Leonard Hankerson is the real deal - he will have a hell of a year.

[polywog]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Three receivers with less than 20 career receptions? Was this a riddle?

Who was Helu? Who was Cariker? All these players just needed a shot.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by polywog

Who was Helu? Who was Cariker? All these players just needed a shot.

That doesn't mean that every player who gets a shot tears it up.

[polywog]

Originally Posted by Lotus

That doesn't mean that every player who gets a shot tears it up.

?????

No way - everybody picked in the 7th round or shortly thereafter makes the pro-bowl! geesh!

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by polywog

Who was Helu? Who was Cariker? All these players just needed a shot.

Of course.. I was being humorous (kinda) but as much as I think Hankerson will be a stud, Paul looks like James Thrash 2.0 and Robinson may be Terrence Austin with a couple more years under his belt. I hope we plan on surrounding Hankerson with some more talented WR than Paul and Robinson.

[mbedner3420]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Of course.. I was being humorous (kinda) but as much as I think Hankerson will be a stud, Paul looks like James Thrash 2.0 and Robinson may be Terrence Austin with a couple more years under his belt. I hope we plan on surrounding Hankerson with some more talented WR than Paul and Robinson.

I'm really hoping we can pick up Blackmon if he falls to us. That would be so nice to have Blackmon, Hankerson, Paul, Robinson, and Austin as our WR corp.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by mbedner3420

I'm really hoping we can pick up Blackmon if he falls to us. That would be so nice to have Blackmon, Hankerson, Paul, Robinson, and Austin as our WR corp.

Why exactly would that be nice? Not being a dick, but when did Paul, Robinson or Austin show ANYTHING that would indicate them being consistent performers at WR? Paul played 13 games and caught 2 balls. Robinson didn't get off the practice squad until week 17 and was inactive. Austin has been on the roster for 2 years (18 games) and has 15 catches. Sure these guys are young, homegrown draft picks and may a future role but going into next season with the 5 you mentioned would be a disaster.

[mbedner3420]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Why exactly would that be nice? Not being a dick, but when did Paul, Robinson or Austin show ANYTHING that would indicate them being consistent performers at WR? Paul played 13 games and caught 2 balls. Robinson didn't get off the practice squad until week 17 and was inactive. Austin has been on the roster for 2 years (18 games) and has 15 catches. Sure these guys are young, homegrown draft picks and may a future role but going into next season with the 5 you mentioned would be a disaster.

Nice in the sense that we have two young quality starters in Blackmon and Hankerson and serviceable yet youthful WRs in Paul, Robinson and Austin for the future (not necessarily next season as I assume both Gaffney and Moss will be back).

I think it'll take time for the rest of these guys to develop, but I certainly think they have value and were kept for a reason. Why have so many WRs on a team with this many deficiencies if you don't think they can play?

Paul is an excellent blocker in the run game and a very good special teamer. Had Nebraska not been a run first team, I've read several scouts say that he would have been drafted significantly higher.

It seems like they really like Robinson. While he wasn't activated for much of the season, the coaching staff still felt he had value and would gain from another offseason. Presumably, they like him in the slot.

Who knows about Austin. I just threw his name in there because he was drafted by Shanahan.

In the end, my excitment is based on promise rather than accomplishments. I just look forward to a young swath of WRs to take the reins.

[#21Taylor4Ever]

Originally Posted by mbedner3420

I'm really hoping we can pick up Blackmon if he falls to us. That would be so nice to have Blackmon, Hankerson, Paul, Robinson, and Austin as our WR corp.

Austin must go, and I think you left out Gaffney who definitely deserves to be out there as well.

[44Deezel]

Originally Posted by mbedner3420

I'm really hoping we can pick up Blackmon if he falls to us. That would be so nice to have Blackmon, Hankerson, Paul, Robinson, and Austin as our WR corp.

Moss will still be in the mix and don't forget about Cooley and Davis. Just need good QB play, which is easier said than done.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by 44Deezel

Moss will still be in the mix and don't forget about Cooley and Davis. Just need good QB play, which is easier said than done.

I would put the quarterback conundrum as such:

For great personnel guys, good quarterback play isn't difficult at all to find. You can get it pretty much via free agency, bargain basement scouting, draft, trade, whatever.

For mediocre personnel guys, quarterbacks good enough to obscure the other flaws on your roster are nearly impossible to find.

Keep putting good people in the organization, and the quarterback will have great numbers. Whether you attribute that to the QB or his environment isn't really important. You'll enjoy great seasons by the quarterback if you have smart people who are allowed to do their jobs.