Hey there Fin fans. I've been a visitor here for some time now, and I thought I'd join in on the fun. Lot of good conversations here, but I must say you guys like to argue :) (remember, we're rooting for the same team!!)
For my first post, I'd like to concentrate on one area we didn't immediately address this offseason--our receiving corps. We did go out and get Ernest Wilford, but I don't know if he'll make a big difference (gotta think that if he was that good, Jacksonville wouldn't have let him walk). Bess is an undrafted player, and odds are against him being a future pro bowler (its no guarantee he makes it to opening day). Jayson Foster has some speed, but he's small, and if he plays slot like Welker, we'll have to see if his body can hold up after all the pounding.
I'm not targeting a specific receiver, but if we can get a top flight WR, it should positively affect us in various key ways. First of all, our young QB's will need all the help they can get. Parcells and Co. bolstered up the OL to give them protection. With quality receivers running crisp routes and getting open for them, Beck, Henne, and McCown should find it easier and faster to get rid of the ball on passing plays (hopefully minimizing the TO's). Secondly, I don't think Ginn is a #1 WR, but he could turn out to be a terrific #2 guy. As a #2 WR playing opposite of a true #1, Ginn should be able to get free more often for some long yardage plays, since the best coverman will be watching our #1. Thirdly, by opening up our vertical game, defenses will have to respect us and not overcrowd the line to stop our running game--which could be downright scary if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams return from their injuries and play like we know they can. By keeping defensive backs at home, our receivers can help our RB's make it further upfield.
Without a top flight receiver, Ginn and Wilford will be forced to be our #1 and 2 guys, which most likely won't scare opposing defenses to play us honestly. Thus, they'll put more pressure on stopping the run and attacking our young QB's. And if defenses are able to penetrate our OL and pressure the QB, we're likely to see more TO's, wasting precious scoring possessions.
I like Chad Johnson's receiving skills, but his peripheral things have been distractions for CIN. Would that mess things up here? I don't know. Maybe Parcells and Co. can keep him on track. I've heard someone mention Roy Williiams, and maybe you guys have other ideas of who to target.
The thing is, I'd like to hold onto our high draft picks because I think our FO can build a good, strong nucleus of young players through the draft, which is really the path we should be taking because we obviously aren't challenging for the championship right now. But teams will probably try to pry away high draft picks for a player of CJ's caliber. I think moving Jason Taylor might be the route to take if we can get a top flight receiver for him. Though he's been a good soldier for our team all these years, he's not going to be around long enough to be a big part of our future dynasty. JT has some value to teams who are not far from contending, so we must try to get the most while we can. Players do depreciate in value, and once older players start showing their age, their value depreciates rapidly. It appears that the best offer we received for JT was a 4th rounder, and I probably wouldn't have made the trade if that's all I could get for him. But if JT can fetch us a receiver (who at the very least is a borderline pro bowler), I feel we should seriously look into that, even if it means giving up a mid draft pick.
I'm not implying that WR is our lone weakness, and by bringing in a high quality receiver, we'll be on our way to the Superbowl. But I do think its one area that can have a domino effect on a lot of stuff we're trying to accomplish here.
P.S. Hats off to Parcells and Co. for the initial job this offseason of getting the ball rolling on rebuilding this team. Their focus has been on strengthening the OL and DL with bigger, stronger, and better linemen, and improving our Special Teams. These are very important areas to anchor down, and it seems like they've got the players to do the job.
Also, I'm new at sharing my thoughts and opinions relating to football, so please refrain from harsh criticism if I'm offbase :up: Thanks guys.
For my first post, I'd like to concentrate on one area we didn't immediately address this offseason--our receiving corps. We did go out and get Ernest Wilford, but I don't know if he'll make a big difference (gotta think that if he was that good, Jacksonville wouldn't have let him walk). Bess is an undrafted player, and odds are against him being a future pro bowler (its no guarantee he makes it to opening day). Jayson Foster has some speed, but he's small, and if he plays slot like Welker, we'll have to see if his body can hold up after all the pounding.
I'm not targeting a specific receiver, but if we can get a top flight WR, it should positively affect us in various key ways. First of all, our young QB's will need all the help they can get. Parcells and Co. bolstered up the OL to give them protection. With quality receivers running crisp routes and getting open for them, Beck, Henne, and McCown should find it easier and faster to get rid of the ball on passing plays (hopefully minimizing the TO's). Secondly, I don't think Ginn is a #1 WR, but he could turn out to be a terrific #2 guy. As a #2 WR playing opposite of a true #1, Ginn should be able to get free more often for some long yardage plays, since the best coverman will be watching our #1. Thirdly, by opening up our vertical game, defenses will have to respect us and not overcrowd the line to stop our running game--which could be downright scary if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams return from their injuries and play like we know they can. By keeping defensive backs at home, our receivers can help our RB's make it further upfield.
Without a top flight receiver, Ginn and Wilford will be forced to be our #1 and 2 guys, which most likely won't scare opposing defenses to play us honestly. Thus, they'll put more pressure on stopping the run and attacking our young QB's. And if defenses are able to penetrate our OL and pressure the QB, we're likely to see more TO's, wasting precious scoring possessions.
I like Chad Johnson's receiving skills, but his peripheral things have been distractions for CIN. Would that mess things up here? I don't know. Maybe Parcells and Co. can keep him on track. I've heard someone mention Roy Williiams, and maybe you guys have other ideas of who to target.
The thing is, I'd like to hold onto our high draft picks because I think our FO can build a good, strong nucleus of young players through the draft, which is really the path we should be taking because we obviously aren't challenging for the championship right now. But teams will probably try to pry away high draft picks for a player of CJ's caliber. I think moving Jason Taylor might be the route to take if we can get a top flight receiver for him. Though he's been a good soldier for our team all these years, he's not going to be around long enough to be a big part of our future dynasty. JT has some value to teams who are not far from contending, so we must try to get the most while we can. Players do depreciate in value, and once older players start showing their age, their value depreciates rapidly. It appears that the best offer we received for JT was a 4th rounder, and I probably wouldn't have made the trade if that's all I could get for him. But if JT can fetch us a receiver (who at the very least is a borderline pro bowler), I feel we should seriously look into that, even if it means giving up a mid draft pick.
I'm not implying that WR is our lone weakness, and by bringing in a high quality receiver, we'll be on our way to the Superbowl. But I do think its one area that can have a domino effect on a lot of stuff we're trying to accomplish here.
P.S. Hats off to Parcells and Co. for the initial job this offseason of getting the ball rolling on rebuilding this team. Their focus has been on strengthening the OL and DL with bigger, stronger, and better linemen, and improving our Special Teams. These are very important areas to anchor down, and it seems like they've got the players to do the job.
Also, I'm new at sharing my thoughts and opinions relating to football, so please refrain from harsh criticism if I'm offbase :up: Thanks guys.
Its May. Show us where to find one and we'll relay the message to Bill.
