Quote:
Originally Posted by GTripp0012
I can buy Gaffney as the guy who will gradually give reps to Hankerson as he earns them over the next two years, setting up a breakout (in receiving yards) 2013 for Hankerson when Gaffney is out of his way. But I also think the best thing that you can do for Hankerson if they really like him is just play him. Instead of playing Gaffney until Hankerson knows everything about everything, just throw him out there and let him fail a few times.
We screwed up a lot about the Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly draft, but one thing they didn't do is acquire a vet to block them. Either Chad Johnsoncinco was going to be the acquisition that offseason, or it was going to be Thomas. And even then, Devin Thomas' lack of grasp of an NFL offense was probably the single biggest reason the 2008 team failed to make the playoffs. But that was justifiable because the idea was that the 2009 team would benefit from that.
I firmly believe that having Jabar Gaffney or Donte Stallworth in 2008 would have put that team in the playoffs, but I think it's a different animal entirely when talking about the difference between 4 wins (receiver position is total crap) and 6 wins (receiver position performs better than expected).
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Tripp I disagree here. We see young guys contributing all over the league at the Wr position. Macklin and Jackson in Philly, and the guys on Tampa Bay. Mike Wallace in Pittsburgh came into his own year in 2. 2013 is two years away. If he gets significant time now then that fastens his development. Right? Same with Austin and the rest of the guys. You don't get better sitting and watching. I'm not buying that sitting behind a vet and learning.
If this was 05, 06 and 07 and Gibbs was here, even 08 w/ Zorn and this was playoff team then fine, I'm all for Gaffney and co. But that's not the case now. This is a team that has won 12 games in 2 and a half years.