Why do the Pats have 7 wide receivers?

Question

NO hating...just someone who knows...I am still learning football....

What if any is that from an advantage standpoint? AND do ALL of them get to play? AND what is the NORMAL number of receivers?

what is a "special teams player" I have never heard that before?

oh and to the guy asking about the Patriots questions I READ that the PATRIOTS have the MOST of all the teams...so that was why I used them as an example..I just didn't understand why you would pay for someone to sit on a bench....

Answer 1

The Patriots have 7 wide recievers because they run what is called a spread offence. This means that instead of using a tradtional offence that would have 2 wide recievers, 2 running backs, and a tight end...they use 4 or 5 wide recievers a lot.

They carry that many incase some get tired, special plays etc...

A special teams player is one who is on the field when there is a kick involved. So if there is a field goal, punt, or kick off, those are all special teams plays.

Answer 2

You need that many. On most teams, and especially a pass-heavy offense like the Pats, there are three receiver spots that will get a lot of playing time. Often those three spots will have different assignments (one will be the featured guy who can get open any time he is single-covered, another will be the possession guy who gets ten-yard catches when the first guy is covered, and the third will be a fast guy who goes long to stretch the field out). Because of that, your back-up receivers may not be interchangeable for any starter, so you carry more of them so you are sure to have someone for any assignment that comes open. Also, sometimes a team will take out their running back and/or tight end to get even more receivers on the field.

Normally all the receivers don't get playing time as a receiver. There may be one or two who come in situationally or to rest someone, and for the Patriots they could try to get their backups some experience (and preserve their starter's health) when they go way ahead in a game, but generally the top two or three receivers are the only ones seeing the field. And 'special teams' is a blanket term for kick and punt returns--often due to the player's speed and how easy it is to be injured on special teams, the kick/punt return job often goes to a backup wide receiver or running back.

Answer 3

Because the Patriots play a game where no one player fits all the situations that come up. Some of them are deep threats, some are for short catches and running after the catch, Wes Welker is GREAT at catching the ball in traffic. Then you get guys like Jabbar Gafney that can "fly under the radar". He's not a guy who's reliable enough for every down play, but when put in for the right plays, can be very effective. Some play special teams, and you'll probably see Troy Brown (Just re-activated from the IR list) returning punts.

Why do they have 9 linebackers? It's the same thing.

Answer 4

With a QB like Tom Brady you will need a lot of receivers in case one or two get hurt. Plus the Pats use the short pass as a running game.So the more receivers you have on the field the more you can stretch the defense to cover all of them.
As for a special team player those are the guys who cover kick offs and punts. With the Pats (unlike most teams) some of their starters also play on special teams.

Answer 5

Primarily for depth at wide receiver.

Chad Jackson and Kelly Washington are used on special teams because of their speed, but I rarely see them on the field with the offense. Troy Brown just came back off the injured list, he can be used as a defensive back in an emergency. Also Troy is good over the middle, similar to Welker. With Ellis Hobbs being injured last week I think Troy is an insurance policy for the defense. If Troy isn't on the active roster, and a DB goes down during the game - the defense is screwed.

Answer 6

What is with all the patriot questions?

Well then, the Patriots almost exclusively pass. In fact, they only had one running play in the first half of the Eagles game. They run 3 to 5 receivers every play, therefore, they need the depth at that position.

Answer 7

There is no substitute for speed... 2 of theseguys probably rotate in the offense and play special teams... the other 3 are probably just special teams players.... the remaining 2 are the starters....


Special teams players are dedicated to Kickoff/(returns), Punt/(returns) and PAT or Field Goal/(block). These are the formations that precede all drives and changes in possession that are not the result of a turnover.... I hope that helps...

Answer 8

Every team has depth in some places, and not as much in others. The Patriots have a lot of depth at reciever and defensive front seven, but then they dont have as much depth at running back or secondary. Troy Brown coming back gives them a new reciever and defensive back to add to their roster. Last season they had no depth at reciever, but managed.

Answer 9

They added Troy Brown from the PUP list, and not all 7 necessarily dress on game day. One in particular, Kelley Washington, playes mostly special teams.....Three other teams have 7 also.

Answer 10

I'm sure that it's mostly for depth. Often times a team will use one or two of their backup receivers as kick returners or in various other special teams packages.