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Hall of Famer [20541]
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Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 1:36 PM
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Hindsight, as they say, is always 20/20, but IMHO, we started with one group of receivers and capabilities and ended with another. We love "depth", and yes, that's great...but IMHO we also ended up doing nothing particularly well in the passing game. Which hasn't been usual for us, at all. So some tweaks are going to happen.
Just some random thoughts on that:
I expect Trevion Thompson to transfer. He's graduated, he'll be a fifth-year guy, and the prospect of winning a starting gig is not in the cards for him. He's a talented guy who could start somewhere; I think he's gone.
As for the returnees...
...I think Ray-Ray McCloud's on the wrong side of the ball, for us and for him. I think he's about a 6th-7th rounder, at best, probably an OFA like Artavis Scott, as a WR, whereas I think he's got top-three-rounds-of-the-draft type talent at CB. Everybody who's watched him in practice has said similar things. Next year we're going to be very heavy on WR - with a load of players who are quite frankly better than McCloud - so I'd give Ray Ray a full camp and offseason at CB, where we're losing Carter, Edmonds, and Trapp and quite frankly could use a senior and especially one with Ray Ray's kind of talent. If he makes the move in Spring I think he sticks - and starts - there.
Then I'd move Deon Cain, if he stays, to the 2, Ray Ray's old spot. Cain is miscast as a 9, a big vertical jump-ball receiver. He doesn't high-point or win physical battles particularly well; what he is is absolutely lethal with the ball in his hands and so I want the ball in his hands as much as possible - which is kind of what the 2 spot does. He and Amari Rodgers would be a lethal combo there, and I think Derion Kendrick coming in is another very simiar talent to Cain.
That leaves 4 guys at the 2...including a guy I feel is maybe a little undervalued there, and that's Cornell Powell. What I like about Powell is his vicelike hands and ability to change direction while still building speed...so I'd push Powell to the 5 - the slot - where those attributes are prized above all else and where I'd think he'd instantly challenge Renfrow and be ahead of TJ Chase.
As for the 9 spot, we've been clearly missing the size and jump-ball ability we've been enjoying there with the flotilla of king-sized receivers we've had there basically for the last 8-9 years now. Cain has a lot of highly positive attributes and needs to be on the field...but IMHO, not as the 9, where we have to get Overton and Higgins a lot more involved. Again, I'd feature Overton/Higgins here exclusively, and if Justyn Ross comes aboard this is where he'd see time as well.
The TE spot needs to improve, obviously, but I think it will, with Milan Richard having started for a year and Garrett Williams finally back healthy next year. I also think JC Chalk is going to factor sooner rather than later. Wouldn't expect big moves here.
FWIW. It'd be interesting how much of that we see in Spring Camp because a lot of that seems like a natural progression.
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All-TigerNet [10427]
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Re: Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 1:41 PM
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Interesting thoughts on Ray Ray McCloud. I agree with you that he won't make it to the NFL as a WR.
Regarding TE, what about Braden Galloway? He seems to have the potential to be another Jordan Leggett type threat receiving. However, he does need to add about 20+ pounds in order to block effectively.
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Heisman Winner [105574]
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You don't think Cain should be a 9? That is an original
Jan 3, 2018, 1:44 PM
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thought that I have not seen anyone else bring up today.
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Oculus Spirit [80349]
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Unless something changes, Cain is gone***
Jan 3, 2018, 1:45 PM
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All-TigerNet [10427]
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Perhaps a 4-7 round draft grade might change his mind.***
Jan 3, 2018, 1:46 PM
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110%er [7723]
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That is just laughable
Jan 3, 2018, 1:47 PM
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He will almost certainly show out at the combine. NFL drafts solely on potential. They don't care about college production.
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Legend [16136]
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His hands aren't good enough to impress at the combine***
Jan 3, 2018, 3:55 PM
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All-In [48078]
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They might be at a combine a opposed to a game******
Jan 3, 2018, 4:56 PM
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All-In [48078]
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Orange Blooded [2111]
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agree on Ray Ray
Jan 3, 2018, 1:46 PM
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I think he plays both ways though
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Rock Defender [50]
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Yep. Dude's got some playmaking skills.
Jan 3, 2018, 5:04 PM
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Just not sure there are enough footballs to feed everyone.
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110%er [7723]
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That would also help with blocking
Jan 3, 2018, 1:46 PM
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Cain/Renfrow/McCloud is the worst combo of blocking WRs we could have on the field at one time. Putting in a bigger 9 and 5 in Higgins/Overton and Powell would open up some excellent blocking lanes for Cain at the 2 or the RBs.
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110%er [6281]
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Re: Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 1:48 PM
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Lol at the Ray Ray comments. I agree with Higgins and Overton being more suitable at the 9 than Cain but Cain is a great player and needs to be on the field. If Cain stays it will be much the same as this year I would guess. Maybe a little more PT foe Overton, Higgins, and Rodgers. I do believe Higgins/Overton, Rodgers/Powell, and Chase/whoever else if TT leaves could be better than the starting 3 we have now.
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Orange Blooded [2929]
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Re: Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 4:36 PM
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Cain is a GREAT player???
LOL, just no.
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All-In [48078]
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You nailed it wih Cain. Good call!
Jan 3, 2018, 1:50 PM
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He is a guy to stretch the field and that should be his role.
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All-In [27374]
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probably none of you will
Jan 3, 2018, 2:07 PM
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Agree with this but ....., one player that was really missed this year is Garrett Williams. He was a regular last season as a blocking back and no one came close to replacing him this year
Blocking is one thing that this team did not excel at during critical drives. Hopefully he is 100 per cent next season.
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All-In [48078]
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I completely agree. He is a beast.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:21 PM
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I was thinking about that same thing earlier how he will be a boost to get back.
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Orange Blooded [4854]
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Re: probably none of you will
Jan 3, 2018, 6:13 PM
[ in reply to probably none of you will ] |
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Garrett would have been our counter versus #33 in the Sugar Bowl, imo.
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Oculus Spirit [78892]
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what about Renfrow?
Jan 3, 2018, 2:01 PM
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Is he going pro?
forget it, I missed the line where you mentioned him
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Hall of Famer [24548]
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Re: what about Renfrow?
Jan 3, 2018, 4:02 PM
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> Is he going pro?
>
> forget it, I missed the line where you mentioned him
No....
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All-TigerNet [11640]
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NE Patriot free agent after he graduates.***
Jan 3, 2018, 4:47 PM
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CU Guru [1828]
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Main thing is
Jan 3, 2018, 2:03 PM
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to have a starting QB who can hit them downfield.
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Orange Blooded [2081]
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Bingo***
Jan 3, 2018, 2:31 PM
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Orange Blooded [2238]
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I respect your opinion and enjoy all your posts, q.
Jan 3, 2018, 2:31 PM
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But help me understand why “Cain is lethal with the ball in his hands.” He’s fast, but I don’t see him as especially shifty or elusive.
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Legend [16136]
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re-watch the screen he caught in last year's NCG***
Jan 3, 2018, 3:57 PM
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Starter [394]
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Cain going pro? LOL
Jan 3, 2018, 4:56 PM
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He drops WAY too many passes. The NFL is not big on that.
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Legend [16136]
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did you reply to the wrong post guy?***
Jan 3, 2018, 7:05 PM
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Orange Blooded [4559]
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Re: Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 5:01 PM
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Point for you. Well thought out observations. Valid points.
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Rock Defender [50]
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Now that, sir, is a fine football post.***
Jan 3, 2018, 5:01 PM
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Orange Blooded [2721]
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Re: Next year - receivers/TE's
Jan 3, 2018, 5:24 PM
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I really like your assessment. I'm not really sold on Cain as a whole. He obviously has tremendous potential and if the proverbial lights go on for him, then I think we finally see him become the player we all expected and could flourish at the 2 or 9 position. I just don't think he has the will, focus, or talent (undecided which or if a mix) as a pass catcher, to be as reliable as we need him to be. He's a great guy to take a few shots with, but no more so than 3 or 4 other receivers already wearing orange.
I do hope Powell earns time and touches. I think the 5 spot would be a great landing spot for him as well. Thanks again for your post.
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50
