Originally posted by dtg_9er:
You seem to think first rounders (at least WRs) should start immediately. Aldon was a much higher pick than Jenkins so I inferred that you would have started Aldon. If this was an error then you have me thoroughly confused...a #7 pick should sit and bide his time but a #30 should start or be called a bust?
The team was in dire need of WRs so they went out and signed two veterans. If those veterans are as good as they are advertised they should be among the top three along with Crabtree, allowing Jenkins to sit and learn.
Lastly, I made it clear that he will compete and even that he may start sometime this coming season...so not sure why you choose to disagree.
For the most part 1st rounders DO come in and start, and that's pretty much the same regardless of were he was drafted. (People act as if late 1st is undrafted.) And again, Aldon was a different situation and a different position, calling for a different approach. In front of Aldon was Brooks and Haralson. Can't get much better than Brooks, but Haralson, while stellar against the run and better than decent as a pass defender, his pass-rushing wasn't as good as hoped, thought he often got good pressure so that made him a very capable place-holder for Aldon. Plus, while pass-rusher was a need, it wasn't costing this team to the extent that the WR position was. Even w/o a consistent pass rush this D was still one of the top D's in the league. A 1st rounder's expectations are much different than a free agent. The guy in front of A.J. is Crabs, at best a disappointment given were Crabs was drafted. A.J.'s skill-set gives this team and coaching staff many options that no other WR on the roster gives. With A.J. you get speed, consistent hands (deep and short), separation, toughness, dedication, deep threat, smarts, and durability all in one guy (JH loves "value"). With Crabs you get good hands, but he's not consistent with it, he's often injured, not a deep threat and isn't know for having speed. With Moss you get the deep threat and separation, but his toughness and dedication has always been a major question, and doesn't have consistent hands in the short game. Manningham is good in the short game but, again, won't be a deep threat or get separation unless it's schemed. Williams (along with A.J.) is perhaps the toughest WR we have and has good speed and will get separation, but he lacks consistency and has durability questions. And Ginn is just a good returner. While A.J. isn't the physical specimen I was hoping for no other WR on the roster is either. And it's clear that that type of WR wasn't what this coaching staff was looking for.
No other WR on the roster brings to the table the package of skills that A.J. does. All he needs is reps. So, sitting a guy like A.J. a few games and then putting him in won't make much sense given the package of skills he brings. Now I don't care how well advertised the FA vets have been. I have my own reason why I think they are being so advertised along with the OTA struggles of A.J. are being advertised (or overblown). JH & Co. won't rely on a 35 year old to come or a solid #3 WR to come in and start over the guy drafted 1st. Moss and Mannigham won't get the reps. that A.J. will. A.J. won't be worse than #2 when it's all said and done. That's why I choose to disagree with you.
