10 Best NFL Receiving Units

| Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Bill Barnwell of Football Outsiders ranks the NFL receiving units from 1-32 including, rightly I think, tight ends. Here’s the top 10:

1. Dallas (1)

After six weeks of Drew Bledsoe, the Cowboys’ receivers were struggling. While Terry Glenn had a very respectable 16.8 percent DVOA, Terrell Owens was at a woeful -7.7 percent, and Patrick Crayton (the likely third or fourth target on most plays) had only been thrown 12 passes in six weeks because Bledsoe couldn’t stay upright long enough to find him. Even Jason Witten’s 17.0 percent DVOA had him at a mediocre 13th amongst tight ends.

By the end of the year, Glenn’s DVOA had improved to 20.4 percent, while Owens got all the way up to 12.2 percent. Crayton got 36 more attempts in the final 10 games and was the best third receiver in football. Witten’s DVOA went up to 19.1 percent, seventh amongst all tight ends. The point: Having an even competent quarterback can be the difference between a group of receivers struggling, or being amongst the league’s elite. While Owens and Glenn are getting up there in age, both have yet to show an appreciable level of decline in their metrics, and Owens will likely see an improved catch rate after healing his finger injury. Crayton remains one of the unsung threats in the league, and Witten, the best tight end in a division full of them. A team’s top four receivers will see 65-70 percent of all the throws made by a quarterback over the course of a season; one through four, no one’s better than the Cowboys.

2. Indianapolis (3)

On one hand, it would be incredibly interesting to see what would happen if Marvin Harrison ended up playing with Charlie Frye, or someone of that ilk. How much of his performance would he lose? On the other hand, breaking up Manning and Harrison just seems wrong, like sticking Tennille with Tom Jones, Chuck D with Prince Markie D.

What makes Indianapolis so dangerous, though, is their depth. In Harrison and Reggie Wayne (No. 1 and No. 2 in wide receiver DPAR last season), they have a one-two punch to match any in football; when you add Dallas Clark to the equation, you may have the three best pure receivers in the game. What makes this team even scarier in 2007 is the addition of Anthony Gonzalez in the first round; while it’s impossible to forecast certain success for the young man, take a gander at the other skill-position players the Colts have used first-round picks on under Bill Polian: Peyton Manning, Edgerrin James, Joseph Addai, Reggie Wayne. These guys could make Jim Sorgi look good. While Gonzalez will undoubtedly struggle some with the complex Colts playbook, his 3.6 GPA while at Ohio State offers some encouragement that he might be a quick study.

3. Cincinnati (4)

As good as Indianapolis’ starting wide receivers were, Cincinnati’s star combo of Chad Johnson (5th in DPAR) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (4th) were right behind them. In fact, it’s easy to construct a pretty convincing argument that by the time Carson Palmer had come all the way back from his knee injury, the combination were approaching the performance of Wayne and Harrison. Before the Bengals bye in Week 5, the Colts’ duo were averaging 5.5 DPAR per game combined, while the Bengals’ top two had a measly 2.3 DPAR per game between them. Over the rest of the year, while the Colts’ stars kept their numbers up at 5.69 DPAR per game, the Bengals got up to 4.46 DPAR per game; still not at the Colts’ level, but approaching it.

What separates the Colts’ offense from the Bengals, though, is depth. The Bengals offense does not enjoy a threat at tight end the level of Dallas Clark, although Reggie Kelly has proven to be an effective receiver (17.8 percent DVOA in 2006) when used. While Chris Henry was an excellent third wide receiver, a full season of Anthony Gonzalez will be better than the maximum eight games Henry will be allowed to suit up for in 2007. While they’re not the Colts’ set of receivers — very few teams in NFL history have been — Johnson and Houshmandzadeh are an elite duo, and they are likely to continue to be for at least two more seasons.

4. Baltimore (18)

A great group of receivers hidden by a quarterback losing his arm strength and pocket dexterity. While neither Derrick Mason nor Mark Clayton had spectacular statistics last season, the offensive scheme they played in, and Steve McNair’s quickness to check down caused some deflation in their numbers as opposed to their actual talent level. Mason remains one of the more reliable No. 1 receivers in football, a steady target who runs excellent routes and frees up space underneath while being double-covered. Clayton, on the other hand, is a star waiting to happen, a deep threat in the vein of Chicago’s Bernard Berrian with an upside not dissimilar to Carolina’s Steve Smith. He gained confidence as the year went along, and by the time the playoffs rolled around, was receiver No. 1A. He may have as good a chance to enjoy a breakout 2007 as anyone in pro football.

While third wideout Demetrius Williams is a step down from those two, he was a serviceable deep threat in his first season of playing time on offense, and is likely to see more action out of the slot as the Ravens open up their offense some in 2007. The real third option, though, is tight end Todd Heap, who’s ready to assume the mantle of best non-Gates tight end in football from Tony Gonzalez as he enters his peak and Gonzalez leaves his. Heap remains an excellent end zone option and requires safeties to help out on him, creating space for Clayton behind them.

The Football Outsiders say Anquan Boldin hasn’t been as great as his numbers would suggest in Arizona. (Brian Bahr / Getty Images)

5. Arizona (6)

Oh, if they only had a tight end. Last year, we panned former first-round pick and Cardinals’ third receiver Bryant Johnson as a bust, and the player holding the Cardinals’ wideouts back; Johnson responded with an excellent campaign, ranking 13th in DVOA and 27th in DPAR despite not being a starter. This year, we turn our scornful gaze, surprisingly, toward Anquan Boldin; while he’s been a workhorse at wide receiver (his 18.8 points of DPAR were 21st in the league last year), he’s yet to post a DVOA above 5 percent in his career, which points somewhat to the source of his success being a significant level of usage as opposed to spectacular performance. Expect that to improve some as the Cardinals’ offensive line does. The scary thing is that this threesome is already among the top two or three in football on their own merits, and they’re just now getting a good quarterback and slowly developing an offensive line. Oh, and they haven’t even hit their peak yet.

6. Denver (14)

It’s not often that a team’s Hall of Fame receiver suffers a steep decline and yet the receiving corps gets better, but that’s exactly what’s happened in Denver. Despite the controversy at quarterback, Javon Walker emerged as roughly the same receiver he was in Green Bay before his 2005 ACL tear; he was eighth in DPAR and 22nd in DVOA in 2004, 16th and 30th, respectively, in 2006. The effects of having to adjust to Jay Cutler’s development and Jake Plummer’s regression peg those as sufficiently similar performances. Of course, to speak of regression would require discussing Rod Smith, who absolutely fell off the cliff in 2006, 78th in DPAR and 77th in DVOA; toast got offended when you mistook it for the far-more-burnt Smith. With Smith still struggling to return from hip surgery, Denver will likely give more playing time to free agent Brandon Stokley and promising second-year player Brandon Marshall, who came on at season’s end and looks to be a real player.

The other advantage to Denver’s attack are their tight ends, who may be the deepest group in the game. Former Patriots first-round pick Daniel Graham is primarily known as a mauler, but he’s also a reliable pair of hands and good underneath option; meanwhile, backup Tony Scheffler posted an 8.7 percent DVOA last year, good enough for 14th in the league. He runs deeper routes than Graham, and the two will serve as solid complements to each other. Last year’s starter, Stephen Alexander, will likely remain as a blocker and decoy receiver. All in all, Cutler will be spoiled for choice in his first full season at the helm.

7. New England (10)

Speaking of spoiled for choice, New England had a hole at receiver, and instead of sticking a finger in to plug it, they just threw in the whole hand. Five new receivers come to the Patriots to supplement Reche Caldwell, Jabar Gaffney and Ben Watson, but each of them has flaws. Donte’ Stallworth has had one healthy year in five; health is a skill, and it’s the one thing Stallworth lacks that keeps him from being an elite wideout. Randy Moss hasn’t been Randy Moss in three seasons, and for a player who’s 30 and has always relied on his physical skills, it’s unlikely that he’ll return to being Randy Moss as a Patriot.

Randy Moss struggled in Oakland. Will he be able to return to glory in New England? ( Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images)

Wes Welker is an excellent third receiver and return man, but has very little upside and has likely already peaked. Kelley Washington was squeezed out in Cincinnati because of a loaded wideout group, but he’s also injury-prone and his aptitude for playing special teams (which is what he’ll need to do to grab a roster spot) has been questioned. Finally, Kyle Brady is likely to fulfill most of the blocking requirements Daniel Graham served in previous years, but he’s no threat in the air and the Patriots will need David Thomas to serve as the second tight end in the receiving game. While the Patriots have certainly improved their group of receivers, the improvements might not be as dramatic as first glance would have it.

8. San Diego (5)

This discussion begins with Antonio Gates because the passing attack is all based around him. At this point, Gates is one of the five best free talent acquisitions in NFL history; at 27, and with a body a little bit healthier than most tight ends because of his lack of a college football career, we can even expect that Gates might turn it up another notch as Philip Rivers matures.

Outside of Gates, the Chargers have a group of talented wide receivers with something to prove. Eric Parker is a first-down machine, and one of the most underrated players in football; his DVOA rankings over the last three years are 26th, 3rd, and 7th. While the departed Keenan McCardell had clearly lost a step across from Parker, he was booted from the starting lineup by injury and the emergence of 6-foot-5 Vincent Jackson as a viable starter. Jackson still has a ways to go before he’s of McCardell’s caliber, but he creates dramatic matchup problems for every defensive coordinator the Chargers face: how do you defend against two guys who are 6-foot-4-plus and run like the wind? If Norv Turner actually does finally live up to his offensive guru reputation, it could be a scary time for safeties league-wide. When you throw in first-round selection, and former LSU speed demon Craig Davis, this is another batch of receivers who are already good and will only get better. San Diego suffers from this analysis not including the receiving benefits of LaDainian Tomlinson, but either way, this is a promising group.

9. Seattle (2)

If this list was purely looking at wide receivers, Seattle would be in the top-five. That’s what happens when you have Football Outsiders favorite and emerging star D.J. Hackett pushing his way into a lineup that already features fellow Outsiders poster boy Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson and a now-settled Deion Branch. Hackett’s DVOA answered only to Devery Henderson’s last year, as he caught 67 percent of the passes thrown to him, and averaged nearly 14 yards per completion.

The problem, though, is that the Seahawks have neglected to acquire any tight ends to suit up for them this year; while Marcus Pollard, Will Heller and Bennie Joppru may answer to that title, none of them are players anyone would want to rely on as a championship-caliber tight end. While Engram and Hackett may do the underneath work that tight ends normally do in the West Coast offense, expect Seattle’s blocking effectiveness to decrease.

10. Detroit (27)

Well, they have to be above-average at something. The Lions’ bugaboo became the position they could hang their hat on last year, as Roy Williams’ development within Mike Martz’s pass-happy attack pushed him into the upper-echelon of NFL wide receivers; his 29 DPAR were good for sixth in the league, although at a 14.1 percent DVOA, he was only 21st. Mike Furrey’s conversion to wideout became one of the better stories of that nature in recent memory, as he caught 98 passes and put up a solid DPAR and DVOA. In addition, the selection of Calvin Johnson gives the Lions what appears to be — caution now — a sure thing across from Williams. In addition, tight end Dan Campbell posted a whopping 44.2 percent DVOA on 32 attempts last year, the best for any tight end in football.

The problem is that some of these successes are obviously schematic; Campbell’s never been that level of receiver and isn’t likely to be again, while Furrey’s skills are also overstated by his usage pattern. Even if Johnson’s the real deal, Detroit’s still a step behind the elite receiving corps in football.

Click the link for teams 11-32 and an explanation for all the acronyms.

It’s interesting that they rank the Cowboys #1, given the lack of depth behind their two geriatric starters at wideout. Patrick Crayton is generally underrated, I think, but I never would have guessed he was the best #3 in the game. And the tight end production should increase substantially this year under the new offense.

Of course, there are several other teams in contention for this title and most have more established quarterbacks. If Tony Romo doesn’t return to mid-2006 form, his receivers won’t be the best in the League.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, James Joyner, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

• NFL Pro Football at Ramble On

10 Best NFL Quarterbacks

| Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Mike Tanier of Football Outsiders ranks all 32 teams at quarterback using some highly scientific formula. Actually, though, he’s mostly ranking the top 32 presumptive starting quarterbacks, since the backups barely factor into the equation.

His top 10, then:

1. Colts (2006 Rank: 1)

If you lumped together all of Peyton Manning‘s third down pass attempts from the last three seasons, you would get this stat line: 243-of-384 (63.3%), 2889 yards, 38 touchdowns, eight interceptions. The dude is pretty good on third downs.

Take four years of Peyton’s fourth quarter performances and add them together to get this stat line: 304-of-454 (66.9 percent), 3,589 yards, 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions. He’s pretty good late in the game, too. If you are only interested in “late clutch” situations (fourth quarter, game within seven points), Peyton is 229-of-335 (68.3 percent) for 2,768 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He’s not too shabby with the game on the line.

In short, Manning is the guy you want to give the ball to in pressure situations. The “playoff choke artist” isn’t dead; he never existed. The Peyton Manning we saw in January and February — the guy who battled back from a 21-3 lead in the AFC title game against the Team of the Decade, who threw for 247 yards against the league’s best defense in the rain-drenched Super Bowl — is an all-time great, a legend in his prime.

Jim Sorgi has been in the system for four years and has looked good in mop-up duty. John Navarre provides much needed preseason comic relief as the third stringer.

(Note: Manning naysayers should email their complaints to me at mtanier@footballoutsiders.com, not Aaron Schatz or Rupert Murdoch.)

2. Patriots (2006 Rank: 2)

Fourteen wins. Twenty-four touchdowns. Over 3,500 yards. Another 724 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason. Welcome to an off year, Tom Brady style. When Brady comes within four points of reaching the Super Bowl, he’s a disappointment. With three rings on his fingers and a new crop of receivers to throw to this season, he’s sure to find a way to bounce back in 2007.

Brady is best in the league at spraying the ball to his backs and tight ends in space, and he has the best pocket awareness since Troy Aikman. Only Peyton is better at dissecting and dismantling coverage schemes. Some micro-analysts think he can’t throw the deep ball. Just wait until Brady sees Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth streaking down the sidelines. He’ll show you a deep ball.

Backup Matt Cassel has been with the Patriots so long that he once fumbled in Nickerson Stadium. In a preseason game, of course. Cassel is a swashbuckling scrambler with a case of fumble-itis, but he knows the system. Rookie Matt Gutierrez posted marginal numbers at I-AA Idaho State but has NFL size and arm strength.

3. Eagles (2006 Rank: 8)

Donovan McNabb surprised many by participating in a May mini-camp; it was an encouraging sign that he is ahead of schedule in his ACL rehab. McNabb underwent a grueling off-season program of knee exercises that included, among other things, long games of tag. Yes, as in “you’re it.” Don’t laugh; children’s games can help athletes improve the strength and flexibility in their legs. In fact, legend has it that Dan Marino overcame his collegiate knee injuries by riding the Double Dutch Bus.

When healthy, McNabb is an elite quarterback. He’s great at launching deep passes, but he’s even better when the Eagles offense is balanced and he has the chance to throw underneath. McNabb underthrows some passes and is starting to lose his scrambling ability, but he’s a great decision maker in the pocket and one of the hardest quarterbacks in NFL history for players not named Ronde Barber to intercept.

McNabb has missed 13 starts in the last two seasons and is coming off a major injury. Luckily, the Eagles have the best quarterback depth in the NFL. A.J. Feeley is an Andy Reid disciple who knows the system and takes what the defense offers. Rookie Kevin Kolb is a shotgun quarterback with great touch and mobility; the Lewin Career Forecast ranks him as an excellent long-term prospect. Kelly Holcomb, acquired in the Takeo Spikes trade, may be the odd man out, but he’s a heady veteran who can win a game or two if called upon.

4. Bengals (2006 Rank: 6)

As Carson Palmer continues to recover from that devastating ACL injury, the Bengals could move up this list. (Andy Lyons / Getty Images)

Carson Palmer slipped a bit after his tremendous 2005 season. The lingering effects of his ACL tear troubled him early in the season, and injuries on the offensive line resulted in 36 sacks. Still, 4,000 yards and a 28/13 touchdown-to-interception ratio are nothing to apologize for. Palmer may have the quickest release in football and excels at throwing deep outs and comebacks. He also knows how to check down and can buy time in the pocket. The Bengals would rank third, but mediocre backup Doug Johnson and rookie Jeff Rowe wouldn’t win many games in Palmer’s absence.

5. Seahawks (2006 Rank: 3)

You may have seen Matt Hasselbeck sporting a blonde wig during mini-camp. Do not be alarmed. Hasselbeck and Mike Holmgren just had some communication issues. Holmgren said that the quarterback had to be more like Montana. Holmgren meant “Joe.” Hasselbeck thought he meant “Hannah.”

After suffering through his worst season in five years, Hasselbeck probably felt the need to wear a disguise and lay low. Hasselbeck missed four games with a knee injury, then started forcing balls into coverage when he returned. Dropped passes and instability on the offensive line didn’t help. Hasselbeck is healthy again (the minor off-season surgery on his non-throwing shoulder is not an issue), so look for him to return to form as soon as he loses the wig. He’s a consummate West Coast quarterback who breaks down coverages well and puts tremendous touch on the ball.

Backup Seneca Wallace is a 5-foot-10 scrambler with an average arm. Mike Holmgren changes the offense when Wallace is in the game, calling more shotgun formations and rolling pocket plays. Despite his physical limits, Wallace has a little bit of Flutie Magic and can surprise opponents.

6. Saints (2006 Rank: 10)

He’s short. His passes don’t exactly whistle in the air. He can run a little, but he’s no Michael Vick. He came from the type of spread college offense that has been churning out NFL busts for two decades. Drew Brees‘ measurables don’t add up to a Pro Bowl quarterback, but here he is. Brees has now enjoyed three straight outstanding seasons for two different teams, so it’s time to give him his due. Brees is a mechanically sound technician with great touch and accuracy who has good pocket awareness and gets rid of the ball quickly. Combine all of those “little” skills, and you get 4,400 yards, 26 touchdowns, and a deep playoff run.

Backup Jamie Martin has been in the NFL for 13 seasons, most of them as a third stringer. He’s auditioning for an offensive coordinator’s job. Second-year pro Jason Fife is a project.

7. Rams (2006 Rank: 17)

Another year, another 4,000 yards or so and 24 touchdowns. Bulger may be the most consistent quarterback in the league. He rarely has a truly bad game, and when he does (like last season’s 151-yard, zero touchdown, seven-sack effort against the Panthers), it’s pretty obvious that there were breakdowns elsewhere on offense. If Rex Grossman could take Marc Bulger pills, Bears fans wouldn’t need so much ibuprofen to get through the fall.

Backup Gus Frerotte is a streak shooter with a great arm and tons of experience. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a fleet-footed Ivy Leaguer who throws well on the run. Neither could lead the Rams to the playoffs, but both could win a game in a pinch.

8. Steelers (2006 Rank: 4)

He led his team to a 15-1 season. He won a Super Bowl. Then he turned 24. He accomplished so much that it was easy to forget how young Ben Roethlisberger was. He crashed his motorcycle. He needed an appendectomy. He battled back, but he couldn’t overcome the distractions and the expectations. He was awful early in 2006, throwing no touchdowns and seven interceptions in his first three games. He got better, but he kept pressing. Roethlisberger was a terrible fourth quarter passer in 2006: four touchdowns, 11 interceptions, many of the picks coming at the worst possible times. He was trying too hard, playing outside the system. It was a miserable year.

Now, the good news: Big Ben is healthy and focused. The new coaching staff plans to maximize his strengths by introducing more spread formations and a no-huddle package. And he’s still only 25 years old. Think of last season as his “rookie lumps” year. He just had it out of order.

Backup Charlie Batch has a poor arm and has lost much of his athleticism, but he’s crafty and played well in relief over the last two seasons. Brian St. Pierre has been hanging around practice squads for four years. Brian Randall, a former standout at Virginia Tech, will try to make some noise in camp.

9. Ravens (2006 Rank: 12)

Steve McNair is Captain Checkdown, a dink-and-dunk specialist who never met a slant, hitch, or curl route that he didn’t like. McNair still has the arm to throw deep but rarely does; just 13 percent of his passes traveled 16 or more yards in the air, easily the lowest figure among starters. McNair is a marksman on short routes, and while he isn’t very fast, he knows when to tuck and run for positive yardage.

Backup Kyle Boller has plenty of experience, throws a great deep ball, and can run away from trouble. Boller played well when McNair was hurt last year but still overthrows too many receivers. Rookie Troy Smith has all the intangibles but must prove that he is more than a shotgun-option rollout quarterback.

10. Chargers (2006 Rank: 22)

Philip Rivers finished fifth in the league in DPAR (88.6), threw for 3,388 yards, and led his teams to a 14-2 record. Still, his performances against the Raiders in Week 12 (14-of-31, 133 yards, one interception) and Chiefs in Week 15 (8-of-23, 97 yards, two interceptions) suggest that Rivers is still suffering through some growing pains. New coach Norv Turner will focus on fundamentals to improve Rivers’ awkward backpedal and delivery style. But Turner’s system lacks creativity, and Rivers may struggle when opponents figure out the game plan. Backup Billy Volek went from heir apparent to dirty dishrag in Tennessee in just a few weeks last year. Volek has a live arm and has proven he can win games off the bench.

11. Cowboys (2006 Rank: 21)

Tony Romo is no half-year wonder. Romo spent three years on the Cowboys bench learning the ropes from Sean Payton before bursting into the spotlight last October. When he’s focused, his mechanics are solid, his release is quick, he makes good decisions, and he can make plays on the run. Focus, though, is the key. By December, Romo seemed to be reading his press clippings; he started scrambling around in search of highlight-film touchdowns and carrying the football like it was an overfilled diaper pail. With a season to settle into his role as a starter, Romo will calm down and return to the form he displayed during his nine-touchdown, one-interception November run.

Backup Brad Johnson aged quickly last year. He’s a fine sounding board and mentor for Romo, but the Cowboys are in trouble if he plays.

Okay, so that’s 11. But I wasn’t going to leave the ‘Boys off the list when they were so close! Moving up 11 spots over last year is quite impressive, especially considering that Romo fell apart down the stretch and single handedly (quite literally) lost the Cowboys’ playoff game against the Seahawks.

The other 21 teams are rated at the link.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

NFL’s Best Wide Receiver Tandems

| Thursday, July 12, 2007

Which NFL teams have the best wide receivers? Scouts, Inc. ranks them 1-32. Here are their top 10:

1. Indianapolis Colts An exceptional group of wide receivers got better with the addition of first-round selection Anthony Gonzalez. Marvin Harrison is still among the best wide receivers in the league and is playing at his typical Hall of Fame level. Although Reggie Wayne certainly benefits from having Harrison on the other side, he just gets better every season and is now a bona fide Pro Bowl pass-catcher. Harrison and Wayne are both tougher than they are given credit for. Former Ohio State star Gonzalez comes from a big-time college program and was productive at the highest level. He is one of the most polished receivers from this year’s draft and should excel with the Colts. This group also benefits from having a pretty darn good quarterback throwing them the football.

2. Arizona Cardinals Matt Leinart has an ultra-talented pair of wideouts at his disposal. Who do you roll the coverage to? Larry Fitzgerald has great size and enough speed to go along with sticky hands, a fantastic body control and rare ball skills. He excels in the red zone, can stretch the field or eat a cornerback alive with his possession routes. Anquan Boldin is probably the No. 2 option in this offense, but he is a true No. 1 on just about any other team in the league. He has great size and physicality. He is tough and makes a lot of big plays after the catch. He isn’t a burner and has slight durability concerns, but he is very productive. These two thrive off each other; few teams in the league have a better situation at wide receiver. What is scary is that this tandem should get better.

3. St. Louis Rams Torry Holt is an absolute superstar and is quite possibly the best wide receiver in the game today. For some reason, this guy simply does not get his due. He is a future Hall of Famer and continues to perform on a very high level. Holt can do it all and makes every member of this offense better. Isaac Bruce obviously is getting up in age and is not the dynamic weapon that he once was, but as No. 2 receivers go around the league, Bruce is still pretty formidable. St. Louis signed Drew Bennett in free agency to replace Kevin Curtis. Bennett will bring a much-needed big body to this group to complement the other wideouts. The No. 2 spot soon will belong to Bennett, and when he teams with Holt and Bruce, the Rams will find matchups to their advantage with regularity.

4. Cincinnati Bengals This is an elite group of wide receivers, but Chris Henry’s eight-game suspension will hurt. Henry has his problems off the field, but when he steps between the lines, he creates mismatches and consistently makes big plays. He is a touchdown machine. Although Henry will be missed, Tab Perry is a player who could blow up in Henry’s absence. Perry is tough as nails, strong and determined with a great blend of size and speed. It can be argued that Chad Johnson is as good as any receiver in the league today, and diagnosing weaknesses in his game is difficult to do. T.J. Houshmandzadeh is an exceptional second option with a high football IQ who consistently exploits single coverage in the short and intermediate areas.

5. Detroit Lions Is it too early to rank the Lions’ wide receivers among the best in the business? Absolutely not. Calvin Johnson is just that good of a prospect. He is a rookie and surely will have some growing pains as all newcomers do, but Johnson is a superstar without physical weaknesses. He will get by on hard work and talent alone this year, and then be among the top players at the position in the next few years. Roy Williams is an out-of-this world athlete who is quickly becoming a complete receiver. Williams is already among the better players at his position and defenses will have a brutal time producing a game plan against this duo. Mike Furrey is solid and should do a great job in the slot and as the No. 3 receiver. QB Jon Kitna is a lucky man.

6. New England Patriots The Pats’ receiving corps would have ranked near the very bottom of this list one year ago, but times have changed. Adding Wes Welker, Donte’ Stallworth and Randy Moss to the group will do that. Say what you want about Moss, but when he turns it on, there is no one like him. Of course, he is a wild card at this point, but we have a hunch that Tom Brady might get something out of him. Stallworth will benefit a great deal from all the attention that Moss will garner. Both players are exceptional deep threats and this group is just dripping with big-play potential. Welker is quick and reliable out of the slot. He should fit in very well. Last year’s top receiver, Reche Caldwell, will allow the Patriots to exploit secondaries with an outstanding four-receiver set. This group is outstanding on paper, but needs to prove that it is worth our lofty ranking.

7. Denver Broncos There is a noticeable drop-off after the top six receiver groups. Rod Smith has been a rock of consistency for Mike Shanahan over the past decade or so, but the veteran is beginning to show signs of slipping. Jay Cutler still will look his way when the chips are down, but Brandon Marshall should surpass Smith as the starter opposite Javon Walker. Marshall is a budding star with great tools. He will see a lot of single coverage next year and could make himself a household name in this offense. Walker is a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver who possesses an outstanding combination of size, explosiveness and deep speed. Expect an even better season from Walker in 2007 now that he is a year removed from his knee injury.

8. Dallas Cowboys Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn are an aging starting duo, but they remain very formidable. For all the drama that Owens brings off the field, he is still a game-changing presence on Sundays. He dropped a lot of passes last year — many of which would have gone for big plays and touchdowns — but he played through a serious hand injury, which obviously hindered his ability to catch the ball cleanly. Owens has lost half a step, but is still a very good wideout who scores touchdowns in bunches and is a tough matchup for any cornerback. Glenn is a dynamic second receiver who still can stretch a defense or torture his opponents with crisp, short and intermediate routes. Patrick Crayton is tough and competitive, but overall, the Cowboys are lacking depth behind their veteran starters.

9. Baltimore Ravens Although Derrick Mason is on the decline, fellow wideouts Mark Clayton and Demetrius Williams are gaining steam and progressing very well in their young careers. Williams is one of the best young wide receivers who you have probably never heard of. He is a tall, angular guy who can stretch the field. Williams is going to be a good one. Clayton is a very mature player for such a young guy and has ascended rapidly. He isn’t particularly big or physical, but he is extremely quick and makes a lot happen after the catch. Although Mason isn’t what he once was and rarely scores, he is still a decent starting option who knows the tricks of his trade. It should be noted that this threesome also benefits a great deal from the presence that TE Todd Heap provides in the middle of the field.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers Hines Ward has been nicked up a bit over the last two seasons, and with his physical style of play and age, he needs to prove that he can stay healthy for an entire season. That being said, Ward is still a very good player who brings toughness, leadership and attitude to the Steelers’ offense. He exploits single coverage and has performed well even when the opposition rolls its coverage in his direction. Last year’s first-rounder, Santonio Holmes, experienced some usual bumps in the road during his rookie season, but he finished the season very strong and has the looks of an explosive playmaker. Holmes should have a big year. Behind the starters, Pittsburgh’s receiving corps is very average and the Steelers need someone to step up as the No. 3 guy.

I hate when they try to factor rookies into this because there’s really no way of knowing how they’ll perform. And, frankly, there’s always the issue of quarterbacks, offensive lines, schemes, and so forth.

It’s hard to think that there are seven teams better than the Cowboys, who bring Terrell Owens and Terry Glenn to the table and complement them with Pro Bowl tight end Jason Witten. That duo isn’t getting any younger, though, and the youngsters behind them are unproven. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the Cowboys wind up performing well above this ranking but it strikes me as perfectly fair going into the season.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, James Joyner, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

25 Best NFL Wide Receivers

| Thursday, June 28, 2007

Who are the best wide receivers in the NFL? ESPN’s Bucky Brooks ranks his top 25.

The top 10:

1. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers: The ultimate offensive weapon has almost single-handedly carried the Panthers’ offense the past two seasons. Smith’s outstanding speed, quickness and leaping ability enable him to take over a game, which sets him apart from the rest of the receivers. With a league-best 13 100-yard performances in the past two seasons, Smith has proven to be a dominant force despite lacking a complementary playmaker on the offense. His dominance will continue as he and two-time Pro Bowl QB Jake Delhomme form the foundation of the Panthers’ new offensive attack.

2. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals: The flamboyant playmaker has led the AFC in receiving yards for four consecutive seasons. As a polished receiver with excellent speed and hands, he has thrived as the favorite target of Carson Palmer in the Bengals wide open offense. Still showing a penchant for getting deep, Johnson led the league with eight receptions over 40 yards last season. With Palmer rounding back to Pro Bowl form, expect Johnson to continue to post big numbers.

3. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions: As the “go-to guy” in Mike Martz’s high octane offense, Williams had a breakout season in 2006 with over 1,300 receiving yards and a league-leading 24 receptions over 20 yards. A big, physical receiver with outstanding athleticism and hands, he finally showed the dominant ability that everyone expected when he entered the league. Teaming with Mike Furrey and rookie Calvin Johnson, in the Lions’ version of “The Greatest Show On Turf”, Williams will see more single coverage this season, which spells big trouble for defenses.

4. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts: A polished route runner with excellent quickness and burst, he sets the standard for consistency at the position. As the lead receiver in one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, he has posted eight consecutive seasons with over 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Even with the emergence of Reggie Wayne, there’s no reason to think Harrison won’t continue to be as effective in 2007.

5. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys: The controversial superstar led the league in touchdown receptions in 2006, but suffered a down year by his standards. Though his season totals should have earned him Pro Bowl accolades, his high number of drops diverted attention away from his positive impact on the Dallas offense. Fully recovered from a wrist injury and playing in an offense that will accentuate his strengths, he will have a big season as Tony Romo’s favorite target in 2007.

6. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans: The Texans’ "one-man show" hauled in 103 receptions without a legitimate threat on the other side. With an outstanding combination of size, speed and strength, Johnson overpowers smaller defenders in one-on-one match-ups. Though he is sure to see a lot of double coverage, he should see his production rise with new quarterback Matt Schaub under center.

7. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers: Brett Favre‘s No. 1 target is one of the most underrated receivers in the league. An outstanding playmaker, Driver has posted over 1,200 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons. After earning his first Pro Bowl nomination, he is finally beginning to get the recognition he deserves. With limited weapons in the backfield, Driver may shatter his career highs in receptions and yards in 2007.

8. Javon Walker, Denver Broncos: After posting a 1,000-yard season in his first season as a Bronco, Walker has established himself as Jay Cutler‘s favorite target. A vertical playmaker, he excels at double moves and deep routes off play action. With Travis Henry commanding attention in the backfield, Walker and Cutler should hook up for several big plays in 2007.

9. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals: This two-time Pro Bowler has been a dominant force since stepping into the league. Boldin has two 100-catch seasons and three seasons with over 1,200 receiving yards in his four-year career, and few defenders have found a way to slow him down. Using his outstanding athleticism to make up for unpolished route running skills, he does most of his damage as a runner after the catch. With promising Matt Leinart directing a new wide open attack, Boldin will continue to be a force in 2007.

10. Randy Moss, New England Patriots: Once viewed as the best receiver in the league, Moss has fallen from his perch at the top. After displaying lackluster effort and sloppy route running last season, his reputation as one of the premier deep threats has been tarnished. But he is poised to bounce back with a strong season in 2007, when he’ll team with Tom Brady to form a lethal big-play combination.

It’s hard to deny any of these guys are elite receivers, although I’m hard pressed to put a Detroit Lion ahead of Marvin Freakin’ Harrison. And I’m not sure Randy Moss deserves to be considered a top 10 guy until he puts together another good year; it’s been awhile.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, James Joyner, New England Patriots

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

Cowboys Claim Colts Center Matt Tarullo

| Saturday, June 23, 2007

The Dallas Cowboys are trying to add depth at center by claiming Matt Tarullo off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts, Todd Archer reports.

The Cowboys connected with a familiar face Friday, claiming center Matt Tarullo off waivers from Indianapolis. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Syracuse, Tarullo spent the 2005 season on the Cowboys’ practice squad and had a six-week spell there in 2006 after failing to make the team out of training camp.

Inexperienced at center behind starter Andre Gurode with Cory Procter, Joe Berger and rookie Steve Rissler, Tarullo gives the Cowboys another option along the offensive line entering training camp in late July.

With Tarullo, the Cowboys have 87 players on the roster and can take only 85 to training camp. Once draft picks begin to sign, they will have to release two players.

I wouldn’t hold out much hope for a guy who is getting cut before camp even starts making the roster, much less being a major contributor. Still, it makes sense to, as Big Bill used to put it, “churn the bottom of the roster” in hopes of getting a little better.

Tags | NFL Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

Denver Broncos This Years Darkhorse?

| Wednesday, June 20, 2007

So, who is this year’s team?

Don’t like the 5-1 Indianapolis Colts , 6-5 New England Patriots , or 7-2 San Diego Chargers ? OK, here’s a radical suggestion: D. As in the Denver Broncos .

I think it’s quite obvious were my money is going. But, do you want to make some money? Listen up!

Going off at a mere 9-1 to win the AFC and a big 17- or 18- or even 20-1 to take Super Bowl XLII, some gamblers have got to be thinking about Mike Shanahan’s boys.

There is a lot of talk about New England’s off-season. But, take this into consideration.

As good as the Patriots’ offseason was, the Broncos can boast one amazing addition in cornerback Dre’ Bly, adding him to an already respectable ‘D’. This creates the most fearsome secondary in the league; today’s speculative depth chart puts the starters as Champ Bailey, Bly, John Lynch and Nick Ferguson.

Check out this and other examples of the overhauled Denver Broncos at realfootball365

Tags | NFL Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jeremy Glasoe, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

• Denver Broncos This Years Darkhorse? OTB Sports - Topix

NFL Power Rankings 2007

| Tuesday, June 19, 2007

It looks as if other’s are just as anxious for this coming season as I am. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Anyway, Mr Dumas over at 411mania, put out his version of NFL Power Rankings.

Here is his Top 10.

1. Indianapolis Colts-Defending Super Bowl Champs, ‘nuff said.

2. New England Patriots- Made it to the AFC title game last year and added some key players. Randy Moss was a good move but adding the do-it-all defenseman Adalius Thomas is where the Pats will get the most bang for their buck.

3. Baltimore Ravens- Losing the aforementioned Thomas hurts, but defense is still the premier unit in the NFL. Adding Willis McGahee will take pressure off their aging QB Steve McNair. Look for this team to give the Pats and Colts all they can handle in the chase for the Lamar Hunt trophy.

4. Chicago Bears- Defending NFC Champs. Assuming LB Lance Briggs plays, DT Tommie Harris stays healthy, and QB Rex Grossman learned from last season’s rollercoaster ride, this team will once again represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.

5. San Diego Chargers- Best RB in the NFL—check. Best TE in the NFL—check. Young, efficient QB—check. Starting the season against the Bears and Patriots might have them off to a slow start, though. If new coach Norv Turner doesn’t screw things up and somehow gets the secondary to make some plays, the Chargers will be right back in the thick of things.

6. New Orleans Saints- QB Drew Brees is a proven passer (4,418 yds, 26 tds in ’06) and RB/WR/KR/PR Reggie Bush showed flashes of what he’s capable of doing in the near future. If defense can continue it’s better than average play (13th in points allowed per game), this team has a shot at revenge against the Bears.

7. Denver Broncos- It was the best offseason, it was the worst offseason. Worst because the team saw two players meet untimely deaths (CB Darrent Williams and RB Damien Nash), the best because they cleaned up in the free agent market. CB Dre’ Bly, RB Travis Henry and TE Daniel Graham will all contribute. Former Florida pass rusher Jarvis Moss will help immediately. Inexperienced QB Jay Cutler only question mark.

8. Philadelphia Eagles- QB Donovan McNabb was on his way to an MVP season before he got hurt. He’ll be healthy and playing with a chip on his shoulder. RB Brian Westbrook will have another superb year and the defense might surprise people with the addition of LB Takeo Spikes. This team will be in the playoffs.

9. Dallas Cowboys- Squeaked into the playoffs in ’06 but ’07 depends on QB Tony Romo. He plays well, this team goes far. He doesn’t, they don’t. RB tandem Marion Barber and Julius Jones will be tough to stop and defensive-minded new head coach Wade Phillips will use his talented personnel wisely.

10. Cincinnati Bengals- QB Carson Palmer and WR Chad Johnson are the best big-play duo in the NFL. Off-the-field issues ruined everyone’s Super Bowl pick last year but look for the opportunistic defense to put Palmer and Co. in position to put up some serious points in ’07.

I can’t say I agree with the placement of the Denver Broncos. I don’t think they should be any lower than 4, and certainly not behind any NFC team. Denver has had some very key additions this off-season. The gaps in last years team seem to have been filled. With such players as Dre Bly, Travis Henry, Daniel Graham, Sam Adams, Jimmy Kennedy, Brandon Stokley, among others. NFL.com has a good list of the additions and subtractions.

Tags | NFL Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Jeremy Glasoe, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

• Planck's Constant
• AZAMATTEROFACT
• My Country - My View
• The Pet Haven
• Linkfest Haven Deluxe
• A Few Shiny Pebbles
• NFL Power Rankings-2007 OTB Sports - Topix
• The Amboy Times linked with Should National Lampoon Make This Movie?...
• Big Dogs Weblog linked with ILLEGAL Aliens Commit Additional Felonies...
• The World According To Carl
• Maggie's Notebook linked with BREAKING: The Battle for Iraq is on - from Yon...
• Pursuing Holiness  linked with  Abuse of Men
• Perri Nelson's Website linked with Have conservatives learned nothing?...
• third world county linked with Amnesty’s Flaws...
• DeMediacratic Nation linked with Escape and Evade or Making War to Keep Peace...
• Pirate's Cove linked with I Now Understand Muslims...
• Conservative Cat linked with When Will It End?...
• Right Truth linked with Tell Your Story on the Military Channel...
• Blog @ MoreWhat.com  linked with  Sens. McCain and Reid: A Kodak Moment
• A Blog For All linked with Bloomberg Goes Independent?...
• So Long, Tony « Nuke’s NEWS & VIEWS
• Adam's Blog linked with The Empire Is Struck Back...
• Blog for Cox: The Official John Cox Campaign Blog linked with Cashing In
• Shadowscope linked with Happy Birthday Shadowscope...
• Committees of Correspondence linked with Harry Reid And the Holy Grail...
• Public Eye  linked with  Volunteers sought for Mars test
• Right Truth linked with Muslims wrap their penis in tin foil on way to heaven...
• Blue Star Chronicles linked with Michael Yon - Be Not Afraid...
• Blue Star Chronicles linked with Jessica Alba is too American...
• The World According To Carl
• Pursuing Holiness  linked with  Porn: Harmful to Men, and Battering Women By Proxy
• Right Voices  linked with  Can a child be barred, on the basis of his race, from attending a particular public school?
• Right Voices  linked with  Can a child be barred, on the basis of his race, from attending a particular public school?
• Nuke’s News and Views  linked with  So Long, Tony
• Adam's Blog linked with The Empire is Struck Back

Champ Bailey VS. Deion Sanders

| Monday, June 18, 2007

Pete Prisco put out his Top 50 Players in the NFL. And, he said something that I have heard many times before.

The highest-rated defensive player is Broncos corner Champ Bailey in the fourth spot. He got my vote as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year last season and is the best cover player since Deion Sanders.

And, I can agree with where he has Champ Bailey placed on the list.

1. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts: You’d be hard-pressed to find people — outside the Boston area, that is — who would argue about him owning this spot now.

2. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots: He’s just a hair behind Manning. Look out now, though, with all those receivers on the roster. This could be a special year for Brady.

3. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers: He’s a sensational all-round weapon. If he plays long enough, he might break all the rushing records.

4. Champ Bailey, CB, Denver Broncos: He is the best defensive player in the league. You can compare him to Deion Sanders, which is high praise.

But, my question is. Isn’t Champ Bailey Better than Deion Sanders? And, I know Deion was great! But, here are the numbers.

First of all, Champ without question is more physical than Deion. Champ has already surpassed Deion in tackles. And, at the same point in his career Champ has five more interceptions than Deion. The way I see it. Champ Bailey barring injury, is better than Deion Sanders.

Tags | NFL Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Jeremy Glasoe, New England Patriots, San Diego Chargers, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Redskins

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

• Maggie's Notebook
• Linkfest Haven Deluxe
• A Few Shiny Pebbles
• Gulf Coast Hurricane Tracker
• Blue Collar Muse
• Bloggers: check out BlogBackupOnline « Nuke’s NEWS & VIEWS
• Champ Bailey VS. Deion Sanders - Topix
• Conservative Cat linked with Detroit Demolition Clinches Division Title, Bruce Depressed...
• Leaning Straight Up linked with Ted Nugent speaks to liberals...
• Leaning Straight Up linked with Some interesting Global Warming links...
• Leaning Straight Up linked with Stupid schools two-fer...
• Planck's Constant linked with Israel Creates more in One Month than Islam in a Century...
• third world county linked with Barbarian Wisdom...
• Public Eye  linked with  10,000 U.S. soldiers launch Iraq offensive, Democrats declares offensive a ‘failure’
• Right Voices linked with Poor residents will be rewarded for good behavior - like $300 for doing well on school tests, $150 for holding a job and $200 for visiting the doctor...
• Best Defensive Back of All Times - Sports Addicted
• Nuke’s News and Views  linked with  Bloggers: check out BlogBackupOnline
•  linked with  Blog Archive

Top 10 NFL WR Corps

| Friday, June 15, 2007

SI.com’s Andrew Perloff ranks the wide receiving corps in the NFL three deep:

1. Cincinnati - Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Chris Henry – Henry is suspended for half the season, but Johnson and Houshmandzadeh are good enough to carry this offense.
2. Indianapolis - Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez – Lots of early buzz on Gonzalez, the rookie out of Ohio State, who should excel in the Brandon Stokley role.
3. Arizona - Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Bryant Johnson – This group should get better as Matt Leinart becomes more comfortable.
4. Detroit - Roy Williams, Mike Furrey, Calvin Johnson – This may seem high, but Williams is a Pro Bolwer and Johnson is going to be special.
5. St. Louis – Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Drew Bennett – Holt is still one of the best, Bruce is dependable in a complementary role and Bennett will do well here.
6. New England - Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Donte' Stallworth, Jabar Gaffney – This unit could move up to top three or fall off the map. It will be interesting to see how Tom Brady spreads the ball around.
7. Dallas – Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn, Patrick Crayton – If T.O. has as many drops as last year, this group falls out of the top 10.
8. Denver - Javon Walker, Rod Smith, Brandon Marshall, Brandon Stokley – Smith and Stokley are coming off injuries, but at least one of the two should be productive. And Marshall has a lot of upside.
9. Carolina - Steve Smith – Yes, there's only one guy here, but he's good enough to carry whoever the Panthers line up on the other side.
10. Pittsburgh - Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes, Cedrick Wilson, Nate Washington — Ward is as solid as any other receiver in the NFL and Holmes is on his way up. The Steeles may open up their offense a bit this year, which would help these wideouts.

It’s an interesting list. The rookies are a the real X factor, as nobody knows how well those guys will perform. I’m especially dubious about Detroit’s high ranking since, despite their high draft status, none of these guys has exactly excelled.

As to the Cowboys, we’ll see how a healthy T.O. performs. He had a great year in 2006 in terms of yardage and TDs but key drops really hurt him. Hopefully, with his fingers healed, that won’t be a problem anymore.

Tags | James Joyner, NFL Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, James Joyner, New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, St. Louis Rams

| | Permalink | Send TrackBack

• Top 10 NFL WR Corps - Topix