Wiktionary
n. (context American football English) An offensive football player whose position on the line of scrimmage is farthest from the ball and whose function to principally to catch passes.
Wikipedia
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Wide receivers are among the fastest players on the field. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible receivers, as are all players in the backfield. The backs and ends who are relatively near the sidelines are referred to as "wide" receivers. At the start of play, one wide receiver may begin play in the backfield, at least a yard behind the line of scrimmage. Such positioning allows another player, usually the tight end, to become the eligible receiver on that side of the line. Such positioning defines the strong side of the field.
The wide receiver (WR) is a position in American and Canadian football that functions as the pass-catching specialist. Wide receivers (also referred to as wideouts or simply receivers) are among the fastest and most agile players in the game, and they are frequent highlight-reel favorites. Examples of wide receivers include Don Hutson, Jerry Rice, Steve Largent, Steve Smith Sr., Randy Moss, Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson, and Tommy McDonald. The wide receiver's principal role is to catch passes from the quarterback. On passing plays, the receiver attempts to avoid, outmaneuver, or simply outrun defenders (typically cornerbacks and/or safeties) in the area of his pass route. If the receiver becomes open, or has an unobstructed path to the destination of a catch, he may then become the quarterback's target. Once a pass is thrown in his direction, the receiver's goal is to first catch the ball and then attempt to run downfield. Some receivers are perceived as a deep threat because of their flat-out speed, while others may be possession receivers known for not dropping passes, running crossing routes across the middle of the field, and generally, converting third down situations. A receiver's height and weight also contribute to his expected role; tall height and light weight are advantages at the receiver position.
A wide receiver has two potential roles during running plays. Particularly in the case of draw plays and other trick plays, he may run a pass route with the intent of drawing off defenders. Alternatively, he may block normally for the running back. Well-rounded receivers are noted for blocking defensive backs in support of teammates in addition to their pass-catching abilities.
Sometimes wide receivers are used to run the ball, usually in some form of end-around or reverse. This can be effective because the defense usually does not expect them to be the ball carrier on running plays. For example, wide receiver Jerry Rice rushed the ball 87 times for 645 yards and 10 touchdowns in his 20 NFL seasons.
In even rarer cases, receivers may pass the ball as part of a trick play. Despite the infrequency of these plays, some receivers have proven to be capable passers, particularly those with prior experience as a quarterback. An example where wide receiver and quarterback even swapped roles was Kansas City Chiefs' Wide receiver Mark Bradley's 37-yard touchdown pass to Quarterback Tyler Thigpen against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on November 2,n2008.
Wide receivers also serve on special teams as return men on kickoffs and punts, or as part of the hands team during onside kicks. Backup receivers could also serve as gunners on special teams.
Finally, on errant passes, receivers must frequently play a defensive role by attempting to prevent an interception. If a pass is intercepted, receivers must use their speed to chase down and tackle the ball carrier to prevent him from returning the ball for a long gain or a touchdown.
In the NFL, wide receivers can use the numbers 10–19 and 80–89.
"Wide Receiver" is a 1980 funk/ dance song by North American bass guitarist and vocalist Michael Henderson. The song was from the album Wide Receiver.
Michael Henderson is mainly known for smooth R&B of the style later known as ' quiet storm'; this song was his only club dance track, charting at #4 on the Soul Singles chart. Another song from the album was " Prove It" which charted at number 27.
Wide Receiver is the fifth album by American bass guitarist Michael Henderson. It was released in 1980 on Buddah Records.
A wide receiver is a position in American football.
it may also refer to:
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Wide Receiver (album), an album by Michael Henderson
- Wide Receiver (song)
- ATF gunwalking scandal, code named Operation Wide Receiver, a U.S sting operation
Usage examples of "wide receiver".
He caught his full weight on the other leg, hopped on it three times like a wide receiver trying not to go out of bounds, planted that foot on some ice, and skidded on one rigid leg for a distance of several feet, now looking perfectly like a figure skater.
He had been a wide receiver of no little renown, and on the mound of a baseball diamond had once possessed a slider that justifiably intimidated the opposition.
The beeper went off at a bad moment, when Rudy happened to be screwing the young wife of a Miami Dolphins wide receiver.
He flew across the table, hands out like a wide receiver lunging for the game-breaking pass.
His wide receiver ran a terrific pattern, was in the right spot to pick up the pass, was as clear as a Carolina afternoon .
He sometimes lined up as a wide receiver, and when he ran out of the backfield it was only to catch Chipper Dove’.
Well, our star wide receiver tore a ligament yesterday afternoon, and we need a replacement.