PRO FOOTBALL WEEKLY- TOP ROUTE RUNNERS IN THE NFL

[Bretsky]

I've commented often on how I feel Tory Holt is the best route running receiver in the NFL hands down. Recently Pro Football Weekly surveyed NFL experts and asked, "Which WR's run the Best Routes" and put that in their weekly issue. With that being said, here is the top 5.

[Bretsky]

#5- Chad Johnson- ""He has the ability to make a db move; Chad is so explosive on his first step, he makes you move."

[Bretsky]

#4 Marvin Harrison

"Their system helps their routes. They read man and zone. He's got all the speed and quickness you want. He's savvy. He knows that if it's zone, he knows where to go."

[Bretsky]

#3 Anquan Boldin

""Guys are afraid to press him. he has explosive ankle flexibility. You get up on him, you better have him over the top. He's become a real master at what he does. He may not have the quickness of the other guys, but if you don't get your hands on him you're done.'""

[Bretsky]

#2 Steve Smith

""The kid from Carolina is the first that comes to mind, maybe because I've seen too much of him lately. He runs the heck out of routes and runs them fast. He's got it all. He's very explosive at the line, and is the total package. ""

[Bretsky]

drumroll.............

#1 Tory Holt

""He just knows how to set up the defensive backs. He knows where the holes are that he wants to get to, and when he wants to get theer to time it up with the quarterback. He knows how to change the speed in his routes. He's a real good one. ""

[Fosco33]

I'd take 5, 3 and 2 before 1 or 4. I want guys in their prime.

Holt was amazing with the 'greatest show on turf'. He's still good but I wouldn't build a team/offense around him.

[Charles Woodson]

I'd take 5, 3 and 2 before 1 or 4. I want guys in their prime.

Holt was amazing with the 'greatest show on turf'. He's still good but I wouldn't build a team/offense around him.

1-holt-------age-30
2-smith-----age-27
3-Boldin----age-26
4-harrison--age-34
5-johnson--age 28

[Fosco33]

I'd take 5, 3 and 2 before 1 or 4. I want guys in their prime.

Holt was amazing with the 'greatest show on turf'. He's still good but I wouldn't build a team/offense around him.

1-holt-------age-30
2-smith-----age-27
3-Boldin----age-26
4-harrison--age-34
5-johnson--age 28

Exactly. There have been a few guys productive in their mid 30's (the greatest of course) - I guess I thought Holt was a little older. I still say 2, 3, and 5.

[Iron Mike]

#4 Marvin Harrison

"Their system helps their routes. They read man and zone. He's got all the speed and quickness you want. He's savvy. He knows that if it's zone, he knows where to go."

One of the best route runners in the game......and NO titles!!!

Is it the curse of Dungy or Manning?

[Bretsky]

I'd take 5, 3 and 2 before 1 or 4. I want guys in their prime.

Holt was amazing with the 'greatest show on turf'. He's still good but I wouldn't build a team/offense around him.

1-holt-------age-30
2-smith-----age-27
3-Boldin----age-26
4-harrison--age-34
5-johnson--age 28

Exactly. There have been a few guys productive in their mid 30's (the greatest of course) - I guess I thought Holt was a little older. I still say 2, 3, and 5.

I was surprised to see the anti Holt; I think he is in his prime and near unstoppable.

[Fosco33]

I'd take 5, 3 and 2 before 1 or 4. I want guys in their prime.

Holt was amazing with the 'greatest show on turf'. He's still good but I wouldn't build a team/offense around him.

1-holt-------age-30
2-smith-----age-27
3-Boldin----age-26
4-harrison--age-34
5-johnson--age 28

Exactly. There have been a few guys productive in their mid 30's (the greatest of course) - I guess I thought Holt was a little older. I still say 2, 3, and 5.

I was surprised to see the anti Holt; I think he is in his prime and near unstoppable.

I'm generally anti-dome teams/players. Holt wouldn't be very good here, IMO. 3 rec for 40 yards and a TD against our terrible secondary isn't impressive (but he was matched against Harris - if I recall). He'd be good but not very good. Same for Harrison. Boldin is talented. Holt's numbers are pretty good - he's on pace for career TD's in a year and about average for yards/rec.

Moss has shown he can do it in Lambeau - but not with a bad team in Oakland. Not sure how is route running is ranked but is deep ball, hands, vision, dirtiness (push-offs) and feet make him a bigtime threat.

[Murphy37]

I'd take Jeff Quiery over all of those clowns. Remember the diving game winning grab in the endzone against the Bengals. Remember the porn mustache with the bleach blond kick ass mullet hangin out the helmut. You bet your ass #85!

[Guiness]

Seems like Holt's been around for ever - I also thought he was older - closer to Harrison, anyways.

One question; what is explosive ankle flexibility (used to describe Boldin)??? Explose speed, explosive hits I understand. I do not understand explosive ankle flexibility.I assume it means he cuts well?

Guess it's just an author trying to jazz it up a bit.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Holt might be the best WR in the NFL. It's Torry with two R's though.