Taylor Jacobs starting Sunday

Unique and insightful take, Joe. I agree that he has decent physical talent, but we need a chance to see him perform. If he doesn't step up to the challenge, especially against a mediocore Raiders D, he probably won't be with us next season.

Good point. Having watched TJ closely in camps over the past three years, I've been touting his abilities, and predicting great things from him. When you watch the guy working alongside the other receivers in practice, he stands out, because he really does possess so many of the attributes that make a receiver successful in the NFL.

But the one thing he seems to lack personality-wise-- and this is critical-- is that steely confidence and cocky self-assuredness that seems to always accompany today's outstanding receivers. Maybe that's one reason I've always liked the guy. But there's a reason so many great receivers-- Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, the list goes on-- exude such unmitigated self-confidence.

To play that position at that level, where they're able to dominate opposing secondaries and establish themselves as upper-echelon wideouts, they not only have to be superior athletes, but they have to possess an unwavering belief that they can mentally and physically dominate defenders. You can see a little bit of that Jordan-esque killer instinct in any great wideout, whether they brashly proclaim their greatness or not. It's communicated in the way they carry themselves, the way they look people in the eye, their vocal and non-verbal mannerisms. It's something you sense, not just in the words they speak, but in their entire expression of who they are.

I simply don't see that in Taylor. He's not a commanding presence. He's just a quiet, soft-spoken farmboy from rural Florida. There's nothing remarkable about him physically, and his personality is so stealthily unobtrusive that he would virtually disappear in a room full of average people. One might get the sense that Jacobs' goal in life is to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

That could be a big detriment to him, holding him back on the depth chart, while others with "louder" personalities jockey for the attention of coaches, and lobby through the media for more playing time and more looks from the quarterback on gameday. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. It could also be that, consciously or unconsiously, the coaches and quarterbacks interpret Taylor's lack of bravado as a lack of self-confidence. Why would they have any confidence in someone who apparently has little or no confidence in himself?

With Patten out of the picture this weekend, this is Taylor's opportunity to let his playmaking abilities speak for themselves. The question is, how loudly will they speak?

Interesting take JC. Recently someone asked Terrell Davis about Jamaal Lewis' comments about playing it "safe" in his final contract year. Many misconstrued Lewis' comment implying that he was playing not to get hurt. Terrell Davis said that on the contrary he didn't believe that is what Lewis meant. He went on to say that when players play not to get hurt that's when they actually get hurt.

Something you said Joe Crisp about a lack of steely confidence on TJ's part. Perhaps it's that shy quality that has, in some sort of weird way, led to these nagging injuries? I thought of Marvin Harrison and how he is the consumate professional on the field. He comes accross as being quiet and you never hear him brag or do anything unseemly on the field. Yet day-in and day-out he produces. While I don't hear of Harrison taking verbal jabs at the opposing defenders and so forth, I would be willing to bet that he still has a commanding presence about himself.

Perhaps one jarring hit and still hanging on to the ball is what Jacobs needs??

Just one prediction from a humble fan in europe...who doesnt pretend to know everything:
I believe Taylor Jacobs has been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. He has had plenty of time to recover from his toe injury. The raiders secondary will be keying on Moss and prolly Cooley. Therefore i say the time is ripe for Taylor Jacobs and i predict he has a very good game this sunday and hopefully moves up on the depth chart giving us a legitimate two receiver set to go along with Cooley!!! And now its time to think playoffs!

I hope people are right about Jacobs taking off. I loved the pick Spurrier made with him over Mike Doss (Who I also would have liked to have, but that would have given us Kellen Winslow most likely!). He was a first round pick till he did awful at the combine because of the flu.

Anyhow, I've been waiting to see Jacobs get some legitimate playing time to see what he can do. The only thing that worries me is the amount of looks he'll get from Brunell. Patten's been thrown to what, 15 - 20 times all YEAR?

The other caveat is that Brunell has to throw him the ball. It would be a bit difficult to "step out" if the balls aren't coming your way.

step up or get out... or something.

If he could catch at least 2-3 passes, that'd be a vast improvement...

Patten is not getting the job done at this time so it would realy be nice to see TJ come in and have a strong showing.

FRAYGEEEELEEEYYYY!!!! Lets see, if history repeats itself, he'll have 1 or 2 nice plays, then he'll pull up short with a hangnail either this week or next.

Well, this is the shot he's been waiting for.

I'd love to see him step up, make plays and make Patten expendable.

He's shown flashes here and there, but staying healthy is the obvious key.

Good point. Having watched TJ closely in camps over the past three years, I've been touting his abilities, and predicting great things from him. When you watch the guy working alongside the other receivers in practice, he stands out, because he really does possess so many of the attributes that make a receiver successful in the NFL.

But the one thing he seems to lack personality-wise-- and this is critical-- is that steely confidence and cocky self-assuredness that seems to always accompany today's outstanding receivers. Maybe that's one reason I've always liked the guy. But there's a reason so many great receivers-- Randy Moss, Terrell Owens, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, the list goes on-- exude such unmitigated self-confidence.

To play that position at that level, where they're able to dominate opposing secondaries and establish themselves as upper-echelon wideouts, they not only have to be superior athletes, but they have to possess an unwavering belief that they can mentally and physically dominate defenders. You can see a little bit of that Jordan-esque killer instinct in any great wideout, whether they brashly proclaim their greatness or not. It's communicated in the way they carry themselves, the way they look people in the eye, their vocal and non-verbal mannerisms. It's something you sense, not just in the words they speak, but in their entire expression of who they are.

I simply don't see that in Taylor. He's not a commanding presence. He's just a quiet, soft-spoken farmboy from rural Florida. There's nothing remarkable about him physically, and his personality is so stealthily unobtrusive that he would virtually disappear in a room full of average people. One might get the sense that Jacobs' goal in life is to remain as inconspicuous as possible.

That could be a big detriment to him, holding him back on the depth chart, while others with "louder" personalities jockey for the attention of coaches, and lobby through the media for more playing time and more looks from the quarterback on gameday. As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. It could also be that, consciously or unconsiously, the coaches and quarterbacks interpret Taylor's lack of bravado as a lack of self-confidence. Why would they have any confidence in someone who apparently has little or no confidence in himself?

With Patten out of the picture this weekend, this is Taylor's opportunity to let his playmaking abilities speak for themselves. The question is, how loudly will they speak?

Good point, but what about Marvin Harrison? Judging from what I see of him on TV and in interviews he seems to be genuinely humble and modest - and maybe the best wr of the last five years.