How Eddie Royal Stacks Up

by John Bena on Nov 11, 2008 11:47 AM MST in Strictly My Opinion

This was a comment in another post but thought it had the legs to stand on its own --

I’m pretty sure people think of Randy Moss when they think of the best rookie seasons for a WR. Well, though he may not be the physical specimin that Moss is, Eddie Royal may put up better overall numbers in his first year. Check it out…

Randy Moss

69 Rec 1,313 yards 19.0 avg 61T long 7 TDs

Eddie Royal

52 Rec 625 yards 12.0 avg 93T long 4 TDs

Difference between the two

-17 Rec -688 yards -7.0 avg +32 long -3 TDs

Barring injury, Eddie will pass Moss in receptions and TDs and has the chance to pass him in reception yards. When it’s all said and done, Royal may have one the greatest rookie seasons for a WR that nobody will notice (outside us of course).

I’ll also go on record as saying this the 2008 NFL draft class is freaking awesome. Incredible how many game changers came out this year (Ryan, Clady, Flacco, Royal, DeSean Jackson, C. Johnson, etc etc etc…)

Thanks to BCFunk for posting and for bringing it to our attention. Think about the year Royal is having. Moss had an incredible year, but also had Cris Carter, who will one day be in the Hall of Fame, on the other side. Brandon Marshall is a solid wide receiver but he is no Cris Carter at this point. The Vikings also had a 1500 yard runner in Robert Smith. The Broncos are struggling to find anyone to run the football consistently due to injuries.

I have blasted Mike Shanahan and the organization on their drafting habits in the past, but Eddie Royal seems like a keeper.

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EDDIE!

next rookie of the year!

"It tastes like burning" - Ralph Wiggum

" I am so smart! I am so smart! S-M-R-T! I mean S-M-A-R-T!" - Homer Simpson

by Rockies17 on Nov 11, 2008 12:06 PM MST reply actions

I hope...

but I think Matt Ryan will be given rookie of the year honors. ATL’s turn around story plays well across the nation. Quiet Eddie will be ignored. Something tells me Eddie won’t lose sleep over it and will quietly become a pro-bowl receiver for years to come.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Nov 11, 2008 12:22 PM MST reply actions

Ryan's ROY chances hinge on teams record.

If the Falcons make the playoffs, then Ryan will probably win ROY. However, if they don’t, then his personal numbers do not stand out like Royal’s. At that point, Chris Johnson of the Titans would be Eddie’s competition for the award. Right now, Atlanta is in third place in their division so they need to finish strong. And unless the Broncos make the playoffs, Eddie will probably be overlooked.

by The Gun Young on Nov 11, 2008 1:20 PM MST up reply actions

I hope you're right...

I will say this, if Eddie finishes strong and the Broncos make the playoffs, then he make force the AP to recognize his greatness!

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Nov 11, 2008 1:39 PM MST up reply actions

You guys got a great receiver

He’s on my fantasy team, so I have some inherent stake in how he fares. I also just like the kid and think he’ll end up as your #1 receiver before long, Brandon Marshall or no Brandon Marshall.

by Dave Choate on Nov 11, 2008 12:36 PM MST reply actions

He is also a great return man.

However we may not see him in that role much longer. As pointed out above, the kid is really likeable.

That’s ok with me. We’re playing for wins, not media publicity....HT 9/11/08

by firstfan on Nov 11, 2008 12:46 PM MST reply actions

I totally agree...

I’d take Royal over Moss any day and it all comes down to character. Eddie Royal would never quit on a play. However, I think that actually during Moss’ Rookie year he caught 17 touchdown passes and not 7

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 11, 2008 12:55 PM MST reply actions

You are correct!

Stupid cut and paste dropped the 1 from the 17. So, Eddie probably won’t catch that number, but receptions he should knock out over the next 3-4 games and he could catch Moss in yards. Thanks for correcting my error.

I wish Woody Paige was our coach!

by bcfunk on Nov 11, 2008 2:28 PM MST up reply actions

Randy caught 17 Tds his rookie year like RMT said...

by BamaPhinzFan on Nov 11, 2008 2:04 PM MST reply actions

ROY

I think Eddie has a great shot to win ROY because the impact he’s had on our season. Ryan & Johnson will be his main competition. I think he should get it because he doesn’t touch the ball nearly as much as the other two guys do and he’s been one of the main reasons for at least 3 of our wins ( OAK, SD, CLE). Also, I know the organization got a criticized for not taking DeSean Jackson instead, but is anyone else besides happy that we didn’t? Good job by Shannahan and the scouts.

by piggphat on Nov 11, 2008 2:21 PM MST reply actions

extremely happy

im from the bay and always watched Jackson on saturdays and i was bummed when we didnt pick him but then i saw that play where he spiked the ball before he crossed the Goal line and i disliked him ever since

by robbo650 on Nov 11, 2008 8:17 PM MST up reply actions

Go to nfl.com

to vote for Royal for rookie of the week. He’s one of the nominees.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Nov 11, 2008 2:35 PM MST reply actions