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Wide Receivers - Help Solve the Mystery

For the purposes of this discussion, let's consider that there are three starting WR positions.

  1. The #1 WR is the best WR on the team.  He almost always lines up on the offense's right side (often called the strong side, since that is the side that often has an additional player, the "tight end").
  2. The #2 WR on the left (weak) side may not be the best receiver, but if the other team has to double cover the #1 WR, then the #2 can shine.
  3. The slot receiver (#3) lines up between the #1 receiver and the TE (in most formations).  When the team is more likely to need a pass, this is the extra guy that gets brought in.  Teams with a solid slot receiver can rip apart defenses that don't have good CB depth.  Conversely, a team with good CB depth wins a lot of match-ups if a team doesn't have a good slot.

Consider further that most teams use a depth chart tactic called "sandbagging".  Sandbagging means that if a vacancy is made because of injury, you DON'T move the rest of the depth chart up.  You just fill in the position with a back-up and leave everyone else in their positions.  For example, when Walker got hurt the Broncos moved Stokely up to #1 from #3, left Marshall at #2, and bumped Martinez up to #3.    Stokely had a much harder job playing against #1 CBs (though he held his ground very well), but Marshall stayed in place.  Unfortunately, Stokely is not an every down WR.    Shanahan admited as much when he said that Stokely was placed in an unfortunate position.  Stokely is one of (if not THE best) slot receivers in the League, having played the same role to murderous effect in INDY.

But now Denver has a large roster of WRs thanks to FA and the draft.  Let's share some thoughts on the possibilities.

Star-divide

Let's start with Marshall.  He's a lock to be the #1 WR.  He run blocks well in accordance with the Denver requirement, can fight for the ball, run over defenders, break initial tackles, and loves to gain yards after the catch.  He's a tough "possession" receiver.  He's still very young, and a rising star in Denver.  No mysery here at all.

Let's also establish what is going to happen in the slot.  Stokely has great hands, and a nice combination of agility and power.  He is a little older, but because of experience can run excellent routes.  Because he isn't effective on multiple downs he is excellent at slot.  He is considered one of the best.

Backing up Stokely should be 2nd round draft pick-up Eddie Royal.  He has decent hands, but has terrific speed and agility.  He (like Stokely) plays better if not over used.  He will likely return punts, and will likely take over when Stokely hangs up the cleats.  He might also compete with Martinez for the #4 role.

The big mystery is at #2 and depth.  Most folks (based on a terrific recent article by Super7 ) will want speedy Darrell Jackson.  He sounds like a good deal to me!  Some folks may want to put in a plug for FA acquisitions Samie Parker from KC, or Keary Colbert from NC, but I lean towards Jackson for now.

Jackson can spread the field with speed verticaly, making possesion style receivers Marshall and Stokely more effective.  If anyone likes Colbert or (a little less likely) Parker for the #2 spot, I hope you'll chime in.  There may be some good thoughts in that direction.

As stated earlier, I wonder who gets the start at #4.  My guess is that you keep Martinez there and keep Royal at slot back-up.  If you have a rookie playing one position and backing up another that doubles the plays he has to learn.  Let him take punt returns and back Stokely at slot.  Give Martinez further chances to grow at #4.

I like Colbert to back Marshall (same basic style, so less adjutment for the coaching staff in mid game if an injury happens).  I like Parker to back Jackson (same thinking).

Those are just my opinions, and I'll bet a lot of members have some differing thoughts or some considerations that I didn't even think of.

Take it away gang!

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

3 recs  |  Comment 12 comments

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Colbert

I have never seen any of our new WR but I believe Coach Shanahan compared Colbert to Ed McAffrey, one of my all-time favorite Broncos. That is a real plus with me.

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind. - Emerson

by firstfan on May 6, 2008 3:02 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

I seem to recall that too.

My early thinking was that Colbert would get the #2 start. Super7’s article did a lot to sell me on Jackson. It sounds like either one might be an effective starter, and the drop off would be minimal if we had to substitute.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 6, 2008 3:08 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colbert OVER Jackson? Say WHAAAAA? :)

Keary’s never played number one, and he’s really had some problems with injuries lately. He’s going to have to see if he can develop a relationship with Cutler early. He’s a better receiver on those slant routes, but I’ll take Jackson’s production over Colbert’s any day. In fact, I think Keary might end up competiting for that fourth spot, as some have said Stokely is a great slot receiver, and there’s no denying that. So, we have Parker, Colbert, (Royal to eventually take the slot), I guess Martinez, Jacobs, and others competing for those fourth and fifth spots – and again, special teams will play a role. I don’t see Colbert taking two at all, but then again I didn’t see Kuper’s apparent “move” to tackle coming. He’d really have to have some kind of amazing resurrection.

I think Denver’s positive is clearly the NUMBER of receivers on the team, not necessarily the quality (although the ones on the roster right now are pretty darn good)...only the best make the roster in the end. If we have a bunch of guys with decent talent looking to really prove themselves, it’ll result in a better team on the field. Competition will definitely help the Denver Broncos.

by phantom818 on May 6, 2008 4:59 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Look at Eddie Mac's numbers before Denver...

in fact I think Colbert has better numbers than Eddie Mac did. lol But I agree, eddie mac was fearless and BIG. Colbert is questionable and short compared to Eddie Mac.

by Tim Lynch on May 6, 2008 5:20 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Colbert over Jackson...

My early thoughts on Colbert, I believe, where because he came to the team first. When Jackson came along (with Parker) that changed my thinking.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 7, 2008 9:39 AM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Comparison

The way that comparison sounded to me, I don’t think Shanahan was comparing Colbert’s game to McCaffery’s, but rather that, like Eddie Mac, Colbert might just need a change of location and system to really shine. I could be wrong on that, however.

~Uffdah

by Disco_Stu on May 6, 2008 3:11 PM MDT up reply actions   0 recs

Wide Open

After Marshall and Stokely…I don’t think I can even hazard a guess as to what will happen with the rest. But I say that because there looks to be a good battle for positions in training camp, rather than a few players at the top and a bunch of scrubs below…which is not a bad thing!

My head is saying that Jackson gets the #2 job…but both Parker and Colbert will be given fair chances as well. It would only be a mild surprise (to me) if Colbert has a good camp and takes the #2 spot.

~Uffdah

by Disco_Stu on May 6, 2008 3:15 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Training Camp

is really going to be interesting this year. I’m going!

Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of our own mind. - Emerson

by firstfan on May 6, 2008 5:38 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

#2

jackson, definitely. i don’t know how many receivers we usually keep, but i see marshall, jackson, and stokely first. colbert, parker, and royal should make the team based on experience, and special teams. if we carry 7, then martinez has a chance, but i see parker beating him out if it’s between the 2. i think shanny will go with his best group over receiver type, like the o-line(best 5). this is the best wr depth(#3, #4) i can remember, so i’m pretty excited about the passing game. these guys are all good. factor in the tight ends we have, and i figure someone should be open on any given play. very solid, lots of upside to this group, and no longer a concern of mine

by davecheffy on May 6, 2008 8:48 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Martinez is a good as gone.

His value is/was as a returner (mediocre receiver) and with a second round pick used to address this need I just don’t see how you justify giving him a roster spot.

"The angel is no more than the shark well-governed." -Herman Melville

by jadunn on May 7, 2008 8:03 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

The only chance Martinez has...

Is if his age trumps Parker. If Parker still has some gas left in the tank…

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on May 7, 2008 9:34 AM MDT reply actions   0 recs

Colbert was looked at by Denver when he was drafted

I remember that he was considered a good fit for Denver’s run first offense. Since he ended up in the Carolina smash mouth run first offense he might have the right background to make good contributions to the Denver offense. Overall, I don’t see him getting more playing time than D-Jack, but he definitely bears watching.

My prediction:
#1 Marshall backed up by Martinez or Parker (best ST contributor will be kept)
Slot: Stokeley backed up by Royal (I agree with having the rookie learn only one position initially, he was underutilized in college and needs time to absorb the complexity of the NFL game)
#3 D-Jack backed up by Colbert (they have similar styles and their run blocking on the weakside should be a plus for cutbacks to that side).

Why have one of the two speedsters back up Marshall? If he isn’t out there, the speedster will draw a CB away from the good route running of the slot or #2 receiver.

After all these years we finally have depth at WR!

by Arctic Bronco on May 10, 2008 4:28 PM MDT reply actions   0 recs

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