Yeah, I get all that, but my point is that Thielen IS that player from the slot PLUS he’s good on the outside as well.mlhouse wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:52 pmWell, that is the beauty of the Z receiver who is lined up off the line. YOu can position him in a variety of positions and motions, and run an entire route tree to attack the defense. Where the Vikings offense bogged down was they rolled the defense up on Thielen and Diggs, and the Vikings did not have the counter to take advantage. Putting a true slot receiver on the field as part of the standard offense could potentially be the difference maker. The prototypical slot receiver is more quick than fast, and has the entire change of direction routes as part of the combination. Top level slot receivers can turn their routes upfield too.Ash Ketchum wrote: ↑Fri Jul 12, 2019 7:47 pmPreposterous. Part of the value in having Thielen on the team is that he can produce from multiple positions, including the slot.
Thielen has feasted on opposing nickel backs for the past two seasons.
You can do so much with him from the slot. The “V” route, where Thielen fakes like he’s going to run a deep over route but then stops and sprints to the sideline on a corner route is a staple in this offense. He is excellent at whip routes, which is the kind of thing you’re talking about with traditional slot WRs.
The idea that we’re somehow wasting Thielen by not playing him on the outside 100% of the time is absolutely wrong because, again, a huge part of what makes Thielen so good is that you can easily move him around.
Working with Diggs, Thielen, and Smith, a true slot receiver will be a huge gift to Cousins.
You’re either suggesting that the offense “bogged down” because (A) we didn’t have competent production from the slot position or (B) Thielen was playing there out of necessity and you prefer for him to be a full-time outside WR like Diggs.
I disagree on both A and B. Thielen is excellent out of the slot, and has been for years now. The skills you’re talking about that your new slot WR would possess, Thielen can already do that. In fact, the profile of the traditional slot WR isn’t even all that hard to find compared to well-rounded WRs.
Someone like Andy Isabella was someone I wanted them to prioritize because, like Thielen, he’s more than a slot guy. He has the pure long speed to be another interchangeable cog for this passing game. Alas.