Edit: Bretsky your OTHER dream as arrived

[KYPack]

Young WR's are a puzzle to me. All of 'em look great in college ball. Then, some of 'em hit the NFL and can't even make it out of camp. Others raise their game a half notch and go on to stardom.


Pro scouts can't spot it, but what is the big difference? It might be timing and the ability to run precise routes, but I don't know for sure.

[HarveyWallbangers]

I think ball skills play a huge part, and it's hard to quantify it. I played a lot of rec ball. I wasn't the biggest or fastest, but I had a knack for judging a ball in there. Judging how to run to where I was catching the ball in stride when it got to me. Perfect example is Troy Williamson vs. Greg Jennings. One has it. One doesn't. You can't teach it. I also was faster during the game than I was in a straight sprint. Some guys have track speed. Some guys have game speed and quickness. It seems like Ted Thompson does a good job evaluating this.

[Bretsky]

Did you watch the Broncos game ? Royal ran some sick...smooth looking routes. I haven't seen a ton of Jackson and he's got a great setup with McNabb and I think he's a special teams demon as well.

I'm not convinced having Ruvell Martin......or James Jones....ahead of you should get in the way of a guy with huge talent or upside. Both a decent players; but I'm sure we're all hoping Nelson at least moves to the four slot by end of year.

I can see why Ted picked Jordy. He's 5 inches taller and thirty pounds heavier than Royal. I'd hate to see a guy like royal being hit by a monster like Bigby in the open field. He'd break in two.

We have plenty short (for a WR) crafty route runners on our team. Nelson will deliver in the long term. Few worries there.

I look it the other way; we have two good sized big targets in Jones and Ruvell Martin with average speed. Jennings has average size. Driver on the small side. So I wouldn't think we'd shy away from a burner who is smaller.

[Lurker64]

I look it the other way; we have two good sized big targets in Jones and Ruvell Martin with average speed. Jennings has average size. Driver on the small side. So I wouldn't think we'd shy away from a burner who is smaller.

James Jones is 6'1" 207 lbs
Ruvell Martin is 6'4 210 lbs
Donald Driver is 6'0 190 lbs
Greg Jennings is 5'11 187 lbs.
Jordy Nelson is 6'3" 217 lbs.

Jordy is significantly bigger than any of our other WRs (except Martin) and is significantly faster than Martin. Jones and Nelson also had the same time in the 40 yard dash, but both play faster than they timed, and both have different running styles. Jordy has more of a long stride than Jones does.

I totally see why we would go for the "Big guy who was fast and has good hands."

[Harlan Huckleby]

Young WR's are a puzzle to me. All of 'em look great in college ball. Then, some of 'em hit the NFL and can't even make it out of camp. Others raise their game a half notch and go on to stardom.


Pro scouts can't spot it, but what is the big difference? It might be timing and the ability to run precise routes, but I don't know for sure.

The college DBs play soft. Not a lot of contact coming off the line. I think college WRs can get by with speed alone. The pros have to be really tough, they have to LIKE contact. Like Driver.

[pbmax]

That's an excellent point Blue Dog. And it might get worse before it gets better. Teams facing a spread offense, currently spreading to Michigan as we speak, typically will run more zone (especially underneath) than they normally do to keep people facing the QB/RB combo in case they decide to run it.

[KYPack]

Young WR's are a puzzle to me. All of 'em look great in college ball. Then, some of 'em hit the NFL and can't even make it out of camp. Others raise their game a half notch and go on to stardom.


Pro scouts can't spot it, but what is the big difference? It might be timing and the ability to run precise routes, but I don't know for sure.

The college DBs play soft. Not a lot of contact coming off the line. I think college WRs can get by with speed alone. The pros have to be really tough, they have to LIKE contact. Like Driver.

Right. College WR's face a pro calibre CB every third or fourth game. They just don't face coverage that's anywhere near pro quality. It's hard to judge which guys will make it, even tho you know they must have their stuff down. Some kids you think are tough just wilt and unknowns like Rod Smith light it up.

Very tough to figure out in advance.

[Bretsky]

Meachem.......first TD today

[pbmax]

Jordy too. Don't tell Ballhawk, he'll worry about Ruvell.

[Bretsky]

Jordy too. Don't tell Ballhawk, he'll worry about Ruvell.

Where was Ruvell ? Is he hurt again or just invisible again ? Well scratch the again on the invisible; I remember his game against the Giants

[Zool]

He was in street clothes the whole game.

[pbmax]

Inactive with a broken finger.

[Bretsky]

http://sports.yahoo.com/fantasy/nfl/news?slug=bf-skinny_092908

10. This spot has become Robert Meachem's parking space. This is where I talk about how Meachem is the most talented Saints receiver not named Colston. This is where I gush about how well he played in the preseason and how he's done nothing but produce in games despite a ridiculous lack of looks. And it was more of the same in Week 4 – three pass targets, two catches, 99 yards and a touchdown. So, to recap, that's now three career games played, six targets, five catches, three receptions of 47-plus yards, and two touchdowns. Like Norwood, Meachem is making a serious case for more involvement.