http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insi...espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=3478215 "32. Miami Dolphins Expect offensive coordinator Dan Henning to rely heavily on the combination of running back duo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams, because outside of Ted Ginn Jr. the Dolphins lack explosive playmakers on the perimeter. Ginn is a raw-route runner who can be inconsistent in his setup and separation because he relies too much on his speed. He needs refinement in his overall game but possess the speed to run by any corner in the NFL. Ernest Wilford has good size and receiving skills but is best suited as a possession receiver and can be effective in the red zone due to his size. Former third-round pick Derek Hagan is a big target with good route savvy but can be inconsistent with his hands. Overall, this is not an impressive group on paper."
We're definitely down there. Who do the Raiders have though? I saw them ranked like 11th. They have Javon Walker who can't stay healthy, Ronald Curry who's injured and Drew Carter who isn't any better than Ernest Wilford.
He's probably right. I hope we move up to the middle of the pack soon after the season starts. Only our WR's can make that happen. If I was the coach, I would send a copy of this to every WR we had and see which ones really want to be on the field with a Phins helmet on.
Pretty much the ranking we deserve, can't disagree a whole lot. Wish I could, but oh well. Next draft!
Just the same thing everyone knows. WR just isn't a major priority for Parcells and Co. and it's been that way for sometime. If it wasn't for owner interferences, he wouldn't have even gotten guys like Terry Glenn or TO.
I agree. They got Brandon "Ducking" Lloyd and slip n slide Booker as their receivers. Their trying to make Hester their number one now for god sakes.
When you don't have a receiver or two with close to 1000 yards. I can't really say anything about this ranking. All we know is what these guys did last year. We can hope for what they will do this year, but it's a hope and an educated guess. 108 catches, 1,311 yds, 7 TDs. An excellent season for a #1. Too bad that's all three of the WRs cited, combined last year.
Of course when looking at last year's stats we have to remember who was throwing the receivers the ball: an older washed up QB, a rookie QB, and a Lemon. So they didn't have the best chances for success, but sadly this year's crop seems even less promising (WRs that is).
Naw I don't buy that completely, but somewhat, yes. We just happen to trade away our best WR that's all. Through 6 games, Chambers was on pace for 1,100 yards. He didn't score TDs but well, when you have Ronnie bulldozing people that's to be understood.
You can't disagree with it. Ernest Wilford isn't exactly a starting receiver and Ted Ginn hasn't proved anything yet.
I knew our receivers werent that great... but... last overall? Im not so sure of that. Theres Ginn who should have a good year, and Wilford isnt all that darn bad either. Hopefully Hagan can be consistent this year. I dont see us as the worst in the league, but pretty far down the list is about right.
Whose a team you'd place under Miami? Tennessee maybe? Thats the only team I can think of. Again, Ginn's 35 receptions prove nothing and Wilford is not a starting receiver in this league. If he is, he's a very, VERY low #2. Like, one of the worst if not the worst.
Wilford was a very good possesion receiver in a Run-Heavy offense at JAX. I'll grant you that his YAC is consistently very low (even though he was 6th in the leauge in YPC in '05) but the guy is sure handed and a chain mover on 3rd downs. As far as Ginn's 35 rec "proving nothing", not sure what you mean there. The guy caught EVERYTHING thrown his way in an absolute dismal offense (after Ronnie got hurt) He'll get more chances this year as a full-time starter. Its always nice to have a burner in a smash-mouth type offense. He gives us the oppurtunity to stretch the field with play action after giving teams a heavy dose of the run. I dont agree that we have the worst receivers in the league, but we are amongst the bottom feeders IMO.
x2 i mean i know there are a lot of homers on this site, but that description is quite accurate. We traded away our star receiver, and let our solid #2 walk... so we have a guy who was a rookie last year who showed flashes as our #1 this year, and everyone else is either garbage or unproven. can't fault that analysis there.
Agreed completely on everything. Plus the guy specified that it's an unimpressive group "on paper." That statement takes away an end all conclusion on the group allowing for the potential it may have. The analysis is right on.
And this is the supporting cast with whom John Beck will be getting his final audition? Sounds like a really accurate way to judge a quarterback this year. Bpk
Don't see how the Chargers are #9. Chambers is my man! But VJ? Id rather have Hines Ward and Santonio above them at least.
He is correct, if we want to be positive, we also have the most untested Wr in the NFL, Ginn, Hagan, this will be their first years as actual playmakers/starters. So we cannot say either way.....
In my opinion you can't judge a Quarterback after less than a year and a half of starting anyway. How many games did Beck start last season? 4? 5? And even if he is to start all 16 games this season, that still isn't enough time to evaluate him. With Quarterbacks, you have to give them three, four years to see what they truely are, unless they really are that putrid. Even Ryan Leaf was given three years.
we'll rely heavily on that 25th ranked backfield.... is there any reason to hope? if anyone wants me, i'll be in the bathroom with my razor and a bottle of prozac. i love you ESPN....
We're not the worst receiving corps. We're close, but not the worst. The Ginn writeup is a collection of falsehoods that's been said about him since he declared, I don't get how Wilford's ability to catch touchdowns is a bad thing, and Hagan is Hagan. At worst we're #30, not #32. The worst receiving corps in the NFL belongs to, say, Denver.
Tennessee boasts 2 young WR's with over 700 yards last season and are still improving. I can't say the same for us. Wilford is best as a #3 WR who you put out there on plays where you need a possession WR (i.e. 3rd and some, goal line) because he doesn't have speed to go with height. Wards been declining. VJ somehow brings it in playoffs time which I can't quite say for other WR's. Still coming into his own but his potential remains high. And at his size and around a 4.5 40 speed, he's still someone to fear. That depends on if Denver is missing Brandon Marshall. The guy outproduced our entire WR corps by himself. And don't discount Brandon Stokley (680+ yards in 13 games as a #2 and a real Wes Welker-lite) and Darrell Jackson (a career 62.5 ypg vet who like everyone in SD, had a down year). Even with Marshall possibly out, I still like them slightly better than us.
When you are the worst unit on the worst team in the league, you shouldn't expect to be ranked better than last. I think we may still pick up a WR (I would love to get Maurice Stovall from Tampa for JT) in Michael Clayton or Devery Henderson who appear to be on the trading/cut down block. If we traded for Stovall and signed Henderson, it would be an upgrade. Our Depth chart would be Stovall, Ginn, Wilford, Henderson, Rookie1, Rookie2, Hagan (if Hagan can even make it). Having said that, WR is still the least important position on the team.