The perception here of inside/outside positions is terribly misguided. Heupel’s O has 30+ basic route groups. Two years ago, we ran about 24 route groups. Many were designed to break cover two and man match with either Hyatt or outside 2 hitting a coverage gap. We used slot as a coverage break. At UCF, Heupel used slot to pick and cross, and ran outside guys into posts deep. Last year, over 90% of our plays came from four primary routes, outside of screens. We ran almost nothing over the middle, no flags, short flags or posts. We ran fly patterns and comebacks almost completely, except in the red zone. Heupel has always pulled routes based on talent and matchups. Last year, the blend of Milton’s skills and challenges combined with available receivers and matchups meant we really limited the playbook. A six foot super-athlete like Matthews or Staley (or Stewart) can play anywhere. Full stop. Stop pretending you know what a slot is because “AP said”. That isn’t how this offense or any similar offense works. Squirrel might have limitations, but that is not true of Staley or Matthews. A 6 foot 180 guy is prime to play inside OR one of the outside positions. Another myth— Thornton didn’t get better because of a position switch. That’s more “I heard it on a podcast” gibberish. He got better because he got over an injury and started to practice. They limited his routes, as they did with the whole offense last year. He can play either position and either position well. He did so all Fall practice before he got hurt. They just decided to get his timing tight with Milton on limited routes, and they all came from that set. Next year, a healthy roster means we’ll do very well in the passing game. Our returning core is good, but I’m very excited about the new guys too. Brazzell gives us a really great options for high balls, back shoulder throws and go routes on the outside. He may not be Julio Jones, but he is a nightmare for a six foot corner. Staes is a physical mismatch in the middle and has the speed to pull a safety into dead zones. Matthews and Staley are the prototypical 6 foot 180 athletes that could play safety or WR in the NFL. You love having that body type on O. No one knows Bru’s recovery trajectory, but he is world class blocker, and plays a tough game on smaller guys. Don’t forget that Seldon is the first RB we’ve had since Kamara that lives to catch a short ball on the run. He has the hands, body and speed to make teams respect him when he releases. It’s the most promising WR room we’ve had in a very long time. Playing time is going to be tight, but what a great group.
