POLL: Most underutilized WR?

[Ravenslifer]

Anyone not named Anquan Boldin or Torrey Smith. Jones, Doss, Thompson, and even Reed have shown the ability to make plays, and compared to other teams in the league, they never see the field at all. I'm not counting Streeter or Williams this year since they are IR'ed - however I expect to see one or both make major contributions next season.

[ravens rule]

Torrey he should have at least 60-65 catches this year. I blame that on Cam while he was here for not using him on more routs. Also why not throw some deep bombs to Jacoby to take pressure off 82.

[display name]

I seriously think LaQuan Williams could do something on offense.
I know it was only 2 catches, but the way he helped us out on that game-winning drive against Pittsburgh last year...And he's had great preseasons. I hope he gets another chance on offense, because I think this kid can do it. Blocking, whatever.

[HoldingCall]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1356825686' post='1282008']
I seriously think LaQuan Williams could do something on offense.
I know it was only 2 catches, but the way he helped us out on that game-winning drive against Pittsburgh last year...And he's had great preseasons. I hope he gets another chance on offense, because I think this kid can do it. Blocking, whatever.
[/quote]

LaQuan Williams was placed on IR the day after Christmas so don't count on seeing him.

[Gordo52]

Everyone is...I put Laquan though, I would love to see more of him and don't understand why I don't.

[hawkprey]

I need to congratulate Jacoby on far exceeding my expectations, although he's frustrated me as a WR at moments. But I think D. Reed can do everything Jacoby can. No one wants to admit it because they were put off by his fumbles last year. Boldin and Doss will likely be out this week. I want to see Reed on the field like he was during the Broncos game.

[display name]

[quote name='HoldingCall' timestamp='1356829973' post='1282049']
LaQuan Williams was placed on IR the day after Christmas so don't count on seeing him.
[/quote]
I know, I'm talking next year.

[Dfence4champs2052]

I said doss for his potential and good hands. It would be jacoby but his hands are just suspect at moments.

[jdynamite]

Interesting Topic for me.

Currently it can be viewed as an incomplete because with Cam Cameron now gone other WRs could be used more and more effectively, after 2 games ( minus Cam) it's still an unknown.

Going into the regular season, I was really hoping to see Deonte Thompson get alot of playing time because his preseason play was highly impressive, route running , snatching the ball out of air by attacking it, speed down field.

I also wanted to see Tandon Doss used this season because I was furious he never played his rookie year. When Doss is on the field he looks a lot quicker than expected, he always seems to pop off the screen when he gets the ball, either a pass with good hard YAC following the reception or a tough catch downfield. Can't help but feel like Doss even as 4th sometimes 3rd WR could have had 25-40Rec, 300-450 yds.

With all that said, the most underutilized WR ( on offense ) was J.Jones because J.Jones instantly began making plays within the offense the first few weeks of the season Jones was highly impressive but it seemed like as the season went on his role slowly diminished, again it's hard to judge some of this because I felt play-calling was so bad never utilizing the middle of the field or slants, seams, drags etc. early on it seemed like we would have dynamic 3 WR offense ( I thought Boldin would have more opportunities to exploit the middle from the slot leaving Jacoby with man coverage on the outside ( a la Eagles game when the Refs stole that TD from him ).

Also I'm highly disappointed that Torrey Smith didn't reach 1,000 yds WR, he didn't even get 900 yds after a hot start. Would have liked Torrey to get closer to 60-70 Rec with about 1,100+ yds.

Just seems like if guys like Jones, Thompson, Doss etc weren't going to get more action then at least Torrey would have bulk stats.

[RavensDE]

I like our WR's I really do but I think sometimes people aren;t realistic about our players when they "scout them." Our guys are young and raw with loads of ability and work ethic, so in my heart of hearts I think most of them will find a place in this league. That said most of them have some serious holes in their game that is holding them back.

Torrey Smith is as good as we have because he has really developed his route running and understanding of the game. He is so fast and if Joe and him ever find a little better chemestry we will have a true star on our hands. We utilize him as best we can.

Anquan Boldin has everything you need aside from being taller and faster. He's strong, he blocks, he catches well, he runs routes well and he's tough minded. As smart and effective as anyone we have its a sad but true statement that he is slow and getting slower. He is our most utilized player and despite a productive season he will likely be cut in the offseason.

Tandon Doss is developing into the kind of player our team wants. He's not slow and I'm not sure where that comes from, but he also lacks that "elite speed" both GM's and "Madden Experts" covet. I think he is our most under utilized WR because he can do everything and has great hands but has a hard time getting on the field due to injuries, lack of special teams ability and depth. I've seen him back to catch a few punts so he's earning some time there, but ultimately I look at signals from the teams on who they really believe in. I love Laquan Williams but its plainly obvious by hearing the coaches and watching the games that the organization grades out Doss much better. He will see more time next year after Boldin is cut and we will see if he's as good as the front office thinks he will be.

Jacoby Jones is what we thought he was. He's big, fast and inconsistent. He has done alot for us this year in his primary role of returner but on again off again has been a real playmaker for us in the passing game. I've seen a few drops here and there but I think we us him appropriately and he plays his role well for us.

David Reed the undead. This guys has really battled through some issues and I thought he was toast after that acl injury last year. He's another guy I think the coaches like who grades out better in practice than his production in live action so far. Next year I think he'll fight for a spot on the team, and a move up the depth chart but the proof will be in the pudding. He's tough and shifty and can catch. He plays well on special teams as a returner and a gunner. Not underutilized but needs a chance to play at WR before we can really know anything.

Laquan Williams is a guy other fans and I love. He must be getting his [profanity deleted] handed to him in practice by the others because I thoght for sure he'd break into the lineup and carve out some playing time for him this year. He has elite speed, but my guess is he just hasn't picked up the offense, the route trees and the intellectual side of the game. I would love to see more LaQuan but I'm not one to think we just aren't using him. He has to do better to outplay the competition in practice and we will see him play. I mean David Reed is getting his minutes and he's also unproven off of an ACL injury. Sadly not underutilized.

Deonte Thompson is...well I really don't know. Early in the preseason he killed it before contact started, then later in the preseason he picked it up and really started to show himself. He looks like a great returner but he's rightfully behind Jacoby Jones, but I don't hear or see him making plays as a gunner or anythwere else on special teams. He was known in college for potential, speed and shoddy hands. I think he has real star potential but I don't see him in the meetings or know how much of the offense he's learned or how versatile he is as a WR so its hard to say if he's under utilized.

My Vote
I voted for Doss and Thompson because my intuition says to me they are ready. Of course that doesn't count for squat but neither do forum polls. These guys are an injury from starting somewhere on the roster so to me that means they have utility but it isn't being used.

Our WR Corps
We don't run many multi-reciever sets and therefore playing time is at a minimum. I'm okay with that because it matches my philosophy of winning football games, but we may have a few guys who are going to be good somewhere else down the road.

[flaccopoe]

The WR situation reminds me of Houshmandzadeh. He had a lot of potential, but was woefully underutilized. Would also like to see more passes to Dickson.

[Mahatma_Sloth]

havent even seen La'Quan this year cept for special teams

[PeRK82]

Easily LQ Williams, i don't even think he was in the line up when all 1 and 2 nd stringers were out playing the Bengals last week.

I don't get it, he is our fastest gunner aside from D.Reed , he has great hands, as good as anyone else on this team and can run routes just as well. He always catches the ball when thrown to him , that is if it is catchable.

I still think back to the TEXANS Playoff game at the bank last yr. It was our first drive and 3rd and long and LQ caught the ball and had both feet in and the Refs said he was out, even though replay clearly showed he was in and HARBS. still didn't challenge the call.

Harbs has got to be the worst coach when it comes to challenging plays. Can you say CAPT. OBVIOUS.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1356273114' post='1274112']
Considering the amount of snaps he's played, it's Torrey.

[b]He's still learning the game but for him to go six games this year with 2 catches or less is just a crime. He lead the league in depth of target last year and I wouldn't be surprised if he was among the leaders again this season.[/b]

Stretching defenses is great but the plays are often inefficient. You see other teams make it a point of getting their most talented WRs involved through shorter routes, even when the opposing team is trying to take them away. Under Cam, that rarely happened. I wasn't able to catch last week's game but hopefully, Caldwell is different.
[/quote]

Dam, that is pretty bad, but at the same time look at the plays that we always do/did. Run, Run, 3rd and long pass. And if we did pass it was only a deep ball.

Did i mention Im glad Cam is gone. Sad thing is, i completely gave up on Cam getting the boot and was not expecting it.