Flankers vs Split Ends

[aston217]

My apologies if this has been asked before, but I've been through a lot of the stickied threads and don't recall this particular topic coming up.

Any difference between FLs and SEs?

For example, if there's a big gap between your top two WRs, is there an advantage to putting the #1 guy at FL or SE, and what is it, qualitatively?

I usually put my best backup WR as the #2 FL, just because by default, 3WR sets have the #2 FL as the slot receiver, but haven't really noticed much difference in the starting FL vs starting SE.

Here's the situation I'm looking at. My top-rated WR is at SE, while a decently close 2nd is at FL. The FL is drawing most of the double teams. Unsure if opponent is double covering by side or by WR. Default setting seems to be 'by side.' FL is considered left side, is that right? So against teams that leave this setting on, could you rack up some big yards by putting your best receiver at SE and avoiding those double coverages? This wouldn't make a difference against teams that double cover by WR, but it's a net positive overall, isn't it?

Any other differences between the two positions?

[MajikMan77]

The main thing is that FL#1 is the first WR on the field and in 2 TE sets is the only WR out there, so typically the 'best' WR should be your FL#1 followed by SE#1.

[aston217]

The main thing is that FL#1 is the first WR on the field


I get the part about 2TE sets, but what does "first WR on the field" mean, when the SE is on the field as well?

[MajikMan77]

I get the part about 2TE sets, but what does "first WR on the field" mean, when the SE is on the field as well?

No just that FL#1 is always on the field by default (except for goal line) so you want your best guy out there at that position, while the SE#1 will be subbed for another position.

[imdashep]

So if your #1 receiver is an SE, just make sure he is in the FL1 spot in 1 WR sets