Actually could be accused of running the spread.

“The spread offense begins with a no-huddle approach with the quarterback in the shotgun formation much of the time. The fundamental nature of the spread offense involves spreading the field horizontally using 3, 4, and even 5-receiver sets (some implementations of the spread also feature wide splits between the offensive linemen). The object of the spread offense is to open up multiple vertical seams for both the running and passing game to exploit, as the defense is forced to spread itself thin across the field (a "horizontal stretch”) to cover everyone."

And Richard’s right, the only position that suffers from the spread is the QB. You have to be a pretty good route runner actually. Otherwise you could end up running into your own dudes.

Richard’s also right, and points out the reason why I’d like Harvin. I think Harvin is one of the first “slot” WRs that is actually a first round talent to come out. He has the speed, the routes are very similar to what he’s used to, and he’s way more physical than people give him credit for. Those injuries he had came from running up the gut and hitting LBs head on going incredibly fast. If he stuck to just receiving, I think he’d be 100% fine aside from the usual injuries that even players that don’t miss games are exposed to.

And that’s my point as to why I like him over Nicks. I’m not completely adverse to a WR, but the thing is, slot receivers are normally taken in the 3rd round down. Not many receivers are taken in the 1st or second that are destined to play in the slot. I mean everyone says Gonzo was supposed to play in the slot because he played in the spread, but I don’t hear them saying Maclin is only suited to play in the slot. Not to mention Gonzo plays better as a flanker than he does in the slot. He just does. And I think Nicks would have to play in the slot until Reggie started to slow down. And I don’t think he’d do nearly as well as Harvin.

By the way, some very very good receivers came from spread offenses. And this year’s two top WRs in the draft (Crabtree and Maclin) both played in it.

Some dudes that have played in the spread :

Anthony Gonzalez
Santonio Holmes
Calvin Johnson
Ted Ginn

And…I really don’t feel like going through that list anymore, but here’s one more :

Marvin Harrison

I don’t think the Canes ran it, Richard could probably tell me, but they ran a very “spread” type offense with Reggie, Andre Johnson, Santana Moss, Jeremy Shockey, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, and Najeh Davenport.

Here you go, the most infamous college system that “ruins” NFL players :

Hmm, that looks vaguely familiar.