SI.com - Gibbs, 'Skins feeling more comfortable

If I recall from last year, I think Joe Gibbs had a problem with how McCants looked during practice. McCants may not look good during practice, but I think he really shines during game-day. He was scoring on every sixth catch for the past two years. If we do incorporate 3 or 4 WR set, McCants will a great possession type receiver. 6'3 211 lbs...he's a giant target among our speedy smurfs receivers.

I know the crucifiction is coming, but I think Cooley may have a drop off this year. Not that he's not a great player but how many TEs have great rookie years then hit the sophmore slump once some film gets out on em, etc. I think he'll be productive, but I could see him being a bit more tightly covered next year. I think we should have at least one big target on the outside. it takes a long time for Cooley/Royal to get to where you'd throw a fade to.

If D'Mack does not make it as the 4th or 5th receiver it may be difficult to see just where he fits in. I recall last year he did not have the neccessary desire to play ST, nor was he a good practice player. If he's not going to play teams, and he's not going to be one of the four receivers suited up for game day, then where does he play and when? His salry indicates he must play somewhere, and he can't be inactive for most games like he was last year.

While I defer to Gibbs' judgment as to who should make the roster, I'd like to see McCants stick around.

I know the crucifiction is coming, but I think Cooley may have a drop off this year. Not that he's not a great player but how many TEs have great rookie years then hit the sophmore slump once some film gets out on em, etc. I think he'll be productive, but I could see him being a bit more tightly covered next year. I think we should have at least one big target on the outside. it takes a long time for Cooley/Royal to get to where you'd throw a fade to.

Off the top of my head I can't think of any TEs who hit sophomore slumps after a great rookie year

We didnt get in the red zone much. And when we did, Patrick looked for Cooley. And he would catch it. 6 times. The downside was obviously his yardage.
314 yards on 37 carries. For all starting tight ends, he ranked 21st in yardage. Behind the likes of Ben Troupe, Jerramy Stevens, and a gentleman that calls himself Kris Mangum. Wow, what a bad ass!

If Patrick remains at quarterback through the entire season, then Cooley has a good chance of catching more than 6 td's this year. As for yardage, if they dont make a concerted effort to involve him before we get knee deep in their 20, then he will continue to be an effective endzone threat, and nothing else.

If Patrick is not starting for one reason or another, then his numbers are a toss up.

P.S. He averaged less than 20 receiving yards a game.

Monksdown, I respectfully and strongly disagree with your assessment of Cooley.

First, Cooley didn't even PLAY in 3 games last season (that won't happen in 2005).

Second, Gibbs has expressly stated that he didn't realize just how good Cooley was until mid-way through the season. Expect Cooley to get much more work in 2005.

Third, in the first half of the season, Cooley had 10 catches for 87 yards. In the latter half of the season Cooley had 27 catches for 227 yards and 4 TDs. If Cooley just plays at the level that he did in the latter half of the season for all of next year (which is highly likely given how piss poor our passing offense was last year), he projects to score 8 TDs on 54 catches for 454 yards - that's a damn good season. That sort of season would put him behind only the likes of Gates, Gonzalez, and Witten.

Cooley had 37 catches as a rookie and wasn't even thrown to much until later in the year.

Personally I think he'll have no problem topping 50 catches this year as his role in the offense should only increase over last year.

He's got soft hands, he knows how to get open, and he's got decent enough speed and power after the catch.

Ramseyfan - I yield.

Ramseyfan - I yield.

:food-smil Trust me, I'll yield on many other occasions.