Shadowlight
Master
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2013
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- 3,882
We are just about at the one third mark so here is my analysis of the WR position so far. Going into the season optimism was higher than normal but after the first 5 weeks I am clearly disappointed. It could be worse like back in the late 90's but given the expectations it is a major let down.
My grade so far is a C- but after the last two depressing weeks a D + is not out of the question. And while there are several terrific TE's to cheer for like Kelce and Ertz I refuse to use TE's as substitutes for WR's.
Start with the rookies. Only Cooper Kupp has made any sort of positive impression as he has put up OK but not great numbers to date. Elsewhere Trent Taylor plays but his stats are very low. Ryan Switzer has yet to make an impression as a KR and PR but I guess it is a good sign he handles both those duties. Chad Hansen (injury?) has yet to appear at all. Smallish sample I know but I hope to see these players trend up and soon.
Elsewhere two players I was hoping could make the leap have not. Alex Erickson is still mainly relegated to KR and PR duties and Jordan Taylor who has been MIA. Those coaching staffs are making a mistake if you ask me.
The two break out players from last season Adam Thielen, who has had two consecutive low stat games after starting the season off like gangbusters and Chris Hogan who has been solid but hasn't had as many deep pass plays are essentially at the very least proving they weren't a fluke last year but I expect more than they have shown so far. Thielen, who has great talent, unfortunately has to deal with a messed up QB situation. Banged up Bradford was moving around like a 90 year old man last night.
Two similar slot players Amendola and Humphries have played decent so far but Cole Beasley is getting much fewer targets than he did compared to last season for reasons I can't figure.
Jordy Nelson is probably a bit past his prime but he is still a top rate player. Trouble is injuries have slowed him down at times so far. When he does play he elevates the team.
Whether Jared Abbrederis or newcomer Max McCaffrey are able to build up steam this year is a major question mark but we could use an injection of new blood that's for damn sure. I wouldn't hold your breath though.
Max's brother Christian is listed as a RB but he has put up slot WR numbers so far with 27 grabs. Trouble is most all of those passes were of the dink and dunk variety which only illustrates a continuing problem when it comes to white WR's at the NFL and college levels. Some of it might have to do with the success of players like Welker and Edelman where the short pass to the white WR has become a theme. By the same token long/deep pass patterns or even middle range slants designed for white WR's for the most part have been absent sans Jordy, Hogan last year and maybe Decker a few years back, another player past his prime who is only getting dinks and dunks so far this season.
I want to see white field stretching WR's that used to be a staple of the NFL in the 60's and 70's. And you see the neglect at the college level where few white WR's run anything close to resembling deep patterns. Those are only reserved for the black WR's. Very annoying trend.
So all in all I am disappointed with how things are going--perhaps I am setting the bar too high but I don't think so. In general the white WR status of the NFL is not where I want it to be one third through the season. Here is hoping for a pick up and especially more EXPLOSIVE plays with WR's approaching or passing 100 yards a game with more frequency.
My grade so far is a C- but after the last two depressing weeks a D + is not out of the question. And while there are several terrific TE's to cheer for like Kelce and Ertz I refuse to use TE's as substitutes for WR's.
Start with the rookies. Only Cooper Kupp has made any sort of positive impression as he has put up OK but not great numbers to date. Elsewhere Trent Taylor plays but his stats are very low. Ryan Switzer has yet to make an impression as a KR and PR but I guess it is a good sign he handles both those duties. Chad Hansen (injury?) has yet to appear at all. Smallish sample I know but I hope to see these players trend up and soon.
Elsewhere two players I was hoping could make the leap have not. Alex Erickson is still mainly relegated to KR and PR duties and Jordan Taylor who has been MIA. Those coaching staffs are making a mistake if you ask me.
The two break out players from last season Adam Thielen, who has had two consecutive low stat games after starting the season off like gangbusters and Chris Hogan who has been solid but hasn't had as many deep pass plays are essentially at the very least proving they weren't a fluke last year but I expect more than they have shown so far. Thielen, who has great talent, unfortunately has to deal with a messed up QB situation. Banged up Bradford was moving around like a 90 year old man last night.
Two similar slot players Amendola and Humphries have played decent so far but Cole Beasley is getting much fewer targets than he did compared to last season for reasons I can't figure.
Jordy Nelson is probably a bit past his prime but he is still a top rate player. Trouble is injuries have slowed him down at times so far. When he does play he elevates the team.
Whether Jared Abbrederis or newcomer Max McCaffrey are able to build up steam this year is a major question mark but we could use an injection of new blood that's for damn sure. I wouldn't hold your breath though.
Max's brother Christian is listed as a RB but he has put up slot WR numbers so far with 27 grabs. Trouble is most all of those passes were of the dink and dunk variety which only illustrates a continuing problem when it comes to white WR's at the NFL and college levels. Some of it might have to do with the success of players like Welker and Edelman where the short pass to the white WR has become a theme. By the same token long/deep pass patterns or even middle range slants designed for white WR's for the most part have been absent sans Jordy, Hogan last year and maybe Decker a few years back, another player past his prime who is only getting dinks and dunks so far this season.
I want to see white field stretching WR's that used to be a staple of the NFL in the 60's and 70's. And you see the neglect at the college level where few white WR's run anything close to resembling deep patterns. Those are only reserved for the black WR's. Very annoying trend.
So all in all I am disappointed with how things are going--perhaps I am setting the bar too high but I don't think so. In general the white WR status of the NFL is not where I want it to be one third through the season. Here is hoping for a pick up and especially more EXPLOSIVE plays with WR's approaching or passing 100 yards a game with more frequency.
