In the wake of the Steve Smith injury, Muhsin Muhammad has moved over to the split end role in the offense. The split end, or X receiver, typically lines up wide left and on the line (i.e., unable to go into motion), a role Smith has had since 2002 when he became a starter.
Muhammad started out at the X, and started there from 1997-1999. He earned a Pro Bowl berth in 1999 in the role, but had to move over with the injury to Patrick Jeffers in the 2000 preseason because Donald Hayes only knew the X role. As Hayes was allowed to leave before the start of 2002, Smith assumed the role, leaving Muhammad as the Z receiver. As the motion receiver, Muhammad made his money taking shorter routes and going into motion, which by 2003 included blocking down on linebackers. In a memorable play in the 2003 playoffs, Muhammad caught end Leonard Little off guard, knocking him to the ground despite a 45 lb difference in weight.
When Smith broke his ankle in the first game of 2004, Muhammad moved back over - to facilitate Keary Colbert, his backup. Muhammad, back at the X, earned another Pro Bowl berth, then took the role in Chicago. This year, the move is again pushed by a Smith injury, and a backup acclamated to his own role. Dwayne Jarrett gets the start as the Z receiver, for the time being.
Luckily, long term Smith should be back. It's an unlikely move, but if Muhammad flourishes in the role, the team may use Smith at the Z to put him in motion to eliminate doubleteams. The move would free up Smith on motion plays, and command a heavy shift in the defense when he comes across formation. Either way, Muhammad will be ready to move.
2 comments:
Glad you're back; long time for an OLDDOG!
As simple as that sounds, it's brilliant and could really solve a lot of problems in our passing game. To me, it's one of those things that no one talks about, but when it happens, we ask "why didn't anyone think of that before?"
Nice one, C.
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