I found Marrone's comments  yesterday on Westbrook (and receivers in general) enlightening regarding his approach to assessing and developing young players. 

 

He stated that Westbrook will initially work at both outside positions during the offseason before learning the slot. He stated multiple reasons for this but the one that stood out was that he likes to evaluate receivers based on skill set and the one skill that he values the most is being able to play on the ball (right at the LOS - not backed off of it) and still beat press coverage.  

 

The guys that can play on the ball and beat press are the most valuable and often most versatile.  The guys that don't excel there can play slot off the ball or in bunch/trips formations off the ball and have obviously more limited usefulness to the team.  (yet still be productive)

 

Since Westbrook only played one side in college, they want him to learn both outside spots first, get an evaluation of him beating coverage with pads on, and THEN take a look at him in the slot when he's ready to learn more. 

 

It's a very sensible approach, and having Hurns, Greene and Walters around means they don't have to rush him to be "the guy" at slot receiver right away. 

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