Great article on "Why Rookie Receivers Struggle

[madd futher mucker 36]

for those who don't know him, Matt Bowen played about 6 years as a strong safety in the NFL. Matt Bowen knows 1st hand why rookie receivers struggle.

 

Why Do Rookie Receivers Struggle?

 

Why do rookie wide receivers vanish over the course of their first NFL seasons, and why can we count on them in their second seasons? Today, I’ll discuss the topic and throw out a few names of guys who must produce in their sophomore seasons — because they have to.

The Struggles

Rookies just don’t get it, and rookie wide receivers really don’t get it when it comes to the NFL.

Why? Is there something that prevents them from showing us the same playmaking ability that got them drafted in the first place, or are they just overmatched, immature and unwilling to do what it takes to play at this level?

Well, it’s a combination of all of those things, and more.

Let’s look at a few and then get to some names that absolutely need to prove their worth this time around — because their teammates, and the owner, are counting on them.

1. Press coverage: Rookies don’t have experience with it and aren’t prepared for the size and strength of NFL cornerbacks. If you can’t get off a jam, you can’t get open in this league.

2. Reading coverages: Unlike the college game, the defenses that NFL teams run are complex, and they disguise their looks until the snap of the ball. Wide receivers have to adjust their routes based on the coverage, and if they don’t, QBs won’t throw them the ball. It’s as simple as that.

3. Size and speed: Rookies can’t run past everyone on the field like they did in college, so they struggle competing with the size and speed of NFL secondaries. They can’t separate, so they need to be polished route runners — and that takes time to develop.

4. Playbooks: In the NFL, playbooks can rival an encyclopedia in size, and a big issue with rookies is their unwillingness to study. You can’t get by just being a good athlete because everyone is up there. Don’t know the plays? Then you don’t see the field.

5. Physical demands: With the preseason, plus six weeks of training camp, the NFL consists of 20 games and 22 weeks of practice. It’s a long grind, and rookie wide receivers are built like track stars — and they don’t hold up when the calendar turns to December.

[gram 0]

who are the sophomore guys he said he was going to mention?

[madd futher mucker 36]

who are the sophomore guys he said he was going to mention?

 

Sorry, here is the rest of the article:

 

Who needs to step up in '09?

 

These guys were "no-shows" as rookies, and in their second years, a lot will be asked of them. Can they do it? Here's a list of guys I think need to accelerate their game before September, plus their numbers from '08.

 

Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh (six receptions, 64 yards, 0 TDs)

Sweed has to fill the No. 3 role in the Steelers' offense following the departure of Nate Washington to Tennessee. Where's the guy who used to dominate the Big 12 at Texas? He has to show QB Ben Roethlisberger that he can hold on to the football.

 

Devin Thomas, Washington (15 receptions, 120-yards, 0 TDs)

The former second-round pick needs to find a way to get involved in the Redskins' passing game. If Jason Campbell is going to prove should be the QB in D.C., he's going to need something from Thomas.

 

Malcolm Kelly, Washington (three receptions, 18 yards, 0 TDs)

Kelly was another second-round pick of the Skins who didn't show up. He was injured most of the season, which is not a surprise coming from a rookie WR, but he has talent. Can the Skins get anything out of him?

 

Mario Manningham, N.Y. Giants (four receptions, 26 yards, 0 TDs)

Manningham might need to show something in camp just to make the Giants' roster because he didn't do enough to prove otherwise in '08. The Giants need someone to step up and give QB Eli Manning a target, so the time is now for the former Michigan star.

 

James Hardy, Buffalo (nine receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDs)

Hardy's role might be reduced with the addition of Terrell Owens in Buffalo, but he's still going to be counted on to give the Bills a threat in the red zone. Training camp will tell the story, because if Hardy doesn't show the coaching staff that he can compete in the NFL, he won't see the field, red zone or not.

 

Makes you think twice about the bust rate for rookie WRs, doesn't it ?

[jocstrap 8]

who are the sophomore guys he said he was going to mention?

 

 

Why can't a Freshman in college ever compete in NCAA Division I sports? B/c they are not used to the speed and strengths of the sophs, jr's, and sr's. Bunch of Bull. Plenty of Freshmen in several sports contribute. Then you have Lebron and Kobe and Garnett.

 

How about because non of last years wide receivers weren't first rounders. The level at that position wasn't high caliber. I believe a legit stud WR in college has a chance in the NFL even if it is his first year.

 

SIZE AND SPEED - 22-24 year old's are faster than 28 year olds, I don't care what anybody says

OVERMATCHED, UNWILLING, IMMATURE - WTF? I'll give overmatched the victory on this, but unwilling and immature - BS

PRESS COVERAGE - I agree with this one, cornerbacks have the edge up here vs rookies

PLAYBOOKS and COVERAGE READS - playbooks yes, but coverage is coverage, not like a WR is dealing with the whole defense. He has his CB, and safety at best especially as a rookie. The field opens or closes the same way it does in college, just faster. 2 players is all he has to adjust to.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - of course it's a much harder, longer, physically demanding season.

 

This year we had a bunch of 1st round WR picks. I assume they will get their fair share of starting time. I think this comes down to the individual at hand. A superior athlete will make his mark regardless of his age.

 

I have two WR's this year that are in that league IMO IMO IMO

Crabtree and Harvin. We shall see

[jocstrap 8]

Sorry, here is the rest of the article:

 

Who needs to step up in '09?

 

These guys were "no-shows" as rookies, and in their second years, a lot will be asked of them. Can they do it? Here's a list of guys I think need to accelerate their game before September, plus their numbers from '08.

 

Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh (six receptions, 64 yards, 0 TDs)

Sweed has to fill the No. 3 role in the Steelers’ offense following the departure of Nate Washington to Tennessee. Where’s the guy who used to dominate the Big 12 at Texas? He has to show QB Ben Roethlisberger that he can hold on to the football.

 

Devin Thomas, Washington (15 receptions, 120-yards, 0 TDs)

The former second-round pick needs to find a way to get involved in the Redskins' passing game. If Jason Campbell is going to prove should be the QB in D.C., he's going to need something from Thomas.

 

Malcolm Kelly, Washington (three receptions, 18 yards, 0 TDs)

Kelly was another second-round pick of the Skins who didn't show up. He was injured most of the season, which is not a surprise coming from a rookie WR, but he has talent. Can the Skins get anything out of him?

 

Mario Manningham, N.Y. Giants (four receptions, 26 yards, 0 TDs)

Manningham might need to show something in camp just to make the Giants' roster because he didn't do enough to prove otherwise in '08. The Giants need someone to step up and give QB Eli Manning a target, so the time is now for the former Michigan star.

 

James Hardy, Buffalo (nine receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDs)

Hardy's role might be reduced with the addition of Terrell Owens in Buffalo, but he's still going to be counted on to give the Bills a threat in the red zone. Training camp will tell the story, because if Hardy doesn't show the coaching staff that he can compete in the NFL, he won't see the field, red zone or not.

 

Makes you think twice about the bust rate for rookie WRs, doesn't it ?

 

 

NOT ONE OF THESE GUYS WERE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND FOR A REASON. I TRUST THE NFL SCOUTS/GM'S/COACHES ON THIS ONE. WHY WERE SO MANY WR'S TAKEN THIS YEAR 1ST ROUND? MUCH MUCH HIGHER LEVEL TALENT THAN THE PLAYERS ABOVE.

[jgcrawfish 232]

Why can't a Freshman in college ever compete in NCAA Division I sports? B/c they are not used to the speed and strengths of the sophs, jr's, and sr's. Bunch of Bull. Plenty of Freshmen in several sports contribute. Then you have Lebron and Kobe and Garnett.

 

How about because non of last years wide receivers weren't first rounders. The level at that position wasn't high caliber. I believe a legit stud WR in college has a chance in the NFL even if it is his first year.

 

SIZE AND SPEED - 22-24 year old's are faster than 28 year olds, I don't care what anybody says. Not true. Peak athletic explosion, speed and strength is highest in the 26-28 yr old range. It's widely known that Darrell Green of Washington was one of the fastest guys in the league and ran a faster 40 time at 32 yrs old than he did coming into the league. Football and basketball are very different from tennis Joc. The problem you have with your late 20's is recovery time. You're muscles can still do what they used to, often better, but take much longer to heal and recover. It's more noticeable in tennis players because of the demands of extended matches and tournaments. Two weeks on the hardcourts of the Open takes a greater toll on a body than a month of NBA basketball.

OVERMATCHED, UNWILLING, IMMATURE - WTF? I'll give overmatched the victory on this, but unwilling and immature - BS. i give this some credance also, simply because rooks come in with attitude

PRESS COVERAGE - I agree with this one, cornerbacks have the edge up here vs rookies

PLAYBOOKS and COVERAGE READS - playbooks yes, but coverage is coverage, not like a WR is dealing with the whole defense. He has his CB, and safety at best especially as a rookie. The field opens or closes the same way it does in college, just faster. 2 players is all he has to adjust to.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - of course it's a much harder, longer, physically demanding season.

 

This year we had a bunch of 1st round WR picks. I assume they will get their fair share of starting time. I think this comes down to the individual at hand. A superior athlete will make his mark regardless of his age. I also don't buy this one. The WR and RB fell last year due to significantly more talent at other positions. Last year was a much deeper year for offensive line, defensive line and defensive backfield. This year the talent level wasn't as high so more WR and RB's crept the board.

 

I have two WR's this year that are in that league IMO IMO IMO

Crabtree and Harvin. We shall see

 

 

NOT ONE OF THESE GUYS WERE DRAFTED IN THE FIRST ROUND FOR A REASON. I TRUST THE NFL SCOUTS/GM'S/COACHES ON THIS ONE. WHY WERE SO MANY WR'S TAKEN THIS YEAR 1ST ROUND? MUCH MUCH HIGHER LEVEL TALENT THAN THE PLAYERS ABOVE.

[jocstrap 8]

Crawfish - you are telling me Chris 4.24 Johnson is going to run faster when he's 28? WOW, maybe a 4.18?

 

some rookies may come in with an attitude. Some will also work very hard understanding where they are at on the totem poll.

 

I like two Rookies - Crabtree and Harvin and that's all - their level is way above the other rookie WR's IMO. These two guys have something special on the field. Talent Level I suppose is my point.

 

Like I said though, we shall see

 

[jdon 28]

Crawfish - you are telling me Chris 4.24 Johnson is going to run faster when he's 28? WOW, maybe a 4.18?

 

some rookies may come in with an attitude. Some will also work very hard understanding where they are at on the totem poll.

 

I like two Rookies - Crabtree and Harvin and that's all - their level is way above the other rookie WR's IMO. These two guys have something special on the field. Talent Level I suppose is my point.

 

Like I said though, we shall see

 

 

crabtree will fail, just like all texas wide recievers... big 12 in general fails to produce quality recievers if you ask me....

jdon

[Ray_T 753]

Crawfish - you are telling me Chris 4.24 Johnson is going to run faster when he's 28? WOW, maybe a 4.18?

 

some rookies may come in with an attitude. Some will also work very hard understanding where they are at on the totem poll.

 

I like two Rookies - Crabtree and Harvin and that's all - their level is way above the other rookie WR's IMO. These two guys have something special on the field. Talent Level I suppose is my point.

 

Like I said though, we shall see

 

 

I wouldnt count on it.

 

some WR's will improve their speed for sure. but depending on the type of workout program a player takes, (and depending on what the team wants) a player may be willing to sacrafice some speed to gain additional power/Strength to beat press coverage. If this means bulking up, the player is not guaranteed to improve on their speed. it may stay the same, or drop a bit.

 

Usually you can read between the lines when a coach says something like, "he has to improve his play against press coverage" This means the offseason training will be focused on improving strength more than speed.

 

so he may work out for a year or two to improve strength, and lose a half a step. Then after gaining the ability to beat press coverage, maybe he moves back and works on speed again.

[jgcrawfish 232]

Crawfish - you are telling me Chris 4.24 Johnson is going to run faster when he's 28? WOW, maybe a 4.18?

 

some rookies may come in with an attitude. Some will also work very hard understanding where they are at on the totem poll.

 

I like two Rookies - Crabtree and Harvin and that's all - their level is way above the other rookie WR's IMO. These two guys have something special on the field. Talent Level I suppose is my point.

 

Like I said though, we shall see

 

 

No, I'm not telling you that...I'm simply saying that it's possible, perhaps not at 28 though because that's the end of the range. The reality is that he may be as fast as he'll ever be, but he will likely get stronger and more explosive. Muscle generally gets denser up through age 26 and begins to taper off after that. It's not that the 30 year old RB isn't necessarily as strong or as fast as he was when he was 24, most time's it's more likely that he simply cannot recoup/recover from the exhaustion and beatings of the game. Every sport has "the wall" where athletes can no longer perform at their peak for extended periods. That wall in tennis is much earlier than it is in most sports, later in football, later still in basketball and usually even later in baseball. I've played all of them and would put the physical exertion of a week (or two week long) tennis tournament above any competitive event short of the sheer beating that football gives you.

 

back to your WR's...Longterm I like Crabtree, Maclin, Robiskie and Harvin, in that order. I haven't seen enough of Nicks at this point to properly judge him, and I've seen enough of DHB to know I don't like him. Short term I think Maclin and Robiskie will see the most immediate results. I look for Crabtree to come on in his 2nd season, providing he gets decent QB play.

 

From last years WR's, I actually still hold out hope for Sweed. He's actually got a skill set similar to Crabtree's, but his hands aren't quite as good. However, he's bigger and a better leaper. I think being in Pittsburgh will prevent him from ever being a top/dominant WR, but I think the potential is there. I think Thomas in Washington will also begin to show something. Aside from those two and the obvious ones like DeSean Jackson and Eddie Royle, I agree that last year was a weak WR class.