My thoughts on how the WR position plays out

spanky1

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Assuming that Boldin; Fitzgerald and Johnson don't get injured during TC, they will be our "feature *********". I know that some ASFN'ers don't think that Bryant Johnson has amounted to much, but I know some very savvy football people who tell me that this is his year to grow his feathers........and I agree.

But let's look at the depth chart heading into TC and perhaps we can determine who might be on the roster "going forward":

L.Hamilton vs C. Lee (as back up to Bryant Johnson). I like Lee because he actually has turned heads on the NFL playing field (if only fleetingly). They both have above average size and speed (Lee is a tad bigger and a tad faster). Hamilton has never made it to the dance yet. This tells me enough (vis a vis the two of them).

D. Shelton and L. McCoy vs. Fabian Davis; Luke Powell; Reggie Newhouse and C. Holiday. I think that Clarence Holiday makes it on the PS. He has great speed and good size and let's face it....Davis; Powell and Newhouse have had their time on the PS. Time to recycle. Shelton is Dante Hall reincarnated and McCoy is an excellent prospect as a KR, both threats to take it "downtown" on every touch. We need this on the roster.

I was not impressed with either Tate or Scobey last year in a KR role. We have never had a good KR/PR since Terry Metcalf. This is a REAL KEY NEED if we are to win the ST game within the game.

In putting together a 53 man roster, it takes a lot of thought. With Lee and Holiday available in the event that one of the three amigos goes down, we are covered. Shelton and McCoy give us the very needed ST threat.

As always,

JMHO
 

LoyaltyisaCurse

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spanky1 said:
I was not impressed with either Tate or Scobey last year in a KR role. We have never had a good KR/PR since Terry Metcalf. This is a REAL KEY NEED if we are to win the ST game within the game.

spanky1 said:
No.....not Eric Metcalf. Terry Metcalf.....his father! Somewhat of a youngster are we?

Ehem..Cough..Hello: Vai Sikahema
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2-time Pro Bowler: 1986, 1987

Vai Sikahema, Running Back, Brigham Young (1986-90)—10th Round, 1986
Two-time Pro Bowl pick as return specialist in 1986-87. Shared franchise record for career punt returns for touchdown with three, posting two in a 1986 game vs. Tampa Bay as a rookie, only the fifth player in NFL history to record the double.

Team career leader with 193 punt returns for 2,152 yards. His 12.1-yard punt return average in 1985 was best by Cardinal player since Terry Metcalf's 13.1-yard average in 1974. Only a four-game stint on injured reserve in 1988 prevented him from becoming the first player in NFL history to lead the league in punt return yardage three successive seasons.
 
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JPlay

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spanky1 said:
No.....not Eric Metcalf. Terry Metcalf.....his father! Somewhat of a youngster are we?

Yes Eric Metcalf and Mar Tay Jenkins were no slouches.
 

Russ Smith

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Metcalf Rules said:
Terry Metcalf was the best.

Yep, my favorite NFL player of all time, you never knew what he was going to do, exciting every play. Too bad his Card career was cut short due to the contract dispute, fans booing him over fumbles, and he chose to jump to Canada.

He was the classic example of why the Cards struggled back then, Bidwill at that time had not joined reality and felt he could just underpay his key players and they'd take it or leave it, Metcalf left it, left us, and Wayne Morris just couldn't replace him.

Of course we wound up getting some guy named Ottis Anderson not long after. :thumbup:
 

JeffGollin

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Our three top receivers (Fitz, BJ and Q) all share similar attributes - big, tough, good hands, can jump, fast enough but not blazers. You could argue that, for whatever the reason, they weren't real good last year at separating from defenders and getting open. This would bring into question the areas of route running and explosiveness out of breaks.

I assume the route running will improve during the offseason. Possibly some of the explosiveness too, but then again maybe not.

There will be times - particularly in light at the lack of proven talent at TE - where we may see a lot of one-back with 4-receiver sets.

It would make sense if our 4th receiver differed from the other three in that he was either (a) a blazer, (b) a great route runner who could explode out of his breaks or (c) ideally the combination of both. And if he could also return punts and kicks, so much the better.

Trying to scope out which of our backups, undrafted free agents or McCoy will best fit the bill is for training camp and preseason to determine. But I do believe that the player(s who best fits that job description will be our #4 and #5.
 

Redsz

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I think the explosivness issue can be related back to the rash of injurys at WR last year. Johnson had a broken foot, Boldin 'blew out' his knee and Fitzgerlad was playing on bad ankles all year.

Those type of leg/foot injurys are hard to overlook. Hopefully we can stay more healthy this year.
 

CronosCard

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"..And in this corner.."

Actually, Eric Metcalf did play for us at least 1 year, if not 2.. Wasn't it with Joe Bugel? Of course his dad was much more formidible the Returner by the time Eric came to us, up in years.. Eric did turn in some magic, though.. :thumbup:
 
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ajcardfan

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CronosCard said:
Actually, Eric Metcalf did play for us at least 1 year, if not 2.. Wasn't it with Joe Bugel? Of course his dad was much more formidible the Returner by the time Eric came to us, up in years.. Eric did turn in some magic, though.. :thumbup:

Eric made the kickoff return that setup the gamewinning FG against San Diego that put us in the playoffs.
 

RON_IN_OC

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CronosCard said:
Actually, Eric Metcalf did play for us at least 1 year, if not 2.. Wasn't it with Joe Bugel? Of course his dad was much more formidible the Returner by the time Eric came to us, up in years.. Eric did turn in some magic, though.. :thumbup:

Vince Tobin...1998 Season.
 

Doc Cardinal

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Not sure about McCoy....but if Sheldon and/or Powell can catch then one of those two might have a shot.


Both are small yet fast enough to take it down the field.
 
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