# If a 7-foot-6 wide receiver played in football goal-line situations **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [August 8, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130 "2014-08-08T23:11:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/1 "2014-08-08T23:11:28Z")
If an extremely tall person - let’s say, 7 feet and 6 inches - played wide receiver in the NFL and was used only in goal line situations (within the opposing team’s 5-yard line,) how would the defense be able to cope? The quarterback could simply loft an extremely high, floating pass to an altitude where only the super-tall receiver could jump and snag the ball. The average defensive back is considerably shorter than 7’6 and just wouldn’t be able to reach the ball no matter how hard he tried. The defense could jam the super-tall receiver at the line of scrimmage, but again we’re talking goal-line situations. A tall person would probably run slowly, but within your opponent’s 5-yard line that doesn’t matter much. If he had great hands and a high vertical jump to go along with his 7’6 frame, and used only in goal-line situations, it’s not unreasonable to think that such a super-tall receiver could score 20-30 touchdowns a year, and perhaps just as many two-point conversions if the coach decides it’s advantageous to go for two with this unique goal-line player rather than kick for one point. Assuming the defense uses only legal tactics (i.e., no pass interference or dirty hits to the knees,) \*\*and that there are no defenders to be found that are near as tall as 7’6, \*\*how do they defend? ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/2 "2014-08-08T23:18:17Z")
A defender is eligible to catch and take possession of the ball. This is most likely the way they would cover such a threat. If the defender is looking at the QB and makes a concerted, obvious effort to catch the ball, he will not get called for DPI because of making contact with the receiver. The officials would probably, in many cases, tend to side with the defender, as long as it was not obviously DPI (not looking for the ball.). ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/3 "2014-08-08T23:21:01Z")
Easy. Introduce him to an NBA agent. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2014, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/4 "2014-08-08T23:26:24Z")
This thread is better suited to our forum entitled “The Game Room.” I’ve move it there from General Questions. **samclem** , moderator ---
**Author:** ![RetroVertigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b38774/32.png) [@RetroVertigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RetroVertigo)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/5 "2014-08-09T00:15:36Z")
It’s reasonable to presume that the go to play for this WR would be the “Corner Fade”, which could be defended against by playing a zone defense in that end. The defense can also jam the defender for the first 5 yards, so you would try to mess-up the timing of the play, which is the most important part since this play is nothing but timing. The play would With the arm span this guy will have he will have a hard-time protecting the ball on his way down. As a defender they would try to either hit the ball away, or knock him over on the way down going he didn’t have complete control. They would probably be successful a good portion of the time, but it wouldn’t be indefensible. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/6 "2014-08-09T00:23:52Z")
Let’s say your average DB is 6’ tall. That gives your hypothetical wide receiver an 18" advantage. That means your quarterback has to hit an 18" window. And on a goal-line stand it’s not unusual for the defense to bring 7 or 8 players on the line. That by itself is going to play havoc with the QB setting up. Plus, if you’re talking plays inside the 5 yard line, that’s prime territory for a defensive bump and run. In other words, you’re supposed offensive advantage is like trying to thread a needle where both the hand holding the needle and the hand holding the thread are getting slapped. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/7 "2014-08-09T00:48:02Z")
It’s been done for a while on a smaller scale, with the conversion of college basketball players to tight ends. At 6’-7", Jimmy Graham led the league in TDs last year; in 2011 it was the 6’-6" Gronkowski. Tony Gonzalez (6’-5") got the ball rolling for TEs in that role. > [@Velocity](#): > > Assuming the defense uses only legal tactics (i.e., no pass interference or dirty hits to the knees,) \*\*and that there are no defenders to be found that are near as tall as 7’6, \*\*how do they defend? A DB is just a WR who can’t catch. If you can’t find a 7’-6" DB, chances are you can’t find a 7’-6" WR either. ---
**Author:** ![Sal\_Ammoniac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Sal\_Ammoniac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sal_Ammoniac)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/8 "2014-08-09T00:51:01Z")
Don’t underestimate the vertical leap of an elite athlete. A 35" leap is not exceptional for a cornerback. Therefore you need a 7’8" receiver who can also leap three feet in the air, while catching a ball, and who can bring it down inbounds while being battered by defenders. Plus you have to devote a roster spot to this hyper-specialized position. It ain’t worth it. ---
**Author:** ![ashtayk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e68b1a/32.png) [@ashtayk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ashtayk)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/9 "2014-08-09T05:14:13Z")
7’5 Yao Ming got stuffed by 5’9 Nate Robinson…watch it [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NW5YrHPJs94) ---
**Author:** ![Jim\_s\_Son](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19adc/32.png) [@Jim\_s\_Son](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jim_s_Son)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/10 "2014-08-09T10:58:51Z")
FWIW Wilt Chamberlain, who was about 7’, very strong and pretty fast in his younger days, said Hank Stram of the Kansas City Chiefs talked to him about becoming a tight end. Stram’s reasoning was Chamberlain could handle the blocking requirements, and could jump well. All was needed was the ability to catch the ball. I forget why Chamberlain declined, probably because NBA money was better and why change jobs when you are already a star. Chamberlain may also have one of these guys that could take physical pounding but didn’t relish it the way football players seem to. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/11 "2014-08-09T11:22:10Z")
How many hits would a freakishly tall WR be able to take before he rips a cruciate ligament? ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/12 "2014-08-09T13:45:42Z")
Such a tall player might be more useful blocking field goals and extra points. Would it be worth the roster spot? ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/13 "2014-08-09T14:02:48Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > Such a tall player might be more useful blocking field goals and extra points. Would it be worth the roster spot? The odds of one’s hand being in just the right place to block the ball are too low. Such blocking duty would have to come in addition to WR duty, not instead of. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/14 "2014-08-09T14:05:54Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > Let’s say your average DB is 6’ tall. That gives your hypothetical wide receiver an 18" advantage. > > That means your quarterback has to hit an 18" window. And on a goal-line stand it’s not unusual for the defense to bring 7 or 8 players on the line. That by itself is going to play havoc with the QB setting up. > > Plus, if you’re talking plays inside the 5 yard line, that’s prime territory for a defensive bump and run. In other words, you’re supposed offensive advantage is like trying to thread a needle where both the hand holding the needle and the hand holding the thread are getting slapped. True, but the same is true of numerous end zone corner fades anyway in the NFL - and the WR often isn’t much taller than the CB. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/15 "2014-08-09T15:55:29Z")
I asked this question many years ago, and I was told that, before the pass is thrown and within five or ten yards of the line of scrimmage, the linebackers can do whatever they want to the guy, and he would probably sustain career-ending skeletal damage after very few experiences with that kind of contact. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/16 "2014-08-09T16:30:29Z")
I’m not sure what position a “receiver” is, but, damn! He’s 7 and a half feet _wide_? ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/17 "2014-08-09T19:33:48Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > I asked this question many years ago, and I was told that, before the pass is thrown and within five or ten yards of the line of scrimmage, the linebackers can do whatever they want to the guy, and he would probably sustain career-ending skeletal damage after very few experiences with that kind of contact. This. Mostly because guys that tall are not usually that robust or athletic. If they are, they can make far more money over a longer period of time playing in the NBA. I think guys the size of Jimmy Graham are about as tall a people you can reliably find who can still catch a ball and block. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2014, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/18 "2014-08-09T22:58:13Z")
Harold Carmichael had a pretty stellar career with Philadelphia, including 4 All Pro selections, as a 6’8" wide receiver. He was also known as a very good blocker too. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2014, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/19 "2014-08-10T16:44:18Z")
People who are 7’ 6" \*and _very athletic_ re leaping catching etc. and \*have a robust enough frame to take the kind of insane pounding a football line deals out are vanishingly rare. As people get taller at the extreme ends of the human physiological bell curve there are often serious health issues involved and joints are often at risk even without being beat up on the football line. People that large tend to be physically delicate. There are orders of magnitude more 6’8" people than 7’6" people. Slamming or gang tackling a 7’6" 400 lb man to ground a few times is likely (IMO) to maim or cripple him in short order. ---
**Author:** ![Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/intergalactic_gladiator/32/112_2.png) [@Intergalactic\_Gladiator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intergalactic_Gladiator)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2014, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-a-7-foot-6-wide-receiver-played-in-football-goal-line-situations/695130/20 "2014-08-11T12:59:53Z")
[Alejandro Villanueva](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alejandro_Villanueva_(American_football)) is a 6’ 9" football player who played wide receiver at West Point. He also played defensive end and o line and it looks like the Eagles have him on their roster as a DE. Some highlights: [ALI VILLANUEVA (6-9, 285) - ARMY WR #82 - RECEPTIONS. CONTACT: INFO@EMGSPORTS.NET - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsgYKIt9flk) From watching that, he doesn’t seem to get very good yards after catch but he had some very nice TDs off end zone fades.