Notes From Lombardi: Free Agent WRs

This position has two types of players.  It’s not as clean as the fast player and then the possession type of player.  The clean receiver (meets the size and speed requirements) who can run an assortment of patterns is what we’re looking for.  He must be able to catch and run with the ball after the catch.  YAC (yards after catch) is king. 

The area of concern is the player who does not fit into the speed receiver category.  Speed is important, but quick, explosive movement is critical. The player who lacks timed speed must show an ability to get in and out of his cuts with power and explosion.  Must have very strong wrists to catch the ball inside and have balance to get the ball away from a defender.  His hands must be a 7; strength of wrist is very important.  We want players who have an ability to score in the red zone due to their quickness, size, hands and strength.  Even if a player does not meet the speed requirements of the team, if he can meet the other standards, then he will have a place on the team.  He can help in the kicking game if he has the kind of toughness we are looking for.  The type of player we are trying to avoid is the small possession player who can’t do anything but catch, with no advancement of the ball after the catch.  Very small receivers are always going to have a hard time, but we have to be careful not to kill them if they have return ability to go along with receiving skill.

WIDE RECEIVER REMINDERS:

1.     Former running backs who are converted are best when they have the ball in their hands.  Even former HS running backs have those traits.  We want players who are good with the ball in their hands.   

2.     In high school, what position did he play?

3.     Can he add to the return game?

4.     Does he score touchdowns?  Big-time players make big-time plays. We need scores from the great ones. 

5.     Does he have fast hands?  How big are his hands?  Critical?  What ball does he catch the best?  What happens after a drop?  Do they use the jugs machine?  Does the QB he plays with throw a fastball?

6.     Can he catch the deep over-the-head ball?  Can he catch the over-router best, right to left, or left to right? 

7.     Can he catch the ball with his feet (that is, run to ball like a center fielder in baseball)?

8.     RAC -- make sure you have a good grasp of this on each catch.  Who does he make miss, LB or DS?

9.     Can he burst in and out of cuts?  What coverage does he mainly play against? 

10.  Does he have balance down the field? Can he get a rebound?  Can he make the deep-ball catch?

11.  Will be block?  Hard to run the ball in the NFL without WRs who don’t block.  He must compete in this area.

12.  Do they have a hot system at his college?  How many protections do they have? 

13.  Will he be in the right place at the right time? 

14.  Can he catch a cold ball?  Cold balls are heavy and hard to catch. 

15.  How many catches are on third down?  How many first downs has he gotten?

16.  Does he run the reverse for the team? 

17.  What role in the kicking game? 

18.  Wideouts who get free access should not be graded that high.  We do not get free access in this league, and we get jammed.  You must determine how the wideouts will handle press.  Evaluate the player’s talent, not the offense. 

19.  Always a place on the team for a smaller (not below 5-8½), very quick player, but he must have 7 in quickness – a wide receiver who will be able to beat man coverage against press along with blitz. 

FIRST LEVEL

Name, team, age, height, weight, speed, year entered NFL, draft pos., agent

Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay, 27; 6-1, 192; 4.61; 2002; 2nd round (63rd overall); Peter Schaffer -- He has always had all the talent in the world, but off-the-field issues have been a problem for him, affecting his consistency.  One-year wonder.  Bill Walsh always told me, “Do not look at the one-year player and look forward. Look back.” (We learned this lesson after drafting Clemson running back Terrance Flagler in the first round in 1987.)  Someone might pay Bryant big money and then hold their breath. 

Nate Washington, Pittsburgh, 25; 6-0, 172; 4.47; 2005; free agent; Thomas Tafelski -- This is a diamond in the rough.  I know he drops too many balls, but he has great vertical speed and has significantly improved as a player.  He would be perfect for the Titans. 

SECOND LEVEL

T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cincinnati, 31; 6-1, 197; 4.57; 2001; 7th round (204th overall); Kennard McGuire -- Some teams might be a little scared of his age and his average yards per reception (below 10.0).  He is somewhere between the first and second level, but age and lack of overall production will be a concern.  I would not be willing to invest four years of huge money. 

Devery Henderson, New Orleans, 26; 5-11, 200; 4.45; 2004; 2nd round (50th overall); James Sexton -- Depending on what tape you watch, this player can be sensational or just very average.  He has rare speed, and for the right deal he’s a good player.  Needs to have the right players around him. 

Bobby Engram, Seattle, 35; 5-9, 188; 4.68; 1996; 2nd round (52nd overall); Mitchell Frankel – Can still make a few plays in the slot, but age and durability make him a tough player to sign, even to a modest deal. 

Amani Toomer, NY Giants, 34; 6-3, 208; 4.49; 1996; 2nd round (34th overall); Justin Schulman -- Age and a lack of speed have caught up with Toomer.  Not able to get away from press now, and needs to fit a role. 

Bryant Johnson, San Francisco, 27; 6-2, 214; 4.52; 2003; 1st round (17th overall); Joel Segal – Totaled 45 catches in 2008 and showed some flashes.  He needs to go to the right offense. Is not an explosive player. 

VERTICAL PLAYERS

Ashley Lelie, Oakland, 28; 6-3, 199; 4.46; 2002; 1st round (19th overall); Peter Schaffer -- Can still run, but offers little else and always seems to get hurt. 

Terrance Copper, Baltimore, 26; 5-11, 204; 4.43; 2004; free agent; Ronald Del Duca -- Good special teams player who can run. 

Koren Robinson, Seattle, 28; 6-1, 205; 4.5; 2001; 1st round (9th overall); Alvin Keels -- He has problems off the field and does not run as well as he once did, but might be a complement. 

Robert Ferguson, Minnesota, 28; 6-1, 210; 4.52; 2001; 2nd round (41st overall); Brian Overstreet -- Role player who needs to have a good camp and make sure he’s in the offseason program learning the offense. 

NICKEL ONLY ROLE ON THIRD DOWN OR IN KICKING GAME

Shaun McDonald, Detroit, 27; 5-8½, 183; 4.44; 2003; 4th round (106th overall); Jim Steiner -- Has good slot quickness and offers some return ability. 

Dane Looker, St. Louis, 32; 5-11, 190; 4.74; 2000; free agent; Rick Smith -- Another nickel player who doesn’t offer much in the return game but a clean exchange. 

ONE YEAR, MIMINUM SALARY BENEFIT, SIGN LATE

Darrell Jackson, Denver, 29; 5-11, 201; 4.5; 2000; 3rd round (80th overall); Brian Mooney -- Can look great at times, but his hands are way too inconsistent. 

Jabar Gaffney, New England, 27; 6-1, 193; 4.48; 2002; 2nd round (33rd overall); Drew Rosenhaus -- Smart and reliable, but age and lack of speed are concerns.  

Dante Hall, St. Louis, 30; 5-7, 187; 4.41; 2000; 5th round (153rd overall); Gary Uberstine -- Age and size seem to have hindered his career. 

Brandon Jones, Tennessee, 26; 6-1, 210; 4.53; 2005; 3rd round (96th overall); Craig Domann -- He did have 40 catches, but only one TD.  Not a playmaker; the design gets him open. 

Brandon Lloyd, Chicago, 27; 6-1, 184; 4.55; 2003; 4th round (124th overall); Mark Humenik -- Another non-playmaker who needs the design to make plays.

Justin McCareins, Tennessee, 29; 6-1, 215; 4.55; 2001; 4th round (124th overall); Clifford Brady – Had 30 catches last year, no touchdowns. 

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