Do We Really Have Our #1 Wr For The Future?

[Milton145]

I'm more talking about our younger guys that we currently have on the roster but you can bring in Boldin if you think he will be resigned after his contract is up in a few years.

I'll state my opinion first. I do not think we currently have our #1 go to receiver to grow with Flacco till he is just about ready to hang it up. Anquan can still play good ball and make some plays but doesn't really have the explosiveness and ability to play both over the middle and deep that you would like to see in your #1 guy. Playing over the middle is where he makes his case but he is not really a deep threat as we found out last season. He, like Mason, is a great player to compliment a #1 guy but can also be your #1 guy and put up decent numbers and make enough to plays to get you by (most of the time).

Looking through our other guys like Torrey, Doss, and Reed (won't mention James Hardy because I don't know much about him) who haven't had a chance, you don't really see the IT factor you want from your consistent #1 guy. They are possibly going to be great compliment guys but flat out saying they are going to be a consistent #1 who you can always depend on is a bit far fetched at this point but I hope they prove me wrong.

Your thoughts?

[berad]

The "it" factor? The rookies haven't stepped on the field, let's give it a moment.

[Milton145]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1305851186' post='688700']
The "it" factor? The rookies haven't stepped on the field, let's give it a moment.
[/quote]

This is just merely speculation. Yes they have not stepped onto the field yet but can you confidently go around thinking the Doss, Torrey, or Reed are going to get the job done in the future when the vets leave?

[berad]

[quote name='Milton145' timestamp='1305851394' post='688701']
This is just merely speculation. Yes they have not stepped onto the field yet but can you confidently go around thinking the Doss, Torrey, or Reed are going to get the job done in the future when the vets leave?
[/quote]

No. But can you "confidently go around" thinking they never will?

It's over-analyzing. I don't know if I can even classify it as that because there's nothing to analyze the rookies by, yet. I'm not offering an opinion, either way, because it's far too early. We'll check back in 2-3 years.

[Alexir]

The QB makes the receivers in most cases. In cases where that isn't true, we have the Hall of Fame for those receivers.

Crabtree was the best WR couple years back but Smith can't get the ball to him.

Look at Mark Clayton. He had a pretty good sophomore year with McNair and played great with Bradford first 4 games of last year. Flacco and Cam just couldn't get him the ball.

[Ed_Reed20]

We haven't seen enough of Reed and neither Torrey nor Doss have yet to play a down, so I won't speculate on whether they can become go-to WRs.

The majority of the best WRs are 1st rounders but there are dynamic playmakers like Vincent Jackson, Greg Jennings, Mike Wallace, Pierre Garcon, Marques Colston, Stevie Johnson and Miles Austin that were drafted after Round 1 or not at all, so it's possible one of three young WRs could emerge.

[dt23]

I agree with you theres nobody on the roster with the "IT" factor. I understand exactly what you mean your talking about a Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, TO, Larry Fitz, type of player. I dont think we have that. Hopefully Im wrong though. The one person on our roster who I would think could develop into that number 1 elite type of receiver is Tandon Doss hes 6-2 and has great hands all he needs to do is put on a little weight and we could have the next Reggie Wayne on our hands. See the key to great players success isn't always speed like so many people seem to believe on here theres only a couple star wide receivers with burner speed. They key is route running. You can be one of the slowest receivers in the world but if you can run crisp routes and get separation your good. Our own Derrick Mason is a testament to that.

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='Milton145' timestamp='1305851050' post='688699']
I'm more talking about our younger guys that we currently have on the roster but you can bring in Boldin if you think he will be resigned after his contract is up in a few years.

I'll state my opinion first. I do not think we currently have our #1 go to receiver to grow with Flacco till he is just about ready to hang it up. Anquan can still play good ball and make some plays but doesn't really have the explosiveness and ability to play both over the middle and deep that you would like to see in your #1 guy. Playing over the middle is where he makes his case but he is not really a deep threat as we found out last season. He, like Mason, is a great player to compliment a #1 guy but can also be your #1 guy and put up decent numbers and make enough to plays to get you by (most of the time).

Looking through our other guys like Torrey, Doss, and Reed (won't mention James Hardy because I don't know much about him) who haven't had a chance, you don't really see the IT factor you want from your consistent #1 guy. They are possibly going to be great compliment guys but flat out saying they are going to be a consistent #1 who you can always depend on is a bit far fetched at this point but I hope they prove me wrong.

Your thoughts?
[/quote]

There's no way to know for sure until they step on the field, and even then since they are rookies it won't be apparent. Maybe they are, maybe they're not, they have the talent and seem to possess the workmanship. I don't really know how you say they don't have the "it" factor when you've hardly seen what they can do, but Ozzie and Harbaugh seem to think they do. I get annoyed by the term "it" factor, I just think it's a lazy way to come down on someone without having a tangible reason. Did everyone think Ray Rice was gonna be as good as he is?

[flynismo]

What lol?Since we're speculating, I'll say this -- I think Doss will be one of the best #2 WRs in the league (a poor man's Fitz).Torrey Smith will be anything from the next Bernard Berrian to the next Ocho Stinko.Reed is an explosive player. Think of a slower Devin Hester.A couple great young prospects at TE.Recieving threats are the least of our concerns...

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1305851948' post='688703']
The QB makes the receivers in most cases. In cases where that isn't true, we have the Hall of Fame for those receivers.

Crabtree was the best WR couple years back but Smith can't get the ball to him.

Look at Mark Clayton. He had a pretty good sophomore year with McNair and played great with Bradford first 4 games of last year. Flacco and Cam just couldn't get him the ball.
[/quote]
This is the case more often than not. If Joe can get Torrey the ball, and Cam can actually design plays to take advantage of what Torrey brings to the table then Torrey could turn into a 1000 yard receiver. If Joe doesnt trust him and Cam has him run 9 routes and curls all game long Torrey will become Clayton.

[Ravensfan23]

If the Ravens passing offense can produce with Smith, Doss, Reed, Dickson, Pitta, Hardy, Harper and Rice, it won't matter who's number 1.

In a prefect world the Ravens will have a offense that forces a defense to cover the entire field, because the ball is spread around.

Having that proverbial #1 WR is great, but it's not needed for a offense to be great. Most times #1 WR are taken away by great defenses, but having 5-6 options that can make plays at any point is almost I'm possible to defend.

I think Mike Irvin said it the best, there is no more 1 on 1 match-ups in the NFL(WRvsCB). In today's game everybody is playing zone coverage over the top of the defense. With is style of defense, taking a #1 type WR out of the game is much more likely. When's the last time we've seen WRs like Irvin, Rice, Brown, Carter and Moss just dominate the playoffs and Superbowl? Since 2000 I can only think of two guys who were considered #1 WRs to dominate the postseason. Larry Fitzgerald in 2008 and Steve Smith in 2003, and both of those guys had another WR on the side of them who could have been considered the #1 WR as well. Boldin with Fitz and Muhammad with Smith.

So imo in today's NFL having that #1 WR is a bit overrated. Would you love to have a guy like A. Johnson, C. Johnson, or one of those type guys? Of course. But having talent that compliment each other well, and compliment your QB trumps having a #1 WR in my book.

I think that's what the Ravens have tried to do with the young guys they've brought in.

Smith-Speedy playmaker type, get the ball in his hands at any level of the defense and he'll be able to make a big play.

Reed-Quicker then fast guy, who has tremendous balance and a knack for making tough catches. He'll probably be a big yac guy.

Doss-Possession type guy, that's faster then he looks but does such a great job of getting open underneath, that he's utilized there more often then getting deep. Huge redzone and 3rd down weapon.

Hardy-Big physical long strider, who'll be a match-up problem for most DBs. Former basketball player, so the jumpball is an huge option with him. Redzone/deep threat for Flacco.

Harper-Good combination of size and quickness. Does a really good job of creating separation, and getting his body between the defender and the ball. If he can get better at catching the ball, he'll be a guy who can be a 3rd 4th type option.

Dickson-Provides that big play ability from the TE position. He'll dominated the middle of the field, and the seams. However can also be split out wide to create mismatches with the defense.

Pitta-Pass catching machine who'll probably turn into one of Flacco's favorite targets on 3rd down. He's a Heap clone without the same speed.

Rice-Dangerous play-maker out of the backfield. Could be the leading pass catcher on the team if we asked him. You hope to stretch the defense deep and wide to allow Rice to work against LBs underneath.

Now will all of this happen, probably not, and based on the fact that we've been so poor at drafting WRs in the past, I wouldn't bet on it.

However since we're talking hypothetically in this thread, I'll assume that all of these guys will produce. Defenses will have a very tough time matching up with the Ravens offense because you wont be able to just single a certain guy out. With this style of offense, and the way the NFL is shaded towards the passing game, having a #1 WR isn't as important as having a complete WR corp.

[Romo Ravens]

You can call me crazy but I think Torrey will be that go to number one WR. He's an extremely hard worker, he's stated that Baltimore is where he wants to be, he's a high character person and he has all the intangibles to succeed. I'll will be so excited if he becomes a 100 catch, 1,000 yard WR, year in and year out. I have so much confidence in him, and what better way to learn the game behind Mason and Boldin?

[Ravenslifer]

Nobody knows. Boldin is the number one now, and will be for a few more seasons. After that, will Torrey Smith, Tandon Doss, or David Reed step up, who knows? I'm of the opinion that we're still missing a truly dynamic wide receiver that everybody is afraid of (I.e. Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Roddy White, VJ, Greg Jennings), but it's not a necessity. Peyton Manning has Reggie Wayne, but let's face it, Manning has a way of making just about anybody look good, so who knows how good his receivers would actually be without him. Tom Brady does the same thing with guys like Deion Branch, and I'll never forget the 2006 season where he almost made it to the Superbowl with the ghost of Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Jabbar Gaffney and some guy named Doug Gabriel as his wideouts. Roethlisberger lost Santonio Holmes and managed to get to the Superbowl with Antonio Brown and Mike Wallace. If Smith and Doss are used consistently and do the jobs they were brought in for (i.e. stretch the defense and control the middle of the field) then we'll be fine. If not, then we could have problems.

[slayback0317]

He hasent played yet but Im willing to say he very well could be better then he gets credit for, With the right peices around them anyone can succeed. And i think we have that. Plus this guy seems like a Raven!

[SpeedKills]

It's just so hard to tell at this stage. At the moment, Boldin's our #1, and Mase is our #2. Will Torrey take either of their places on the field? He very well might. But I don't really see the "IT" factor in any of our WRs - certainly not like Fitz or Andre or Roddy have it.

[BmoreRaised]

I'm happy with Boldin,yeah he didnt have a great year last year but hes a great YAC guy himself but he is our number 1 receiver like it or not.If you have enough weapons around you,do you really need that kind of receiver its notl ike every team has one of those

[gabefergy]

[quote name='SpeedKills' timestamp='1305906405' post='688872']
It's just so hard to tell at this stage. At the moment, Boldin's our #1, and Mase is our #2. Will Torrey take either of their places on the field? He very well might. But I don't really see the "IT" factor in any of our WRs - certainly not like Fitz or Andre or Roddy have it.
[/quote]
How do you know if our receivers have an "IT" factor or not before they even see the field. Roddy White certainly didn't have "IT" as a rookie. Reggie Wayne is another receiver who took several years before he was a true #1. We need to let these guys show what they have on the field before we start labelling them.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1305906701' post='688876']
How do you know if our receivers have an "IT" factor or not before they even see the field. Roddy White certainly didn't have "IT" as a rookie. Reggie Wayne is another receiver who took several years before he was a true #1. We need to let these guys show what they have on the field before we start labelling them.
[/quote]

Because most people equate a big name with the IT factor. If the Ravens made the same trade as the Falcons did, then people would think Julio Jones had the IT factor for us, even before he takes the field.

If the Ravens are somehow able to land Justin Blackmon in next years draft, people will say he has the IT factor.

As I said before, having that #1 WR doesn't really mean much if you don't have a complete WR corp around him. As good as Greg Jennings is, he still surrounded by a bunch of other talented WRs and a really good QB. Take away the combination of Donald Drive and Jermichael Finley, how much success would Jennings have being doubled teamed every game?

None of these guy have to have the "IT" factor, they just need to compliment each other to form a complete WR corp for Flacco.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

this is a good topic because it is the ultimate maybe/maybe not scenario. Nobody thought that Roddy White, Miles Austin, V-jax, or the myriad of of others had the IT factor but low and behold they are playmakers and true number ones. I would not mind having any of them on our teamn. On the flip side there are many who people coming out of college you just knew it, Calvin, Andre, Jerry, and several others. I think we have the receivers who have potential to be great. I think with torrey has the work ethic to be great, if he works hard the sky is the limit.

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1305911705' post='688917']
Because most people equate a big name with the IT factor. If the Ravens made the same trade as the Falcons did, then people would think Julio Jones had the IT factor for us, even before he takes the field.

If the Ravens are somehow able to land Justin Blackmon in next years draft, people will say he has the IT factor.

As I said before, having that #1 WR doesn't really mean much if you don't have a complete WR corp around him. As good as Greg Jennings is, he still surrounded by a bunch of other talented WRs and a really good QB. Take away the combination of Donald Drive and Jermichael Finley, how much success would Jennings have being doubled teamed every game?

None of these guy have to have the "IT" factor, they just need to compliment each other to form a complete WR corp for Flacco.
[/quote]


I agree 100% with you... The reason why most see A.J Green and Julio Jones as true #1's because these guys went against the best College CB's... Julio Jones vs Patrick Peterson was a must watch each year.


But i agree with you... If you have different weapons that brings different things... You dont need a true #1...In a system like that... I dont see Desean Jackson as a true #1... The guys is just GREAT at what he does (speed and explosive) ... They use the guy for his strengths... I dont see him as a complete #1 WR... But in their system.. He doesnt have to be a complete WR.

[D-Rey]

lol @ the "IT" factor. I hate that description about players, I remember when Brady Quinn had the "IT" factor. I believe every one of our receivers have the talent to have 1000 yards seasons, it's up to them, Flacco, and the coaches if they reach their potentials. Having a #1 WR is overrated imo.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1305851718' post='688702']
No. [b]But can you "confidently go around" thinking they never will?[/b]

It's over-analyzing. I don't know if I can even classify it as that because there's nothing to analyze the rookies by, yet. I'm not offering an opinion, either way, because it's far too early. We'll check back in 2-3 years.
[/quote]

agreed!

most cats in here have our rookies failing even before they get on the field. smh!

~Mili

[atljbo]

[quote name='D-Rey' timestamp='1305917158' post='688953']
lol @ the "IT" factor. I hate that description about players, I remember when Brady Quinn had the "IT" factor. I believe every one of our receivers have the talent to have 1000 yards seasons, it's up to them, Flacco, and the coaches if they reach their potentials. Having a #1 WR is overrated imo.
[/quote]


I agree with that... I see what Tom Brady do with what he has... I saw Philip Rivers did his thing without his #1 WR...

If you have different weapons... You can get away with not having a true #1... One WR will reach a 1000 yards eventually.

[SpeedKills]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1305906701' post='688876']
How do you know if our receivers have an "IT" factor or not before they even see the field. Roddy White certainly didn't have "IT" as a rookie. Reggie Wayne is another receiver who took several years before he was a true #1. We need to let these guys show what they have on the field before we start labeling them.
[/quote]

Very true, so let me amend myself.

Coming from the angle of pure speculation, if I had to pick, I think that both of our young WRs could have some of the "IT" factor, but from an athletic standpoint they're just not on the level of a Roddy White or a Greg Jennings. Now, that's not to say that they can't become as good as they are now. They just have to work much MUCH harder at it.

[Guest ArmyRaven52]

[quote name='SpeedKills' timestamp='1305919466' post='688974']
Very true, so let me amend myself.

Coming from the angle of pure speculation, if I had to pick, I think that both of our young WRs could have some of the "IT" factor, but from an athletic standpoint they're just not on the level of an Andre Johnson. Now, that's not to say that they can't become as good as he is now. They just have to work much MUCH harder at it.
[/quote]

I agree with your point that to unlock potential you still have to work, However I just dont see anyone in the last 5 years that could be an Andre even if they worked their tails off except for maybe Calvin. Andre's off season workout is insane and he has incredible physical tools, just an opinion before it is all said and done I think he will be the second best receivers to play the game (maybe the first. Maybe I am biased because he punched Cortland Finnegan in the head, but I think he is ultra-talented and a hard worker.

[BmoreRaised]

[quote name='SpeedKills' timestamp='1305919466' post='688974']
Very true, so let me amend myself.

Coming from the angle of pure speculation, if I had to pick, I think that both of our young WRs could have some of the "IT" factor, but from an athletic standpoint they're just not on the level of an Andre Johnson. Now, that's not to say that they can't become as good as he is now. They just have to work much MUCH harder at it.
[/quote]
not many WR's are on Andre Johnson's level tho

[Mahatma_Sloth]

I dont know about our WRs but one player i think has "IT" is anthony allen.... he this drafts bart scott or L.Webb IMO

[JohnnyTsunami10]

[quote name='dt23' timestamp='1305853096' post='688713']
I agree with you theres nobody on the roster with the "IT" factor. I understand exactly what you mean your talking about a Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, TO, Larry Fitz, type of player. I dont think we have that. Hopefully Im wrong though. The one person on our roster who I would think could develop into that number 1 elite type of receiver is Tandon Doss hes 6-2 and has great hands all he needs to do is put on a little weight and we could have the next Reggie Wayne on our hands. See the key to great players success isn't always speed like so many people seem to believe on here theres only a couple star wide receivers with burner speed. They key is route running. You can be one of the slowest receivers in the world but if you can run crisp routes and get separation your good. Our own Derrick Mason is a testament to that.
[/quote]
I agree completely with what you say.

[SpeedKills]

[quote name='ArmyRaven52' timestamp='1305919913' post='688977']
I agree with your point that to unlock potential you still have to work, However I just dont see anyone in the last 5 years that could be an Andre even if they worked their tails off except for maybe Calvin. Andre's off season workout is insane and he has incredible physical tools, just an opinion before it is all said and done I think he will be the second best receivers to play the game (maybe the first. Maybe I am biased because he punched Cortland Finnegan in the head, but I think he is ultra-talented and a hard worker.
[/quote]


[quote name='BmoreRaised' timestamp='1305919977' post='688978']
not many WR's are on Andre Johnson's level tho
[/quote]

I agree - I'm really just throwing out his name as an example.

[RL52TheGreatest]

Way too early to pass judgment on this. As of right now, I can't picture any of our WR's being a true #1, but that's mainly because they haven't played yet. Who's to say that at least one of them can't step up?

I also agree with whoever said that having a #1 WR is overrated. The Pats didn't really have one during all their championship runs and it didn't seem to hurt them all that much. As long as you have a good system and know how to use your players, you can have a potent offense.