fin415
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- Apr 29, 2007
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Thanks @fin415 for the kind words.
Parker was clearly getting the #1 WR treatment this year, and even when his running mate, Preston Williams, went down Parker continued to be productive despite the focus. Our offense, like most in the NFL, looks to throw to the receiver who is single-covered. Parker drawing extra attention frees up other receivers to get that single coverage. Then, when Parker is single covered, he generally makes his catches. It's true we did not convert as many of our targets as a team as we would have liked, but then again we had a lot of turnover in our receiving corps. No Albert Wilson, who would have started. No Allen Hurns who would have been our #1 backup. Preston Williams injury after he had soaked up all of training camp and early games reps. Isaiah Ford spent time with us, then time with the Patriots, then back with us ... not ideal for chemistry. Antonio Calloway, limited time as well.
Then there was throwing to backs who rotated in and out like Myles Gaskins, Salvon Ahmed, and poor performers like Jordan Howard and Matt Breida. Then we blooded a new Albert Wilson type in Lynn Bowden Jr. All in all, that's a lot of churn. Factor in that we played musical QB's as well and had a limited preseason ... it's not surprising that our receivers were not as sharp as usual, nor that they had the same chemistry with Fitz and Tua. Overall, there was less chemistry because the guys weren't playing with the same guys for enough reps to really gel, IMHO.
Grant has been productive ... but yes, he has small hands and is a body catcher--which is a problem. He had a return TD, scared DB's off him constantly, and terrorized safeties to the point many other receivers were open. One thing some fans do not value as highly as they should is the ability of a speed guy to dictate defense. Whether it's Kenny Stills or Jakeem Grant, that safety will shade the side with the speed threat, and Grant's speed is elite. So, some of those successful running plays worked in part because the routes run pushed the DB's deeper. Some of those pass plays short worked because Grant pushed multiple DB's deeper.
Believe me when I say, we're not a good run blocking team and we're not a team full of good RB's. Our running game is wholly manufactured, and much of it comes from teams fearing our speed receivers. We were a short passing team. We threw few intermediate routes, and not a ton of deep routes. Without speed to keep those DB's at bay, teams would have completely shut down our short passing game. I'm just saying, sometimes not everyone appreciates what our receivers do when they're not catching the ball.
Digital,
I think you are confusing Parker being our #1 vs. being a #1 with all that comes with it. Sure, opposing defenses responded to our best receiver as if he was the biggest threat. He was. But he doesn't require consistent game planning, just good coverage. More importantly, while he has the good hands, they aren't great (there is a post in 347 showing he's 9th in drops). So, he's got better than average hands but not elite hands and can high point the ball with the very best of them, but has average speed, so so routes, and doesn't get YAC and as a result isn't a home run threat after the catch. How is that a true #1?
I not suggesting our injuries didn't hurt. I'm arguing that it hurt us more than it should have because our #1 WR is a 2 and our #2 is a 3 or 4 at best. Parker is loyal to the team in that he paid them back for giving him 4 or 5 years to finally show what he's worth via a team friendly contract. I respect that -- a lot in fact. I want him on the team next year. But if we don't have a legit get separation, run entire route tree, require the DC to plan for guy next year, it will be a huge disappointment. I think Parker would thrive with some of the heat off of him -- better for him and us.
P. Williams is another big and tall jump ball kind of guy with average speed and because he's body catcher, he's just a less good Parker. Neither is the take the top of the D with him kind of guy, can run any route, break on his cuts so good that he requires defensive help. Both require scheming open, which we did reasonably well, all things considered. When we got down to playing what should have been a developmental guy or 3, it was s **** show. Of course, our power running game helped by pulling 8 into the box to open up the passing game.... kidding. I kid. Ok, it's really more, I cry. But moving on.
Grant is a disappointment. That cut and acceleration is something else. Unfortunately, so are the stone hands. If he could just get to average hands, I wouldn't mind him as a #4, possibly a #3 as he is a really tough cover. The problem with Grant is you only have some many plays in the game and if he's not reliable, his number won't get called, and then he turns into a home run or bust kind of player for us. Ok, so where are the home runs?