CFZ The increasing importance of Hybrid players in the NFL- the Cowboys have several

[big dog cowboy]

If used properly and i think they will be the defense omgoodness

offenses wont be able to tell whos the linebacker and whos the safety on certain plays

Quinn has the defense that should be able to to play against any offensive scheme.

Getting someone like Mazi for the run really helps complete this defense.

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Sorry but I completely disagree. In the last 2 seasons, Deebo Samuel has rushed for 597 yards on 102 carries, and includes 11 rushing TDs. That’s not just getting to the edge occasionally. In his first team All Pro 2021 season, Deebo had over 1,700 total yards, including 365 yds rushing. That’s textbook hybrid.

Idk what you're disagreeing with. Over the last two seasons, he averages 4.2 rushes a game. Last year, it was 3.2. He averages 7.4 targets per game, last year it was 7.2. If receiving targets are almost 2>1 and receiving yards are 4>1, that's a wide receiver.

Deebo is 1 of 1 in the NFL, and even if we were to classify him as a hybrid player - his uniqueness means that it's not an important factor in the NFL anyway.

 

[Techsass]

The definition of hybrid is not just about positions- it’s about roles. Players on offense that can be an effective runner, receiver, blocker or passer is a hybrid.

Here are some examples of guys like this in recent NFL history:

• Wes Welker- one of the most flexible players in NFL history. When he played for Miami in 2005, he actually set an NFL record for doing all these things in one game: Kicked off, kicked XPs, kicked a FG, made ST tackles, returned a punt, a kickoff, caught passes, and carried the ball rushing, all in one game. The Miami K had pulled a hammy in warm ups. Welker was a multi- role hybrid if there ever was one.
• Kordell “Slash” Stewart- in his 10 year career with the Steelers and ravens, Slash had 77 TDs passing and 38 TDs rushing. He also served as the backup punter for the Steelers a couple of seasons and had 6 punts in his career, avg about 36 yds in career, including 3 inside the 20.

Im too lazy to go further but there are a many famous guys in this league who were hybrids because they could play multiple roles for a team.

It used to irritate a lot of posters when they would say a guy had position flex. j/k

 

[Cowboys5217]

This all sounds more like trying to re-invent the wheel.

 

[Bobhaze]

This all sounds more like trying to re-invent the wheel.

How so?

 

[Cowboys5217]

How so?

Because none of this is anything new.

 

[shabazz]

Perhaps we may see Mazi do a Refrigerator Perry thing and run it in from the 1…….wouldn't surprise me if the big man has good hands

 

[Bobhaze]

Because none of this is anything new.

Well it actually is new if you look at the increasing number of players like Parsons, Kearse, and Overshown who can play multiple roles. This is way more common than it was 20 years ago. Finding players who have flexibility of usage is increasingly valued in the draft. So yeah, in my view it is a relatively new phenomenon.

 

[Risen Star]

Yeah you'd like to have that versatility but be wary of missing out on guys who only do one thing but do it well for a guy who can do multiple things mediocre.

Tyrone Crawford was versatile. He also was a JAG.

The spotlight is now on DeMarvion Overshown. What he proves to be will go a long way toward this draft being a success or failure.

 

[DeaconMoss]

Joseph is a rapper, cornerback, plays special teams, and drive by shooter. Talk about versatile!

 

[Bobhaze]

Yeah you'd like to have that versatility but be wary of missing out on guys who only do one thing but do it well for a guy who can do multiple things mediocre.

Tyrone Crawford was versatile. He also was a JAG.

The spotlight is now on DeMarvion Overshown. What he proves to be will go a long way toward this draft being a success or failure.

That’s a great point. I’m certainly not in favor of only getting guys who can do multiple things. Finding a guy who can do one thing really well is great to have.

A good example is Mazi Smith. If he works out it will be because he was able to be a clogger of the middle. He won’t be a great pass rusher, can’t cover anyone, etc. But if he’s what he was drafted to be it’s all good.

Joseph is a rapper, cornerback, plays special teams, and drive by shooter. Talk about versatile!

Absolutely! He’s bad at multiple things.

 

[CCBoy]

Eh.

Other than TE and LB/S, there's no real hybrids, and LB/S only exists as a response to what modern TEs are.

Players being used in different positions a handful of times a game is reflective more of scheme than it is anything special about the player.

Wrong, diversification increases effectiveness and that doesn't mean day dreaming.

 

[CCBoy]

There was a principal for a soldier, that says it all...

Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be, with what you are supposed to have...that, or both sides are shooting at you!

 

[Mac_MaloneV1]

Wrong, diversification increases effectiveness and that doesn't mean day dreaming.

"Hybrid" players don't allow you to diversify, especially not on the defensive side of the ball.

If anything, they give offenses a target.

 

[CCBoy]

"Hybrid" players don't allow you to diversify, especially not on the defensive side of the ball.

If anything, they give offenses a target.

field area of responsibility, and yes, it is fully functional as that can change at the snap

 

[Havic]

Joseph is a rapper, cornerback, plays special teams, and drive by shooter. Talk about versatile!

he also identifies as burnt toast.

 

[T-RO]

Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Peyton Hendershot are no different than Mike Ditka from 50 years ago. Tight ends block. Tight ends catch. That's been the nature of the position forever.

And running backs who also occasionally do return duty is as old as Gale Sayers. Older than that, I'm sure.

As for "position-less" defenders, yes that's a bit of a new trend.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

With all the pick plays to force bad matchups in coverage it makes sense. It is the same dynamic that you see in basketball where guard and forwards are all idealizing a 6'7" 230 lbs 34+" arm player. The power forward position is disappearing because he cannot cover out in space. Kevin Durant can.

Football idealizes speed as opposed to height but you see the SAM disappearing and having LB and S that are interchangeable in coverage onto WR and TE respectively is a huge help.

Overshown, Clark, Kearse, and Wilson can switch very well. LVE, Lewis, and Bland are the other inside guys. Our corners are big too. Diggs willingness to dive into piles notwithstanding both of them can cover backs and TE.

 

[xwalker]

In the last decade or two, the NFL has seen the value of so called “hybrid” players grow. What is a simple definition of a hybrid player? It is a player that is flexible enough to play multiple roles as opposed to a single traditional role for a position. These hybrid players are becoming more and more valuable in the modern game.The most common hybrid positions have been LBs, Safeties or TEs but can also include other positions as well.

An easy example of a hybrid player in today’s NFL is Micah Parsons, who is so flexible in ability he can be a “three tool defender”, who can rush the passer, tackle in space and cover receivers in the passing game. We‘ve seen Parsons line up as a DL, LB and even as an occasional Corner. He is easily the poster boy for the modern hybrid NFL player. Which may also end up eventually making Parsons the highest paid defensive player in the NFL. Other well known NFL hybrid players include SF WR Samuel Deebo, KC TE Travis Kelce and Chargers LB Khalil Mack to name a few.

The Cowboys have increasingly drafted or acquired more and more of these hybrid type players. Here are the Cowboys hybrid players and the multiple roles they play:

• Micah Parsons- as mentioned earlier, the model NFL hybrid player. A true “3 tool defender” who can rush the passer, tackle in space and cover receivers in the passing game. He will be the highest paid defender in the NFL soon.
• Tony Pollard- TP is an example of a hybrid RB because in addition to his game as a runner, he can also be used as a slot receiver, and has also been used very effectively as a weapon in kickoff returns.
• Jayron Kearse- one of Dan Quinn’s most cherished players because of his versatility, Kearse can cover receivers like a safety, but also can tackle in space like a LB. His flexibility gives the Cowboys defense many options.
• Jake Ferguson, Luke Schoonmaker, and Peyton Hendershot- this TE trio is very versatile. The modern NFL TE has become so important because of their versatility as both receivers and blockers. Being able to have 3 athletic TEs who can block and catch is a premium.
• DeMarvion Overshown- this year’s 3rd round pick is another good example of a defensive player with loads of versatility. Overshown is probably the next Jayron Kearse in Dan Quinn’s defensive scheme because he has the size of a LB, can tackle in space, cover some receivers and occasionally rush the passer in a blitz. He still has to prove he can play at the next level but he does have the raw talent.

Having a player who can play multiple roles for a team is gaining increasing value in the NFL. It’s good to see the Cowboys have so many talented players with hybrid capabilities.

A TE that can block and catch is not a hybrid player.

A RB that is a good receiver is not a hybrid player unless he plays significant snaps lined up as an actual WR. They have not used Pollard as a WR very often...primarily in empty backfield sets.

If the Cowboys were a 3-4 defense, then Parsons wouldn't be a hybrid. He would just be a really good 3-4 OLB.

It's not a new concept.

 

[817Gill]

Well it actually is new if you look at the increasing number of players like Parsons, Kearse, and Overshown who can play multiple roles. This is way more common than it was 20 years ago. Finding players who have flexibility of usage is increasingly valued in the draft. So yeah, in my view it is a relatively new phenomenon.

Why is this so hard for some to grasp? It’s the definition of new lol