Why do rookie wide receivers vanish over the course of their first NFL seasons, and why can we count on them in their second seasons? Today, I’ll discuss the topic and throw out a few names of guys who must produce in their sophomore seasons — because they have to. Matt Bowen
Why do rookie wide receivers vanish over the course of their first NFL seasons, and why can we count on them in their second seasons? Today, I’ll discuss the topic and throw out a few names of guys who must produce in their sophomore seasons — because they have to.
The Struggles
Rookies just don’t get it, and rookie wide receivers really don’t get it when it comes to the NFL.
Why? Is there something that prevents them from showing us the same playmaking ability that got them drafted in the first place, or are they just overmatched, immature and unwilling to do what it takes to play at this level?
Well, it’s a combination of all of those things, and more.
Let’s look at a few and then get to some names that absolutely need to prove their worth this time around — because their teammates, and the owner, are counting on them.
1. Press coverage: Rookies don’t have experience with it and aren’t prepared for the size and strength of NFL cornerbacks. If you can’t get off a jam, you can’t get open in this league.
2. Reading coverages: Unlike the college game, the defenses that NFL teams run are complex, and they disguise their looks until the snap of the ball. Wide receivers have to adjust their routes based on the coverage, and if they don’t, QBs won’t throw them the ball. It’s as simple as that.
3. Size and speed: Rookies can’t run past everyone on the field like they did in college, so they struggle competing with the size and speed of NFL secondaries. They can’t separate, so they need to be polished route runners — and that takes time to develop.
4. Playbooks: In the NFL, playbooks can rival an encyclopedia in size, and a big issue with rookies is their unwillingness to study. You can’t get by just being a good athlete because everyone is up there. Don’t know the plays? Then you don’t see the field.
5. Physical demands: With the preseason, plus six weeks of training camp, the NFL consists of 20 games and 22 weeks of practice. It’s a long grind, and rookie wide receivers are built like track stars — and they don’t hold up when the calendar turns to December.
Who needs to step up in ’09?
These guys were “no-shows” as rookies, and in their second years, a lot will be asked of them. Can they do it? Here’s a list of guys I think need to accelerate their game before September, plus their numbers from ’08.
Limas Sweed, Pittsburgh (six receptions, 64 yards, 0 TDs)
Sweed has to fill the No. 3 role in the Steelers’ offense following the departure of Nate Washington to Tennessee. Where’s the guy who used to dominate the Big 12 at Texas? He has to show QB Ben Roethlisberger that he can hold on to the football.
Devin Thomas, Washington (15 receptions, 120-yards, 0 TDs)
The former second-round pick needs to find a way to get involved in the Redskins’ passing game. If Jason Campbell is going to prove should be the QB in D.C., he’s going to need something from Thomas.
Malcolm Kelly, Washington (three receptions, 18 yards, 0 TDs)
Kelly was another second-round pick of the ‘Skins who didn’t show up. He was injured most of the season, which is not a surprise coming from a rookie WR, but he has talent. Can the ‘Skins get anything out of him?
Mario Manningham, N.Y. Giants (four receptions, 26 yards, 0 TDs)
Manningham might need to show something in camp just to make the Giants’ roster because he didn’t do enough to prove otherwise in ’08. The Giants need someone to step up and give QB Eli Manning a target, so the time is now for the former Michigan star.
James Hardy, Buffalo (nine receptions, 87 yards, 2 TDs)
Hardy’s role might be reduced with the addition of Terrell Owens in Buffalo, but he’s still going to be counted on to give the Bills a threat in the red zone. Training camp will tell the story, because if Hardy doesn’t show the coaching staff that he can compete in the NFL, he won’t see the field, red zone or not.
Well wideouts are a different breed of NFL player. Usually the best werent highly drafted anyway...Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, Jerry Rice.....
Along the lines of what Luke is asking, and maybe this is more Buntings forte, but are there certain schools or systems to steer away from or downgrade because they have maybe 2 branches on their route trees? I don't see a lot of press coverage. Are there teams that face it more? Are there college teams that run a lot of option routes? Which ones? Wonderlics for WRs tend to be lower than most other positions, except maybe RBs. QBs and OL are the positions most teams look for smarts. Should just as much weight be given to intelligence at that position?
You hear some general negative connotations associated with certain schools like Texas as far as country club living, coddling, lack of prep for the bigs, rude awakenings. Are there schools where that applies more specifically/positionally? Florida seems like the obvious example, but I don't know if that's superficial appearance or if there's substance to it.
@sammy - what do you mean by highly drafted? Rice went 16th overall, and the niners traded a first, second, and swapped 3rds to get him. Randy Moss went 21st. Obviously, there have been great receivers from every round, but that happens with every position.
Terry Glenn had a great rookie year at WR for the Bill Parcells led Patriots.
Parcells was all over him from the get.
Parcells left after Glenn's first year and Glenn dropped back in production.
IMO Parcells is the best button pushing coach the game has seen.
OTOH I doubt there are many coaches that have both the ability that Parcells has or the time to torment one player that Parcells dedicated to Terry Glenn.
Uncle Rico-
I don't know the answer to your
questions. But from a laymen's
perspective, its always seemed to
me that the PAC-10 passing schemes
are in general, more sophisticated
or 'pro style' than those in the
other marquee conferences (Michigan
in the B-10 prior to last year
would probably be an exception).
Wether that is accurate or has been
born out by WR's out of that coference
making the adjustment to the NFL more
quickly, I dunno.
Why do receivers like Eddie Royal and DeSean Jackson succeed?
Eddie Royal, who wasn't highly thought of coming out of college, beat a Pro Bowl corner in his first pro game like he stole something. Eddie Royal played in a bad passing offense in college, but some how he came out like a house on fire.
mark F
May 8, 2009
8:45 pm
Terry Glenn had a great rookie year at WR for the Bill Parcells led Patriots.
Parcells was all over him from the get.
Parcells left after Glenn’s first year and Glenn dropped back in production.
IMO Parcells is the best button pushing coach the game has seen.
OTOH I doubt there are many coaches that have both the ability that Parcells has or the time to torment one player that Parcells dedicated to Terry Glenn.
************************
Parcells definitely got more out of Glenn in his first year than all other coaches combined got him over the rest of his career. Parcells even called Glenn out in the press as being soft.
Bledsoe benefited in the same way, although I don't think he ever realized it. That was a good New England team ruined by Glenn and Bledsoe going not soft, but limp after that season.
I haven't come across these type of scouting reports for either of the WRs that the Giants drafted.
I did read that some thought Nicks was the 'most NFL-ready' WR prospect in the draft. Did this refer to strength (to beat press coverage and handle the season) and smarts (reading defenses etc.)?
If im a GM, im building my lines in the early rounds, skill positions in the later. Its won and lost on the lines.
Devin Thomas had 1 TD last year.
I might be jumping the gun, but does anyone else have the feeling Kelly will be a bust? Not because he doesn't have the tools to do it, but because of his knee problems...
Kurt, he had a TD off a reverse. He didn't catch any (unless you want to count the one that got called back in the Arizona game).
Excellent article, Matt... and you ought to know having played in the NFL.
Historically, most of these all-world college wide-outs don't make much of a splash in their first year, but some of these guys really contribute in their sophmore season.
Bill, in reference to Hakeem Nicks being the most pro ready, he ran excellent routes during his career at North Carolina and used his head and shoulders to create separation from defensive backs. I also think he's a good blocker in the run game which is something that not all wide receivers coming out are good at; most are not willing and others simply don't have technique and bulk to sustain blocks in my opinion.
Charrdwood, I thought Terry Glenn was not wanted by Parcells and that Parcells was persuade to take him, much like he was persuaded by Jerry Jones to take Terrence Newman?
Matt , good article , but you should ahve also added Earl Bennett from chicago bears. He will be asked to do alot in 2009 with his old college teammate Jay culter.
FWIW, the knock on why his playing time was limited last year as you said was because bennett had trouble with the playbook and recognizing coverages, he got better towards the end of year, but still a complete wipe out as a rook
Patrick,
Bennett is another good example. I didn't include him because he had zero stats to speak of and wasn't really counted on as a rookie...
But, he needs to show something this year if he wants a roster spot.
Devin Thomas lone TD in 2008 came on a reverse not a pass completion.
It'll be interesting to see how Robiskie and Collie perform as rookies with their reputations as very good route runners.
Well at least Jackson and Royal were drafted... like the 'no shows' you mention here. Explain to us why a WR like Bess was a UDFA. The answer to your question can be found in this very good article of yours. Unwillingness to study, work hard and do what it takes to play at the next level... all the tools are there. I don't buy this 'it takes 3 years to produce' business... that's a pathetic excuse.
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May 08, 2009
05:50 PM
So are there certain traits common to the rare rookie receivers who actually contribute from Day One?
In other words, looking at the incoming crop of rookie wideouts, can you speculate whose transition will be the smoothest (or the roughest)?