2012 NFL Free Agency: Likely WR Decision Will Be Between Johnson & Colston
by Adam Stites on Feb 21, 2012 10:55 PM EST
in 2012 NFL Free Agency
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With just three more weeks until the 2012 NFL Free Agency period begins it's becoming more apparent which players will stay with the teams they were with in 2011 and which players will don new colors in the fall. While guys like Kansas City's Dwayne Bowe seem like an unlikely candidate to reach the open market, there are a few guys that appear to be headed towards free agency.
While it's certainly possible that both DeSean Jackson and Vincent Jackson will be on the market, more so the latter than the former, I doubt that either will be targets for the Jaguars. Instead the more likely scenario is that the Jaguars will have their choice between Saints WR Marques Colston and Bills WR Stevie Johnson.
As Alfie has said in recent articles, Johnson is far apart from the Bills in negotiations and unlikely to receive the franchise tag and there's a very good chance that the Saints will be forced to choose G Carl Nicks instead of Colston.
Excluding Vincent Jackson and DeSean Jackson from the talent pool, it's hard to argue that any player with the exception of Bowe would make for a higher priority free agent receiver than Johnson or Colston. However, Bowe is likely to get the franchise tag as Joel Thorman of ArrowheadPride has noted.
So when it comes down to it, it seems that the most likely scenario will be a choice for the Jaguars between Colston and Johnson. So who would you choose?
| Marques Colston | |||||
|
Team: Saints |
Height: 6-5 | ||||
|
School: Hofstra |
Weight: 224 | ||||
|
Age: 28 (6-5-1983) |
1,000 Yard Seasons: 5 | ||||
Pros: Productive every year since joining the NFL. Huge size with impressive speed to fit the frame. Solid, reliable hands with reliable production.
Cons: 3 knee surgeries in the last 12 months and more knee issues before that. Has spent his entire career in a pass-happy offense that could've inflated his statistics. Not the greatest deep threat with no more than three 40+ yard receptions in the last three seasons.
| Stevie Johnson | |||||
|
Team: Bills |
Height: 6-2 | ||||
|
School: Kentucky |
Weight: 210 | ||||
|
Age: 25 (7-22-1986) |
1,000 Yard Seasons: 2 | ||||
Pros: Younger than Colston with only one rib injury in 2009 and no other injury history. Deep threat with better hands than he's given credit for.
Cons: Memorable drops in clutch situations. A few personal foul penalties for excessive celebration.
---
The question between the two is figuring out how much stock should be put in to the results of the past in deciding who will make a better player in the future. While Colston has certainly proven himself as an NFL receiver with six, Johnson has shown potential to be a star receiver for many seasons to come.
And that's why I'm picking Johnson between the two. While he has had memorable drops, it is something that can improve as he matures through his career and it's something that has shown signs of improvement. And while Johnson has had some excessive celebration penalties, I'd hardly consider it an issue worth passing on the receiver for.
Ultimately, I like both receivers, but sign me up for the guy that is three years younger and without a knee surgery.
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You make it sound oh so easy.
Just pick the one we want and voila. If only there weren’t 4-5 other WR needy teams with more cap room than us to battle against…
I'm convinced at this point
That the Jaguars will pick their guy and get him.
by Adam Stites on Feb 21, 2012 11:10 PM EST up reply actions
What makes you say this Adam? Just out of curiosity. Is it the dollar sign? $
by jagzman04 on Feb 22, 2012 12:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Money available, need at the position, Gene's free agency history, gut feeling
by Adam Stites on Feb 22, 2012 12:12 AM EST up reply actions
Ah yes, referring to your link, I remember hearing the Jags wouldn’t be outbid by any other teams. That gives us reasons to be optimistic for sure. I think they need to do what it takes to get a guy like Stevie Johnson, if he’s who they truly want. With the number, and quality of free agents Gene brought in on defense last year, I don’t see the WR position being any different this year.
Remember when we all claimed they might have overpaid Poz? Well, that’s what you have to do sometimes to get your guy.
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by floridafalcons#63 on Feb 22, 2012 8:45 AM EST up reply actions
More cap room?
Dude we got like $50 mil to spend THIS YEAR
the Chiefs and Buccs were pretty far under the cap with us but we were one of the lowest, especially after cutting the $9m Garrard, and factoring that we can overspend the cap, I strongly believe Shahid is gonna be slinging some dough this spring.
by SexonvilleShaguars on Feb 22, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions
and the chiefs and buccs have
bowe and williams.
they won’t be breaking the bank for one of these FA receivers
by SexonvilleShaguars on Feb 22, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
If it come down to those two
Than I’d pick Johnson, younger with more upside.
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So I'm an exaggerated screaming psychopath who clearly doesn't exist. That's High Praise.
by duuuvaaalll on Feb 21, 2012 11:13 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Johnson because of youth and injury-free knees.
"The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is." Winston Churchill
I'll see it when I believe it. Sorry, but not buying into the hype that either one of these guys is coming here. Or we are going to sign Mario Williams.
Until we actually sign a big-time player for big-time money, then I will believe it. Every off season we talk about this guy and that guy coming here. Eric Weddle was coming here and we were goign to have a Pro Bowl Secondary last season. Until Gene spends Shad’s $$, I am cautious.
yea..
damn him for getting lowery, landry, and middleton for way less than 1 player (weddle) would have cost.
And damn him for having so much roll-over money from last year..to spend this year..
No WAY he was being smart and can spend on big names this year..
and that cheapskate Kahn, he probably won’t fork over a dime unles his arm is twisted.
by he aint drew on Feb 22, 2012 2:38 AM EST up reply actions
and
i think #6 Defense with an even better pass defense, is a MUUUUCh better deal and a much better fix than what weddle would have brought to the table.
Do you remember our secondary last year?… my grandmother could cover an reciever better
by he aint drew on Feb 22, 2012 2:43 AM EST up reply actions
I am not damming Gene for those pickups or what he did with the D last year.
All I am saying is it seems like every year all we talk about is the top FA talent at a particular position coming to JAX, but rarely do we ever land the “top” player. It hasn’t been in Gene’s style to go that way. Probably more likely restrictions from Wayne, then Gene, but we will see. And I believe Khan is going to spend $, but how do we know that for sure? Until that $ is spent, then all it is is PR and hype. Khan has already made some statements (which some consider controversial, like fans/season ticket holders and drafting Tebow) and then backed down on some of those statements, so who is to say he won’t give Gene a blank check book and is All In, even though he says he is. I am just excited for mid-March to truly see if we can get these big-time guys. Until then, I am not going to get all excited that we are going out and getting Colston and Vincet Jackson and Dwayne Bowe and Marion Wiliams and Avril. Odds are we won’t get all those guys, if any at all.
Stevie Johnson
and Pierre Garcon?
Draft Kendall Wright?
Hello, exciting offense!
Now you’ve got it!
I know people like Coples at pick 7, but I think we can find a DE somewhere else. Kendall Wright is the real deal, a big time burner-type play maker this offense really needs.
agree
adding another pass rush DE would give us one of the best D-Lines in the NFL next season, but I don’t think our defense is our main concern.
if we can create an offense, it will make our defense even better. Morale and time off the field is the key here. Our defense was playing about 45 minutes a game last season.
by SexonvilleShaguars on Feb 22, 2012 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
furthermore..
we need to make a stab for Mario Williams and/or Cliff Avril if given the opportunity. Proven guys are way better than drafting future ninjas.
by SexonvilleShaguars on Feb 22, 2012 1:32 PM EST up reply actions
I think...
them being on the field last year so much will prove beneficial next season as they basically should’ve eliminated every area of concern with a defense with so many new faces on it. They should no longer be concerned with who is going to what and should the injury issue not be such a huge problem again, we should see the defense playing at full speed next season.
Make the call Poz!!!
Get your boy down here!!! He will love it here, and bring some attitude to the offense! Why so serious?
by Jagfan89 on Feb 22, 2012 6:58 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Give me Stevie
Believe me, I really like Colston, but when you compare the two (as already stated) Johnson is younger, has less of an injury past, and has been very productive with sub-par, inconsistent QB play, and he may be seeking just a little less money than Colston…but I def. could be wrong on that one. But as long as we get Someone proven and productive and someone to help Gabbert, i’m happy
by Jags85 on Feb 22, 2012 7:42 AM EST via mobile reply actions
if khan and gene dont make a splash this summer they never will! but last year they went after the best linebacker in poz…… they spent alot last summer. i believe they will do it again. players not coaches made a mockery of us last year….. MANGOLD of the jets said our defense was predictable….. and DUNTA ROBINSON said we haven’t had a reciever since jimmy smith. we have to change our reputation and let them know we are for real! the texans made it seem like this is their division for years to come and that aint happening!
Logan Mankins of the Patriots said that about our D'
by Jags85 on Feb 22, 2012 8:36 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
It’s not like Jacksonville, where they line up in one spot and never move or do anything different," Mankins said Wednesday via Ian Rapoport of the Boston Herald.
It sounds like Mankins was taking an unprompted shot at Jacksonville, but he’s just speaking the truth. The Jaguars have a basic defensive philosophy that they stick to. The Colts over the years have employed a similarly predictable (but effective) approach
We played
the Jets in week 2 last year, our defense really didn’t start to hit its stride until week 7.
Shake and Bake
Follow me on Twitter @ J_Pledger904
Stevie Johnson coupled with
Laurent Robinson and drafting Kendall Wright, moving Mike Thomas to the slot, would be an incredible upgrade. Maybe even the best WR corps in the AFC South. Big turn around but we did it with defense last year.
Overlooked in this, is that with those signings we still have enought cap space to go after target #1 Mario Williams.
Pick up a very good CB and we are set. We can fill out the rest of the OL with draft choices.
We resign Lowery, Mincey, and Scobee and that’s a playoff team, no doubt!
Laurent Robinson? No thanks.
He was a half year wonder. He was cut by three different teams last year before Dallas brought him back because of injuries.
by Fivus Viener on Feb 22, 2012 9:19 AM EST up reply actions
I honestly think the Jags will go after Harry Douglas
He’s got Great speed, shouldn’t cost as much as other #2’s and Murlarkey knows him (strengths, weakness’s, ect…)
by Jags85 on Feb 22, 2012 10:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
this is a good insight
a good potential addition, but I don’t see him saving our WR corps or giving us a dynamic offense. he would have to be the 2nd or 3rd guy we bring in
by SexonvilleShaguars on Feb 22, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions
Yeah he won't by Any means be that Big name receiver splash
But he could be one of the first players that Jax signs
by Jags85 on Feb 22, 2012 3:00 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Andre Johnson +...
anybody is the best receiving corps in the AFC South.
by Luv4Chr!st on Feb 22, 2012 12:36 PM EST via Android app up reply actions
The saints thinking is they probably have the receivers to replace Colston and don't have the guy to replace Nicks
But that’s just MO
by Jags85 on Feb 22, 2012 10:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
best G in the game vs. a WR who quite likely has as much success as he did becuase of the QB.
Saints figure they could get another WR who could be just as good with Brees as his QB. Not as easy to replace Nicks
"The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work. Hard work is the price we must pay for success. I think you can accomplish anything if you're willing to pay the price." -Vince Lombardi
Twitter: @JWGreenbaum
by Jagsrok9008 on Feb 22, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions
I think either will be a great pick up ...
As long as Vincent Jackson is not in the picture. We criticize but, Gene Smith has put guys in place that are ballplayers. Very little disruption of routine, no locker room drama, very little off field antics … Just lace em’ up, productive football players. This combination of veteran player and young player relationship has worked for us and I believe your “V-Jax” would be disruptive to that.
I know that Stevie Johnson had been labeled as a malcontent also but, the people close to the Bills say otherwise. Plus, who wouldn’t want out of Buffalo with a chance to play where you want.
by TCJagsFan on Feb 22, 2012 10:06 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Stevie
Purely based on age and injuries. I’m anxious to see the approach they take with the receiver position.
E
Logan Mankins explains difference between the Jets and Jags
sorry this is the article…. google it!
This off-season
We get Stevie Johnson over Colston based on injuries alone ……. we pick up either Harry Douglas or Mario Manningham for #2 , put Mike Thomas back at slot permanently , draft a couple of young wideouts ……..offense nightmare solved in one off-season ……. Then because we were smart with the cap , that gives us the money to land Mario Williams …….that beast will give us the pass rusher we have been struggling to find for a long time ……. Offense and D E problems solved for the most part ……all in one off-season ladies and gentlemen …….GO JAGS !
L F J
by Daddycrapper on Feb 22, 2012 11:35 AM EST via Android app reply actions
Take the proven winner
Colston comes from a well coached WINNING team and that being said we have short WRs now and where did it get us? Winners beget winners. 6’5 makes a great target for Blaine. Goo Jaags “The Men In Black”
I like Stevie over Colston.
As Adam says in this savvy post, Stevie is younger and hasnt had 3 knee surgeries. Another thing I like is that Stevie has played his home games outside, in the elements. Colston has played in the perfect, wind and precipitation free, racetrack of the Superdome.
Fidelis Ad Mortem
Johnson and Manningham
was unaware of Colston’s injury history.
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
Well,
I think we should sign, Johnson, and then Garcon on offense, and williams and carr on Defense and draft Ingram and hilton, and do some draft work with off line
with all the talk of colstons injury..
lets remember he came back from a collarbone fracture if i remeber right – in less than two weeks
what other human being much less reciever could do that?
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