2015 WR Core vs 2014 WR analysis

[TheWiz]

2014 passing production (TE)

Olsen- 1008 yd, 6 TD's, 12 Yd avg

KB- 1008 yds, 9 TD's, 13.8 yd avg

Cotch- 580 yd, 1 TD, 12.1 yd avg

Philly - 296 yd, 2 TD, 14.1 yd avg

Jason Avant- 201 yds, 1 TD, 9.6 avg

Ed Dickson- 115 yds, 1 TD, 11.5

Bersin- 151 yds, 1 TD, 11.6

 

We lost Steve Smith, Ted Ginn, and Brandon Lafell in 2014. The question the league kept asking was "Who is Cam going to throw to?"  Even with Kelvin Benjamin's drops, he and Greg Olsen both slated 1,000 yd receiving seasons. (I think that everyone forgets that even Greg Olsen had a couple of games where it seemed like he disappeared as well.) Our 3rd best receiver was Jericho Cotchery and we saw Philly Brown grow in his consistency.

 

2015 WR Roster (TE)

Kelvin Benjamin

Greg Olsen

Devin Funchess

Ted Ginn

Corey Brown

Jericho Cotchery

Jarrett Boykin

Ed Dickson

Stephen Hill

Brenton Bersin

 

 

Personnel Upgrade:

 

I think that we have to look at this and immediately be encouraged. Cotchery was our 3rd most productive receiver last year. And with the off season additions... he is instantly the 5th or 6th best receiver on this roster. Devin Funchess will be moved around on the line of scrimmage. His pro-day 4.47 40 time tells us that he is faster than KB, jumps higher than KB, and will get more yards after the catch than KB. I think we have to remember that Devin Funchess will not have the kind of pressure on him that KB had on him to be the number 1 receiver. This guy is a wideout, but there will definitely be some packages where he lines up in the 2nd TE spot. All he needs to do is come in and take advantage of his mismatches.

 

Adding Ted Ginn to the mix is big for Cam because of Ted Ginn's speed and familiarity with our quarterback and offense. Ted Ginn is not a #2 receiver... but he is a opportunistic guy who can exploit matchups and instantly upgrade our special teams. We are expecting Corey Brown to keep growing.... and everyone is pulling for Stephen Hill to make a big splash. (we'll see.)  Jarrett Boykin adds experience and actual NFL caliber depth to our roster.

 

Towards the end of the year and in the playoffs, we saw KB making big Time plays against the best corners in the league. (Seattle) I don't know why we keep doubting his ability to be a #1 receiver.  What rookie receiver have we ever had who came in with little to no help and had this kind of production? This guy is a baller and after 1 year he and Cam have developed a Stafford/ Megatron like chemistry.

 

Our receiver core is now in a position where our 3rd most productive receiver this year .... may not make the roster, much less start. That's a solid offseason guys. There is going to be real competition at the receiver position. I don't think that some fans realize the kind of physical challenge we are going to present defenses. We will have guys at the receiver position who are going to physically dominate DB's all game. 3 guys over 6'4 at receiver does great help to our running game...  And don't forget that apart of that running attack is our 6'5 QB. We're in good shape guys.

 

 

 

[AceBoogie]

Might possibly be the best group of targets Cam has had in his career.

[TheRumGone]

Funchess def changes everything

[The Huddler]

Might possibly be the best group of targets Cam has had in his career.

I know you have been critical of our aproach to getting Cam weapons in the past, and rightfully so.

That said, what is your opinion on the Funchess pick?

[AceBoogie]

I know you have been critical of our aproach to getting Cam weapons in the past, and rightfully so.

That said, what is your opinion on the Funchess pick?

I love the pick, no matter if it pays off or not. I loved the aggression of going up to get help for your QB, not once but twice in the draft. It's easy to sit back and let a Kelvin Benjamin fall into your lap, it's another thing to go get a guy. Let's me know that they're serious about getting Cam help. As a fan the effort is all you can ask for and I'm thrilled.

[The Huddler]

I think people underestimate the value of having two huge wide outs going down the feild.

Instead of Cam having to drop the ball into moving trashcans moving down the feild, its like droping the ball onto two trampolines instead.

Goaline.. instead of having the thread the needle, Cam can just put it up. 3 6'5 guys? Some teams are lucky enough to have one. There WILL be at least one major mismatch down there on the goal line.

Funchess is 4.47. That can stretch the feild.

[The Huddler]

I love the pick, no matter if it pays off or not. I loved the aggression of going up to get help for your QB, not once but twice in the draft. It's easy to sit back and let a Kelvin Benjamin fall into your lap, it's another thing to go get a guy. Let's me know that they're serious about getting Cam help. As a fan the effort is all you can ask for and I'm thrilled.

Awesome. Happy Ace, Happy Place!

[Mr. Scot]

I think people underestimate the value of having two huge wide outs going down the field.

 

And don't forget the tight end.

 

That's actually the approach that made the Saints offense go when it was at its best.

 

 

[TheRumGone]

funchess' ability to move around is what excites me most. he can play the slot, outside, and line up in two tight end sets.  And he's fuging huge.

 

that is extremely valuable.

[The Huddler]

And don't forget the tight end.

That's actually the approach that made the Saints offense go when it was at its best.

Good point.

This should open some looks for Olsen too..

Damn I love this pick. Its was either Kurb or Panthro who wanted him before the draft and I proclaimed i wanted Funchess really bad in that thread

[AceBoogie]

If we can get anything from Stephen Hill at 6'4 it could get crazy.

[FootballMaestro]

Love what the Funchess pick can do the offense, giving KB and Olsen single coverage, along with freeing up the Speedsters in Philly and Ginn downfield or in space (or Funchess catching the ball in single coverage/mismatches himself).

[Mr. Scot]

funchess' ability to move around is what excites me most. he can play the slot, outside, and line up in two tight end sets.  And he's fuging huge.

 

that is extremely valuable.

 

Not possible.  The guy on Rotworld said he had a lousy football IQ.

 

(he could tell by watching his highlights)

 

[rodeo]

People are forgetting what a special player Ginn was for us, too. Not only as a deep threat, but a blocker, decoy, and emotional tone setter. I think this has the potential to be our best WR corps in a long time, maybe ever depending on how well Devin clicks with Cam early.