Michael M.
Pro Bowler
Maybe its the play scheme we have rather than a talent issue but I don't see Brown and Bateman or at least the use of them on a par with the success of OBJ and Kupp when it mattered
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The 2022 Offseason Thread
- Thread starter rossihunter2
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Michael M.
Pro Bowler
And to put all my original comments in context, which has been beyond beaten to death, I threw in a WR at the end of my draft preferences, NOT using a top pick for one. But when asked about that, I happened to state my opinion which is I don't see Brown or Bateman as #1 WR'S, never stating that I thought we should use top draft pick this year to get one. In my mind these were 2 separate issues that got conflated.
well if your definition of success is having a WR who produces like cooper kupp just did, then there have only been 2 successful WRs in NFL history:
Calvin Johnson
Cooper Kupp
and yes it's 100% about usage - not going to sit here and pretend that bateman or brown are at cooper kupp's level but also not going to ignore the fact that brown's production was on par with the top 5-10 in the league with lamar at QB and then nose-dived with huntley, also not going to ignore the fact that rashod bateman missed all of preseason and then the first month and a half of the season too coming off surgery...
but you still havent articulated what qualities you think bateman and/or brown are missing that makes them not #1 WRs
and also why Mark Andrews doesnt count as a #1 receiver...
Michael M.
Pro Bowler
Agree, its too early to comment on Bateman but I see him being good in the slot and using Brown as more of a deep threat.
Michael M.
Pro Bowler
Andrews is a #1 receiver, just not a Wide Receiver by position. But yes, Andrews is still the top target and should be.
Minnesota used him a ton in the slot in 2020 before he opted out but i loved what he did as an x-receiver on the outside - he has one of the best release packages ive seen out of a college prospect and is physical and athletic enough that he made corners consistently pay for pressing him - and it was really encouraging to see him do the exact same thing to marlon at the stadium practice in camp - at that point i think it should have been obvious to everyone that at the very least he wasnt going to bust
Michael M.
Pro Bowler
To me a #1 WR is positionally a WR. They're the guy that can catch contested balls, especially in the red zone or the middle. They're the guy that can gain yardage after the catch. They're the guy that when a play is needed, you're dialing them up, like a Mike Evans or a Chris Godwin. Do Brown or Bateman require double coverage? Do Brown or Bateman give DC's sleepless nights? I think not.
Michael M.
Pro Bowler
I like what I see from Bateman-solid, good hands, holds on after hits, not afraid of hits-all good qualities, I hope they use him more and more. I'd like to see what he can do downfield, OL permitting I guess.. But can a sole slot receiver be a team's #1?
i mean i get that you've specifically said WR but Mark Andrews is literally that guy you've described
but also Bateman has the traits to be that guy... just need to see him and lamar actually have an offseason together and for them not to be injured (or ill) when the other is healthy
and Hollywood frequently does draw double coverage - when left 1v1 he's open the majority of the time especially vs man coverage - hollywood doesnt get much YAC which isnt surprising given his physical profile but Bateman did create YAC in college and it'll be interesting if we can get him running some RPO or quick slants and see if he can beat a safety in the middle of the field for a big play
he's not a sole slot receiver... they put him in the slot because a lot of college teams are putting their best weapons in the slot because it's harder to defend them and gets them matched up on weaker defenders (in college) - we saw it recently with justin jefferson, bateman, waddle, elijah moore, terrace marshall (who i actually think should stay in the slot), ceedee lamb, jerry jeudy, aj brown, deebo samuel, amon-ra st brown
a lot of those guys have inside outside versatility but spent a ton of time in college in the slot
a lot of the best WRs in the league play a lot in the slot - tyreek hill, stefon diggs, justin jefferson, cooper kupp, davante adams, diontae johnson, keenan allen, hunter renfrow etc. etc.
Michael M.
Pro Bowler
Thanks, I appreciate the context. Having looked at the last 2 SB winners, Bucs had Godwin and Evans, Rams had Kupp and OBJ. So to win the SB, would Andrews and a supporting cast be enough?
your offence has to be multiple and has to have a downfield threat - however you get to that outcome is fine
Nobody better than kelce and kittle but andrews is a monster.. we finally got one of those weapons where you know he getting the ball and we still go to him
Bucs had godwin, evans, AB and gronk and a good oline
Crazy cause we didnt at any position besides yanda and tucker lol.. everyone else were basically at end of their career or just not world beaters and suggs was basically injured.. we had smart football team though and every played well together
we also had a bunch of guys hit form at the right time and led by ELITE Joe Flacco
hollywood with Huntley was an exact copy of what happened to John brown from flacco to lamar lol
For fun: during the 7 game stretch before The panthers nearly derailed out season,
John brown had 80 yards per game, and 4 tds in 7 games. Remember that anyone putting up numbers with late flacco- has to be a Devine human