Slot – The NFL Position Between Wide Receivers and Tight Ends
The Slot is the area in the NFL between the outside wide receiver and the tight end. It’s a position that has become increasingly important as more teams use it to create different play options for their quarterbacks. Without a good slot receiver, teams will have a hard time stretching the field and attacking all three levels of the defense.
The term “slot” was coined by John Davis, the Raiders’ general manager and head coach from 1969-1978. He believed that a team’s best players should line up in the slot, between the second and third wide receivers. That way, they could be in position to catch any pass that was thrown their way. Davis’s approach was successful, and many great slot receivers have come from his original theory.
Slot receivers aren’t just fast — they also have to be smart. They need to know what routes the wideouts are running, and they must be precise with their timing. They also need to be able to run every route in the book, and they must have good chemistry with the quarterback so they can work together well.
Another big aspect of slot is blocking. These players need to be able to block both inside and outside, and they often act as the ball carrier on pitch plays, reverses, and end-arounds. Because of this, they need to be able to deal with stiff defenders and also run through them.
In addition, slot receivers need to be able to work with their teammates. They need to communicate with the other wideouts and tight ends, and they need to know what kind of coverage they’re facing so they can make adjustments accordingly. They also need to be able to make the necessary blocks for their team to win.
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