I may be reading in too much to the various inconsistancies we have regarding our WR corps. Then again, this is the one position on offense that is the most chaos. All the other positions are pretty set, or predictable at this point. We know what are QB situation will be, our TE's, our RB's, and our O-line save for a couple of position battles. The depth chart on all those will very slightly, but we can make safe assumptions as to what it will look like come game 1. Given Walker's problems with his knee, and issues over the Summer, I just don't know what we are going to get from this guy. Drew Carter is probably going to be solid, Curry is coming back, supposedly stronger than ever, from various injuries. I have never liked Johnny Lee Higgins, and thought he sucked at special teams last year, yet we keep playing him. There are a few rookies and 2nd year guys who have potential and could make the cut this year.
My take on our WR situation: There are 5 guaranteed locks at this point. Walker - already proved talent, will be ready. Drew Carter - Already become Russell's favorite receiver. This is mostly due to Walker being away for much of the mini camp stuff. Ronald Curry - Has had much playing time for Oakland in years past, is returning this year both stronger *and* lighter. This guy is a playmaker from time to time, and can also play QB. Johnny Lee Higgans - last years punt returner/WR. Looks like he is the incumbant PR 4 days into camp. Can't really see us dumping him. Arman Shields - Was at the top of all combine categories this year, and Kiffin keeps telling us how much he loves him. Lots of potential with this rook. Besides, his last name is "Shields" (helmet logo) on the bubble. Todd Watkins - playing his way in, could get on the team this season. Jonathan Holland - Showing some things in camp. Drisan James - not so much. Chris McFoy - USC guy. Does that count for anything? Marcel Reece - pretty quiet Chaz Schilens - lots of competition in front of him
How is the OL shaping up? Not meaning to re-direct the thread, but is WR more shaky than OL? I'd think Walker and Curry are pretty much locks to start for you.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Vintage @ Jul 28 2008, 10:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>How is the OL shaping up? Not meaning to re-direct the thread, but is WR more shaky than OL?</div> I'm talkiing about who we think will be on the roster, not how they are rated. The o-line is more predictable in that respect. Will have a separate discussion on that.
Interestingly enough, Jerry MacDonald thinks Curry is going to be our #1 this year. I have him at #2 or 3. http://www.contracostatimes.com/sports/ci_10022290 <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>...Curry is the guy whose skill forced Tim Brown off the roster. He led the Raiders in receiving the past two years and owns two of the most spectacular catches in franchise history, his one-handed miracle in Denver in 2004 and a leaping catch of a Culpepper pass in Minnesota last season. Last season, 30.9 percent of Curry's receptions were third-down conversions. That's a higher rate than Moss, Terrell Owens, Reggie Wayne or Chad Johnson and one of the best figures in the NFL. Curry shakes off Achilles' tears as if they were hangnails. Nothing he does surprises his teammates. ``He's an anomaly to the game,'' cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha said. ``He'll get injured, it will be the most serious injury ever, then he'll come back and look like he hasn't lost anything.'' Call off the search for the Raiders' No. 1 receiver. It's the same guy it has been for the last two years. Only better.</div>
Johnny Lee Higgins turned in a great game on special teams, and had one catch from Russell. With Drew Carter and Curry showing signs of injury last night (curry didn't even play), it just gets me more worried about the state of our WR's. Three passes were thrown to Walker last night, and he caught none of them, two of them were basically jump-ball's. Watkins and Higgins are stepping up, and that's reassuring.
Yeah Higgins looked good last night. They went to Carter a lot early and he looks OK but I wouldn't want him as a #1/2 receiver. Javon Walker didn't necessarily look bad but he didn't make any plays either. He did get behind the defense on one play and on one of the jump balls he went up and almost got it at the highest point but couldn't bring it down with Spencer all over him. It could go either way with him but he hasn't been impressive so far.
We've lost starter Drew Carter in a preseason game. Walker almost retired. Arman Shields goes on IR. We will get another look at him next season. Ashley Lelie was signed. WR Javon Walker Johnnie Lee Higgins Chaz Schilens o WR Ronald Curry Todd Watkins Ashley Lelie Walker told Denver Post columnist Jim Armstrong he indeed offered to give his $11 million sigining bonus back during training camp until being talked out of it by Al Davis. “Mr. Davis said, ‘No, don’t focus on that. Let it just go in one ear, out the other and play your game.’ He’s one of those people you need to hear it from. When you hear it from him, it’s kind of like, ‘All right, you’re good to go. You’re all right.’ ”
