Clearly
upgrading at receiver has been one of Taman’s
main focuses this offseason. He has brought in at least 7 new guys into camp to
compete. Honestly I would love to get excited about this year’s crop but
history has made me very skeptical. Need I remind you that recent receiving
recruits have included Terrence Nunn, Prechae Rodriguez, James Robinson and
Jordan Sisco. I’m not saying we’re
doomed but I will remain skeptical until I see something to change my mind.
This
year’s cast of hopeful’s include (in not particular order): two former 2nd
round NFL picks, two former 7th round NFL picks, someone who is
actually shorter than Dressler (its nice to know the Riders are committed to
competition at every position even the token midget one), six guys with NFL
experience, a retarded rabbit and a guy coming back from a major knee injury.
It’s quite the mish mash of people.
Who’s In
The Mix: Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Weston Dressler, Efrem
Hill, Scott McHenry, Dallas Baker, Jordan Sisco, Patrick Brown, Jason Cherry,
Taj Smith, Justin Harper, Sinorice Moss, Bogdan Raic, Dwayne Jarrett, Jock
Sanders. (Nathan Riva and Brendan Owens may also be in the mix)
Projected
Starters: Obviously Dressler, Getzlaf and Bagg are locks.
Outside of that there are no guarantees… though you’d have top think that based
on experience Hill and Baker have an early lead in the race. That said I don’t
think either have any shred of job security if they don’t step up in camp… Hill
in particular.
Thoughts:
Dressler and Getzlaf have consistently proven themselves as quality producers.
That said history has shown us that for both to be successful we need a
tangible #2 receiving option to a) take pressure of Dressler and b) keep
Getzlaf lined up as a #3 receiver where he is most effective.
Rob Bagg could be that guy (and here comes the
perennial caveat) if healthy. In
terms of talent and potential I think Bagg is legitimately only slightly behind
Andy Fantuz. Go back and watch the games from 2009 where Bagg was moved to slot
to cover Fantuz during injury. Bagg played outstanding.
Getzlaf and Bagg may be the 2 most underrated
Canadian receivers in the CFL. Bagg for the reasons stated above and Getzlaf
for the following 2 reasons:
1) Only 3 receivers in the CFL have more TDs than
Getzlaf over the past 3 seasons (Jamel Richardson, Arland Bruce and Terrence Edwards).
2) No Canadian receiver has more yards than him over the past 3 seasons.
Believe me, I like to rag on Getzlaf for his ridiculously inconsistent hands as
much as the next guy but you can’t question his production.
My concern is not with our Canadian starters but
rather with who is backing them up. Sadly at this point either Sisco or McHenry
are guaranteed a game day roster spot by virtue of being Canadian. McHenry is a
decent special teamer with minimal potential as a receiver and Sisco is a
steaming pile of crap plain and simple. I am praying that Bamba has a change of
heart or Raic/Riva turn out to be outstanding. There just has to be something
better.
As for the competition among the imports, I think
we are really looking to go big at wide-out. Guys like Baker, Jarrett and
Harper will be in the mix and at least one of them will be making the team. Speedters
like Moss and Cherry also have a shot at a spot if they can pick up on the
waggle and use it to their advantage.
Prophet’s
Player To Watch: Justin Harper
Outlook:
It can’t be possibly be worse than last year… can it?
Are you aware that rivalry among the imports, I Buy Diablo 3 Itemsthink were actually looking to go large in wide-out. Guys similar to Chef, Jarrett along with Harper will be in the combination and a minimum of one of them will probably be doing the team. Speedters such as Moss in addition to Cherry in addition have a photo at the area whether they can GW2 Goldpick up on the waggle and employ it with their benefit.
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