Taylor Jacobs starting Sunday

[12thMan]

According to the WP Taylor Jacobs will start this Sunday in place of an injured David Patten.

How much of an impact do you guys think Jacobs will make, and can he keep the starting job from here on out?

I've been a little critical of him not living up to his potential and all, but I would love to see this guy get it going and help this team down the stretch.

[cpayne5]

Jacobs has good hands, runs good routes, and gets good separation. He has all the tools. Now he must get into synch with Brunell and use them. A lot has been made of his apparent fragility, but for the most part his injuries are flukes. One should go back and really examine his history and the injuries that he's had.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by cpayne5

Jacobs has good hands, runs good routes, and gets good separation. He has all the tools.

Michael Westbrook had all the tools to be an elite receiver in the same mold as T.O. or Randy Moss, but that amounted to one decent season in the seven he was here. Jacobs is in the same boat. He seems to be missing that final intangible piece that makes an exceptional college player into a good NFL player. At this point, I'd just be happy if he could become a legitimate third option, and pull in 40 catches a year.

[gibbsisgod]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Michael Westbrook had all the tools to be an elite receiver in the same mold as T.O. or Randy Moss, but that amounted to one decent season in the seven he was here. Jacobs is in the same boat. He seems to be missing that final intangible piece that makes an exceptional college player into a good NFL player. At this point, I'd just be happy if he could become a legitimate third option, and pull in 40 catches a year.

I AGREE,40 CATCHES WOULD BE AWESOME

[#56fanatic]

Jacobs impressed all the coaches with his offseason work with the WR coaches. He really improved his route running and knowledge of the game plans. He did extra film study and worked his butt off in the weight room. I think it may be a good time to see what he is made of. Our #2 receiver (patten) really hasn't contributed much this season. Jacobs has good speed and is our biggest receiver(6' 200 lbs). He could be pretty good at going across the middle and turning some slants into pretty big gains. I think he will make an impact this week. Players that have the opportunity to prove themselves in these situations usually step up to the plate. I have been waiting to see what this kid can do. Hopefully he does something that merits extensive playing time, because if he doesn't our #2 guy is going to be Thrash, OUCH!!!!!

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Michael Westbrook had all the tools to be an elite receiver in the same mold as T.O. or Randy Moss, but that amounted to one decent season in the seven he was here. Jacobs is in the same boat. He seems to be missing that final intangible piece that makes an exceptional college player into a good NFL player. At this point, I'd just be happy if he could become a legitimate third option, and pull in 40 catches a year.

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?

[jermus22]

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.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

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??

[djnemo65]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

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.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

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.

I was thinking the same thing about Harrison, but it's possible to be humble and confident at the same time.

[SUNRA]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

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 analysis for a WR who most of us have not had the priviledge of seeing in practice. When you described the personality and unassuming character immediately reminded me of the best WR the Redskins has ever had. Art Monk. Quiet, humble, unassuming and dangerous as hell in tight games. He was the quintessenstial of a player who spoke volumes with his play rather than his mouth. Taylor Jacobs has a big task ahead of him, but he should trust Gibbs and the system and run his routes as well as he did in training camp.

[Drift Reality]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

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?

First off, you're a pretty damn good writer.

Second, I disagree that wide receivers need that Jordan-esque instinct to be successful. Art Monk?

He was literally a fly on the wall but he was one of the great ones.

Barry Sanders? He was another just amazing athlete who was a consumnate professional through the end but he simply didn't ruffle any feathers.

As Ken Beatrice always used to say, there is a distinction between cockiness and athletic confidence. Athletes who are cocky (TO, Randy Moss, etc.) have no place on the Redskins as far as I'm concerned; whereas we want the type of players who have confidence in their athletic abilities.

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by joecrisp

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?

I think that alot of people are missing the point. He is not saying that every WR carries themselves that way, but he is being "sterotypical" of the WR spot.

I agree that Art Monk, M. Harrison, or even J. Rice throwout verbal jabs at the opposind D, nor did they self-promote themselves either. But I do think that they carried themselves with a "swagger". They knew what they can do and how good they are, they just choose to let there playing do the talking.

I think that is what Jacobs needs to get a "swagger" about himself, and his skills.

Quick, someone call Portis and see if he has any MOJO left over for Jacobs!!!

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

I think that alot of people are missing the point. He is not saying that every WR carries themselves that way, but he is being "sterotypical" of the WR spot.

I agree that Art Monk, M. Harrison, or even J. Rice throwout verbal jabs at the opposind D, nor did they self-promote themselves either. But I do think that they carried themselves with a "swagger". They knew what they can do and how good they are, they just choose to let there playing do the talking.

I think that is what Jacobs needs to get a "swagger" about himself, and his skills.

Quick, someone call Portis and see if he has any MOJO left over for Jacobs!!!

Thanks, Redskins8588! That's essentially what I was trying to say.

When I was writing that post, I was thinking about two of my all-time favorite wideouts (and in my humble opinion, two of the best-ever): Art Monk and Marvin Harrison. Both conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and have quiet, humble personalities, which is something I've always admired about them. But at the same time, you sense this sort of focused intensity from both of them (the Jordanesque quality I referenced). They don't express it in the same way as their more loquacious counterparts, but you see it in the stoic gracefulness with which they conduct and carry themselves-- which, in its own solemn way, is a sort of "athletic confidence," as Drift Reality so astutely pointed out (thanks for the compliment, by the way, Drift!). They don't need to speak in order to express their greatness. It's there for all to see.

As far as that relates to Taylor, I haven't seen that same confidence. He certainly has the work ethic and professionalism, but the razor-sharp awareness and focused intensity aren't as apparent. Maybe those are things he will begin to develop here in the coming weeks as he gets the necessary playing time. But that seems to have been the missing piece to this point.

[ST21]

Originally Posted by Southpaw

Michael Westbrook had all the tools to be an elite receiver in the same mold as T.O. or Randy Moss, but that amounted to one decent season in the seven he was here. Jacobs is in the same boat. He seems to be missing that final intangible piece that makes an exceptional college player into a good NFL player. At this point, I'd just be happy if he could become a legitimate third option, and pull in 40 catches a year.

He's a better fighter, than football player remember that ass whoopin he put on Davis