  I do agree with the most elusive guy being the slot, again this is usually your best wr. 

Posted by flexmagnum on 6/27/2012 4:13:00 AM (view original):

Posted by ohhale on 6/27/2012 4:02:00 AM (view original):

Posted by jc1796 on 6/26/2012 5:16:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mgm0461 on 6/26/2012 3:50:00 PM (view original):
Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

I didn't know this - thank you.  But it makes sense now that you mention it.

On a related topic - slot receiver....

I haven't been specifying one; I had assumed that my #3 WR(the guy backing up my #1 WR) is getting the slot, (fatigue and subs notwithstanding).  Not sure what the difference is if I put list him on the depth chart as the slot receiver..

for the slot.. i tend to pick my highest ELU/STR guy and if those are equal i look at Hands then speed.. to me, your slot guy needs to be elusive and strong to get free off the snap.. i could be way off but that's the way ive been using my slot WR over my short GD career..

No need to look at hands.

They don't matter

Wait a sec! Are you saying that hands don't matter to receivers?

Posted by chaneyj2 on 6/27/2012 2:58:00 PM (view original):

Posted by flexmagnum on 6/27/2012 4:13:00 AM (view original):

Posted by ohhale on 6/27/2012 4:02:00 AM (view original):

Posted by jc1796 on 6/26/2012 5:16:00 PM (view original):

Posted by mgm0461 on 6/26/2012 3:50:00 PM (view original):
Just an FYI, the 3rd down back only comes in on 3rd (and 4th) and long; short yardage back comes in on 3rd and short. 

I didn't know this - thank you.  But it makes sense now that you mention it.

On a related topic - slot receiver....

I haven't been specifying one; I had assumed that my #3 WR(the guy backing up my #1 WR) is getting the slot, (fatigue and subs notwithstanding).  Not sure what the difference is if I put list him on the depth chart as the slot receiver..

for the slot.. i tend to pick my highest ELU/STR guy and if those are equal i look at Hands then speed.. to me, your slot guy needs to be elusive and strong to get free off the snap.. i could be way off but that's the way ive been using my slot WR over my short GD career..

No need to look at hands.

They don't matter

Wait a sec! Are you saying that hands don't matter to receivers?

Yup

I run exclusively Trips but can't answer your question.  My running back had 26 carries all last season and none through three games this year.

First, most of us believe that hands are THE MOST IMPORTANT asset for a WR in GD. 99% of the coaches that don't are the ones that believe NOTHING matters, are at least say they do.
That said...for my "short yardage back" (3rd & short / DIA) I use the RB with the most strength that has at least 50 speed & elusiveness.  For my "3rd down back" (3rd long / DIA) I use the back that has the best combo of hands & elusiveness, plus I also like some speed.
My "slot receiver" is one of my most important offensive weapons (I run a lot of trips). He MUST have good hands, elusiveness & strength. Blocking becomes important IF I run a lot out of trips. Hope this helps.