Who Makes The Team?

you better go back and read everything I wrote first. cough cough.

 

I don't need to. You've got a hard on for yet another mediocre player(surprise surprise). DHB is fast, but he's got hands of stone. That's not something that's suddenly fixed. You made excuses for him about playing for the raiders and excuses for his garbage performance in Indy. Yet somehow being in the exact same situation here(new coach,system etc) he's going to be this deep threat for us. Despite the fact he's never been a deep threat for his entire freaking career. We've got two extremely fast players in Archer and Wheaton to use as deep threats. One of which can actually catch the freaking ball.

 

who the hell has a hard on for him? another thing you've made up in your mind. what a vivid imagination. I simply gave an overview of what each guy brings to the table that we have to chose from. you make your own choice. by the way I will push for any player I see fit and really don't need your approval. in this case I never pushed for one guy or another, but you have twisted the whole view again for some stupid reason. learn to read. which one can catch in your mind. archer hasn't even caught a cold in the NFL and wheaton has barely gotten the sniffles. seriously get a grip. a deep pass doesn't always mean a man runs 50 yard sprints every play. well maybe in your little world.

 

I can't believe I actually agree with you. LOL

 

Um, Isn't that pretty much the same situation here? In my opinion, DHB is expendable. Not sure what the FO was thinking with this addition. Maybe they figured they roll the dice on him and if anything, he'll provide competition in camp. Only way he sees a helmet on game day is if the injury bug hits the WR's hard.

 

DHB has failed to deliver as a #1 receiver. I wouldn't say he's failed to deliver as a #5. He's not without skill, and he's got experience. He offers good potential on special teams. If Brown or Moye take giant leaps and start pushing the starters for playing time and force their way onto the field, then that's fantastic. But you can't just assume that will happen. At the time DHB was signed, I'd have activated him before either of the other guys. Now it looks as though Brown could make a serious challenge. If he fails, at least we have DHB, who will at least play solid special teams and demand serious coverage if he comes in the game. I try not to ask much more than that from my #5.

 

AB- First year as #1
Sanders- First year as starter
Cotchery- Expanded role

It's probably a pretty safe bet that those 3 things had far more impact on their respective numbers than Mann's presence.

 

Yeah he doesnt seem like Sweed. I think he makes the team as a special teams ace ala Arnez Battle

 

The guy didn't play special teams in high school, college, or for the first 4 years in the NFL. His first taste was after getting demoted as a wr in Indy late last year. Now he's going to be an ace?

 

Well he did a very good job of it and at 6'2" 220 pounds and 4.2 speed he is certainly built for it.

 

It was 4.3 not 4.2 and he had all of 1.5 or 2 tackles. He was a low risk hope he can cover your ass if no one else pans out signing.

 

I'm just guessing with "both".

 

4.25 according to nfl draft scout. oh, and he has had 31 catches over 20 yards and 8 over 40 in his 5 years. as per nfl.com.

 

Look at passes that actually traveled through the air 20+ yards. You know the ones that actually represent a deep threat. He ran a 4.3 at the combine.

 

Slowpoke! Official combine times are the slowest times anywhere. A 4.3 official time is blazing fast. Mike Wallace ran slower than DHB at the combine.

The point is that he can run super fast, and even though he has bad hands for a receiver, especially a 1st round draft pick, his hands are good enough that you better not leave him uncovered. And he won't be easy to cover. Unless you just plop yourself 20 yards downfield. Of course, if you do that, we could just throw a short pass and let him run the rest of the way - oh wait, I forgot, those yards don't count! Okay, you're right.

We're talking about our (at best) #5 receiver - possibly #6, and he'll still have to compete with Archer, Bell, Blount, Will Johnson, Miller, Spaeth, and any other tight ends for playing time and balls to catch. He might not make the team. He might make it and catch one stinking pass all year. But stop pretending like the guy isn't good enough to fill that role.

 

The point is despite the proclamation of a few here he has never been a deep threat. For his career he's dropped like 16% of catch-able passes, which is freaking awful. Y'all cried about sanders? I would much rather have someone whose arrow is pointing up than a vet that has nothing more than speed. Even as a #5 wr. For years a lot of you have been whining about wanting young players now you're slobbering over a fast 6 year vet that can't catch the freaking ball.

 

Agree to disagree. I'm quite fine with my #5/6 WR being a 6'2", 220 lb. 4.3-40 runner that catches 84% of passes, is a good blocker, has good character, a strong work ethic, considerable experience and youth, and is willing to throw his body around on special teams. All of those things are fine by me.

[video=youtube;c9fDRRfvp7A]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9fDRRfvp7A[/video]

I'm sure you could dig up a lowlight reel of all the things he hasn't done successfully, but the point is that he has done these things. He can go deep and catch the ball. He's done WAY more in this league than Brown or Moye. Even after all these years he still has some potential, and unlike the Raiders and Colts, we won't be asking him to do much at all. This is no-risk, medium-reward, and he seems like a good guy. I hope you start rooting for him.

 

I actually see bad technique when i watch his highlights. He catches a lot of passes with his body instead of his hands. I know it's hard to teach an old dog new tricks (although he's not old, but he is a vet) but if Mann can get him to change his technique he may be able to improve his game.

I do like the idea of using him in a few screen plays. Especially with his size. And he definitely has the speed to take it to the house....

 

Yes, I noticed that as well.

The thing is, if DHB hadn't been picked so high in the draft, and went instead somewhere near where Mike Wallace went, then his career would likely have been more successful. Time to iron out those technical issues without the pressure to perform. This is why I'm cautiously optimistic about his chances here. But we'll see.

 

Late to the thread haha


IMO Special teams will play a big role in who we keep. We have a very deep WR group, and the most versatile guy will have a leg up on the others. I personally like DHB the best of the group, but if JB out performs him drastically as a receiver (or proves to be useful on ST's) then I might change my mind. Moye is not a ST'a guy and doesn't seem to have a lot of upside as a WR IMO. I guess we will see lol