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I know that the offense isn't producing, but I feel like the receiving corps isn't exactly awful anymore. Avery and Amendola are really producing. Gibson, and even Ruvell Martin are playing nicely. And next year with Robinson and Burton back, this won't exactly be a terrible corps like we thought early on in this season.
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
I agree I feel comfortable with the young bunch of WR the Rams have coming back next year. -
Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
I wouldnt say a strong spot just yet. But definitely not a weakness as most think. The group has potential, we just need to give them time to grow.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
Just a question, because I haven't had the chance to watch the games on TV as many of you have. Why the comfort level with this group? Is there a #1 receiver on the team? Just comparing them to some of the wideouts inside the division, it seems we have a lot of 2's or slot receivers. But again, I haven't watched, so I'm just going off the numbers. So hopefully someone can provide some insight on that.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
I don't think this current cast will ever make reciever a "strong spot" on the team. However, with time and maturity, it is possible that the unit could cease to be the absolute liability it has been at times this season.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
Avery is a bum but I think Gibson could be special.... I still think we need a #1 reciever, Gibson looks like the closest thing but If robinson comes back healthy he looks like a #1.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
Tough question. I think Robinson is the only guy with number one potential. His main problems are injuries so we can't rely on him. I like the group, but we need to go out and get a number 1 to clearly solidify this young unit.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
I think there is some potential with our receivers thus far. I am a bit concerned with the drops we've seen in the past few weeks (particularly Avery and Gibson); that could be more of a by-product of poor quarterbacking too though. I'm not entirely sure that we need to go out and drop the money on a true #1 wide out though.
We aren't going to be a verticle team and when we do throw I expect to see a lot of hitches and slants still next year, so paying someone big dollars to run those routes might be a waste of money.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
I don't see how one could call the Rams WR a "strong spot' at this point, but I also don't think there is a complete absence of hope. Avery, Gibson, Burton and Robinson are all young, developing players. There have been plenty of WRs who, in their 2nd or 3rd year, suddenly make a jump from average player to true playmaker.
In the end, though, we won't know who the "go-to" guy is (whether its someone already on the roster or not) until we know who the QB will be.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
well to the guy who called Avery a bum i think that's a bit harsh. He just needs a guy that can hit him on a few of those deep balls (hes been open a few times). Can't judge a receiver in the absence of a quarterbackm they go hand in hand. I think this group is solid and getting a true number 1 shouldnt be a 1-3 round priority in THIS draft. Id like to see us patch of that RT spot on the line with someone solid, get that back-up for Steven Jackson *cough* Noel Devine.
Then on defense we go ahead and stop picking over it and grab Suh. next round we look for whoever is left in terms of a steal. if there's no real "steals" left we grab a solid OLB to compliment Lau. Then we search for a playmaker at DE to go behind or take the place of Little. I really want spags to focus on our front seven on Defense this offseason. We draft Suh and a few good olbs and suddenyl we'd prob have the best front seven in football (on paper).Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
It is not a strong spot, but it isn't a liability either. Let's see how they all pan out with some more time to develop.
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
It's not a strong spot, but it's not the kind of weakness it was earlier in the season either. I'd still have trouble ranking them in the top 15-20 receiving groups in the league, though. I think this offense is desperate for a top playmaking pass catcher, and so far none of these guys have really emerged. Maybe this is the kind of unit you can get by with if you have an elite tight end, sort of following the Chargers/Chiefs formula from a couple of years back. But we don't have that either, so at some point, we're going to need some more talent at either (or both) positions.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
None of the guys on the team are a legit #1. That's why I wanted us to draft Crabtree last year. Would this even be a thread if we did that, and went OL in the 2nd round and LB in the 3rd like I had suggested? As it is now, Dez Bryant is the ONLY WR I'd take in the draft, but he has even more character issues than Crabtree IMO, that said I wouldn't mind us taking McCoy (I fear Suh has a bigger bust potential than McCoy...but that's just me), then trading Jackson and taking Bryant, then moving more to a 2 back system and picking up Ryan Mathews in the 2nd round or 3rd round.
That said, whoever didn't see WR being an issue going into this season clearly had blinders on and were hoping in one hand, while the other hand filled up with you know what. If you are thinking that this corps is turning into a strength...sorry, I don't drink the kool-aid.Comment
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Re: Has receiver become a strong spot?
Instead of the lack of a #1 receiver, the discussion would probably be centered on the team's need for a LT of the future and a starting middle linebacker. Because where the Rams were picking, the LT options in the 2nd round and the MLB options in the third round were not very good at all.Comment
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12.08.2009 1:23 pm
Do Rams have future No. 1 WR on roster?
By Roger Hensley
THE WATERCOOLER
QUESTION: Do you see any of the current Rams wide receivers developing into a No. 1 guy someday, or is this corps comprised of guys more suited for No. 2 or No. 3 roles?
JIM THOMAS
Don’t see it. Donnie Avery shows flashes, but can’t stay healthy, and needs to be more consistent catching the ball and getting open. Brandon Gibson’s production has dipped markedly since his first-game splash. Danny Amendola isn’t big enough to be anything more than a slot receiver in the NFL. Ruvell Martin? He can’t get on the field. Laurent Robinson — remember him? — looked like he was on pace for a big year before suffering his season-ending ankle and leg injuries in Week 3.
BERNIE MIKLASZ
They’re all secondary receivers; 3s. I suppose Avery has a shot at being a legit No. 2, but his lack of durability makes him more suitable for the slot. And there is nothing wrong with that; Avery could be a dynamic performer as a slot receiver. With the changes in the NFL passing game, there’s more of a premium on big, physical receivers and the Rams don’t have one. This is the league’s worst group of receivers, and it won’t be fixed until the Rams either (A) sign a top free agent wideout; (B) hit the jackpot by drafting a legit No. 1.
JEFF GORDON
We’ve seen Isaac Bruce. We’ve seen Torry Holt. We know what a No. 1 receiver looks like here in St. Louis. There isn’t a real No. 1 in this group. Perhaps Brandon Gibson can be a No. 2 someday. Perhaps Donnie Avery can use his speed to become a nice slot receiver. Maybe the injured Laurent Robinson can come back as a possession guy. Maybe Danny Amendola can be an extra slot guy to go with his kick returning. But that’s it. (All of this assumes that the Rams will someday run a legitimate passing game. In this timid scheme, the Rams have plenty.)
KEVIN WHEELER (Host of “Sports Open Line” on KMOX)
No, none of these guys are No. 1’s. Not even close. Avery and Robinson strike me as being the same player. They’re both speed guys who can stretch the field but neither has the size or hands to be a No. 1. Gibson looks like he could be a decent possession receiver as a No. 3 or No 4. They need someone who combines the elements of size, speed and hands and none of the players on the current roster fit that bill.-12-08-2009, 12:34 PM -
Bring in amani toomer someone who can at least give us a decent target for the rest of the season. Avery is injury prone and burton cannot get open...-10-18-2009, 02:53 PM -
Ive been reading frequently on this forum about the need for a "#1 Receiver". Really? First off as of now i believe we have a total of 7 receivers. Guys like Jordan Kent and Ruvell Martin will most likely go back to their practice squad roles next year or be released. That leaves us with 5 receivers.
Laurent Robinson- showed flashes of his ability this past year before going down with a freak injury (deja vu) and ending his evaluation. Good size at 6'2 and good speed (ran a 4.38 40) and good leaping ability. Plays bigger than his size. Good hands, can pluck a ball out of the air after leaping over a smaller DB. Very possibly could emerge as a legit number 1 receiver. Need to see what he has after coming back from the injury this off-season.
YouTube - laurent robinson
Donnie Avery-Elite speed. Needs to improve on his route running ability. Can be a beast in the slot if he gets more physical, as linebackers wont be a match for his speed. Had an ok year even with the complete lack of quarterback production (and protection towards the end of the year). Would have gotten a lot more deep balls caught if there was a Quarterback that could hit him on them. Should be kept
YouTube - Donnie Avery - University of Houston - Football Highlights
Brandon Gibson- Possess above average hands verging on great hands. Not the fastest guy but has enough speed to get open and make the catch. Average route running, good size, and shows nice moves after the catch, always trying to make a play. Should be kept. Hard to find a vid.
YouTube - Coug senior only has a few Saturdays left
Keenan Burton-Good possesion receiver. Hasnt wow'ed us with his speed but still has more than enough to get the job done. Impressive vertical for a guy his size and can go up for the ball against smaller corners. Possibly a keeper but replaceable.
YouTube - keenan burton mix
Danny Amendola- Gave the Rams much to think about this season with his explosive kick returns. Has shown he can fit a Wes Welker type roll for this team in a slot position. Should be kept for Kick return skill alone. At this point not much more than a 3 or 4 receiver option however. Should be kept..
YouTube - Danny Amendola Tribute Texas Tech
Brooks Foster- Not much is none about this guy. Athlete. 6'1 build and carries every bit of it. Strong, out-repped linebackers and lineman with an impressive 27 reps at the combine. Can run through arm tackles. In the mold of an Anquan Boldin. Doesnt have great speed or explosiveness in and out of his cuts and breaks. Has the will to create plays and generate YAC. Apparently had a knee injury towards the end of his senior year that impacted his draft stock. We haven't seen much him because of another injury to his ankle that originally required 6-8 weeks but he was placed on IR due to roster cuts. Time will tell how he turns out. Personally i hope the rams keep him because...-01-10-2010, 04:47 PM -
Does anyone agree that we really dont need to draft a receiver early in next year's nfl draft. Not only that I think we actually are not going to be able to dress all of our quality receivers in the beginning of next year. I think the FO has done a great job picking receivers from under the radar that can have an impact on this team.
PS I would muc rather we draft a change of pace back to spell out SJ.-11-29-2009, 01:24 PM -
Sure, we'll patch up our suffering defensive line with the first pick, then what? Bulgers on the podium announcing his tearful retirement and the Rams have no clue as what to do to solve their QB problem, a tough problem, indeed, to crack.
We all know that the Rams have holes every whichaway around and it may take a long time to get to where we want to go.
Getting strong playmaking receivers in here could do alot to give the Rams a quick initial boost. It was so frustrating seeing WR after WR go down this year for the Rams. It would probably serve the Rams better if they could get bigger and stronger at this position, a little talent at this skill position wouldn't hurt either.
Is Avery our true #1? The Jury's still out, he needs to show more dedication and concentration as he continues to develope his game.
Is Burton and the rest of the receiving corp just too injury prone? He and Laurent Robinson showed flashes of greatness, but they can't stay on the field long enough to take their game to the next level.
In this years draft and during free agency, one would hope that the Rams could come across at least a couple of big strong skillfull receivers, the type that could help out a QB in the pinch, open up the running game, be the goto guy in the redzone and has a nose for the end zone.
The need for quality wideouts should also be one of the top priorities for the Rams this off season.-01-08-2010, 01:25 AM
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