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Small ball: Short, quick receivers might be key to NFL success by Derek Zetlin of NESN
I hadn't really thought about this since there still seems to be so much hype on tall receivers in the NFL. But with the rule changes and emphasis on enforcement of certain rules (e.g., Polian's work on the competition committee to have the five yard chuck rule more rigidly enforced a few years ago) value in a receiver may have shifted away from big tall guys who can jump, in favor of quick, speedy, shifty receivers.
And it has also had another effect on some team's roster; the near extinction of the fullback.
I hadn't really thought about this since there still seems to be so much hype on tall receivers in the NFL. But with the rule changes and emphasis on enforcement of certain rules (e.g., Polian's work on the competition committee to have the five yard chuck rule more rigidly enforced a few years ago) value in a receiver may have shifted away from big tall guys who can jump, in favor of quick, speedy, shifty receivers.
Like its collegiate counterpart, professional football is transitioning to more of a speed-dominated game. Sure, 330-plus-pound defensive tackles are needed to nose the popular 3-4 defensive scheme, but that’s only to make up for a lack of size on the ends of the D-line, which have been replaced by more versatile (and speedier) outside linebackers. Look at the success of the Wildcat formation last season. The Wildcat’s fundamental principles are speed and spreading the field (much like the NCAA’s triple option), as opposed to the fullback-led I-Formation, pounding for every earned yard.
And it has also had another effect on some team's roster; the near extinction of the fullback.
The New England Patriots don’t even have a conventional fullback on their roster anymore. Yet they’ve seen some success this decade.