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Re: "Which NFC South team has the best receivers and tight ends?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rugby Saint II (Post 709261)

Thomas has the skills to be a number one wide receiver.........so does Cooks. We have two number one possibilities. Snead is a fine replacement for my boy Lance Moore and is an excellent number two. Fleener is the prototypical TE who will benefit as Drew's dump off valve and is a mismatch at all levels of the defense. That's pretty scary if you think about it.

That leaves Coleman who saw his snaps reduced after the first few games because of poor production. He worked his way back into the line up due to an aging and underperforming Colston along with injuries to the WR's later in the season and performed well enough. It was his first full year in the NFL off the practice squad and he improved enough to keep on the final 53. His PS receiving team mate didn't make it and was cut. He should make the roster but he could become expendable if another UDFA steps up. This year I'm keeping an eye on RJ Harris. Coach loves deep speed.

That what brings us out of the running for best WRs. Lots of possibilities but not much real experience. We desperately need a veteran to help these guys mature into solid players.

Re: "Which NFC South team has the best receivers and tight ends?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Dude (Post 709282)

That what brings us out of the running for best WRs. Lots of possibilities but not much real experience. We desperately need a veteran to help these guys mature into solid players.

IMHO I believe this is a hackneyed cliche. Play, production, and character is what makes a veteran NFL player, not some perceived "years of experience".

The incontravertable fact is that Cooks, Sneed, and Coleman were major contributors to the #1 passing offense in the league last year. They accounted for nearly 50% of the yards and more than 40% of both catches and TDs last year.

Then there is character. These guys are not knuckleheads. To a person everyone says that Cooks is the most serious and studious football player they have ever met. Off the charts work ethic. I'm sure that I've never seen or read about a character issue with any of these guys. And everything that I've read and seen so far indicates that Thomas fits right in that same mold.

Finally there is simpy the practical matter of where exactly does a veteran receiver fit into the offense? Young guys make the team based on draft status and versitility playing special teams. Vets do not have that luxury. They either have to play significant snaps or they don't have a role.

There is absolutely nothing that shows that a vet would displace Sneed. So it's likely that the main receiver rotation is going to be Cooks, Sneed, and Thomas (draft status). So it's likely that any veteran is going to be competing with Coleman.

Finally, the team already has the veteran offensive leader that's going to make sure that things get done right: Drew Brees.

So what exactly is it that I'm missing? Or is it just wishful thinking to want to have yet another receiver?

SFIAH

Re: "Which NFC South team has the best receivers and tight ends?"

You have to account for the injury bug. That is why I would like there to be another solid option.

Re: "Which NFC South team has the best receivers and tight ends?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supertek (Post 709296)

You have to account for the injury bug. That is why I would like there to be another solid option.

+1. Someone will get hurt and/or struggle.

We need a veteran saavy WR & a guy who can execute a 3rd/long and hold on to the ball (Colston used to be this guy).

Game changing plays.

Re: "Which NFC South team has the best receivers and tight ends?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supertek (Post 709296)

You have to account for the injury bug. That is why I would like there to be another solid option.

Quote:

Originally Posted by K Major (Post 709297)

+1. Someone will get hurt and/or struggle.

That's fine. But this isn't managed by keeping a veteran on the 53. This is managed by inviting players to training camp that you can call during the season or by filling in the roster with practice squad guys.

Quote:

We need a veteran saavy WR & a guy who can execute a 3rd/long and hold on to the ball (Colston used to be this guy).

Game changing plays.

I know that it seems I'm just being argumentative to be argumentative. But really it's just pointing out with stats the difference between perception and reality.

Willie Snead had a 100% catch rate on 3rd down last year. It helped in the Saints leading the league in 3rd down conversions last year at nearly 48%. If that isn't clutch, then what is?

I just wonder how these guys would feel if their coaches were telling them the same things that get posted here? It really makes the receiver group sound like a bunch of broken down rookies that have no experience. Nearly 200 catches, 2500+ yards, and 14 TDs least year for the #1 passing offense in the league simple doesn't match that perception.

There's no room for a veteran receiver that isn't going to play significant minutes. And there's no need because the current group has shown enough to prove they can handle the load.

SFIAH