route runner

English

Noun

route runner (plural route runners)

1. (American football) A receiver who is good at finding a route through the defensive players on the other team in order to get into position.
   • 2006, Gordon Forbes, Tales from the Eagles Sideline, page 61:

     “The best route runner I have ever seen,” Vincent said. “When he was with the Rams, then over to Washington, he was real clever. He made everything look alike. You didn't know whether he was running a two-yard route or a 'go.'

   • 2012, Merritt J. Norvell, Route Running for Wide Receivers:

     You must have great awareness to be a great route runner.

   • 2021, Matt Manocherian, SIS Football Rookie Handbook 2021:

     He has a slightly-limited route tree as primarily a vertical deep threat. He is a sufficient route runner despite underutilizing his size during the stem phase.

   • 2020 April 24, Ken Belson, Ben Shpigel, “Full Round 1 2020 N.F.L. Picks and Analysis”, in New York Time‎^[1]:

     After plucking Courtland Sutton in the second round last year, the Denver Broncos needed to complement him with another receiver, preferably one who can stretch the field now that Pro Bowl wideout Emmanuel Sanders has left for New Orleans.
     Jerry Jeudy, a polished route-runner who can line up anywhere in a formation, fits that description.

2. (business) Someone whose job is to move materials or inventory items to where they are needed.
   • 2008, Chris Harris, Rick Harris, Lean Connections, page 63:

     The route runner in the RNA facility had become an integral part of the efficiency of the system.

   • 2018, Mike Elbert, Lean Production for the Small Company, page 199:

     The material handler (route runner) picks up the empty containers and kanban cards while he delivers new material to the point-of-use racks in each work cell.

   • 2021, Eduardo Lander, Jeffrey K. Liker, Thomas E. Root, Lean in a High-Variability Business:

     What if the route runner wrote down what was low when he brought inventory to the line ?