Possible Free Agency Receiver Gem
by rhettchrystal on Feb 14, 2012 7:53 PM EST
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Was doing a little research on the receiver free agents, and I found a guy, who may find him self in Jacksonville come March. He won't start, but can possibly be a slot, or a #4 guy, who can make an impact. Not posting on front page, because I don't think it belongs on the front page. His name is Andre Caldwell...
Who is Andre Caldwell? Andre Caldwell is a graduate of Florida. He entered the 2008 NFL Draft, and was selected by the Cincinatti Bengals with the 34th selection of the 3rd round(#97). At the University of Florida, he had 166 receptions, 2,175 yards, and 16 TDs over 4 years, from 2003-2007. Note he was hurt in 2004, his sophomore season.
The Bengals coaching staff had raved about Andre Caldwell, and so did hi quarterback, Carson Palmer. He wasn't bad, but he wasn't good.
His rookie season, he had only 11 receptions for 78 yards. In his second season, he had 51 receptions for 432 yards, and 3 TDs, and 3 starts.. In 2010, he had 25 receptions and 345 yards through 15 games, with 5 starts, no TDs. But in 2011, he had 37 receptions, 317 yards, and 2 TDs in 13 games, with 2 starts. In those 2 starts, he started against Baltimore and San Francisco...two very good defenses, but he 9 receptions 116 yards with 1 TD in those 2 games. Yes, he hasn't had great production, but he's been the slot and/or #4 receiver there the last 3 years. So why am I telling you this? Well, if you didn't already realize who was on the Cincinnati Bengals staff for three out of Caldwell's four years there?
Bob Bratkowski.
At the combine, before he entered the draft, Caldwell ran a 4.37 40, and at his pro day he had a 36 1/2" vertical jump, with 18 bench reps.
Mike Thomas doesn't act like he wants to play football, he's lazy, and is now getting overpaid. Cut him, and bring in Andre Caldwell, he can work the slot, and clear up even more cap space. Read this from Cincyjungle:
Before Shipley's unfortunate injury, Andy Dalton was 22 of 33 passing (66.6% comp) for 192 yards (5.81 YPA) and a TD in a little over four quarters of play. That's what we have come to expect from the Bengals offense when Bob Bratkowski was running the show and Carson Palmer loved his slot receivers. Shipley, being the sure-handed and reliable target he is, helps a rookie QB like Dalton's completion percentage. Even if Shipley had 4 catches for 14 yards so far this season.
With Andre Caldwell as the Bengals third WR, Andy Dalton blew up on Denver's defense. He threw for 222 yards (9.65 YPA) and two TDs on 14 of 23 (60.8%) passing. Caldwell's (3 Rec, 27 yards) average wasn't much different than Shipley's career average, but he was running more vertical routes and getting upfield faster. The threat of Caldwell's speed must be respected. Even without Jerome Simpson's 84-yard catch, Dalton's yards per attempt (6.3) was better with Caldwell in the lineup. Dalton's completion percentage was lower, but his yards per completion ballooned from 8.72 with Shipley to 15.85 with Caldwell.
He stretches the field, and would make it a lot easier on Gabbert. Just a little food for thought.
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Good catch. I was talking about him on twitter a little while ago, figuring either he or Harry Douglas could be an option.
by Alfie Crow on Feb 14, 2012 7:57 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Thanks,
They would both be options, as Caldwell is very familiar with Bratkowski, and Douglas is very familiar with Mularkey and somewhat familiar with Bratkowski(only one year). I believe both will be pursued.
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by rhettchrystal on Feb 14, 2012 8:27 PM EST up reply actions
why would we try to find a number three wide reciever we dont need Harry Douglas or Andre Caldewell, Give me vincent jackson and D Bowe now that is what we need. Mike Thomas, Cecil shorts, Jarrett Dillard or someone else on are roster can be very effective in the slot.
We need quality receivers
I’d rather have thee solid guys than one great guy.
Cut Thomas?
If he isn’t traded, he’ll be a Jaguar at least for next seasn.
He played bad last year,
and if somebody plays just as good as him in camp, why pay the larger contract for equal talent? And what if nobody wants to trade for Thomas? What if they figure, we’ll cut him if we can’t trade him. With a lot of new talent coming in, and Thomas regressing, I think he meets the Turk.
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Feb 14, 2012 8:25 PM EST up reply actions
the question with Thomas is which year was the exception, 2010 or 2011?
To me, it would have been very easy to be lazy last year. The fact that he did it seemingly before the ink was dry on his new contract is what soured a lot of fans toward him.
The way he and Lewis played last year, they’re both going to have to come out of the gate sprinting and avoid the injuries that have hampered both guys. Gonna take more than 1 Hail Mary reception per year for M80 to show his worth.
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with the exception of MJD
everybody played piss poor. I always love it when i see people say Mike Thomas is lazy or doesn’t want to play. While nothing is guaranteed, as Alfie has pointed out, Thomas will be back this year.
Thomas will do well this year, if they move him back to the position he is best suited and as long as we see real improvement from Go Go Gabbert.
Agree with you ....
everyone stunk last year. 2 years ago Thomas made big play after big play and I think we will see a return to this form with some help at WR around him.
He even started
2011 off well. It wasn’t till Gabbert was in the lineup that he started not looking as good. Thomas probably made the offensive play of the game against the Titans with McCown starting. Keep in mind Thomas was dealing with injuries and he did help significantly as a punt returner.
Yes he did
go back and watch the first game of the season. Mike Thomas played well. He had 8 catches in the first game of the season despite being really run heavy to start the season. Through the first 4 games he was on pace for 80 catches on the season to go along with 850 yards and 4 TD’s.
I agree everyone had a bad year
but there is a huge difference between playing hard and not having success and just flat out playing lazy.
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Feb 16, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
How much do you know about his contract?
How much guaranteed money is he getting? Im not against him leaving but I would hate to see this guy get a big pay check for laying an egg like he did this season.
He already got his guaranteed money, right?
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He could be the next Eric Coleman
What would be a better option, One big name WR like Colston, or grabbing all three of Caldwell, Douglas, and Manningham. Manningham will command a respectable contract, but neither of the other two would have huge contracts by any means. I would almost rather sign and lock up the second tier guys while everyone is trying to sign a number 1 and then draft another receiver in the 2nd round. Between the 2nd round pick, the three FA WRs, and Thomas, Shorts, Dillard, Price, and Robiskie(who I keep praying will see the light and live up to his pick) we have to find three or four guys that can ball, right?
Haha...sorry
I had to make fun of this…
Bratkowski ran a 4.37 40, and at his pro day he had a 36 1/2" vertical jump, with 18 bench reps
I was thinking the same thing
With those numbers, hell, why not sign Bratkowski and try him at WR?
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haha I'll fix it.
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Feb 15, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
He absolutely has....great stuff.
"Sad fact about our generation: Most ppl would rather hear "you look good" than "you are good". We spend thousands a year on cars, clothes, & cosmetics; Forget that. I can give you a Bible for free. Save money, save your soul. Get right with the Savior, Jesus Christ."- Travis D. Holmes
thanks guys
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Feb 15, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
Don't sign a Gators receiver!
Caldwell is a Gator and we all know how bad Gators receivers are in the NFL. Can you sense the sarcasm?
Your trying to be sarcastic
but its kinda true..lol
by Sylvester.The.Jaguar.fan on Feb 16, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
Hold on...
…I remember it being reported that Mike Thomas received an 18 Million dollar contract over 3 years. But on rotoworld(http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/5275/player?r=1) it says he receiver a 5 year, 19.045 million dollar contract with 9 million guarenteed, including a 6 million dollar contract.
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
but it also says under recent news
if you scroll to October 6th…
Mike Thomas – WR – Jaguars
Jaguars signed WR Mike Thomas to a three-year, $18 million contract extension through 2015.
The deal includes $9 million guaranteed. Thomas has emerged as the Jaguars’ No. 1 receiver by default this season, leading the team in catches (20) and yards (212) through four games. Ideally, however, he’s a secondary option on a quality passing team. The Jaguars will need to upgrade their receiver corps before this contract is up. Thomas was set to make just $565,000 in 2012, the final year of his rookie deal. He’s now under contract through 2015.
Maybe its a typo.
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Feb 15, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
oh it was an extension
ok, thanks for clearing that up for me. and wow just read that in the my blockquote haha…
Contributor at BCC.
"thanks for hating"
"Give it up now before its too late!…. CJ will be shut down? Nevermind, its already too late." AZ TiTan10
by rhettchrystal on Feb 15, 2012 7:50 PM EST up reply actions
I like Caldwell
Just think he needs his chance, hes young, and has talent. Wouldn’t mind if they brought him in as a #2 WR if need be. #3 or #4 would be ideal of course.
check this out
Nobody is the 1 colston
the 2 is Ted Ginn/harry douglas
the 3 Mike Thomas
the 4 Caldwell
Get em all. Dillard West and everyone else is garbage.
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