Our Current status at the WR position

[SBprimetime]

I know a lot of people have been hating on our receivers this year, but let me drop some knowledge on you guys about our passing game:

Santana Moss was 4th in the NFL in catches. He had more catches, and about the same/more yards than: Andre Johnson, Fitzgerald, Marshall, and somebody who's very comparable to Moss, Wes Welker. If we can get Santana back at a reasonable price, we almost have to pull the trigger. He's great out of the slot.

Anthony Armstrong was 26th in the NFL in yards, and he had a 19.8 yards per catch, which is incredible. By my quick glance at the stats, that's more than all but two #2 WR's in the NFL (Jabar Gaffney-4 more yards, and Mario Manningham- which if not for us, probably wouldn't have had more yards).

As a team, we were also tied for 3rd in the NFL for most 40+ yd completions. Cooley also had another pretty good year.

There's no doubt we need to upgrade some of our depth, and infuse some youth/potential into our WR corps, but by no means is it as horrible as everyone has been saying. With another year in the offense, a draft pick or signing, and hopefully better play from the quarterback position, we should be pretty OK at that position.

P.S. It was mind-blowing that we ever had Joey Galloway and/or Roydell Williams even on our roster. That's probably where the general feeling of suckiness from our WR's comes from. We definitely need to upgrade our depth.

[Ruhskins]

If you bring a deep threat to complement Moss, I think he can have the same success that Welker had when R. Moss went to NE.

[Paintrain]

Those are pretty hollow stats unfortunately as between the three of them, they had 12 TD which is a good year from a #1 WR, not from a trio.

Moss would make a killer slot WR, Armstrong can be a #3 on a good team but is our #2 and Cooley is solid as a TE. If we have a true #1 and a QB that can make it work one thing is shown by these numbers, the system works! We don't need to completely overhaul the WR corp but people need to be in their proper roles. Austin and Banks can provide some depth but they are both #4 WR max on a good team. Expect this unit to be addressed in free agency and maybe in the middle of the draft.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

If you bring a deep threat to complement Moss, I think he can have the same success that Welker had when R. Moss went to NE.

Armstrong was our deep threat. He averaged almost 20 yards per reception. Fred Davis had a higher per catch average than Moss. Moss was our possession receiver this year.

[rbanerjee23]

Pretty good stats but as Paintrain says, we need to look at scoring production. A stat like most 20+ yd/ most 40+ yd completions aren't that great of a metric.

Blame falls all around from the lack of a decent OL, inconsistencies at QB/RB so WR corps did an okay job all around.

Definitely think we should keep Moss, Armstrong, Austin, and Banks though so hopefully they become a solid WR corps for the future.

[SirClintonPortis]

Stats are a imperfect log of what happens physically on the field. They don't tell you anything about the players' playmaking ability, how defenses respect them, etc. Moss is a prime example. His role was expanded this year so that he plays both the slot and his regular deep role. Andre Johnson played hurt all year, Fitz and Marshall suffered from horrible QB play, and Welker is on a New England team that spreads the ball around to everyone.

And Cooley is a tight end. We still have no #3 WR.

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Those are pretty hollow stats unfortunately as between the three of them, they had 12 TD which is a good year from a #1 WR, not from a trio.

Moss would make a killer slot WR, Armstrong can be a #3 on a good team but is our #2 and Cooley is solid as a TE. If we have a true #1 and a QB that can make it work one thing is shown by these numbers, the system works! We don't need to completely overhaul the WR corp but people need to be in their proper roles. Austin and Banks can provide some depth but they are both #4 WR max on a good team. Expect this unit to be addressed in free agency and maybe in the middle of the draft.

While I agree w/your overall thinking, wr is almost as likely to be a 1st or 2nd round pick as any. I could see them taking a wr if the guy they like falls back. I think there are such an array of deficiencies that there are several positions that could be addressed in the top rounds.

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Armstrong was our deep threat. He averaged almost 20 yards per reception. Fred Davis had a higher per catch average than Moss. Moss was our possession receiver this year.

I was thinking a R. Moss type of deep threat. Right now, I think teams focus on shutting down Santana.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by freddyg12

While I agree w/your overall thinking, wr is almost as likely to be a 1st or 2nd round pick as any. I could see them taking a wr if the guy they like falls back. I think there are such an array of deficiencies that there are several positions that could be addressed in the top rounds.

Depending on what we do at some key spots in FA (assuming it's before the draft) I would love to see us picking AJ Green out of Georgia at #10. I don't think we will but he's got Megatron-lite written all over him.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Ruhskins

I was thinking a R. Moss type of deep threat. Right now, I think teams focus on shutting down Santana.

Randy Moss could be characterized as freakish #1 talent who's more than just a deep threat. But I think what you're trying to say is that we grab a WR who can catch those "lob it up" passes, draw a double team almost all the time, and be physical.

[Zerohero]

The wr position was the least of my concerns this year. We have a great veteran speedster, promising young deep threat and two great tight ends.

[MTK]

Moss had a heck of a year, he's gotta be a big priority to be re-signed. He's not a blazer anymore but his shiftiness and quickness works great in the slot.

Armstrong is a great deep threat, but not much else. Still, he's a valuable guy. Speed kills and he's got plenty of it. Who knows maybe he continues to develop into a better all around WR?

Austin and Kelly are the wildcards for next year.

I think we'll possibly add a free agent, but not a big name VJ type (I think he stays in SD). Maybe a James Jones or Steve Breaston type?

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Moss had a heck of a year, he's gotta be a big priority to be re-signed. He's not a blazer anymore but his shiftiness and quickness works great in the slot.

Armstrong is a great deep threat, but not much else. Still, he's a valuable guy. Speed kills and he's got plenty of it. Who knows maybe he continues to develop into a better all around WR?

Austin and Kelly are the wildcards for next year.

I think we'll possibly add a free agent, but not a big name VJ type (I think he stays in SD). Maybe a James Jones or Steve Breaston type?

Kyle still calls plays as if Andre Johnson is one of us. I find it doubtful they'll just stand pat with a "big guy who isn't a big playmaker".

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by Mattyk

Moss had a heck of a year, he's gotta be a big priority to be re-signed. He's not a blazer anymore but his shiftiness and quickness works great in the slot.

Armstrong is a great deep threat, but not much else. Still, he's a valuable guy. Speed kills and he's got plenty of it. Who knows maybe he continues to develop into a better all around WR?

Austin and Kelly are the wildcards for next year.

I think we'll possibly add a free agent, but not a big name VJ type (I think he stays in SD). Maybe a James Jones or Steve Breaston type?

I'd love to see Jacoby Jones in B&G.. Great speed, experience in the system, can provide some depth at PR if Banks goes down.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

I'd love to see Jacoby Jones in B&G.. Great speed, experience in the system, can provide some depth at PR if Banks goes down.

Don't forget his run blocking.

He should easily be an upgrade from Roydell at the very least.