http://thefinsiders.com/blog/2011/answering-the-questions-edmond-gates Good read here. Check it out!!
Should be a steal, if I know anything about what I'm doing on receivers. But we'll have to see. I was very high on him. Mid to high 2nd round grade.
I loved the Gates' pick as well and have really high hopes, but WRs are so difficult to evaluate. IMO the key will be (aside from injuries) how much press he faces and how good he is getting off the press. If teams are scared of his speed then that will automatically create more space for the rest of our passing and running offense, much like the effect Ginn had early on. I question Henne's deep pass ability so I don't expect many successful long passes, but I am hopeful that Gates will provide the aforementioned space and make a few big plays out of some short passes and even deep outs (which Henne is good at).
That's all I needed to know. The only downside is this was from Boone, the play by play guy, not from his coach Thomsen. I'd love to ask the coach which player he thinks is faster. Johnny Knox is faaaast.
Yeah bro, but Gates is not just a fast receiver. He's has good all-around WR skills. I liked him a lot before the draft and I had him in my mock. Actually, when I first started watching him, I didn't even realize that he was such a speedster. I could see he had good speed, but what I noticed was his great hands, always catching the ball effortlessly and away from his body. You could also tell that he is a fluid runner and can be good running routes. His speed is an extra plus and I'm sure a big reason for why they drafted him, but there's a lot about his game which I like, which I'm sure there is for you as well. I also think his basketball experience and how they use their bodies to pick and shield defenders will help him get off press and create space.
I read Sparano stating that he thought we got ourselves a ''football player'' first and foremost, so thats encouraging.. I do think the inability of our receiving core to have deep ball prowess in their repertoires has something to do with some inconsistencies in that dept. from the QB position.. Speed on the field creating space for other players is not a myth...He should help in a dept that was a problem, receivers getting separation. I hope he has natural ability to return punts..were desperate there.
Point of reference, when I watched the combine, only two WR's impressed me. Gates, and Julio Jones. They had very similar physical numbers but Gates is light years faster. The last time someone impressed me that much in a combine workout was in 2008, DeSean Jackson. That guy is a physical specimen.
CK made a point a while ago about his broad jump, and that was that is was special..when I watched it closely, it almost freaked me out..It was like levitation holmes..Truly something majical goin on there physiologically, while in mid air..The theory that he posted these numbers with an injured groin is impressive to say the least. Ive seen him go up on defenders in the end zone and take a ball that had no chance for 6.
