Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:
Originally posted by Phoenix49ers:
Originally posted by RollinWith21n52:
I haven't seen a class so deep at WR in ages. I also don't know of a term for it, but there's a particular quality I like about WRs that I think many of these guys have. I'm less of a Megatron/Alshon/Dez guy, and always been more into Steve Smith, Anquan, Larry, Heinz Ward, Jordy Nelson, etc. Guys that make big plays at big times, pick up key first downs, bring a LB mentality to the WR position, and can catch the football. My problem with the superstar WR (AJ, Megatron, Dez, Alshon, Marshall, etc) in today's NFL, is the contracts that they will eventually demand. Megatron or Anquan? I'll take Megatron. But the reality is, based on salaries, the question you're asking is Megatron or Anquan+Crabtree? And it'd take 2 of these guys over 1 superstar any day.
Jarvis Landry to me is that type of guy. 700-1100 yds, 6-10 TDs /season in his prime. Will convert 3rd downs, and always be reliable. In other words, another Boldin/Crabtree. Some people say we need a speed guy and size guy, and while I agree with that to some degree, you won't see my crying if we have a roster full of 6'0-6'2/195-215lbs/4.45-4.65 40s/ WRs like Crabtree.
There's a certain attitude that I like to see in guys, tough, resilient, borderline cocky, a guy with some fight in him. I'll take guys like that, like Patton, like Landry, all day long.
It's a little early to tell with Patton, but he's responded every time his name has been called. Can't argue with that, so that's definitely a positive. I have a feeling that he may be a bigger part of the gameplan in Seattle than most are expecting.
For me, it's all about the hands. Not impressed with guys who can run sub-4.30 or whatever, because if they can't make the play when the ball's in the air, it doesn't matter. Give me a WR corps full of Boldins, Crabbys or Landrys and I can keep moving the chains all day long (see Walsh). The only real burner we ever really had during the championship years was Renaldo Nehemiah, and we all know how that worked out. The rest were mostly big-catch, chain-moving machines. Then, when secondaries were forced to play our WRs tighter taking away those short passes, we'd go over top....simple but effective strategy.
But especially on a team like ours today that's so reliant on the run and not necessarily big plays in the passing game like so many other teams right now. When we're 3rd and 4 or 3rd and 7, you need guys you can rely on to make tough catches with defenders all around you to keep drives alive. Boldin in particular this year has proven just how critical that skill is, making big catch after big catch on some badly thrown balls....but no panic, he just makes the play and the drive continues on. Same with Crabtree since he's been back.
To me, that's why guys like Landry, Matthews, Beckham and Latimer are ideal for this offense.