Originally posted by JohnMatrix:
Originally posted by WRATHman44:
I don't think this is an actual match up, like one of them will be competing directly against the other. Burbridge has said in interviews that he's really only gotten reps in the slot (Y) so far.
I think Smith has the X position locked up.
I think Smelter, Rogers, and Patton are competing at Z.
I think Ellington and Burbridge are competing at Y.
I think Anderson, White, Cajuste, and Simpson need to blow up TC and PS games to stick on the roster.
At least for now.
The comparisons puzzle me, as well.
John Taylor was easily the best natural athlete on the 49ers roster. Burbridge is exceptionally average athletically. JT was an X, while Burbridge practiced mainly at Y all offseason. JT had change of pace/direction and instant acceleration talents to be an outstanding punt returner; Burbridge runs straight through people for whatever YAC he generates.
Hines Ward was regarded as one of the most savvy WRs in football, which was attributed to his experience at QB in college; Smelter has played comparatively little football, and the football he played exposed him to a limited number of concepts and route packages. Smelter is also a much better athlete. All they appear to have in common is physicality.
Pretty sure I read they've been lining up Torrey as a flanker.
He's been learning both, and he could move around to get a better matchup, but he can do a lot of damage as the deep post threat in Kelly's scheme, which is where he took a lot of his reps in the offseason, IIRC. We have less guys who can play X (Smith,
maybe Rogers, Anderson, and/or White) than we do who can play Z (Rogers, Smelter, Patton, Cajuste,
maybe Burbridge).