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While the need for talent at the WR position is not as desperate, as last year, I believe this group needs a veteran presence. A player that still performs on the field and shows the young guys how to excel. He needs to set an example with his effort, on Sundays, during two a day drills, in the film and meeting rooms and with his attitude.
What one available veteran would you want to fill that role? Below are the some noteworthy candidates and my opinion of each. My rankings are based on those leadership qualities and dollars expected.
1. Anquan Boldin I feel he can still make the tough catches (QBs love that) and brings a sense of urgency to Sundays. Although an older WR, his physicality and hands are not traits that would seem to deteriorate for another couple years.
2. Wes Welker Pipe dream, as the dollars and the feeling is that he stays with the Pats. Nonetheless, he would be great as the veteran leader.
3. Greg Jennings If the expected dollars came down, he would be a great addition.
4. Danny Amendola Injury cnncerns, but really like his game.
5. Brandon Stokley Do not foresee him leaving Peyton and a shot at a ring, but he would fit much of the criteria.
6. Mike Wallace His ability should probably put him at the top, but for the veteran leader role, his half-hearted effort dropped him on my list.
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There is no way Wes Welker goes to another team. You could substitute Edleman's name in there though as that is prob the only Pat's WR FA that likely won't get resigned...
What about Hartline? Donnie Avery? Even Breaston could/should be added to your list.
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Hartline re-signed with the Dolphins.
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And Breaston is useless if he's not healthy.
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None of the above. Find a young one in the draft and grow him on your own team.
The need for a veteran wide receiver is no more than the need for a veteran offensive lineman.
Besides, Wrs by nature run alot, and the older you get the less effective you are at running.
Find another BIG BLOCKING WR, who can CATCH, and is YOUNG.
You trade down from the #6 pick, you get as many selections in the draft as you can ( Because if you add less than 9 in this aprils draft, not including Gordon, then you blew it, for the year, ) and you get a wideout with the first selection you have.
Can Deshaun Watson play better for the Browns, than Baker Mayfield would have? ... Now the Games count.
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I may be in the minority, but I think our WRs right now are good, with a chance to be great. And anyway, who was the last free agent WR to sign that helped the team they signed with? Boldin has said he'd retired if the Ravens let him go and he just won a ring - you think he's going to play hard on a 6-10 team?
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I am in complete agreement with you, DNA.
We need to stay away from sexy FA WRs. We need more defense than anything else for this team.
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the only one on that list I'd consider that is gettable. Bolden..
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You have to have someone to trade down with and that is not looking good right now.Are you saying out of seven rounds of drafting that you have to have nine players make the roster or you blew it for the year?
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I'd sign Boldin in a heartbeat.
He's got 2-3 good years left. He's not gonna retire for more than about 10 minutes.
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Quote:
I am in complete agreement with you, DNA.
We need to stay away from sexy FA WRs. We need more defense than anything else for this team.
Boldin & Jennings are probably the two guys that would suit the need of maturity in the locker room and leaders in the WR squad, but I have to believe that is a low priority with this FA season with pass rusher, #2 corner, FS and potentially OG as much higher priorities.
"I am undeterred and I am undaunted." --Kevin Stefanski "Big hairy American winning machines." --Baker Mayfield #gmstrong
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I think we have a couple of big, athletic receivers. I think we have some speed. What we desperately lack is a smart receiver. A guy who can make sight adjustments and hot reads. A guy who can read zone coverages and find holes in that particular zone. A guy who catches the ball in the clutch.
We're missing that. Big time. And Mike Wallace does not fit that bill.
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don't forget Julian Edelman to replace Cooper
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Little, despite his awful opening of the season, started to become that kind of receiver towards the end of last season. He started to catch anything that was thrown to him. Gordon can be our deep threat with great hands, Little the possession type you talk about, and Benjamin can be the burner that does a bit of everything.
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Sorry. While I thought Little improved, he is not the type of receiver I was talking about. I am talking more about a Wes Welker, Joe J type.
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I kind of like the Armondola (sp) kid for this role. He's deceptive quick like Welker and just knows how to get open.
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Vers I would agree with you that we need that guy that is going to move the chains. Do you see that guy available in FA? I like Welker but I dont think he is gettable due to the size of his contract and I think he will want to go to a contender? Purely speculation on my part. Possibly Edelman, he has Ohio ties? Bolden fits that description but do we want to spend that kind of money (6mil+)? I dont.
Or is there a player that fits the bill you think we could take in the draft? I really like Woods USC but I dont think he falls to the 3rd.
Personally with this group of FA WR I think id rather go after a TE that could do the same in Keller.
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Quote:
don't forget Julian Edelman to replace Cooper
I did not think Cooper was someone we had to replace? 
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Quote:
Quote:
don't forget Julian Edelman to replace Cooper
I did not think Cooper was someone we had to replace?
well, neither he nor Norwood was very good. if we can get a cheap replacement that plays better, then yes we should replace them.
not on the first or second list of things to do, but it's on the list.
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None of the above. Find a young one in the draft and grow him on your own team.
You know that we have only 6 selections in this draft, right? And we have more holes to fill with quality starters and depth than we have selections.
There is nothing wrong with going out and getting a free agent that you wish you could have drafted but weren't able to and signing him after their first contract. Or going out and signing some players that fit the type of offensive or defensive scheme you plan on implementing.
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Penny, you always ask good questions. I like that about you. You make me think.
You're right, we probably don't have a shot at either Welker or Boldin. Eddelman is a possibility, but I am not as up on his game as I should be, so I won't speak like I know what I am talking about. I see that Brandon Stokely is a FA. Do you think he might be a possibility, because he is exactly the kind of guy I am talking about.
I have been working my way though the draft. Got video on many players. I haven't even looked at a WR yet. I have only looked at corners, a couple of safeties, edge rushers, and a handful of qbs.
So again, I am not knowledgable to speak on the subject. I apologize, but I am not going to sit here and make things up. When I do have some information, I will be sure to hook you up.
Btw-----you're doing a great job of posting over here. Keep it up.
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While I am not unhappy with our current group of WR's, IMO our biggest need will be TE, particularly if Watson leaves in FA. Keller seems most promising. We'll have to wait for Chud's and Norv's evaluation of our WR's and see if we are pursuing anybody in FA...
When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the losers...Socrates
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I wouldn't be surprised if we went after Cordarelle Patterson IF two things happen:
1. We are able to sign an OLB/DE in free agency (Kruger)
2. We are able to trade back into the mid-teens to acquire a 2nd rounder
We could then have Gordon/Patterson on the outside and Little in the slot.
We could then look to sign/draft a TE, G, CB, and S
"First down inside the 10. A score here will put us in the Super Bowl. Cooper is far to the left as Njoku settles into the slot. Moore is flanked out wide to the right. Chubb and Ford are split in the backfield as Watson takes the snap ... Here we go."
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Quote:
What we desperately lack is a smart receiver. A guy who can make sight adjustments and hot reads. A guy who can read zone coverages and find holes in that particular zone. A guy who catches the ball in the clutch.
I agree V-dawg. But our QB has to be able to make the same reads as the WR no?
Here we go again
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Sorry. While I thought Little improved, he is not the type of receiver I was talking about. I am talking more about a Wes Welker, Joe J type.
I think you may be onto something there, but a word to the wise, Little isn't close to a finished product yet. I think he can improve. same with Gordon
Having said that, man I'd love to have Bolden, Gorden and Little on the same team.. That sounds like fun to watch doesn't it.
#GMSTRONG
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I would love to sign Greg Jennings or Mike Wallace. I know they are risks and signing big time free agents especially wide receivers is normally not a smart move, however this team has avoided making moves like that the last 4 or 5 years, and we're virtually no better off for it. It's my opinion that we COULD ONLY benefit from signing an impact receiver.
Mike Wallace has incredible deep speed as most people know, maybe not a true #1 receiver but he will always command a double team from a safety and a corner thus opening things up for our other skill players to be put in single coverage.
When healthy Jennings has the speed, hands and talent to be a true #1 receiver and that's what this team needs more than anything. I love Gordon and his potential, and Little came on strong near the end of the season, but still need to build on that. This team needs to keep adding talent.
Last edited by MrKelso; 03/10/13 10:16 AM.
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Stokley will be 37 in June. Not sure I'd want a FA of any kind (minus maybe Manning or Brees) at that age. Although his locker room value might be pretty high.
Boldin and Welker are virtually the same age (32 and 31 respectively) which surprised me - I thought Welker was older by a bunch and he's actually 6 months younger than Boldin.
If I had to guess I'd say that Boldin's abilities plus the added bonus of hurting the Ravens might make them lean towards Boldin if they are even looking at (bigger name) WRs in FA.
Amendola is definitely someone to think about and he's only 27.
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Quote:
I think we have a couple of big, athletic receivers. I think we have some speed. What we desperately lack is a smart receiver. A guy who can make sight adjustments and hot reads. A guy who can read zone coverages and find holes in that particular zone. A guy who catches the ball in the clutch.
We're missing that. Big time. And Mike Wallace does not fit that bill.
Good to read you again, Vers - welcome back. Agree with you totally on Wallace. If Boldin hits the open market, imo he becomes the best available WR. The thing with Boldin is he is so tenacious and strong - any contested throw belongs to him, like a pitbull on a porterhouse steak. He is big enough to swat smaller CB's off like flies, and fast enough to run away from bigger CB's. And he is clutch. I can't imagine a better example for our young WR's to learn from. Added plus - we wouldn't have to watch him manhandle Haden twice a year.
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Boldin and Welker are virtually the same age (32 and 31 respectively) which surprised me - I thought Welker was older by a bunch and he's actually 6 months younger than Boldin.
I am surprised too but funny, I thought Boldin was significantly older than Welker.
I would be happy with either. Advantage to Boldin is that our offense will probably be similar to the one he ran in Baltimore (implemented by Cam Cameron who was in SD before that). Welker would have bo problem leaning the offense but Boldin would be able to help teach it.
I like the idea of Alexander. Obviously he will know the offense. And will be significantly cheaper than Boldin or Welker. Plus Alexander might want to come to Cleveland to play for Norv and Chud. I don't see either Boldin or Welker having a huge desire to leave super bowl contending teams to play for a team that averages 5 wins /season.
Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
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Boldin just won a Super Bowl last year. He doesn't have many years left to make money. If he cared about winning another, he would probably stay in Baltimore, even at a pay cut. I think that he'll chase the dollars more than anything else.
Micah 6:8; He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
John 14:19 Jesus said: Because I live, you also will live.
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Boldin has already said he wouldn't take the massive pay cut the Ravens want him to take. He also indicated that they (the Ravens) have not made any attempt to renegotiate his contract in a manner that might actually be acceptable to him.
I'd say he either wants what they WERE supposed to pay him or he'd be more than happy to take that money from someone else.
He's got his ring. Now he wants a "decent" paycheck. I think we could afford that paycheck. We'll see if the FO agrees sometime in the next week.
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Am I perfect? No
Am I trying to be a better person?
Also no
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I don't know kind of money Amendola is asking for but man,this guy is ultimate in injury prone WR's.
He's only played 12 games in the past 2 years,I think I would pass on him.
Indecision may,or maynot,be my problem
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Is there a reputable source on Boldin's desired contract expense?
He would be a very good guy to bring in at WR. Certainly a guy with a similar size to Gordon who may be able to teach him a thing or two. And certainly a much more appealing #3 (or #2) than Benji.
One of my general beef with the early FA period is everyone thinks we are going to sign like 4-5 top tier starters. It never works that way.
Last year it was Pierre Garcon and Josh Morgan at WR. Lord help me remember the other positions but we basically got no one. There are cap differences this year which leads me to believe we might actually snag one elite guy, but chances are it will be some mild improvements followed by guys like Rucker and Parker last season.
Last edited by Kingcob; 03/10/13 12:16 PM.
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I feel terrible for D. Amendola, every time he looks like hes going to break out something bad happens, is he unlucky or injury prone? I would love to get him in an incentive laden deal.
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Quote:
I may be in the minority, but I think our WRs right now are good, with a chance to be great. And anyway, who was the last free agent WR to sign that helped the team they signed with? Boldin has said he'd retired if the Ravens let him go and he just won a ring - you think he's going to play hard on a 6-10 team?
If Norwood is not retained, we need someone in addition to our current weaponry at WR. Although the idea of Little, Gordon and Travis Benjamin to help stretch the field and spread out a defense is intriguing to me as' well, it isn't enough depth IMO.
I'm sorry, but Rod Windsor and Josh Cooper have showed me squat. It'd be nice to acquire a veteran WR to balance out the younger talent and help improve the younger guys. There is no way the front office would resign MoMass either. If that did that it would make me go 
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Vers thanks for the compliment. I dont think we sign Stokley. I have a feeling if he does not return to Denver he will retire. As for Edelman he would be a great replacement for Cribbs. He can play a little WR, is a good return man also. I dont think he could be relied upon to be a WR2 or WR3. Not sure we would need him with Benjamin on the team. One guy I would consider and think fits your WR description is Austin Collie. He would be a huge injury risk but, I think we could sign him to a 1 yr deal. Sounds like he is just looking for a team to take a chance. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/201...surrounding-me/The more I think about it Bolden sounds like the best option. I think he would be a great mentor to the 2 big body WRs on the roster now.
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As I inferred with the initial post, I believe Boldin would be the best fit (dollars and reasons, below). There may be more talented and/or younger receivers, but I feel he fits the team the best.
Like others have mentioned, I do not feel that WR needs a big ticket addition, I like our young WRs and just think a veteran could help them reach their full potential. Other positions are definitely more needed (mainly on defense).
Greg Little has shown flashes of Boldin's physicality, but not consistently. While still contributing on the field, I really believe that watching Boldin operate in practice and games would help both Gordon and Little become more adept at using their physicality against DBs. As another poster described it (paraphrasing) "a pit bull going after a steak", could you envision that attitude rubbing off on Little and Gordon and the results?
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Quote:
As I inferred with the initial post, I believe Boldin would be the best fit (dollars and reasons, below). There may be more talented and/or younger receivers, but I feel he fits the team the best.
Like others have mentioned, I do not feel that WR needs a big ticket addition, I like our young WRs and just think a veteran could help them reach their full potential. Other positions are definitely more needed (mainly on defense).
Greg Little has shown flashes of Boldin's physicality, but not consistently. While still contributing on the field, I really believe that watching Boldin operate in practice and games would help both Gordon and Little become more adept at using their physicality against DBs. As another poster described it (paraphrasing) "a pit bull going after a steak", could you envision that attitude rubbing off on Little and Gordon and the results?
Boldin would be perfect for us and our young WR core ... JMHO 
John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."
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Quote:
I dont think we sign Stokley. I have a feeling if he does not return to Denver he will retire.
As for Edelman he would be a great replacement for Cribbs. He can play a little WR, is a good return man also. I dont think he could be relied upon to be a WR2 or WR3. Not sure we would need him with Benjamin on the team.
One guy I would consider and think fits your WR description is Austin Collie. He would be a huge injury risk but, I think we could sign him to a 1 yr deal. Sounds like he is just looking for a team to take a chance.
Thanks for the knowledge.
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