Now is the time to analyze the most scrutinized position on the Eagles. The wide receivers. Despite a quality addition to the corps, the “upgrade the receivers” chant can still be heard loud and clear.
Wide Receivers:
DeSean Jackson – Let’s start with some good news. Jackson was a pleasant surprise since his day one arrival. The knock on the diminutive wideout coming into last April’s draft was his durability and experience level. Many pegged him as a great punt-returner, but only an average pass catching prospect. Not only did Jackson shine as a return man, but he turned out to be the Birds best receiver in 2008. He would finish with 62 catches for 912 yards and a pair of touchdowns. He also ran for another score and added a punt return for a touchdown. Jackson’s upside is unlimited. He possesses deep speed, a solid set of hands and can absorb punishing hits. He played banged-up at times, putting to rest concerns about his smallish frame. Needs to get into the endzone more, but the kid is a playmaker. Grade: A
Kevin Curtis – A sports hernia in the preseason derailed Curtis’ 2008 campaign. He missed seven total games and would finish with 33 grabs for 390 yards and two touchdowns. He added 12 catches in the playoffs for 211 yards. It’s hard to be critical of Curtis’ season since he was hurt for most of it. Hopefully, he’ll be healthy in 2009. Grade: Incomplete
Jason Avant – Really came into his own this past season. “Mr. Third Down” finished with 32 receptions for 377 yards and 2 TDs. A reliable target in the slot for Donovan. Has good hands and is able to adjust to make the difficult catch. I really like Avant. Grade: B+
Hank Baskett – Showed flashes of brilliance, but still has a tendency to disappear at times during the year. 33 catches for 440 yards and 3 scores are decent numbers for a #4 receiver. At 6′4″, needs to be more involved in the redzone. All those fades he caught during training camp translated to only one touchdown. Also got engaged to Kendra Wilkinson, which automatically lifts his grade half a letter. Grade: B
Nice catch, Hank!
Reggie Brown – And the Missing in Action award goes too… Reggie!! Congrats second-round bust from Georgia. I actually saw this guy play at UGA and was thrilled when the Birds selected him in 2005. Like L.J. Smith, he never realized his full potential. A nagging hamstring cost him early in 2008. Then he became victim of the numbers game with the emergence of Jackson and Avant. 18 grabs, 252 yards, 1 TD. Pathetic. I anticipate Reggie playing elsewhere in ‘09. Grade: F
Greg Lewis – Why is this guy still on the team? To quote Andy Reid, “He fills a role.” Is that role to drop 50 yard bombs in the NFC Championship game? If it is, then Greg is the man. Just dump him already. Grade: F
Well, for once there appears to be a lot of promise at the position. Fingers crossed that Jackson, Avant and Baskett all continue to get better. It would be nice to see a big, physical redzone target added to this bunch, like say… I don’t know… Darrius Heyward-Bey. Wishful thinking on my part. Tomorrow, I’ll breakdown the bigs along the offensive line. Until then….
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It would be nice to know why Baskett faded towards the end of the year, as he seems like he could be that “big, physical redzone threat” we could certainly use.
Once Curtis returned, Baskett took a back seat. I’m not sure he’ll ever be a big redzone threat.
I’m not sure he will ever, either. But he showed some flashes this year, right?
We obviously agree that the redzone is a particularly tough place to operate, where size and strength matter much more than in the open spaces between the 20’s. So Curtis’ (and Jackson’s) ability is diminished and a guy like Baskett gives you a better shot.
I was just unhappy to see his role reduced down there seemingly immediately after the Cleveland game and the end of half interception. He might have made a bad read on the ball, but it wasn’t a particularly good throw by 5 either.
I think it’s a play-calling and personnel package issue down in the redzone. Baskett is rarely in the game inside the ten. He does have the size and strength, but Reid won’t put him in the game.
You’re correct. The throw by McNabb in the Cleveland game was awful. He dislikes the fade pattern, which might explain his poor throw and the fact that they don’t call it much. Don prefers to throw to tight ends in the redzone. This is why it’s imperative they target someone like Brandon Pettigrew. He’s a beast to handle.
The Eagles are incredibly stubborn with their receivers. That’s why I anticipate Lewis and Brown to be back. It took a career ending injury to get rid of Pinkston and some stupid comments during the Super Bowl to get rid of “what’s his name” from UCLA.
Alot of mock drafts have the Eagles picking up Pettigrew from OK St. and Moreno from Georgia. That would make too much sense. I fully expect the Eagles to pick up nothing but Lineman in the first round. And I can hear Andy Reid now, ” We are very pleased with what we have at the wide receiver and tight end position right now.”
McNabb has played his entire career with sub-par skill players and in my opinion, looking back at all these drafts, the Eagles have done a tremendous disservice to McNabb by being stubborn or blind and not getting him the help he deserves.
You want to see what good skill players can do? Just look at Arizona. They, as a team, were not that good. But when you have two stud receivers, a good QB, and good role players than you win. Bottom line. I hope the Eagles surprise us in this draft, in a good way.
Baskett has incredible physical talent, we just don’t use him right. He’s big, has a long, fast stride and can jump like a mofo. just need to use him on deep routes and he will outrun most. he needs to work on his hands, he’s still raw and barely played in college right? we have to give him more tries.
Tony – You are 100% correct. They have not done an adequate job of surrounding McNabb with talent. Hopefully, they learned their lesson by watching Fitzgerald abuse them that “real” talent is needed to win championships.
pj – Baskett is raw, but he has displayed improvement each year. He deserves more opportunities, but Reid uses so many personnel packages he often gets lost in the mix.