The Perils of Drafting WRs

Matty, I'm fine with taking a WR, so long as we realize that it's a pick that's really designed to make us a better team down the road. I like a long term plan, so I would be happy if we ended up with Mike Williams. I just think that if we take a WR, we need to be ready for him to be disappointing in his first season.

I agree, and I think our staff would bring a young WR along slowly much like we did last year defensively with Taylor.

Here's a question: Would you guys prefer immediate impact in say, a DE or CB, or long-term plan of a WR?

A lot of fans and experts are still sweet on Mike Williams. I'm not. Just as Maurice Clarett is hopefully the same football player he was two years ago, you can't disregard his time away from the game. That's the risk; for a young player with weight control issues to be drafted in the top 10. Answer these two questions. If Clarett was allowed to enter the draft years ago how high would he have been drafted? Why doesn't that hold true for this years draft? At number 9, I like Shawne Merriman, Antrel Rolle or Adam Jones. And they're others. There's even more value if we trade down into the 20s. Carlos Rodgers, Matt Jones (yes, I'm now a believer), and possibly Erasmus James (unlikely). :oink:
Not exactly sure what you are saying here.. I don't think there are many people who are comparing Williams and Clarett in any regard. The differences are staggering in terms of both talent and maturity. I am not sure if the weight comment was meant for Williams or Clarett either but I don't know of Williams having any weight issues.
When you trade down you are going to get a player with some blemishes. Sometimes these blemishes are overblown and they end up being great players but more often than not the blemishes turn out to be issues that prevent them from being a stud. The question is whether we can get a stud player at 9. I believe Williams is but that's only my perception. I say Williams first then trade down second.

Here's a question: Would you guys prefer immediate impact in say, a DE or CB, or long-term plan of a WR?
Are there going to be any "impact" players availabale when we pick at either DE or CB. At this point it seems that there are no DEs who are major "impact" type guys. The only one even mentioned at 9 right seems to be Merriman who has elicits major concerns(this guy is a prototypical workout warrior) and either Rolle or Jones both of whom look like good CBs but maybe not first year impact type guys. I don't think there is anyone who we might get who can be an "impact" right away. At least no one we can count on.

If they draft a wide receiver, then someone in the current crop would have to go. Thrash or McCants would be my guess. Joe Gibbs' offense doesn't regularly use multiple wideout formations involving more than 3 receivers. In fact, most of the 4-wide formations have an H-back or TE that motions out.

Then there's simple mathematics with regard to the active roster. Gibbs needs more tight ends than most offenses. That's why you saw Cooley, Robert Royal and Rasby-Koslowski a whole lot more than you saw McCants on the field last year.

Taking a wideout at #9 only to have him sit on the bench for most of the season catching 10 to 20 passes would be absurd. Unless they plan on relegating Taylor Jacobs to the 4th slot again this upcoming season.

I know Gibbs loves his tight ends, but perhaps we'll see some changes this year and just maybe some different looks involving 4 wideouts? Just a thought. He seems pretty intent on making whatever changes necessary to get the ball down the field, and he's never been one to rule anything out.

I know Gibbs loves his tight ends, but perhaps we'll see some changes this year and just maybe some different looks involving 4 wideouts? Just a thought. He seems pretty intent on making whatever changes necessary to get the ball down the field, and he's never been one to rule anything out.

Where’s the Fun-N’-Gun when you need it?

Seriously, I have a confession to make. Last season, when Portis was averaging around 3 yards per carry, and we couldn’t complete a pass over 30 yards to save our lives, I too had dreams of dispensing with the smash-mouth style of football and lining up 4 or 5 wideouts and ripping away for big gains through the air. Say what you will about Spurrier, but at least we had some semblance of a passing game for a few games. I really think if Gibbs had just let Ramsey go through the learning pains of his offense, our stats through the air would have been markedly better.