Redskins Add WRs Pierre Garcon and Joshua Morgan

[30gut]

Originally Posted by mooby

I agree with your points, but if Kyle decides none of the guys stand out from each other (i.e. we have a collective group of #2's but not one clear guy we can always depend on to beat the d) and then schemes to exploit mismatches on d, then the relevance of the #1 wide receiver is minimized. But if he decides to draw up plays designed to get Garcon the ball the most, then yes Garcon would be defined as the #1.

I think the best definition of '#1' WR comes from how the defense defends the WR in question.

A true '#1' WR is a player that a defense will gameplan to stop/limit by using various coverage schemes designed to take that player away.

I think most teams design play concepts that fit both of the ideas you mentioned above.
There are certain plays designed to get a particular receiver X, Z, or Y (etc) the ball e.g. WR screen plays, 1 man or 2 man routes off play action etc.
But, more often then not teams design plays with multiple options designed to attack a particular coverage with the intent to get a primary receiver open then (based on the defenses coverage as the QB reads his post snap progressions post snaps) get receivers option 2, 3 and sometimes even 4 and 5 open if the defense tries to take option #1 away.
That's why its critical to have a QB that can smoothly transition from their primary option to their secondary and tertiary options.

If you go back to 2010 I think it was clear that Moss, although not a 'true' No.1 receiver, was our number 1 receiving option and was targeted 146 times and the results were top 10 production in both yards and catches: 93 for 1,115.

Pro Football Focus did a nice breakdown of Sanatana Moss from 2010:
2010 Snap Breakdown - Santana Moss | ProFootballFocus.com

If Kyle keeps Moss or the slot WR as his focus as they've been doing the past couple of seasons then Moss/slot WRs numbers could actually improve from 2010 with the increased performance from the X and Z receivers respectively. (however it shakes out Garcon/Gaffney or Garcon/Morgan etc)
The upgrade to the WR corps as a unit will have a postive and somewhat symbiotic effect between the X, Z and slot receivers where the improved play from from 1 receiver position forces the defense to adjust which in turn makes it easier for the other receivers production to increase.