A little perspective (wide receivers)...

[Mr. Scot]

The Eagles are a team that puts far more importance on the wide receiver position than the Panthers do. They have to because they run a West Coast offense, an attack where solid receiving is crucial. Philly has also generally been known as a team that drafts pretty well. It's one of the things that's helped keep them in the playoff mix on a fairly regular basis.

Keeping those things in mind, here's a list of receivers drafted by the Eagles since Andy Reid took over as head coach:

(Player - Year, Round, Overall)

Na Brown - 1999, 4, 130

Troy Smith - 1999, 6, 201 (not that one; this one only played one game)

Todd Pinkston - 2000, 2, 36

Gari Scott - 2000, 4, 99

Freddie Mitchell - 2001, 1, 25

Freddie Milons - 2002, 5, 162

Billy McMullen - 2003, 3,195

Reggie Brown - 2005, 2, 35

Jason Avant - 2006, 4, 109

Jeremy Bloom - 2006, 5, 147

DeSean Jackson - 2008, 2, 49

Jeremy Maclin - 2009, 1, 19

Brandon Gibson - 2009, 6, 194

Riley Cooper - 2010, 5. 159

A fair number of those names you'll likely read and say "who?" Among those that you do recognize, a decent percentage will lead you to say "Oh, I remember him. He sucked." The list contains more than one bust big enough to put Dolly Parton to shame. Free agent acquisitions haven't been all that great either. Outside of star player/team cancer Terrell Owens (who was actually obtained by trade) you'll mostly find names like Hank Baskett, James Thrash and Jabar Gaffney.

Fans of Donovan McNabb whined and screamed for years over the team's failure to provide McNabb with a receiving corps that was worthy of him. In the past few seasons though, the Eagles finally began to hit on some of their pass-catching choices. The most notable of these would be 2008 pick DeSean Jackson and 2009 draftee Jeremy Maclin. With these picks, Philly fans had reason to believe that the team had finally given their star quarterback the kind of weapons he needed to win a championship, and they rejoiced.

In the midst of that optimism, the team traded McNabb to the division rival Redskins :sosp:

McNabb discussion aside, it's fair to ask who or what was to blame for the parade of mediocrity that preceded his trade.

Have the Eagles had a bad front office? Outside of Reid, the Eagle braintrust hasn't been quite as static as the Panthers leadership of the past decade, so you could reasonably conclude that it isn't an apples to apples comparison. Truthfully though, playoff meltdowns aside, Philly's on-field record in the Reid era isn't too shabby. Thus, it'd be pretty tough to label the people in charge of putting that product together as incompetent.

Still, there have been failures. In those cases, did the Eagles draft the wrong guys or did they just fail to develop them? Fair answer? Probably a mix. You could argue that players like Todd Pinkston just weren't developed properly. Freddie Mitchell though? His failure is probably on no one but him. And Jeremy Bloom? Really? What were they thinking on that one?

For nearly every player listed here, you could craft arguments in either direction, but winning or losing that debate wouldn't make a whole lot of difference. Reality is that regardless of whether the mistakes were made by the college scouting staff or the pro coaching staff, the results are the same. Just like the old commercial used to say, why ask why? And anyway, we're Panther fans here, not Eagle fans.

So then what's the point of this lesson in Philadelphia football history?

A little perspective.

Have the Panthers had a rough time drafting and developing receivers? Yes, but they're not alone on this front. Realistically, if a team that needs good receivers as much as the Eagles do can whiff on their picks, then why should it surprise anyone that a team where the prime focus is on the running game can miss on their choices as well? Especially true when you take into consideration the "crap shoot" that the NFL Draft can often be.

On the flipside, if the team that wasted high picks on guys like Freddie Mitchell and Todd Pinkston can turn around and find a budding star like DeSean Jackson, then there's hope that if the Panthers just keep swinging they might hit a similar home run down the road. Impossible, you say? Eagle fans might have felt the same way circa 2007, but not anymore.

Bottom Line: It may not make the Panthers mistakes hurt any less, but before you go thinking that we're the only team in the league that's had poor results finding quality receivers, think again. While you're at it, remember that we're only two games into the career of our three latest picks, so no one can predict how they'll turn out just yet.

You never know. That guy we've been waiting for all this time might finally have arrived, but not yet announced it.

Stay tuned.

[trucpfan]

Once again you sprinkle us with your knowledge well appreciated I had forgotten all the wideouts they went through to really get someone worth a poo. That perspective was needed before we have a huddle meltdown and in my opinion we may be on to something with Gettis we will see. But we really need a vet reciever who LIKES mentoring these young guys I guess that would be the wide rec coach but Im thinking on the field a moose type that may do wonders for them

[Mr. Scot]

Someone else referenced the Lions (Delhommey, I think). Repeated picks on can't-miss first rounders who, it turns out, could miss after all.

That's a fair comparison too, but it's kind of depressing when you have to use being better than Matt Millen to cheer yourself up

...

[Mr. Scot]

Speaking of depressing, there's nothing quite like editing each word in a post, getting it to read exactly how I want it to, feeling good about having made a solid point, and then seeing it all framed in the context of a Bucs logo and a chick flick poster :cryin:

(I will never make a pride bet on a football game again, ever) :banghead:

...

[weyco2000]

Speaking of depressing, there's nothing quite like editing each word in a post, getting it to read exactly how I want it to, feeling good about having made a solid point, and then seeing it all framed in the context of a Bucs logo and a chick flick poster :cryin:

(I will never make a pride bet on a football game again, ever) :banghead:

...

Well that explains it... I thought you had came out of the closet!

[Rononoa3000]

Can't we just clone Steve Smith?

[Anybodyhome]

One thing not discussed here or with any of the other many positions no longer being filled by seasoned vets- John Fox.

The man has spent his entire tenure in Charlotte playing veterans and not having much to do with rookies. Now, faced with the only alternative after the over-30 purge of 2010, he has to play rookies, something he's obviously not used to.

[Ruff]

Can't we just clone Steve Smith?

I would be alright cloning Moose circa 2003.

[mj4life]

the eagles also won alot of games with the no name wr crew by incorprating their backs & te's into their game plans

[hepcat]

The Eagles flopped with 80% of their WR picks. Donovan McNabb is a QB that makes WR's look better than they are - and the west coast offense is designed for RBs to be a focal point in the passing game.

Eagles aren't a good comparison in my opinion.

[SCP]

Speaking of depressing, there's nothing quite like editing each word in a post, getting it to read exactly how I want it to, feeling good about having made a solid point, and then seeing it all framed in the context of a Bucs logo and a chick flick poster :cryin:

(I will never make a pride bet on a football game again, ever) :banghead:

...

Thank God. I knew the Bucs avatar had to do with losing a bet, but I feared The Notebook quote was for reals.

[panthers55]

The reality is that you don't need to hit on a WR every year in order to be good. Frankly with most receivers of note having a life expectancy in the NFL of 5-10 years (Smitty's run has been 8 years already), you should be able to find at least 2 receivers to help your team.

Philly is actually an example of how poorly you can do drafting WR guys and still end up with a pretty good program as long as you have a good defense and a good quarterback. Rather than give perspective on how hard it is to find good WRs or give Panther fans justification for our lack of solid wide receiver draft choices, this post at least convinces me that we have failed to emphasize the position and have employed stop gap measures to fill in gaps rather than really go out and try and find impact players at WR.

No question Philly has had some busts particularly in the past 10 years but look at how many guys they took in the first 3 rounds in order to find someone. Six guys since 1999. Of those six, 2 early (1999 and 2000), 2 in the middle (2003 and 2005), and 2 recently (2008 and 2009). So far they hit on two really solid guys and frankly are set for the next 6 or 7 years.

Now look at us. How many guys have we drafted in the first 3 rounds at WR since 1999.

Steve Smith- round 3- 2001

Keary Colbert-round 2- 2004

Dwayne Jarrett- round 2- 2007

Brandon Lafell- round 3- 2010

Armani Edwards- round 3-2010

Of those 5 players- 3 were recent acquisitions. While Jarrett seems a bust it is too early to know on LaFell or Edwards.

But honestly if I look at our choices versus Philly, what is clear to me is that we have not put enough emphasis on drafting quality potential over the years relying on Smith and Muhammed. When we knew we were going to lose Moose we took a foray into the draft with Colbert but still didn't try again until he was a bust and Johnson proved a loud mouth. Even when Jarret showed little in 2007 and 2008, we got by with Moose part 2 and only this year drafted a few potential quality guys.

What I saw with Philly and the Panthers is that if you want quality guys you need to give up quality draft picks in order to find them. While you can always hope to find the Marques Colstons in round 7, once you get out of round 3, finding great guys is very hard to do. In Philly none of the guys picked lower than 3 did anything and even some of those picked above did little at least for the team that drafted them.

The same applies to us. Not one of our lower than 3rd round draft picks panned out and of those 3rd and above, Smitty has been great, Colbert had one good year and Jarrett has had none. So this year we draft 2 guys in the third, and one in the 6th. Have we ever drafted a first round pick at wide receiver other than Rae Carruth who is "dead to me"?? Never. So is it hard to understand why we have not had a great history with receivers? Not to me.

What the trend shows me is that typical passing teams have put an emphasis on WR through the years and that teams like the Panthers have suddenly seen the light and only this year have drafted a potential franchise quarterback and 2 potential good receivers. It obviously is a hit or miss proposition so if you want to find quality guys you have to take more shots than 1 "top three rounds" draft pick every 3 or 4 years. And honestly even at that you only have to hit on a gem every 5 or 6 years.

Especially if you are willing to spend some money on a free agent every now and then. Look at how prolific we were in 2003 with Moose, Smith, and Proehl. How about in 1999 with Moose, Walls, and Jeffers.

In fact what this kind of discussion convinces me is that we should have given up a second for Marshall or a third for Boltin and gone for a sure thing. Might be 2-0 rather than 0-2 and not having this kind of discusion at all.

[skarbar001]

The reality is that you don't need to hit on a WR every year in order to be good. Frankly with most receivers of note having a life expectancy in the NFL of 5-10 years (Smitty's run has been 8 years already), you should be able to find at least 2 receivers to help your team.

Philly is actually an example of how poorly you can do drafting WR guys and still end up with a pretty good program as long as you have a good defense and a good quarterback. Rather than give perspective on how hard it is to find good WRs or give Panther fans justification for our lack of solid wide receiver draft choices, this post at least convinces me that we have failed to emphasize the position and have employed stop gap measures to fill in gaps rather than really go out and try and find impact players at WR.

No question Philly has had some busts particularly in the past 10 years but look at how many guys they took in the first 3 rounds in order to find someone. Six guys since 1999. Of those six, 2 early (1999 and 2000), 2 in the middle (2003 and 2005), and 2 recently (2008 and 2009). So far they hit on two really solid guys and frankly are set for the next 6 or 7 years.

Now look at us. How many guys have we drafted in the first 3 rounds at WR since 1999.

Steve Smith- round 3- 2001

Keary Colbert-round 2- 2004

Dwayne Jarrett- round 2- 2007

Brandon Lafell- round 3- 2010

Armani Edwards- round 3-2010

Of those 5 players- 3 were recent acquisitions. While Jarrett seems a bust it is too early to know on LaFell or Edwards.

But honestly if I look at our choices versus Philly, what is clear to me is that we have not put enough emphasis on drafting quality potential over the years relying on Smith and Muhammed. When we knew we were going to lose Moose we took a foray into the draft with Colbert but still didn't try again until he was a bust and Johnson proved a loud mouth. Even when Jarret showed little in 2007 and 2008, we got by with Moose part 2 and only this year drafted a few potential quality guys.

What I saw with Philly and the Panthers is that if you want quality guys you need to give up quality draft picks in order to find them. While you can always hope to find the Marques Colstons in round 7, once you get out of round 3, finding great guys is very hard to do. In Philly none of the guys picked lower than 3 did anything and even some of those picked above did little at least for the team that drafted them.

The same applies to us. Not one of our lower than 3rd round draft picks panned out and of those 3rd and above, Smitty has been great, Colbert had one good year and Jarrett has had none. So this year we draft 2 guys in the third, and one in the 6th. Have we ever drafted a first round pick at wide receiver?? Never. So it is hard to understand why we have not had a great history with receivers? Not to me.

What the trend shows me is that typical passing teams have put an emphasis on WR through the years and that teams like the Panthers have suddenly seen the light and only this year have drafted a potential franchise quarterback and 2 potential good receivers. It obviously is a hit or miss proposition so if you want to find quality guys you have to take more shots than 1 "top three rounds" draft pick every 3 or 4 years. And that honestly even at that you only have to hit on a gem every 5 or 6 years.

Especially if you are willing to spend some money on a free agent every now and then. Look at how prolific we were in 2003 with Moose, Smith, and Proehl. How about in 1999 with Moose, Walls, and Jeffers.

In fact what this kind of discussion convinces me is that we should have given up a second for Marshall or a third for Boltin and gone for a sure thing. Might be 2-0 rather than 0-2 and not having this kind of discusion at all.

I would say Jason Avant was a good pickup. He plays a nice role in Philly as their #3 and was picked above 3.

Rae Carruth

[panthers55]

The Eagles flopped with 80% of their WR picks. Donovan McNabb is a QB that makes WR's look better than they are - and the west coast offense is designed for RBs to be a focal point in the passing game.

Eagles aren't a good comparison in my opinion.

What the Eagles do show is that teams with a franchise quarterback do well because of the quarterback who can get the most out of what they have. Receivers don't make the difference that the quarterback does. If you look at us, our best success was between 2003-2005 when Jake had his best years. Obviously 2004 was injury riddled but we still went 29-19 during this span. Jakes misses 3 games in 2006 and 13 games in 2007 and we find no decent replacement and we start down a slippery slope. In 2008 Jake rebounds and we have a 12-4 year. He implodes in the playoffs and so do we. Last year we are terrible and so is Jake. Moore salvages last year but stinks this year and we are back to 0-2 and on our second quarterback.

Rather than look at wide receiver as the issue, it seems to me that quarterback is the bigger concern. Find a Drew Brees and anybody looks good at wide receiver. Find a David Carr and the opposite is true.