The fans here don't like him, and I have complained about his drops (and wanted *him* dropped). But the staff is clearly very sold on him. It's time we ask ourselves why and look at what positives Legadu Naanee brings to the table. Pre-draft measureables Height Weight 40 yd20 ss3-cone Vert BP 6'2" 226 lb 4.41. 4.20 6.73s[3] 40 in 19*[4] 1) Mentally capable player. When LA entered college he came in as a Quarterback. He likely understands the Xs and Os and coaches love that. 2) Naanee can offer versatility to create mismatches favored by this offense. "Norv Turner wanted to use Naanee as the Chargers' F-Back, like Delanie Walker and Michael Robinson were when Turner was the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. The F-Back is much like the H-back in other offenses in the sense it is a hybrid position (WR/TE/FB) purposely versatile to take advantage of mismatches.... Regarding his versatility, head coach Norv Turner said, "We're going to continue to move him. He's going to be a guy who's versatile enough to move around. That's going to help him be put in position to make some plays." (Wikipedia) 3) He's got a reputation as a strong blocker. That helps in this offense on both runs and short passes designed for yards-after-the-catch. Given that our left side is our better run blocking side on the O-Line, we are likely to see bigger runs spring to the left if Naanee can block wide or upfield to the safety. For WCO passes, Naanee's blocking will help other receivers, RBs and TEs. On screens, flares to the running back, drags and crosses by the TE or WR on the opposite side, Naanee could block an upfield safety or pursuing LB to spring guys like Clay, Bess, Hartline, Bush and others for bigger yardage. Don't underestimate how much blocking can play into a coach's assessment. "We like his size and his ability. He's a good target, whether it be on the outside running some in breaking routes or running slants or cross routes. … He adjusts pretty well to the football, and he has the ability to block in normal down and distance, he has shown an aptitude for that so he has good overall skill," head coach Joe Philbin said. 4) Be thankful our special teams don't suck anymore. We have actually rebuilt the special team into a decent unit, and LA is known as a good special teams player. The next time we aren't screwing up on special teams, let's appreciate the contribution we get from LA. Hey, it's still 1/3 of the game. 5) He does come off the line well, and is hard to press and jam, which is very helpful in a timing-offense like ours. Receivers who are fast but get held up for a second trying to beat the jam are not in the right spot at the right time and thus cannot be relied upon in this offense. The coaches would favor LAs ability to be unimpeded on his release on slants and other short routes. 6) While his hands have been unreliable, he is not the Ted Ginn type who Necessarily drops balls when in a crowd. LA may drop the ball due to lack of focus, or simply not having the best hands, but in general he is able to catch a ball in traffic, which is important if you hope for him to be of value in the compacted Red Zone area. 7) He can throw. Like I said, he was a high school QB, and threw a flea flicker to LaDanian. Tomlinson in San Diego. We may see it again here. Really interesting when you pair it with Tannehill, a QB who used to play WR. Could see that Naanee to Tannehill for a TD once this year, even if the reverse isn't true. Overall, coaches could easily like the versatile, physicality of a receiver who appears to consistently get off the line,get to where he should, when he should, and can take a hit without dropping the ball. That said, his focus issues cause easy drops and lack of quickness in and out of cuts will mean minimal separation. Most of Naanee's catches, therefore, WILL be contested by a cornerback draped all over him as Naanee must make the catch with contact. Coaches will also love his blocking ability, coachability and understanding of the play book and Xs and Os. There are issues with Naanee mainly because we have miscast him as a number one due to our own lack of receivers, but LA deserves credit for what he does bring to the table. He's on our team. He has good things to offer. Let's hope for a good year of contributions from him.
I watched a bunch of Carolina games last year. And imho Legadu Naanee isn't gonna be good as a #1 or #2 WR because he wasn't very good as a #3 receiver.
Well, now we're talking. I think it's nice of you to try to see a silver lining in a dark cloud. Anyway, PFF rated him as tied for the 21st best blocker at WR last season. He also tied for 4th in most penalties committed by a WR with 7. Hopefully not holding penalties while run blocking. PFF does not tell us the exact penalties.
I see what you did there. To add a note of seriousness, a 4.20 isn't anything special as a short shuttle time for a WR, but the 3 cone time of 6.73 is excellent. Only 2 WRs had better cone times at this past combine.
Other super powers: -Able to hypnotize Coaching Staffs into putting him onto the field. -Able to fool Omar Kelly (well, that is being generous) Simple rule for me, if you cannot catch the ball, you should be playing until you fix that..comes with the territory.
IMO WRs with impressive measurables are a dime a dozen. What matters is what he does in the games. Other than maybe blocking color me unimpressed. And STs is really about 15% of the game despite the old saying.
OK, so he is good at running real fast in his undies, great. He did NOTHING in 4 games, nothing. He can't catch the ball.
I believe you have to have a vertical threat, for us that is Naanee. He couldn't catch the ball in preseason or camp but what other options are out there. We need a vertical threat now our only option is to trade for one, hope Naanee gets it together, or sign some rookie (probally from a PS ).
In my view Naanee is the pink elephant in the room, just wasting space. That sounds harsh, but he has to prove he belongs. Cunningham and Hogan outperformed him in games.
Are we really trying this hard to justify having a complete abomination of a player like Legadu Naanee on our roster?
Cunningham wasn't really that special either to be honest. Chris Hogan has potential but he really needs to learn what to do when the ball is in the air and then after he's caught it.
I can not remember a player that I have questioned in terms of earning a roster spot more than Naanee. And I have been a fan for 40 plus years.
STATS, HEIGHT, SPEED, HAIR STYLE Yadda, Yadda, Yadda Who really cares.. If you can't catch a football than why should I give a rats *** about you? Seriously give me a midget with good hands and field vision and he's my starter day 1... Way to many pre-Madonnas
A receiver who can't get open, in other words. Being able to block and fight for jump balls doesn't cut it.
I don't think Naanee is anything special, but I didn't notice him having a big problem getting open in his limited time. Granted I only really looked at him when the ball went his way.
I guess you missed the addition of Armstrong. Also, Hartline is more of a vertical threat than Naanee has ever been.
It's not just games that coaches look at. Naanee by most accounts was having a good camp as far as practice goes. Now don't get me wrong, being known as one of the best flag football player (practice player for those who cannot connect the dots) isn't a compliment. However you only have a limited amount of the story available to you yet you want to just erase those blanks. Also I have seen some hate on Omar Kelly, understandably so, over the Naanee compliments. In his defense Kelly has numerously said that he isn't seeing in games what he saw in practice. Some players just don't show up on the stage when the lights turn on... I am thinking this is the case with Naanee. I hope we cut him for Gaffney but I can see why the coaching staff wants a veteran WR who is solid in most aspects of the game.
Also, Barry Barry quite contrary, after all that effort to make the post, you misspelled his first name. It is Legedu.
I am aware he did well in practice because that is the only way he starts a game. No other way. However, he is repeating his habits of Carolina, where last year he was rated the worst starting wr in the league.
Legadu?, more like "HandsofDooDoo", and someone who plays "Like an Old" Naanee; am i right? try the veal, I am here Tues-Sat 8pm, tip your waitress. come on prove me wrong.....we need someone to catch the football consistently
We picked up Anthony Armstrong, who scares safeties the way Gates did... but with better routes and hands. Gaffney may be signed. Hartline has returned (somewhat) from injury and we'll see what he can do.
This is a great question, Stitches, because I keep hearing about how he's a Special Teams guy and good at it... but I cannot recall seeing him on coverage untis this preseason. MAYBE once, but I'm not sure. So those reports of his Special Teams ability would not count in his favor if the staff is not playing him there. I'm hopeful they are.
There's a difference between agreeing, advocating and arguing on his behalf versus admitting and accepting that this staff likes him (regardless of what the fans say) and intend to start him. Because the latter is true, I decided to look at why this staff wants him, what they see in him, and what they think they can get from playing him.
Oh, I haven't convinced myself either. Were it up to me, I wouldn;t have Naanee on the team. That said, I want to understand why he is.
