Where The Roster Stands: Wide Receiver
by Sean Yuille on Jun 30, 2010 3:31 AM EDT
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Previously: Quarterback, Running Back, Fullback
Returning from last season: Eric Fowler, Bryant Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Dennis Northcutt, Derrick Williams
New to the team: Brian Clark (signed as a free agent), Nate Burleson (signed as a free agent), Mike Moore (signed as an undrafted free agent), Contrevious Parks (signed as an undrafted free agent), Tim Toone (seventh-round draft pick)
The wide receiver is going to be a very interesting one to watch during training camp because there is so much uncertainty. We all know that Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson are locked in as the Lions' top two receivers, but after that everything is up in the air.
Going back to last season, the wide receiver position wasn't exactly all that great because there was such a big drop off after Calvin Johnson. Even he struggled a bit at times, but generally, when healthy, he was the only reliable target Matthew Stafford and Daunte Culpepper had. Players like Bryant Johnson and Dennis Northcutt were wildly inconsistent, and when they had to step up to the plate when Calvin was hurt, it wasn't very pretty, to say the least.
All of those issues at WR are why the Lions opened up their checkbook and brought in Nate Burleson. The expectation for Burleson is for him to be a complement to Calvin and somebody that could actually get defenses to take a little focus off of Megatron. Aside from the fact that there weren't many reliable targets last year, another issue was that defenses could simply focus in on Calvin Johnson. With Burleson now on the team, hopefully that will happen less and allow Calvin to have a bit more room to make plays. And even if that doesn't happen, then Stafford will at least have a player like Burleson to throw the ball to instead of having to always go to Bryant Johnson or Northcutt.
Depending on what happens during training camp, it's actually possible that Stafford won't have the option of throwing to BJ or Northcutt at all. The reason I say that is because their spots on the roster are by no means locked in, especially with quite a few young players looking to leave their mark. It's still a bit too early to speculate on which of the young receivers could step up, but one thing is for sure: WRs like BJ and Northcutt will have to step it up to make the team.
Need going forward?
The Lions have plenty of depth at wide receiver, setting up what should be a very good competition at the position later this summer. I could see the Lions bring a WR released by another team in just to change things up (like they did with Marko Mitchell), but chances are the current group of pass-catchers is what we will see when training camp begins. If anything, I wouldn't be surprised if a WR is released as the rest of the draft picks are signed. It's not like the Lions need to hang on to quite this many receivers, so if anything, they will be getting rid of somebody rather than adding another WR.
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don't forget williams
He had a couple of really good catches last year why I know a few dosen’t mean much. It does mean he is capable of doing it. I hope to see him a the 3rd WR this year and make strides in his game as well.
"When people start copying your style, you know that something must be happening." - James hetfield (Metallica)
by The Profiler on Jun 30, 2010 4:56 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
yes
he might really show up this year. i’m VERY curious about him.
by x$pcents IV on Jun 30, 2010 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions
He'll be there, so will Toone.
I’m a FIRM believer that it takes at least one full season (and in most cases, two seasons) for most WRs to show what they’ve got. I expect Williams to make strides this year in the passing game and hopefully gets it together in the return game.
That said, I also expect Toone to make an immediate impact. I think he’s an exception to the above belief because he’s already 25 and spent 2 years on an African mission. So he’s probably has his head on straight and thus, is way more mature than any of the other young WRs.
That means, with those two short guys making it, they’d need to keep another big, and sadly that probably means BJ sticks around.
Umm...
That said, I also expect Toone to make an immediate impact.
Yeah, I don’t know about that. I would be very surprised if Mr. Irrelevant out of tiny Weber State made any type of impact at all this year, especially when you consider that white guys with dreads tend to smoke copious amounts of ganja. I think the only possible way he gets on the field this season is as a return man.
Mormons and Weed
I agree with what you say about Tonne and Weber State but he’s a practicing mormon (mission) so him taking weed is highly unlikely, although not impossible. Mormons usually don’t take anything that can act like a “drug” like caffeine or alcohol, so thinking he uses weed is highly improbable.
Even if he has the skills he’d probably need 1 full season on the practice roster to get stronger and help in the jump from the Big Sky division to the NFL. With that said, he might be able to win the KR/PR job this spring.
i just hope the Burleson gambit works, I wanna see the Megatron score, like, 100 tds
i’d also like to see one of these guys, or maybe Aaron Brown (who, IMO, is underrated), make some things happen in the return game…we haven’t had an exciting returner since Mel Gray .
really?
Are we forgetting Desmond Howard? He was pretty electric.
by Big Z in Orlando on Jul 2, 2010 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
interesting
that thought crossed my mind too. think he could practice primarily at slot/return while learning exactly what Best will do on offense so that he could step into that role if Best goes down.
by x$pcents IV on Jun 30, 2010 10:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Could he become the next Troy Brown?
Ever since they drafted him, I wondered, with his size, speed, and hands, whether he could switch to CB and be a decent nickel back. Then he’d be a RB, WR, KR, & CB, just like Troy Brown was.
My only concern is that he was rumored to be in the doghouse last year because he couldn’t pass block and had problems with the playbook. That doesn’t bode well for being that versatile.
More cuts coming soon
you can feel it in the air… this team is in a “prove it” mode of operation. If you can’t catch the ball consistantly, get open consistantly, and produce when you’re called upon, you will be released from this team. If Bryant Johnson continues with his performance from last season, I’d say he’s gone with the last cuts of pre-season. Northcutt will probably be in the same boat. There is a lot of young talent on this team and there is no reason to keep players who can’t produce. This goes for all aspects of the team… o-line, d-line, backs, receivers, ends, LB’s and special teams. The churn began last season and I anticipate it continuing through the first few games of the season this year.
There are a core few who can say that their jobs are pretty safe… Stafford, CJ, Levy, Delmas, Burleson, Hanson, JPeterson, KVB & Williams. Everyone else is fighting to start on this team. (I’m not counting Suh, Best, and Spievey due to the rookie factor, but I anticipate they will be evaluated throughout the season).
+1
"Zack Follett: he will hurt your mind." - Pride Leader, Sean Yuille, wielder of the Ban Hammer.
2010 Wests Tigers : Current record - 7-5 : Current Position - 5th : Last game - Defeated the Canterbury Bulldogs 19 - 12
by Hyperion Ecta on Jun 30, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
I am
curious what is gonna happen with Brian Clark. Any shot for him to make the team? He is a returner also, and a pretty quick one.
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