Gil Brandt's experienced star to relative newcomer comparisons (Benjamin & others)

[top dawg]

I always appreciate insight from experts that watch lots of film, so I think that Gil Brandt’s comparison of Kelvin Benjamin and Vincent Jackson, relative to how KB appeared in his first season to what he can become, quite interesting once I gave it some thought. I believe that if you think about it, it's a very apt comparison (but of course KB made greater strides as a rookie because he was the main threat). Brandt even realizes that Rivera's patience is a good thing for KB's development.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000470012/article/khalil-mack-like-von-miller-2014-rookies-compared-to-older-stars

”Both of these guys are matchup nightmares -- Benjamin is 6-5, 240, while Jackson checks in at 6-5, 230. Of course, both were also quite green as rookies, with Benjamin playing just two seasons at Florida State and Jackson working against lesser competition at the University of Northern Colorado. Jackson -- who only first cracked the 1,000-yard mark in his fourth pro season, and who notched just three catches for 59 yards in eight games as a rookie with the San Diego Chargers -- didn't run sophisticated patterns or make big moves to get open as a youngster. He was more of a 50-50-ball catcher whose game centered on going up and grabbing whatever was thrown his way. Since then, Jackson has become a much better route-runner, making three Pro Bowls and topping 1,000 yards in six of the past seven seasons, in addition to landing a big-money deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012.

"Benjamin piled up 73 catches for 1,008 yards and nine scores while relying largely on his 83-inch wingspan and knack for using his body to get position. If Benjamin can concentrate on learning his routes -- and he's in the perfect spot to grow, with the patient Ron Rivera as his coach -- he'll become an even bigger threat than he is."

I certainly appreciate his V-Jax comparison more than others' comparisons to Megatron, which are a little outlandish in my opinion. Gil Brandt is on point. And, honestly, I'll happily take V-Jax type upside. I think that he is a great receiver that has been hampered more by his situation than anything else. KB is in an excellent situation, so hopefully his career will be more prolific once he puts it all together.

[SIGCHI222]

Nice find TD.  I still think there is a possibility that KB can be more like CJ than VJ but, we shall see.

[brandon_87]

^ megatron has speed.... no comparison what so ever besides the size. VJax is right on point

[CelibatePimp]

Isn't VJax faster than KB? I think he gets open deeper than KB does, I may be wrong though.

[CarolinaNCSU]

VJax is a nice comparison, especially for now. One game, they're inconsistent and disappear. Another game they'll go off and be a matchup nightmare. Sounds about right. 

[The Huddler]

V-Jax seems a little more stiff to me than KB... tall and stiff.

 

KB i feel is more elastic and elusive

 

 

 

KB's ceiling is extremely high. "he's only scratched the surface" -Dave Getlleman

 

I think he is going to grow into some monstrous shoes

 

we share the same B-day

[The Huddler]

VJax is a nice comparison, especially for now. One game, they're inconsistent and disappear. Another game they'll go off and be a matchup nightmare. Sounds about right. 

 

Vjax had four seasons to grow and be just that. a dominant but inconsistent player.

 

 

KB is already right there..

Give him 4 years to learn to be consistent, ..  wow.

 

i cant wait till Cam can settle in with a decent line and receivers and then KB can be that one on one match up that will truly be a nightmare for our opponents.

[Dexterity]

KB is really, really fuging fast.

His teammates, coaches, and opponents all talk about it. I noticed it numerous times after games, DBs would mention they had no idea how fast he was.

His 6'5 240 frame just looks deceiving. He's sluggish off the line and looks slow running because of his size and massive strides, but in the open field he is moving.

I saw it up close at TC last summer. He was the fastest guy on the field. His 40 time is very misleading. He has a massive stride so it takes him a step to get up to speed, unlike smaller guys who launch full speed off the line. KB looks like a damn thoroughbred running. Once he takes 2-3 steps and gets his stride opened he is like a fuging rocket.

There was an article somewhere last year that broke down his combine 40 time. Overall he was one of the slowest skill players, but his split from the 10-40 Yd line was the fastest in the entire combine.

But he's not CJ- nobody is. That dude is a genetic freak in the mold of Bo Jackson, LeBron James, etc.

[top dawg]

Isn't VJax faster than KB? I think he gets open deeper than KB does, I may be wrong though.

 

You may be absolutely correct (even though V-Jax has some age), but I don't see speed as the driving force here.

 

Jackson may be somewhat faster, but speed with the two is of lesser importance because these two receivers are not going to necessarily outrun anyone anyway.   Note that Benjamin had to hit the ground running as the main threat, while V-Jax had time to observe and learn his rookie year.  It's the savvy, crisp and meaningful route running that will take Benjamin to the next level, as it has for V-Jax.  V-Jax used to look extremely similar to Benjamin. mostly out-jumping guys on nearly every reception---with little separation, but once he refined his route running he began to find the open spots with regularity, and even get behind defenses on occasion. 

 

If you look at the sheer number of yards and catches, Megatron has significantly more productivity than V-Jax. He's faster, right? But it might surprise you that V-Jax's career average reception is .8 more than Megatron's, even though Megatron has 1.3 more yards per average YAC.  I think that this is probably because of the difference in route running (and the ability to exploit the whole route tree), more than it is about Megatron's markedly superior speed (if you get what I'm saying).  Benjamin isn't in their class yet.  He had roughly the same amount of catches, but markedly less average yards per catch and a paltry 2.5 YAC average.  Benjamin is working just as hard, but getting less results. Again, this suggests to me that it's more about route running, and less about speed.  Go to Yahoo Sports and compare the stats.

 

Where I believe KB will make up some slack (with at least V-Jax anyway) is in TDs.  I think that KB is more physical than either one, and plays with a little more attitude down in the red zone.

 

We will see.  

[ThPantherFan]

Nice post.  I can't disagree.  My concern is the sophomore slump and how it will effect KB's attitude.

[Lumps]

The only people comparing him to megatron are on the huddle.

[joemac]

I watch a lot of football, and I haven't really seen many other guys like KB out there. He makes some of the most amazing, circus catches that you will ever see, on the regular. He has to fix the drops on the routine catches...and I have to believe Ricky will fix that. Once that happens, it's going to fuging be on.

[Nick_81]

Where I believe KB will make up some slack (with at least V-Jax anyway) is in TDs.  I think that KB is more physical than either one, and plays with a little more attitude down in the red zone.

 

We will see.  

I absolutely agree with this.  I think KB has a little "streak" in him that a lot of people didn't expect.  At least I didn't expect it.  I thought he was kind of mellow, and quite a few scouts alluded to how he's non-confrontational, doesn't talk much, etc.  He was quite the opposite, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing it.  He's not going to take people's crap, and he's going to man handle you on the field.  It's overly exciting to think what he could do with refined route running, and a better understanding of the game.

 

Edit:  Also, good post.  I hadn't seen that yet.