WR Logic---I like this fr Everett11

[SteveBrown]

Ya'all ok that I take these from other Ram's boards??

Everett11


from another board:
I look at the names at the WR position for this team and I just don't see Sammy W as our pick at 2.

Tavon Austin:

Just last year we took a pretty significant gamble and traded up in the first to get this guy. Still developing obviously. Never will be the prototypical WR1 who is matchup proof and is also the primary redzone threat. But could very conceivably catch 70 balls in 2014 for 900 yards and 6 TDs or so. Will run from all over the formation. Has the potential for higher production in 2015 as well.

Stedman Bailey:

We're not really sure what he is yet but I see him not as a super stud, but as a reliable guy who can run from the slot or on the outside. Certainly worth seeing how he develops as he was a relatively high draft pick. He has upside as a good pro receiver but absolutely will require snaps and targets. Can he be a 60catch guy? I think so. Does Snish?

Austin Pettis:

We know who he is. He will never be a WR1.... just doesn't get enough separation. But he's not horrible. He has a solid working relationship with Sam and is a fairly decent RZ receiver. Your team is not horrible if he is your #3 or #4.

Chris Givens:

Lets just call him a deep threat type lacking in multiple dimensions. But still young and requiring snaps. Clock is ticking but some talent there as evidenced by his play during rookie year. Even really good teams are full of Givens-esque WRs at the bottom of the depth chart.

Brian Quick:

Will the light ever go on? If it doesn't this year, it will likely have to happen elsewhere. If it does, this is our starting big WR who can win tough matchups, be a nice possession guy, and make a few nice leaping endzone grabs. Everyone knew it would take him time... Is the time now? I think the team is on the fence about whether he can make the leap.... so they brought in the next guy as insurance. Needs snaps but they haven't trusted him enough. Big camp upcoming.

Kenny Britt:

Reclamation project. There's alot of talent there but also alot of baggage. Could be a complete revelation if his knee is ok and his head is straight. Could be cut by week 5 if he doesn't come to battle. Is he enough to convince the FO that they have enough pieces at the position to be strong even with setbacks? This guy is in town to reduce the Brian Quick bust risk. They probably see Quick as having a 50/50 chance of becoming a strong WR and Britt as 50/50 chance of rediscovering his career path. If both guys go @#$%& up.....then we see our dear friend Pettis getting alot of snaps again. That would not be a good thing for our offense.....but would it be devastating?

ALSO: Jared Cook is a part of the equation, I think, mainly because of how much resources we poured into his acquisition. All these premium picks (Quick, Bailey, Tavon) and a big wad on Cook. I wonder if Snead/Fish is sitting back thinking they need to allocate resources elsewhere with these upcoming first rounders.

Do these numbers seem achievable for this group?
Tavon..........................70 rec......900 yards......6TDs
SBailey........................45 rec......500 yards......4 TDs
Quick/Britt combo........65 rec.....750 yards......8 TDs
Austin Pettis................35 rec......410 yards......5 TDs
Chris Givens................26 rec.....390 yards......2 TDs
Jared Cook..................68 rec.....800 yards......6 TDs

I don't think these projections are too crazy optimistic. If you toss in a very conservative 300 yards and 3TD's to backup TE's and backs.......

That means Bradford would be a 4100 yard and 34 TD QB. That is a very very fine season. I think Sam would pay a few million of his salary back for that kind of success given his struggles.

Do we have a Julio Jones on the roster? No. Would we like one? Yes.

But do we have enough pieces to be a strong running football team that plays great defense? I just wonder if Snead is looking and saying "Yes, we do."

Besides, didn't they already say as much earlier in the offseason?

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I don't think Sammy Watkins is their pick either. They probably take him in a trade back but I will be surprised if they take him at 2.

The offense does need fixed but some of that equation has to be WR development......along with Oline, QB health. They seem to have the running game down pretty good although Seattle did manage to take some of that away in the last game when Long was not on the field and Saffold was at OLT. Maybe Robinson is really their choice, because Williams and Smith didn't get it done when they were starting guards that day. Saffold would still be the swing tackle, at least for this year I would imagine, unless they pick Matthews. Roger is more likely to be better prepared to cover OLT than Robinson at this point.

Anyway you spell it out, I really hope that they get a future OLT, whether it be Matthews or Robinson early, or Martin at 13. That would solve a future dilemma ahead of schedule.

 

[CGI_Ram]

I think that's a fair assessment, SteveBrown.

While there remain some unknowns at WR, the cupboard is not bare. Id argue there is untapped potential already here that could make the existing unit a very good one.

Also; I believe Austin tops 1000.

 

[Rams and Gators]

All I want is someone I trust to get open and catch the ball, of the current roster I see that in Bailey. Maybe in Austin if he's figured out how the catching part.

 

[V3]

If the Rams take a WR with one of their first round picks, I think it will be Evans. That's just the feeling I get. I tend to agree with it, as well. That being said, I don't think they will take a WR in the first. I still think they are going with Mack just so they can piss me off again.

 

[OnceARam]

There is no why in hell the Quick/Britt combo gets 900 yards. And there is no way TA gets 70 receptions. He's not a possession WR. And there is no way Givens has such a bad year - barring injury.

 

[V3]

All I want is someone I trust to get open and catch the ball, of the current roster I see that in Bailey. Maybe in Austin if he's figured out how the catching part.

Didn't he(Austin) have issues with press coverage, as well?

 

[jap]

Didn't he(Austin) have issues with press coverage, as well?

You really believe so? How many NFL DB's are quick enough to jam Tavon at the LOS? If they miss he is wide open and long gone. He seems like he would be far more of a head ache on the outside than in the middle.

 

[A55VA6]

If Watkins or Evans isn't the pick then they are relying on Quick or Britt to be a #1 WR and that makes me LOL.

Quick is a #4 at best imo... Bailey is a clear #2, Austin is the slot, Givens and Pettis.. who knows. I still think this team needs that #1 guy and then we're set.

 

[V3]

You really believe so? How many NFL DB's are quick enough to jam Tavon at the LOS? If they miss he is wide open and long gone. He seems like he would be far more of a head ache on the outside than in the middle.

Do you see the question mark? Without watching the games(no idea where I could find game video), I can't remember exactly how effective he was against press. I kinda remember him having issues getting off the line but I'm not sure, hence the "?".

 

[jap]

Do you see the question mark? Without watching the games(no idea where I could find game video), I can't remember exactly how effective he was against press. I kinda remember him having issues getting off the line but I'm not sure, hence the "?".

I thought he had more trouble in the slot where he was surrounded often by multiple defenders. Put him outside where he is lined up against one guy with maybe a safety to help, and I believe he would be much better. The Colts were foolish enough to play the Rams receivers one on one, and Tavon burned them for two 50+-yard receptions resulting in two TD's and another 98-yarder TD on a punt return. Small sample size but I would love to see him outside more where he can fully utilize that electric speed/quickness the scare the bejesus out of those DB's.

 

[ramsince62]

I think that's a fair assessment, SteveBrown.

While there remain some unknowns at WR, the cupboard is not bare. Id argue there is untapped potential already here that could make the existing unit a very good one.

Also; I believe Austin tops 1000.

Perhaps, but what happens if he gets another sprained ankle? Remember all the claims regarding Tavon after he was drafted when some folks expressed doubts about his durability over a 16 game schedule, primarily due to his size? Remember all the defenders who pointed out that Austin had never gotten hurt during both his high school and college career? Remember how some said that he was too smart and had too good a vision of the field to get hurt?

And what was the result? Basically he got injured after 8 or 9 games once he played regularly. This is not a condemnation, it' a cautionary tale and reminder that smaller players in skill positions are vulnerable, which is why I cringe when folks talk about Stacy being the work horse. I love the guys heart and drive, but the same cautionary tale applies to him as well. On this team, "it takes a village."

 

[Faceplant]

Oh please. Tavon's injury had nothing to do with his size. ANYONE who gets caught up like that is going to sit a few games. I can't remember many times where anyone even got a square hit on him, including his punt returns. That kid is dynamite. If Schotty figures out that he is an absolute nightmare on the edge, he will be Desean Jackson+. There is no need to keep that kind of speed exclusively in the slot. It is a mistake if you do IMO.

 

[jap]

Perhaps, but what happens if he gets another sprained ankle? Remember all the claims regarding Tavon after he was drafted when some folks expressed doubts about his durability over a 16 game schedule, primarily due to his size? Remember all the defenders who pointed out that Austin had never gotten hurt during both his high school and college career? Remember how some said that he was too smart and had too good a vision of the field to get hurt?

And what was the result? Basically he got injured after 8 or 9 games once he played regularly. This is not a condemnation, it' a cautionary tale and reminder that smaller players in skill positions are vulnerable, which is why I cringe when folks talk about Stacy being the work horse. I love the guys heart and drive, but the same cautionary tale applies to him as well. On this team, "it takes a village."

Tavon missed one practice in either high school or college due to a broken finger. As far as I know he never missed any games.

 

[ramsince62]

Oh please. Tavon's injury had nothing to do with his size. ANYONE who gets caught up like that is going to sit a few games. I can't remember many times where anyone even got a square hit on him, including his punt returns. That kid is dynamite. If Schotty figures out that he is an absolute nightmare on the edge, he will be Desean Jackson+. There is no need to keep that kind of speed exclusively in the slot. It is a mistake if you do IMO.

I didn't say he was hurt because of his size, I simply pointed out that his size was the reason many pundants believed he couldn't or wouldn't hold up to a 16 game pro schedule....scheeze.......

 

[Alan]

The two munchkins, Tyrann and Tavon got injured. I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with little boys playing among men. Probably has to do with the fact that both there names start with T.

 

[-X-]

The two munchkins, Tyrann and Tavon got injured. I'm sure it didn't have anything to do with little boys playing among men. Probably has to do with the fact that both there names start with T.

Well, to be fair, Austin injured himself when he made a cut. It didn't have anything to do with anyone tackling him.

(p.s. look at how many times Harkey almost screws it up by hitting defenders in the back)

 

[Alan]

I see #56 tackling him and at the initial hit Tavon's left leg is planted and the tackle twists his leg and foot. I think you should look again at 1:13. Totally the result of the tackle IMO. Of course my vision isn't the best so...

 

[-X-]

I see #56 tackling him and at the initial hit Tavon's left leg is planted and the tackle twists his leg and foot. I think you should look again at 1:13. Totally the result of the tackle IMO. Of course my vision isn't the best so...

Could be. And if so, it could happen to anyone. Hell, even Steven Jackson messed his thigh up when an Eagle defender swiped at his shoe.

 

[Alan]

-X- with a valid observation:
Could be. And if so, it could happen to anyone. Hell, even Steven Jackson messed his thigh up when an Eagle defender swiped at his shoe.

That's true but the fact that #56 is much bigger than Tavon is a factor in the forces involved IMO. Tavon's leg is like a small twig compared to the weight that #56 brings to bear on it and this might/would have had a greater impact on his knee than would be the case had the leg been bigger and stouter. We don't know the answer to that but it doesn't change the fact that A) the laws of physics are always there, B) Contrary to earlier speculation, Tavon is not able to avoid bad/dangerous hits and C) it's just a fact that a smaller player is more susceptible to injury.

Smaller players will always, as a rule, be quicker and more agile in small spaces than bigger players. There's a good reason why the NFL isn't filled with these smaller players and it all has to do with susceptibility to injuries. It's my personal belief, backed up by no data whatsoever, that most of these players suffer injuries that weed them out of the equation in HS and College long before they get to the NFL.

Draft one at a great risk IMO. As you pointed out, even big strong players like Jackson are highly susceptible to injures and why would you want to increase that risk? Especially with a high pick. If you draft player like the Tyrann in the 4th round and he doesn't last that long then it's a small loss and doesn't cost your program that much and if he somehow manages to stay healthy then you've got yourself a gem.

Too much risk for me with a high pick. Even if you didn't spend much capital on the munckin you have built your roster around an injury hole waiting to happen. What happens when you think you're set at a position? I think you look to spend your resources elsewhere and when he does get injured where are you?

This can and does happen with bigger players too but you know me -X-, I like to go with the decisions that have the math and physics on my side. I would never gamble in Vegas but I wouldn't mind owning a casino.