115 replies to this topic

[chris999]

if blackmon falls to us some team will trade a crate full of draft picks to move up and nab him. assuming claiborne is still on the board we could still grab him, and then stock up on defensive talent with the picks we get.

i'm comfortable with the wide receivers we have on the roster this year.

It is not just about this year though. People tend to overrate LaFell and Gettis. Both are pretty solid options at WR2 and WR3, but neither one are going to be able to produce WR1 numbers like Smith can. Our scheme requires a dominant WR that is able to take on, and beat opposing defenders to open up the field.

Right now, Smith is the only guy we have that can do that. Smith is a beast, and I think he will be for at least 2 more years, but he is getting older, and if a guy like Blackmon falls in your lap, you have to take him. Worst case scenario is that you get an elite WR on a very cheap contract, and pair him with Smith for a deadly passing attack that Chud will kill you with, and already have Smith's replacement on the roster.

I would rather have Claiborne, but if both he and Blackmon are gone, try a trade down or just take the best remaining of Coples, Kuechly or Poe.

[CPF4LIFE]

There wont be another Steve Smith for a LONG TIME. He is nowhere near that replaceable. When we do finally decide to get a new number 1 it has got to be a first round talent. Nothing less.

[top dawg]

We had key injuries last year. If we can get a healthy Davis, Beason & Edwards, that would make a big difference. Add a healthy and competent Hogan, and that's an even bigger difference. Even after all that, we still would have round two and on to make a difference. People seem to forget how banged up we were last year. Beason all by himself can be a game changer, and IF Davis can play at his previously high level, he can make things happen as well.

So Hogan (who has done nothing) gets the nod from you but Lafell and Gettis can never be #1 wr? Really.? Then your counting on Davis Edwards and Beason not having a drop off or getting injured again. But Gettis doesn't get the same consideration?

Did I say that? Gettis and/or LaFell could blossom into flowers, or "bust" into back-ups. Who knows what any of they can be? But, this season will tell the story. Looking at just sheer potential, I don't think there is any way Hogan will bust. I believe he has starting potential as he is a handful. Dude laid the wood in college, and is good in coverage and the run, and can be a QBs worst nightmare coming around the edge. Even to this day, notwithstanding the fact that LaFell and Gettis have gotten starting time, there is an argument that Hogan is less of a mystery than either one of them at their respective positions. There is also a real argument that Blackmon is less of a mystery at WR, than either Gettis or LaFell. But I don't see it as being a slight to them. It's just the reality. Moreover, I could also argue that there is no appreciable difference beweeen Hogan and Claiborne when it comes to potential (Yeah, I'm just full of arguments), and that on the mystery scale, they are both in the same boat.

My post was really about how more than a few people just gloss over the fact that our defense was crippled big time last year, and that if our horses had been healty we wouldn't have looked as bad as we were.

BTW, If either Claiborne or Blackmon is on the table, we have to pick 'em IMO. This would be the dream scenario.

[chef17]

Did I say that? Gettis and/or LaFell could blossom into flowers, or "bust" into back-ups. Who knows what any of they can be? But, this season will tell the story. Looking at just sheer potential, I don't think there is any way Hogan will bust. I believe he has starting potential as he is a handful. Dude laid the wood in college, and is good in coverage and the run, and can be a QBs worst nightmare coming around the edge. Even to this day, notwithstanding the fact that LaFell and Gettis have gotten starting time, there is an argument that Hogan is less of a mystery than either one of them at their respective positions. There is also a real argument that Blackmon is less of a mystery at WR, than either Gettis or LaFell. But I don't see it as being a slight to them. It's just the reality. Moreover, I could also argue that there is no appreciable difference beweeen Hogan and Claiborne when it comes to potential (Yeah, I'm just full of arguments), and that on the mystery scale, they are both in the same boat.

My post was really about how more than a few people just gloss over the fact that our defense was crippled big time last year, and that if our horses had been healty we wouldn't have looked as bad as we were.

BTW, If either Claiborne or Blackmon is on the table, we have to pick 'em IMO. This would be the dream scenario.

What exactly is the argument that a CB who played in 3 games is less of a mystery than a WR who played for two years?

[cotblock]

What exactly is the argument that a CB who played in 3 games is less of a mystery than a WR who played for two years?

I'm a Hogan fan and I gotta admit, that is one heck of a good question. Seriously,

[top dawg]

What exactly is the argument that a CB who played in 3 games is less of a mystery than a WR who played for two years?

Roll the footage, baby!

Look! I like Gettis and Lafell (esp. LaFell's work last season). But, neither one of them---even after two years---puts fear into the opposition just yet. Hogan's injury and off-field issues are the ONLY reason he fell to the 4th. If his knee holds up, which it has so far, Hogan has starting potential and perhaps even game-changing potential, and it won't take two years for any one to figure this out.

[chef17]

Roll the footage, baby!

Look! I like Gettis and Lafell (esp. LaFell's work last season). But, neither one of them---even after two years---puts fear into the opposition just yet. Hogan's injury and off-field issues are the ONLY reason he fell to the 4th. If his knee holds up, which it has so far, Hogan has starting potential and perhaps even game-chaning potential, and it won't take two years for any one to figure this out.

Key parts being "if his knee holds up" and "potential". That makes him a huge mystery.

[top dawg]

Key parts being "if his knee holds up" and "potential". That makes him a huge mystery.

Yeah...but is he big enough of a mystery to pass up Blackmon in the draft, even if Claiborne is still on the table? Is he big enough of a mystery to not try and move up to get Blackmon like Sorensen suggested?

It's all just talk and opinion fellas. Whatever we choose to do, I am not gonna scream "Bloody murder!" The coaches know better than we do.

[chef17]

None of that explains how Hogan is less of a mystery than Lafell which was my question.

[top dawg]

None of that explains how Hogan is less of a mystery than Lafell which was my question.

Even after two years, NFL pundits and experts are talking down about our WR corps. (minus Smitty). Even some people on the Huddle still refer to LaFell as LaFail. LaFell has had TWO years to not only quell this talk, but cement himself as the number two guy, or even the heir apparent number one. He even gave way to None, err Naane, for the Lion's share of the season. That doesn't exactly ring of endorsements. Hogan has been convalescing his restructured knee and hasn't played in a whole football game, but to this day there are still more than a few experts, writers, coaches and fans who believe and/or "Know" that Hogan is an NFL caliber-starting CB. Even if I give LaFell the nod and say that he is less of a question at WR than Hogan is at CB, the fact that LaFell is still a question at all should tell you something.

[koolkatluke]

Now we come to the real reason. The talking heads say so. Same people who said it would take 2 years for cam to be a nfl ready qb. But yes they must be right about lafell. I have a question that nobody has anwsered is demarius thomas of denver a number 1 wr.

[top dawg]

Now we come to the real reason. The talking heads say so. Same people who said it would take 2 years for cam to be a nfl ready qb. But yes they must be right about lafell. I have a question that nobody has anwsered is demarius thomas of denver a number 1 wr.

We are all talking heads, but that doesn't explain what and/why the coaches think what they do. That doesn't explain the moves by our FO.

Apparently Denver and a whole lot of others thinks that he is a WR1. I don't know, but I do believe that Thomas and Decker will give Manning ample talent on the edges.

[cotblock]

...the fact that LaFell is still a question at all should tell you something.

Seriously? Year 1: Lame Duck year with Fox/Pickles. Year 2: Brand new offense with no offseason and abbreviated TC.

I think, given his circumstances, he's answered a lot of critics.

[top dawg]

Like I said, I like LaFell, but knowing what I know now, and seeing what I see, I would bet that Blackmon will be the more impactful NFL WR after it's all said and done. The FO is gonna have to believe that LaFell is going to step up in a big way this year to not even consider Blackmon (esp. if he is there for the taking).

[koolkatluke]

Lafell has better numbers then thomas and they got drafted the same year.