The Webb experiment is finally over!

[Mothman]

And I disagree with you, given the history of the WRs in question. Please consider the following...

Jennings is already known as running well after the catch. He probably has no more than above average speed but he's capable of gaining extra yardage with moves and smarts after he catches the ball. It's not like this hasn't been talked about before regarding Jennings. It's part of his arsenal. He's not just a short yardage possession guy. On that note, in 2011 Jennings was ranked #5 in the NFL among WRs getting YAC. FWIW, Harvin was #2.

Simpson's speed is grossly underrated. You know why? Because he ran a 4.47/40 for the combine, as if that's slow. Yeah, right. Never mind the 4.41/40 that he ran at his pro day, which is constantly conveniently overlooked. Simpson runs very well after a catch, particularly on slants and quick hits. My concern regarding Simpson is technique, as in running disciplined routes, and his occasional lapses in concentration. He definitely needs to play more focused football.

Jarius Wright was excellent at gaining YAC for the Razorbacks. What, he's now suddenly forgotten how to kick in the 4.3/40 speed after a catch? I don't buy it.

You already know that Patterson is a demon with the ball in his hands.

Just my two cents here, Eli, but I stand by my original point. The Vikings have purposely populated their WR corps with YAC guys. I believe that tells us something about the passing attack that we will be seeing from the team this upcoming season.

Excellent post.

I think we'll see the Vikes try to build upon what they did with the passing game last season. We're still going to see the quick-hitters and timing routes but I suspect we'll see an increased emphasis on stretching the field along with some more slants and crossing routes underneath zone coverage. If this WR corps can stay healthy, I'm excited about the possibilities in the passing game.

[Eli]

Just my two cents here, Eli, but I stand by my original point. The Vikings have purposely populated their WR corps with YAC guys. I believe that tells us something about the passing attack that we will be seeing from the team this upcoming season.

Over the last couple of years the Vikings have been signing _fast_ receivers while searching for a legitimate downfield threat. THAT is what they've been looking for.

They hoped Simpson could be that guy, so they signed him as a FA. They saw Wright's 40 times, so they took a 4th round flyer on him. It didn't quite pan out for them in 2012, so they bet the bank on Jennings for 2013. Patterson, as I've said before, is a desperation move to find another Harvin-type playmaker.

Jennings' YAC have come primarily on big home run bombs, mostly simple go routes. He was that guy in the 2011 Packers offense. He's not a guy the Vikings will be throwing many bubble screens, despite Ponder's remarkable talent for this pass.

[Purple bruise]

Over the last couple of years the Vikings have been signing _fast_ receivers while searching for a legitimate downfield threat. THAT is what they've been looking for.

They hoped Simpson could be that guy, so they signed him as a FA. They saw Wright's 40 times, so they took a 4th round flyer on him. It didn't quite pan out for them in 2012, so they bet the bank on Jennings for 2013. Patterson, as I've said before, is a desperation move to find another Harvin-type playmaker.

Did not pan out for them? I am fairly certain that most fans, coaches, fellow players, realize that Simpson was injured for most of last year and still managed to show enough potential that he was retained. I, for one, feel that a healthy Simpson will pay dividends. As far as Wright goes, in his limited time on the field, appeared to be quite impressive and seems to have as great deal of potential.
Everyone wants immediadiate results and gratification but unfortunately that is usually NOT the case. It certainly takes more than 1.5 years for MOST young QBs to devdelop and injuries often play a huge roll in the equation for success with players like Simpson, Sydney Rice, etc..

[Eli]

Did not pan out for them? I am fairly certain that most fans, coaches, fellow players, realize that Simpson was injured for most of last year and still managed to show enough potential that he was retained. I, for one, feel that a healthy Simpson will pay dividends.

I do to, but he can't be counted on to do so. I like Simpson, but despite his speed and athletic ability, he's never been a big downfield threat.

As far as Wright goes, in his limited time on the field, appeared to be quite impressive and seems to have as great deal of potential.

It was only his rookie year, and the Vikings didn't use him much until Harvin was injured, but yes, he has potential. I just don't think it's as much as what people are hoping. He'll make a decent #3 or #4 receiver some day.

[Purple bruise]

I do to, but he can't be counted on to do so. I like Simpson, but despite his speed and athletic ability, he's never been a big downfield threat.
It was only his rookie year, and the Vikings didn't use him much until Harvin was injured, but yes, he has potential. I just don't think it's as much as what people are hoping. He'll make a decent #3 or #4 receiver some day.

I think that if Wright fills that 3rd or 4th receiver spot (for now anyway) that will be great. CP, GJ, and JS will be quite acceptable in their own rolls. If the Vikes get good production from Rudolph and Carlson then the Vikes receiving corp should be greatly upgraded, especially since Harvin missed the last part of last season.

[Mothman]

Over the last couple of years the Vikings have been signing _fast_ receivers while searching for a legitimate downfield threat. THAT is what they've been looking for.

... or they've been looking for both since speed and ran-after-catch ability aren't exactly mutually exclusive qualities. A deep threat receiver doesn't have to exclusively be a deep threat.

They hoped Simpson could be that guy, so they signed him as a FA. They saw Wright's 40 times, so they took a 4th round flyer on him. It didn't quite pan out for them in 2012, so they bet the bank on Jennings for 2013. Patterson, as I've said before, is a desperation move to find another Harvin-type playmaker.

That's a not exactly a definitive take on why the Vikes drafted or signed particular receivers. The suggestion that drafting Patterson is nothing more than a desperation move doesn't ring true to me. I'd say that choice can be perceived a number of ways. Personally, I think it's more likely they were drafting for talent and upside at a position where they need playmaking ability rather than just seeking a "Harvin-type".

I seriously doubt Wright was just drafted because they saw his 40 times. He was a versatile, well-rounded (but undersized) college receiver. His speed was undoubtedly an attractive trait but I suspect the Vikes did a lot more scouting than just checking a stopwatch.

Jennings' YAC have come primarily on big home run bombs, mostly simple go routes.

That's just inaccurate. Jennings has been effective picking up yards after the catch on all sorts of routes, not just simple go routes.

[losperros]

Over the last couple of years the Vikings have been signing _fast_ receivers while searching for a legitimate downfield threat. THAT is what they've been looking for.

Oh, I see. They definitely don't want guys who can run well with the ball. Nope. The Vikings are just desperately signing up fast WRs because they just want Ponder to throw bombs downfield. Yeah, makes sense to me.

They hoped Simpson could be that guy, so they signed him as a FA. They saw Wright's 40 times, so they took a 4th round flyer on him. It didn't quite pan out for them in 2012, so they bet the bank on Jennings for 2013. Patterson, as I've said before, is a desperation move to find another Harvin-type playmaker.

Jennings' YAC have come primarily on big home run bombs, mostly simple go routes. He was that guy in the 2011 Packers offense. He's not a guy the Vikings will be throwing many bubble screens, despite Ponder's remarkable talent for this pass.

So the Vikings didn't actually research Wright, watch game film on him, or analyze his game. They just looked at his 40 yard dash time. I didn't know that. I'll bet the Vikings staff didn't know that either. They probably don't know that they had a panic attack and foolishly drafted Patterson, who is only another big playmaker because of his ability to run with the ball. And who needs that?

I don't care where Jennings' YAC came from. He's good at gaining yardage after the catch, which is something that you can't wish away no matter how hard you try.

But hey, it doesn't matter, not with Ponder carpet bombing the field with long passes. No doubt we'll be seeing a lot of that from the passing game.

[Eli]

Ok, I'm convinced that you're convinced the Vikings' grand offensive plan is to continue with their dink and dunk offense, relying on all of their receivers to gain their yardage after they've caught their five yard passes.

With Ponder at QB, that may actually make a lot of sense. With any other QB you might strive for more balance in the passing game.

[Raptorman]

Over the last couple of years the Vikings have been signing _fast_ receivers while searching for a legitimate downfield threat. THAT is what they've been looking for.

They hoped Simpson could be that guy, so they signed him as a FA. They saw Wright's 40 times, so they took a 4th round flyer on him. It didn't quite pan out for them in 2012, so they bet the bank on Jennings for 2013. Patterson, as I've said before, is a desperation move to find another Harvin-type playmaker.

Jennings' YAC have come primarily on big home run bombs, mostly simple go routes. He was that guy in the 2011 Packers offense. He's not a guy the Vikings will be throwing many bubble screens, despite Ponder's remarkable talent for this pass.

There is a reason for looking for those YAC players.

Code: Select all

Rank Team Yards after Catch 
1 New England Patriots         2352 
2 New Orleans Saints           2280 
3 Detroit Lions                2217 
4 Green Bay Packers            2177 
5 Oakland Raiders              2169 
6 Atlanta Falcons              2168 
7 Dallas Cowboys               2064 

Source: http://hosted.stats.com/fb/tmleaders.as ... L&rank=231

[King James]

I also looked at some Greg Jennings highlights. His most memorable highlights seem to be the big accurate bombs by Aaron Rodgers but a lot of receptions I seen from Jennings were the screens and short passes. He doesn't have that burst like Harvin does but he can still get some Yac and has good hands. Not all of Rodgers throws were good. Most of his throws are back-shoulder passes but I guess the coaches taught the WRs out to catch those perfectly. Because those throws are hard to make unless the QB is on point with the throw and the WR is in position to catch it while the defender isn't looking at the ball.

Jennings will be alright. The Packers have guys who can catch. That is why Rodgers look so good.

[PurpleKoolaid]

I also looked at some Greg Jennings highlights. His most memorable highlights seem to be the big accurate bombs by Aaron Rodgers but a lot of receptions I seen from Jennings were the screens and short passes. He doesn't have that burst like Harvin does but he can still get some Yac and has good hands. Not all of Rodgers throws were good. Most of his throws are back-shoulder passes but I guess the coaches taught the WRs out to catch those perfectly. Because those throws are hard to make unless the QB is on point with the throw and the WR is in position to catch it while the defender isn't looking at the ball.

Jennings will be alright. The Packers have guys who can catch. That is why Rodgers look so good.

LOL Rogers looks so good because he IS so good. Packer or not. Hes one of, if not the best, QB in the NFL right now. In short throws, YaC or bombs. I thinks he makes reads faster then Brady and Manning put together. But then I watch the packer games more (not by choice, its what they show in MN when the Vikes aernt on).

[losperros]

Ok, I'm convinced that you're convinced the Vikings' grand offensive plan is to continue with their dink and dunk offense, relying on all of their receivers to gain their yardage after they've caught their five yard passes.

With Ponder at QB, that may actually make a lot of sense. With any other QB you might strive for more balance in the passing game.

As you well know, I haven't suggested that the Vikings should implement only a dink and dunk passing game. I'm saying they have WRs that can get YAC. And there simply is no denying that having WRs that can catch and then run well with the ball is a plus.

Actually, we might be saying the same thing. I'm hoping the Vikings want balance and throw a variety of passes, including deep throws. I didn't mind what they were doing with Harvin because it worked. But that's Percy Harvin. I don't want the Vikings to attempt that across the board.

That said, I don't believe for a second that the Vikings will restrict themselves to having Ponder attempt to to sling 60-70 yard bombs. But yes, I do want them to attempt throwing downfield when they can. I sure hope they will, anyway.

[Purple bruise]

LOL Rogers looks so good because he IS so good. Packer or not. Hes one of, if not the best, QB in the NFL right now. In short throws, YaC or bombs. I thinks he makes reads faster then Brady and Manning put together. But then I watch the packer games more (not by choice, its what they show in MN when the Vikes aernt on).

No argument about Rogers here. He is playing the best football in the NFL and I think that he definately makes his receivers look a lot better than they are. Look at Jermichael Finley for example. Rogers makes his whole game. Put him on most other teams and he would not even be noticed.
That being said, if I could "grab" any QB in the league I would take Luck. Luck's size, strength, mobility, intelligence, and youth make him, in my opinion, the best all around QB in the league in only his second year. Hard to believe but Brady, Brees, Manning (both) are starting to get up there in age and we will grow older watching this next great QB (Luck).

[Mothman]

As you well know, I haven't suggested that the Vikings should implement only a dink and dunk passing game. I'm saying they have WRs that can get YAC. And there simply is no denying that having WRs that can catch and then run well with the ball is a plus.

Actually, we might be saying the same thing. I'm hoping the Vikings want balance and throw a variety of passes, including deep throws. I didn't mind what they were doing with Harvin because it worked. But that's Percy Harvin. I don't want the Vikings to attempt that across the board.

That said, I don't believe for a second that the Vikings will restrict themselves to having Ponder attempt to to sling 60-70 yard bombs. But yes, I do want them to attempt throwing downfield when they can. I sure hope they will, anyway.

I have no doubt they will because they did it last year and hopefully, they'll have better, healthier options to fling it downfield to this year.

This isn't directed at you, Craig, but I think a lot of people may have paid more attention to the passes that were completed last year than the passes that were attempted or the routes that were run. That's perfectly understandable but the Vikings ran a pretty wide variety of routes in 2012 and sent players deep more than some fans think. The problem on a lot of those plays was that those downfield routes never came open or protection broke down before they could fully develop. Then there were the downfield routes where Ponder just misfired, the pass was dropped or the receiver ran a bad route. The Vikes definitely favored shorter, high percentage passes and there were probably several reasons for that but they attempted to utilize the whole field. I think with the receivers they've assembled, we'll see an aggressive passing attack that will do it's share of dinking and dunking but will also take shots downfield and attack the middle. The real question to me isn't whether they will try to do all of the above but whether they will be able to do it effectively.

Anyway, I definitely don't think it's a coincidence that the team has made a point of adding receivers with good RAC ability.

[losperros]

I have no doubt they will because they did it last year and hopefully, they'll have better, healthier options to fling it downfield to this year.

This isn't directed at you, Craig, but I think a lot of people may have paid more attention to the passes that were completed last year than the passes that were attempted or the routes that were run. That's perfectly understandable but the Vikings ran a pretty wide variety of routes in 2012 and sent players deep more than some fans think. The problem on a lot of those plays was that those downfield routes never came open or protection broke down before they could fully develop. Then there were the downfield routes where Ponder just misfired, the pass was dropped or the receiver ran a bad route. The Vikes definitely favored shorter, high percentage passes and there were probably several reasons for that but they attempted to utilize the whole field. I think with the receivers they've assembled, we'll see an aggressive passing attack that will do it's share of dinking and dunking but will also take shots downfield and attack the middle. The real question to me isn't whether they will try to do all of the above but whether they will be able to do it effectively.

Anyway, I definitely don't think it's a coincidence that the team has made a point of adding receivers with good RAC ability.

I agree with what you're saying about last season and that the Vikings want to open up their passing game more.

Because of my speculation about the ability of these WRs to get YAC and maybe because I didn't articulate myself well, Eli apparently thought I was calling for a dink and dunk style of passing. Believe me, I'm not. Being able to run after a catch is good for everything from short to medium to long passes. I'm hoping this means the Vikings expect their WRs to turn upfield and pick up yards after they make a catch anywhere on the field.

Personally, I think the acquisition of a smart and talented veteran like Greg Jennings plus the addition of an inexperienced but highly promising Cordarrelle Patterson rounds out this WR corps nicely. It has me excited, especially if Jarius Wright continues to progress and Jerome Simpson stays healthy and focused.