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The 2021 Offseason Thread
- Thread starter rossihunter2
- Start date
By no means saying that Proche is a lock over Boykin or vice versa, but just not seeing what value Boykin provides at all that can't be replicated. Sure, he's tall, but he has no ability to use that size to win matchups. Not sure Proche will ever turn into anything either but at least there's an element of the unknown there. Boykin just might be what he is at this point. He'll get one last chance to prove it in camp this year. And if he doesn't, there's absolutely no reason to hold onto him. Might not hold onto either of Boykin or Proche.
Sandtown
Pro Bowler
I can't remember ever last year where Boykins was targeted by Lamar Jackson where he had to use his size to make a contested catch or play period. The closes I ever seen him use his size or vertical leap ability was in 2019 against The Rams. Lamar Jackson barely makes those throws outside the numbers. He didn't even look in sync with Dez Bryant and that guy was bought in to give The Ravens a red zone threat. I get the criticism of Boykin but I don't understand where it's clearly true that he has no ability to use his size to win matchups. What play call or target last year gives us this belief that Boykins can't use his size to win matchups?
it's not about giving him contested catches - it's about the way he plays small all through the route - doesn't box defenders out or shield the ball on slants or outside... he doesnt bully corners at the line or punish them for pressing him... and he's not coming back to the ball and high-pointing it in the air - so what exactly does he offer?
on the few fades we threw to him, he ran the wrong route...
we dont throw a ton of endzone stuff outside because it's low percentage in any offence (lots of offences around the league have reduced the amount of endzone fades they throw because it's the lowest percentage play in the game)
I just don't understand what people are seeing in Boykin that we're not. Like, I genuinely hope he goes out there and has a great training camp and preseason and forces his way onto the team. That's great news for us. But he hasn't shown anything to this point that looks NFL quality except for downfield blocking, and that's not going to keep him around. I know everyone wants the big, tall, and fast guy to reach his potential but he hasn't even really developed at all since he came into the league. All of the physical skills are great but it's clear the mental side of it hasn't moved an inch and that's the scary thought. Very Arthur Brown-esque in that way. We all wanted him to be good but he never picked up the mental side of the game.
and the other thing is that he always seems to show up in offseason work - probably because it's low contact stuff and very little option route type stuff where he has to recognise and respond to coverage looks and post-snap reads
He's destined to have a decent preseason against third stringers, get released in final cuts, and eventually sign with the Jets.
not sure the jets would want him - they've probably got a deeper receiver room than we do
JoeyFlex5
Hall of Famer
Wait is preseason a thing again?
JoeyFlex5
Hall of Famer
Tbf I thought Arthur brown was a FARRR superior prospect just based on game tape in college too. Boykins notre dame tape wasn’t quite nfl caliber to me, and he felt like he was ALL combine hype.
drjohnnyfever
Pro Bowler
Yep. But it’s just 3 games.
ndub
Ravens Ring of Honor
Hey it’s better than nothin’!!
cdp
Ravens Ring of Honor
tbf Duvernay and Boykin haven't shown much yet. With Proche we've seen promise even though it was only a couple of snaps.
As of today we have Sammy, Hollywood and Bateman - any improvment from the other guys is bonus
cdp
Ravens Ring of Honor
He runs better routes. Duvernay is an athlete playing the position thats it.
i think the point that @cdp is making is that, while duvernay took proche's job on special teams, his role as a WR disappeared also... obvs proche's tiny WR role also disappeared but Duv's did too... and proche's shown more route-running ability in his few reps than duvernay did in his many more opportunities...
ndub
Ravens Ring of Honor
I am still having problems understanding how 3 plays/targets on the year and losing your PR job is enough sample size to see that he has more promise than Duv. But hey, the ole eyeball test on 3 plays means a lot!