JLC: Evaluating Anthony Mix

Redskins Insider (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/redskinsinsider/)

While commenting on the Redskins' receiving corps this offseason, Vinny Cerrato, Washington's executive vice president of football operations, often mentions his excitement about the potential of wide receiver Anthony Mix. "I like him," Cerrato said. "We're going to give him a chance to show us what he can do."
Mix, a college teammate of quarterback Jason Campbell at Auburn who was signed from the New York Giants' practice squad on Nov. 20, performed well while playing on special teams in six games last season. Now, the Redskins are eager to learn more about Mix's receiving skills. At 6 feet 5 and 235 pounds, Mix could fill the Redskins' need for a big wide receiver, and he welcomes the opportunity to try.

"It makes me feel great that they've identified me as being someone who has the talent, so that they want to give me a chance," Mix said after workouts today at Redskins Park. "All anybody can ask for is an opportunity, that's what this is all about, and my window of opportunity is here. I'm going to work hard this offseason to take advantage of it."

Mix, 25, went undrafted in 2006 and signed with the Giants as a free agent. He is raw (Mix has only three receptions for 39 yards in nine NFL games), but with the team switching to a West Coast offense for next season, the Redskins believe Campbell could benefit from having a big target.

The Redskins pursued former free agent wide receiver D.J. Hackett (they offered Hackett a minimum contract), who signed with the Carolina Panthers. Although the team is expected to draft at least one wide receiver, Mix has the inside track at joining starting wide receivers Santana Moss and Antwaan Randle El as a key member of the Redskins' new-look offense.

"They didn't sign any big names in free agency, and that makes me feel kind of good," Mix said. "That's showing confidence in me. That's showing that they see something in me.

"I think they're looking to see big things out of me, which is good for me. I'm not nervous at all about it. I'm excited about it. A lot of people wait for that big break; this might be my big break."

Campbell acknowledged he encouraged Redskins officials to consider signing Mix because "I thought he was someone who could help the team." Mix appreciates his friend's support and looks forward to reconnecting with Campbell on the field when minicamp begins May 2.

"I played with Jason for three years at Auburn, I know how he works, so it should" help him, Mix said. "I have to get used to his ball again because I haven't played with him in awhile. It's not like you just jump back out there and the timing is down like it used to be, you have to work at it, but we'll see what we can do once we get started again. I'm ready."

In this age of overexposure, I guess this stuff is to be expected, but there sure is a lot of hype around this guy just for being tall. In all likelihood, we'll be saying "who was Anthony Mix?" by the end of the season.

i think a lot of ppl here are jumping the gun on mix, dont get me wrong id love to see him thrive with us and become a solid contributer, but im not ready to reserve a spot in hawaii for him quite yet. lets see him on offense in pre-season at least. im glad that jlc has done this article though. that being said i dont think we can go in with just ARE and moss as our only proven receivers, we are going to need to draft at least 1 fairly high up, hopefully 3rd round or something. lets just hope the draft pick doesnt turn out to be another cliff russell

i think a lot of ppl here are jumping the gun on mix, dont get me wrong id love to see him thrive with us and become a solid contributer, but im not ready to reserve a spot in hawaii for him quite yet. lets see him on offense in pre-season at least. im glad that jlc has done this article though. that being said i dont think we can go in with just ARE and moss as our only proven receivers, we are going to need to draft at least 1 fairly high up, hopefully 3rd round or something. lets just hope the draft pick doesnt turn out to be another cliff russell

I agree that we should take a receiver in the second or third round. But, at the very least, we should see what Mix can do. He's proven himself on special teams. He knows Jason from their days at Auburn. Who knows? He could be that diamond in the rough. But, you are right in that we do have some numbers issues at WR.

I am a minority on this I know, but I am going to throw my opion out there anyway and this seems like the thread to do it in.

Despite everyones opinion (including anyone on the personnell staff) forego taking any WR's in the draft this year. Build up the needs and depth at the other positions on our roster CB, OL, DL, and QB. Let Mix get a shot at the #2 WR spot. If he doesn't pan out then we can address the WR high (not #1) in next years draft. Sure, we allow UFA's into camp to compete. But this will allow us to take care of the rest of the needs on the team.

We already know what Moss and ARE are truly capable of despite last years performances, and Cooley is a lock at TE. This is a new offense. Lets see what it looks like before we say we need something.

In essense I am saying lets build up depth and watch the team perform before we decide we need another offensive weapon. The defense is set with a question at DB. Everywhere else we need depth. Lets build it.

I realize that ARE is moving into the slot.

I am a minority on this I know, but I am going to throw my opion out there anyway and this seems like the thread to do it in.

Despite everyones opinion (including anyone on the personnell staff) forego taking any WR's in the draft this year. Build up the needs and depth at the other positions on our roster CB, OL, DL, and QB. Let Mix get a shot at the #2 WR spot. If he doesn't pan out then we can address the WR high (not #1) in next years draft. Sure, we allow UFA's into camp to compete. But this will allow us to take care of the rest of the needs on the team.

We already know what Moss and ARE are truly capable of despite last years performances, and Cooley is a lock at TE. This is a new offense. Lets see what it looks like before we say we need something.

In essense I am saying lets build up depth and watch the team perform before we decide we need another offensive weapon. The defense is set with a question at DB. Everywhere else we need depth. Lets build it.

I realize that ARE is moving into the slot.

I hear what you're saying. We need to focus more on the lines instead of the skill positions. You're right. Having said that, I don't think it would hurt to get some depth at receiver, only because Moss, Randle El and Thrash each had injuries last season which forced them to miss games. And let's not forget about the Brandon Lloyd debacle.

I hear what you're saying. We need to focus more on the lines instead of the skill positions. You're right. Having said that, I don't think it would hurt to get some depth at receiver, only because Moss, Randle El and Thrash each had injuries last season which forced them to miss games. And let's not forget about the Brandon Lloyd debacle.

If we are set on taking a WR, I would rather see him taken later (6th or 7th) rather than sooner. And only 1.

I am a minority on this I know, but I am going to throw my opion out there anyway and this seems like the thread to do it in.

Despite everyones opinion (including anyone on the personnell staff) forego taking any WR's in the draft this year. Build up the needs and depth at the other positions on our roster CB, OL, DL, and QB. Let Mix get a shot at the #2 WR spot. If he doesn't pan out then we can address the WR high (not #1) in next years draft. Sure, we allow UFA's into camp to compete. But this will allow us to take care of the rest of the needs on the team.

We already know what Moss and ARE are truly capable of despite last years performances, and Cooley is a lock at TE. This is a new offense. Lets see what it looks like before we say we need something.

In essense I am saying lets build up depth and watch the team perform before we decide we need another offensive weapon. The defense is set with a question at DB. Everywhere else we need depth. Lets build it.

I realize that ARE is moving into the slot.

Sound logic, plus Roy Williams might be available next year as a free agent. If Mix actually pans out & wins a starting spot, our wr corp would be in decent shape, we'd only need a #5 behind Thrash.

I still think this is a good time to draft a wr, since in 2-3 years he might start producing. With the vets on this team I think next year (09) will be the best to make a push for the super bowl. Zorn's first year will be a good year for the offense to come together, but I don't expect great success until his 2nd year. If we draft a wr this year he'll be ready to produce at the same time that the rest of the team starts to gell.

Sound logic, plus Roy Williams might be available next year as a free agent. If Mix actually pans out & wins a starting spot, our wr corp would be in decent shape, we'd only need a #5 behind Thrash.

I still think this is a good time to draft a wr, since in 2-3 years he might start producing. With the vets on this team I think next year (09) will be the best to make a push for the super bowl. Zorn's first year will be a good year for the offense to come together, but I don't expect great success until his 2nd year. If we draft a wr this year he'll be ready to produce at the same time that the rest of the team starts to gell.

The rest of our playmakers aren't getting any younger though.

I wonder how much truth there is to this article. As others have alluded to lately the fans voice now plays a bigger part in the direction any NFL team takes, and few groups of fans are as loud as our fan base. Ironically it's our fan base which possibly played a part in the team not hiring Jim Fassel. Now I doubt that we were the sole reason but still, we did have a part in the decision to not hire Fassel.

However what I want to know is if this article is a form of fan service on Vinny Cerato's part. JLC in this case can only report what he was told. Throughout this offseason. As a lot of you have noticed Mix has developed almost a cult like following this offseason, and that would be fine, if I could believe that the following wasn't based soley on the guys measureables or his performance in fans Madden Franchise's.

If the guy proves himself in training camp and during the preseason then awesome. However I refuse to annoint a guy as the solution to a problem on the sole basis of him being tall and relatively fast. And ironically I bet that Mix wouldn't be to proud of getting a shot soley on his measureables.

However for me Mix mania came way to early. If it had started during training camp or during the preseason then I could easily have gotten on board, but for now all we have is a guy thats tall enough to play 2 guard in the NBA and who's experience with Campbell only netted him ~200 yards when the two played together. With that said I might join the Mix bandwagon one day, but it won't be a day before training camp starts.

At this point I'm convinced that the Redskins will take a Reciever in rounds 2 or 3 given that Cerrato has voiced his opinion that no Recievers are worth a 1st round grade (or a top 20 grade according to Smootsmack :D). And with that said the only quality guy I can see going in round 2 or 3 is Jordy Nelson, who won't be avaiable when we pick in round 3.