Ross: No. 1 receiver top offseason priority

Wasn't Miller a 4th?

 

That's why i was so upset about trading BM and VD for picks, you never know what you're gonna get from a draft, but if you draft good its the best thing for a team. specially since rookies don't make as much money as they use to make.

 

Haven't posted in ages, but time to jump back in the mix. I LOVE the idea of adding Wallace and here's why. Not only is he a legitimate #1 receiver, but Mike Wallace is, at the same time, the vertical threat you need to stretch the field for your other receivers. He basically handles 2 roles at once, the go-to guy and the deep threat. Even if he demands top dollar, it's worth it for what he brings to the table. The fact that the Steelers rewarded Antonio Brown for his 1 solid season, but seem uninterested in locking in Mike for the long term baffles me. He is sometimes a little inconsistent and isn't necessarily the most physical, but he's certainly not one dimensional. He gets open, gets open deep, and he scores touchdowns. Even with coverages rolled to him, he creates a ton of space and he does it often. He's young, he's proven and I just like his game better than Bowe, Jennings or another FA out there if money is equal. Signing him also allows us to use picks to shore up other areas if the WR's we target aren't available in the draft. And if a great WR talent does fall, scoop him up anyway. 3 WR sets are going to be the norm once we have the talent to run the guys out there.

 

I love the idea of adding Wallace, but I don't agree that he's a true #1. I'm not baffled that Pitt seems to be opting to not pay him top dollar. I do think he's a bit limited but he excels in that
limited role. If we can get him for a little below top dollar then I'm all for it.

 

He's no Calvin Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald, but then again, those are once or twice a decade type talents and won't just be out there for the taking. He's a more polished WR than a guy like Desean Jackson and more consistent than Vincent Jackson, both of whom got paid well this past offseason. With Andre Johnson hurt/struggling the last 2 years, Mike Wallace is about as good as it gets in the AFC. I also think it's easier to add a physical/over the middle/tough yards receiver than a homerun threat with a good all around game if that's something you're lacking.

 

J Martin is starting to look solid at RT these last couple games. Crossing fingers there.

Miller and Hartline came out of the 4th round.

I'm liking his late picks though. From rounds 5 and on we've managed to scrape up: Jalen Parmele/Lex Hillard/Donald Thomas (2008) and all still bouncing around the league. That's 2 6th's and a 7th.
2009 We got Chris Clemons who looks like he's at least playing as an average starter now. John Nalbone is somehow still in the league with Dallas. Andrew Gardner is still alive in Houston.
2010 Nolan Carroll and Reshad Jones in the 5th (Score!), Chris McCoy is still alive in Pittsburgh. Austin Spitler in the 7th still holds on as a reserve LB for us.
2011 Jimmy Wilson and Charles Clay. Jury is still out on both. Lost Frank Kearse in a numbers game and is with Carolina now as the backup DT.
2012 Poor year for the late rounders. Only guy who looks like a solid player is Kheeston Randall in the 7th. Kaddu/Matthews hanging on...but they'll need to spark fast if they want to be here next year.

 

Don't forget the free agents. Wake and Bess in particular.

 

I think if you're running the offense this team is running, your vertical threat should be modeled after the role James Jett had alongside Tim Brown, for example, where the possession guy is the go-to guy and the "number one" receiver, and the speed/vertical guy has more of a peripheral role. If that's the case, then I don't think you spend as much as Wallace will command on that player.

If you were running a Scott Linehan offense, for example, then you would do the opposite, and you'd pay the speed/vertical guy the big money.

 

Contunuity could be key, Greg Jennings is a perfect west coast offense receiver..I'd take a hard look at him, age, injuries, contract, see if it works..There's some negative talk up in Green Bay about practices, poor tempo etc, give Tannehill an expert WCO receiver to match with his expert west coast offensive mind, the fit might be right.

Draft the kid Swope for Tannehill as well, and lets see how far we can go with familiarity..

I sure would be happy with a Jennings, Hartline, Bess and Swope west coast, high IQ unit..that unit right there, "would carve you up real nice"

All the rest of our draft picks go for defense, and a Goodnfast tight end.

 

I see Swope as a reasonable possibility. IMO the key receiver attribute Philbin should be looking for is consistency. I think Wallace has consistent hands to go along with his big play ability. That's why I consider him. Fans tend to focus more on the big play side, but I think that should be secondary to consistency.