Wide Receiver Musical Chairs
by FSBlueApocalypse on Aug 31, 2009 8:04 PM EDT
in Camp Battles
66 comments
No roster position has seen more competition this offseason than that of wide receiver. Besides Torry Holt, every wide-out is fighting for a spot and it has seemingly brought out the best (or worst) in each receiver on the Jaguars' roster. Cuts will be coming shortly and the Jaguars will have some interesting decisions to make. Will they only keep five wide-outs as they usually do, or has this corp shown enough to make it worthy of carrying six spots. If so, who will be the sixth wide receiver on the Jags roster? Will Mike Sims-Walker or Mike Thomas even survive cuts to make it into Teal for 2009?
Torry Holt
The ex-Ram gave Jaguar fans hope when he was signed in free agency this off season. He has given no reason to abandon it either. Although he has only played limited time in the preseason, he has shown he still has the ability to make circus catches and Sportscenter highlights.
Holt earns the #1 position by default due to his resume. Although Troy Williamson has begun to show big play potential, he'll need to show more of it to try to unseat Holt.
Project Position: #1
Troy Williamson
Along with Derrick Harvey, Williamson is making the 2008 off season look like a slightly less horrible venture than it was first thought to be. Williamson made the play of the preseason so far and has made himself into a go to threat for Garrard. The former #7 overall pick looks like he's finally comfortable in his own skin and if he can continue down this road, he'll make Shack Harris look like a genius. Emphasis on look.
Williamson has earned himself the second starting position opposite of Holt. If Williamson can play consistently to the level he has played in the preseason, the Jaguars may finally have a receiving pair on par with Jimmy Smith and Keenan McCardell.
Projected Position:#2
Nate Hughes
Hughes has been the pleasant surprise of training camp. He has lifted himself from UDFA and practice squad candidate to being ranked ahead of any of the receivers the Jaguars drafted in 2009. The concussion Hughes sustained in Philly will certainly limit him against Washington, but he has already secured his roster spot for 2009.
Hughes earns himself the slot position for his consistency and ability to go over the middle.
Projected Position: #3
Jarrett Dillard
Remember how hyped everyone was about the Jaguars 2nd day wide receivers in April? Let this be a lesson in tempering expectations. Dillard earns a roster spot for showing potential in the limited action he got during the preseason. He certainly looks like he can carve out a niche career as a sure handed possession receiver, but he'll need some more seasoning first.
Projected Position: #4
Mike Sims-Walker
A combination of sheer potential that deserves one last chance and a rather "meh" reaction to every other receiver on the roster, Walker survives cuts to make it on as the last receiver. Walker was having an excellent camp until sustaining a high ankle sprain in the scrimmage. This latest injury will certainly be the last straw before the Jaguars back breaks with him though. He has to stay healthy or he'll be gone.
Projected Position: #5
Mike Thomas
The speedy and undersized Wildcat has been nursing a hamstring for most of camp and hasn't played at all in the preseason. He's certainly headed for Injured Reserve barring a miracle or an incident that gets him headlines for the wrong reasons.
Tiquan Underwood
Underwood represents a dilemma for the Jaguars. He hasn't upstaged any of the other wide receivers to get a roster spot, but his upside means he will almost certainly not clear waivers. He needs a monster game against the Redskins if he wants to overtake Walker for the final roster spot or force the Jags to keep six wide outs on the roster.
-Jonathan Loesche
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Switch out Walker for Tiquan
or put walker on IR, to give his body one full year to recuperate and w/o the wear and tear.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
by TheTealDeal on Aug 31, 2009 8:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with most of your list Jon.
I think Thomas could end up on PUP to start the season. I think Underwood is a PS player. I like Holt, Williamson, Hughes, Dillard and Walker to start the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars. It's what I do.
by JvilleJag2 on Aug 31, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
no thomas?
is this due to ability or foreseeable injury?
LateRoundPick.com
by Surteal on Aug 31, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either Walker or Thomas could end up on PUP and the other could be on the roster to start the season.
I think they both have something to prove and it will be hard to that in just one showing. I don’t think IR should be considered, yet. At least PUP allows the team to activate the player or not after week six then again after week nine.
Jacksonville Jaguars. It's what I do.
by JvilleJag2 on Aug 31, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Both are playing Thursday
Both Sims-Walker and Thomas are practising, and both are going to play Thursday. I think that means they are not eligable for either PUP or IR.
by KeithG on Sep 1, 2009 6:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not possible
You know those annoying ads that you hover over and they pop up the advertisement? Every time someone posts PUP it should pop up an explanation that you can’t put a player on PUP that has participated in training camp.
matthewpouliot - "Still not sure which is more rare: the unassisted triple play or Francoeur taking two pitches to start the AB."
by Player To Be Named Later on Sep 1, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hey yall
gotta check up on the PUP rules. If you wanna put someone on the PUP list, you have to do it before training camp starts. No one on the team is eligible for the PUP list as everyone has been active for at least one practice.
As for Thomas or Walker going to the IR list, neither should be on the list as they are both healthy now.
by Ewdtrey on Aug 31, 2009 9:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Point taken.
Thanks.
Jacksonville Jaguars. It's what I do.
by JvilleJag2 on Aug 31, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thomas will all but certainly be on IR
He hasn’t shown anything to take a roster spot and he sure as hell won’t clear waivers if he’s cut.
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt. Then it's just hilarious."-Bill Hicks
by FSBlueApocalypse on Aug 31, 2009 9:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unless
he’ll have a breakthrough game on Thursday!
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Aug 31, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thomas is one
of those types of guys that make an impact immediately. He isn’t going to be running incredibly complex routes. He’s gonnna be an underneath guy that gets some YAC. But he actually has the ability to play outside too, but he can progress to that later.
by Ewdtrey on Aug 31, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You can only
go to the IR list if your are injured. As of right now, Thomas is not injured.
by Ewdtrey on Aug 31, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As Much As It would help
IR isn’t a place where you can hide the players you are afraid to cut, they have to be injured. So unless Del Rio puts another axe and tree stump in the locker room anytime soon…
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
by Bestjagfan on Aug 31, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still think he makes it
If the guy isn’t hurt, why stash him just to keep a seventh linebacker or a tenth DB? Let the man play!
matthewpouliot - "Still not sure which is more rare: the unassisted triple play or Francoeur taking two pitches to start the AB."
by Player To Be Named Later on Sep 1, 2009 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone watching the
Texans/Vikings game.
Alex Brink is a possible 3rd QB candidate IMO.
by Ewdtrey on Aug 31, 2009 11:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i was drafting
i’m about to turn it on. was favre really as good as michael wright said?
LateRoundPick.com
by Surteal on Aug 31, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I only
saw the tail end, so I missed Favre.
In truth Brink didn’t play well. But I’ve seen him play before, and I know he can be a decent 3rd QB. Much better than Smith at least, and probably better than Boeckman.
by Ewdtrey on Aug 31, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
just watched it
he looked solid, but nothing special.
schaub has a left ankle sprain
LateRoundPick.com
by Surteal on Sep 1, 2009 12:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Generally speaking
he’s much more accurate. Have to keep in mind that it wasn’t very long ago that he was on the street, so he was probably still is getting used the people around him. But he’s tall, decent arm strength, good decision maker, and good wheels.
by Ewdtrey on Sep 1, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
about Dillard
I’m still hyped on the potential
i do not believe he will be a Calvin Johnson
LateRoundPick.com
by Surteal on Aug 31, 2009 11:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Mike Sims-Walker...
is more durable than Mike Walker.
by Jaggernaut on Aug 31, 2009 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the emergence of Troy
Williamson has made Tiquan Underwoon expendable… on the bright side, he’s had the drops in the games so we should be able to get him onto the Practice Squad…
by pksiv on Sep 1, 2009 7:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
And personally...
while I’d love for the rookies to provide an impact, I’d be even more happy with just 3 guys who were out there all the time. If that’s Holt, Williamson and Sims-Walker great… I just think it’ll help Garrard a lot if he can just settle on 3 main guys and work out the timing with them. Having new guys on the field all the time makes all the timing patterns and deep balls a lot more difficult to throw.
by pksiv on Sep 1, 2009 7:56 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is actually very exciting
I can’t wait to see who they keep / who they cut and what the reasoning is. AND I’m really looking forward to the season to watch how our new WR corp develops.
NFL baby – absolutley no better game on the planet!!!
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree with John's first 4
The big question is whether we keep 5 or 6 WRs. Thursday’s game will probably decide a roster spot for someone. If they go with 5 and based off of right now – I believe they would keep “I Need A” Walker and put Thomas on the PS. I very tough choice seeing as INA Walker is injury prone and Thomas was a 4th round pick.
I originally thought that Underwood had a good shot at making the roster, but I’ve changed my mind on that. Witherspoon’s excellent returns on ST really hurt – excellent upside potential however. He has to go off on Thursday to have a shot. This is another PS candidate.
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 9:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thomas won't make PS, if he's cut he won't clear waivers and another team will grab the kid. Keep him or decide already that you busted on a fourth rounder.
No, Gene won’t let him get snatched up. I believe we are going to keep 6 WR’s if we keep Walker. Dillard or Underwood may not clear waivers either, but I think both are more likely than 4th rounder Mike Thomas to clear.
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
by silencecs on Sep 1, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ps- provided "INA" Walker doesn't get 'you know what' again
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal
by TheTealDeal on Sep 1, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes
ZERO chance Thomas is released
matthewpouliot - "Still not sure which is more rare: the unassisted triple play or Francoeur taking two pitches to start the AB."
by Player To Be Named Later on Sep 1, 2009 9:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just read on Rotoworld...
“Mike Sims-Walker revealed that the lower leg injury which kept him out of action the past three weeks was a severe high ankle sprain.
The diagnosis was a relief after an initial fear that he had broken his leg falling awkwardly on a touchdown catch in practice. Sims-Walker is not quite 100 percent yet, but the Jags don’t have many alternatives at No. 3 receiver. Keep him on your early-season watch list in case Troy Williamson turns into a pumpkin.”
by pksiv on Sep 1, 2009 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The jaguar coaching staff is living on hope
As Bill Parcells says “I can only evaluate the players on the field”.
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by Tkopa on Sep 1, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
JAGUARS CUT TO 75
http://www.jaguars.com/news/article.aspx?id=8161
No one too surprising… cept Lorenzen, who was cut for Wilford I’m assuming.
In the face of adversity, what you do from then on dictates who you really are...
by JagsNguyen on Sep 1, 2009 11:45 AM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
And for having hands of stone... haha
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
by silencecs on Sep 1, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You better keep all your WRs if you are going to have Walker...
He’ll give you a good two games and be on IR the rest of the season.
Sad but true. He cannot stay healthy.
by Slvrgun on Sep 1, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The truth hurts. the guy is injury prone and this season is it for him.
If he is injured again this year (if he even makes the squad), he’s toast.
The End Is Nigh... www.infowars.com
by silencecs on Sep 1, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There was a time ...
… when we referred to Fred Taylor as Fragile Freddie, and now, at the age of 33 or whatever, we wish we had him back. Give Walker a chance. Maybe all these injuries are nothing but coincidence and starting this Thursday he’s in for an uninterrupted period of good health. One can only hope.
by ruffdaddy on Sep 1, 2009 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Excellent point...
it’s funny now to think a runner who has played as long as Fred and amassed the yardage he has, was once considered fragile. Also, Jimmy Smiths career started off similiar to Mike Sims-Walker, maybe his will end like Jimmys.( Except for the off the field problems)
by Jaggernaut on Sep 1, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't put Walker in the same sentence as Fred.
All the way back to his Gator days Fred was always one of the best at his position. Mike Walker probably wasn’t even the best at UCF. Plus I think Walker’s injuries are a lot worst than Fred’s. I still don’t think that Mike’s knee has healed all the way.
by Slvrgun on Sep 1, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't....
maybe the same paragraph but not the same sentence, but I get your point.
by Jaggernaut on Sep 1, 2009 7:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How many "chances" should he get before this franchise moves forward??
I agree that he has potential – but he’s big time injury prone – that’s been his entire NFL career. All the talent and potential in the world ain’t worth spit if you’re not on the field (for whatever the reason – injury – suspension – etc).
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well I would have to say
when he starts causing problems. The first year he went to the IR, he cost the team money but that’s it. Then last year he was buried on the depth chart so it didn’t really matter that he was hurt, not to mention two of the issues as to why he missed so many games last year was due to non-injuries. One being the staph infection. Word was the knee was only supposed to keep him out maybe 2 weeks at most. And the second reason was because of his tragic losses. So if you think about it, he went to the IR his first year, and then missed 2 more games due to injury. To me we are making this a bigger deal than it actually is.
His injuries only create problems if Garrard is having problems due to continuity. And in our case Walker’s injuries this year may be a blessing because it allowed us to evaluate a lot more receivers.
I guess the bottom line is, if he’s cheap which he is, giving him more chances doesn’t hurt the team. So why not give him more chances if he has upside. Sometimes you keep players on your roster this long to develop them. This is when WR’s make their make anyhow. We as fans need to show patience for MSW, as we should for the team.
by Ewdtrey on Sep 1, 2009 8:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You is on the money because at the end of the day he is the only true #1 caliber receiver on this team besides Holt who is on the downside of his career.
by leopold332002 on Sep 1, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What he does cost is a roster spot - so I respectfully disagree that a "wasted" spot
doesn’t hurt the team. Underwood also has upside and hasn’t demonstrated the propensity for injury that Walker has. Why not spend that time developiong his upside when the odds are good that he’d at least be available. Underwood also has the added bonus of demonstrating ST / return ability – something Walker never has. If it were up to me and we were going to carry 6 WR’s – I’d keep Underwood and Walker would be odd man out.
Good discussion :-)
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A roster spot
isn’t as important as you may think as long as most of the people roster is healthy. Of the 53 man roster only 46 are active on game days anyhow. The extra nine spots are made for injuries. And suppose you keep 6 WR’s, you usually deactivate one regardless if they are all healthy or not.
by Ewdtrey on Sep 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
most of the people on* the* roster are*
by Ewdtrey on Sep 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree with that - roster spots are limited and are therefore - valuable.
I’m aware that game day active rosters are 45. You are correct that if 6 WRs are kept, 1 is probably deactivated on game day. The question is one of availablity – So my counter arguement is if you have an injurred WR (Holt for example) then you have a deeper pool of reserves to tap into rather than less with a roster spot that is occupied by a player who is constently / already injurred.
I do believe that the Jags will keep Walker. If he gets injurred in Thursday’s game – look for him to go to IR which I would favor.
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i respect your opinion but what you have to also factor in right now is that him and williamson is basically the same receiver until he develop his game. After a year on the practice squad he will be ready to be an good NFL receiver.
by leopold332002 on Sep 1, 2009 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
leo.
As skinny as Underwood is he still needs to show he can get off the line against the press. He also needs to get better route running. He also needs to get used to an NFL ball/pass which he said he was still getting used to. That’s not mentioning the catching problem he’s had recently.
If you gamble a little and keep Underwood on the PS, you can conceivably keep both. If you cut Walker, you obviously lose an obvious talent you’ve been developing. We need Walker. Just listen to Garrard’s newest press conference. He really really likes Walker.
http://jaguars.com/Multimedia/?id=3305
by Ewdtrey on Sep 1, 2009 9:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Agree
On keeping Walker. I’ve kept quiet throughout everyone calling for his head; he needs to stay. He is the only clear future number 1 receiver we have right now. The only other possibility would be Mike Thomas. In a perfect, Bestjagfan imagination lala land world, in two years when Holt is burnt out, Walker is the number 1, Troy is 2nd, and Mike Thomas roams across the middle working the slot.
If hip hop is dead, then it happened the day that Dilla died.
-Akrobatik
by Bestjagfan on Sep 1, 2009 9:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well - you have to completely overlook the only thing he has consistently demonstrated
a propensity for injury. I’ve said it a million times – talent is worthless if you can’’t get onto the field. If Walker is cut – we have we lost – besdies the ’P" word??
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 9:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with OGN
Walker needs to walk into the IR list or walk away
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal
by TheTealDeal on Sep 2, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I also agree - Underwood is a developmental player
by OGN on Sep 1, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree again
you got my seal of approval
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal
by TheTealDeal on Sep 2, 2009 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am not sure Nate Hughes made it to #3
I am thinking he has more chance to clear waivers than Dillard or Thomas. I don’t see Gene letting his higher WR draft choices go right now.
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by Tkopa on Sep 2, 2009 6:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Vic listed Houghes in the
“appear to be locks” category of WR’s and he doesn’t say things like this lightly.
If Garrard is happy with Sims-Walker than I’m happy with Sims-Walker.
It get’s so tiring reading people on the internet who think they know more than the coaches, who see these player all day every day. Seriously folks. The coaches, even the bad ones, know more than you do.
by pksiv on Sep 2, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Vito Stellone of the T-U
reported Mike Simms-Walker as a lock.
So everyone is a lock in someones opinion.
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by Tkopa on Sep 2, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's Stellino
And I just can’t wait who will screw it…
We have 7 guys, 5 or 6 spots. It is maybe the most interesting place at the “who will stay at the final roster?” position watch
Life without knowledge is death in disguise
by Zoltan from Budapest on Sep 2, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Keep SIMS WALKER
Keep MIKE SIMS-WALKER!!!!!!!!!! He is our next Jimmy Smith!!!!!!!!
by Elmer T on Sep 2, 2009 1:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hopefully
because I’m sure Dallas and Philadelphia were wishing they had Jimmy back when he was tearing it up in Jacksonville. I’d hate to see him tearing it up somewhere else.
by pksiv on Sep 2, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Textbook definition of the Jimmy Smith Effect.
I’m in no way disagreeing with you.
by Kbot on Sep 2, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One man's trash can be another's treasure
Not saying Walker is trash but he’s a pricey benchwarmer at worst.
"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Leader of the Run-Paul-Smith-Out-Of-Town Club **--Mission Complete--**
"As for me, Life goes on."-TheTealDeal
by TheTealDeal on Sep 2, 2009 9:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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