rstencel

Wow made mistake of clicking link and reading that article. Never heard of the site before, and put a block on it so never waste my time going there again.

Not the first time Easley has been a favorite of backup QB, but think they want to limit his exposure so as not to take as many chances of him getting hurt. His value to special teams is huge. His main weakness has been route running, but he improved that significantly last year, so if wasn't for his special teams work, think he would have pushed Hogan for his role last year honestly.

Good points, they did mention that EJ was slower at picking up the offense than the other 2, so that would make sense.

To think they gave Meh the most snaps in practice as number one the last few weeks before naming TT starter, and barely gave EJ any. What a waste of reps in hindsight.

Not that think should keep him if is 3rd QB either, but there is the whole film breakdown and study thing, where QB's tend to do that to learn defense tendencies and look at their own plays and break them down. They do some of it with Coach's but majority either together or on own. Having a vet that has learned from Brady isn't a bad thing there.

League probably should lock out players and tear up CBA to make it stronger, as obviously they don't seem to be able to do the things the agreement says they are able to do, like punish the players.

So basically only will be happy if have an older Vet with a lot of mileage on his legs as backup. Personally like the pontential of our current stable of backs. Yes I really liked Fred, and hope he does well with whoever he winds up with, but think they are thinking more long term, and didn't want cut one of the younger backs to keep him. My only real concern is who is going to fill Fred's pass blocking role.

Agree, Heard number of different times that receiver coaches wanted Tasker to play more WR during season, but Head Coach valued him too much for his special teams, and didn't want to risk him getting hurt or being tired out for his primary role. Think that Easley is in same situation, but not quite the level as Tasker was as a WR yet. From what I remember don't believe Easley even knew the receiving tree when he was drafted. He had to learn it, and right about when things were coming around his ailments started. When he came back, and showed his values as special teams, think they felt with his past heart issues, and fact didn't have full offseason, or camp for that matter, was better to use him as a specialist only. Think he will rarely see the field, unless injuries occur, because he is so good at special teams that they cant afford to risk him.

Wilson was projected as a 5th rounder by most projections. He was considered too short by a lot of media scouts. I honestly think the Bills were looking at trying to draft him, but expected to be able to get him a bit later in the draft.

Seems that we only have part of the information. The passing drills and camp work, expecially of late have a bearing as well. From everything I have heard, including from EJ's own words in an interview, he is still has work to do learning the offense, and TT and Meh are ahead of him on that front. Also watching the high/low lights of the day from camp, which admittedly is small sampling, it seems like Simms and EJ have atleast a pick everyday in the low lights, and usually multiple, but EJ also seems to frequently have long passes in highlights as well. Basically Meh has been most consistent in practices, while Taylor has had the most good days, based on reports I have seen in practices. So while EJ has taken advantage of his time on field, he hasn't been in practices very consistently. While Meh has been in practices but hasn't really shown much in preseason, while not really getting much chance to honestly. Taylor seems to have been able to take advantage in most areas between them all, so think he has inside track myself. From what have heard, he has better understanding of offense than EJ, and been more consistent and less bad plays overall, and has shown abilities to stand in pocket and deliver when not under pressure. Meh is tough to gauge though as didn't really get a lot of reps in preseason, but got most with first team in practices from most accounts. My bet is Taylor is starter at seasons opener, but wouldn't rule out Meh based on how much time he gets with starters in the practices and his understanding of the offense being the best from all accounts I have read. This is all from following online so 3rd hand information though. Didn't see this till after posted, pretty much same thing I have seen.

Sorta would like to see them run Taylor for starter, and bring in EJ for 2 minute offense or when down and obviously have to pass, like the Eagles did back in the day bringing Randall Cunningham in for 3rd down passing and obvious throwing downs but having Ron Jaworski start and run the base offense. Not sure how that would fly in todays Football world, but Rex doesn't seem to care about conforming to conventional practices.

Now that I cant agree with. He can play the slot, and in a pinch possession receiver roles, but cant see him manning the flanker role or primary receiver role with any team having a shot at a winning season at all. Which is why have a hard time comparing the receivers head to head on who should make the team. Goodwin is more of a flanker, as is Thompson IMO. While Harvin is more of a Split end or Slot receiver, not sure about Davis. So some of decision will be based more on depth needs than who is better receiver if is close.

Rex's decision with a lot of input though. Rex also has to think about the future more than just next season. Roman is trying to become a Head Coach, next season if possible, so Rex need to make the call in what is best for the team in long run. Think Roman would be more likely to go Meh route thinking short term, or has better grasp of offense, to get him in position for next year, even if one of others may have more long term potential.

Not meant to be a knock on Harvin or Goodwin, but do think he is a better blocker than either of them. Agree that he isn't anything special as a tackler in special teams, but holds his own in return units believe, remember there are 6 units there, only 2 of them involve tackling.

He is a descent blocker, but IMO I would say is 3rd or 4th best blocking receiver on team honestly. He is better than Harvin and Goodwin though, which would be who most likely would be fighting for time on field with.

Not really meaning Harvin as stretch the field, more as threat to go distance when touches the ball. First paragraph is admittedly mostly opinion.

Its the production on Sundays that makes me consider Hogan replaceable. He's had his shots and proven not to have great field awareness, much allusiveness or tackle breaking abilities, but be a descent possession receiver. While having someone on your team that can get open in middle of field like that sounds great, and would be if had better field presence and produced first downs more consistently, he is not near irreplaceable. Actually in this offense, the TE is more likely to be handling that role majority of time now anyway. As far as his room to grow, He's been in the league long enough, that he's not likely going to grow much more than has already shown IMO. As for Harvin, not sure would say he is a more well rounded player than Hogan at all. But he bring elusiveness and big play ability to the table. If they are going for dink and dunk west coast style offense, would take Hogan over Harvin, but they want a power run game with play action passing and some big play potential from their passing game, not a methodical passing game. They don't have the QB's for that type of offense anyway. So I would say people like Harvin and Goodwin, while not as well rounded, may fit better on this team, with this type of offense. I am not sure who is going to make the team, and wouldn't be surprised if Hogan does make it, but wouldn't be thrilled by it either. Really not sure where he fits into this type of offense, other than rotational 3rd wide out with Harvin on 3rd and mediums possibly.

The issue with keeping him is have to not dress him as has no special teams value, so he only dresses if someones hurt. While with Dixon you can use him in packages, as has special teams value, so stay active during week.

I think Darby will be starting opening day as well, and has played his way in camp into that role. Yes he struggled playing on an island against a taller very good receiver with some well thrown balls. Its the first preseason game of his rookie year, that's kind of what the preseason is for, to get these types of things worked on. Now if he's not improving through the preseason and doesn't grow, then yeah, move Graham back.

Living in Carolina for his years hear seen him a lot. He was definitely the number one receiver and treated like it by defenses the majority of his time here. I think his off field behavior and way he was viewed by his teammates early in his career may affect him negatively however. Especially from the hall of fame voters that get in from his playing days. His on field play probably makes him deserve it, but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't get in.

Have a hard time watching NCAA, if watch it at all. So few of the games are even close to even matchup talent wise, and fact athletes aren't paid are two big reasons. The whole voting on whose best by poles doesn't sit well with me either.

I always understood that you had to either make a football move, or take 3 steps after having control of the ball. Even in bounds or two footing as catching on sideline if you lost control of the ball when hit the ground without satisfying that criteria it wasn't considered a catch before this rule change. Actually it isn't a change of rule, more of a clarification to attempt to make rulings more consistent I believe. No you have to maintain control of the ball all the way through when hit the ground. When his elbow hit the ground, he could no longer make any more forward progress, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have to maintain control of the ball, and prevent it from hitting the ground after that point.

He has to make the team first. Not saying he's not capable player, just that don't think he is even a lock to make the team.

Wanted to vote, but both options suck.

Fair enough, stevestojan's post on more Patriot treads and yours got lumped together in my head somehow, sorry.