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Pro Sports Wrap - Sports Personality of the Day:Tony Romo

I don't want to make this an "I told you so" post, but I really did. It was a long time ago when I made the bold statement that Jeremy Maclin is the better receiver than DeSean Jackson. A few of you readers agreed with me, but most of you called me an idiot for saying this. Sure Jackson can make the big play, but he is extremely inconsistent, and Maclin is also capable of making a big play. And plus, Maclin doesn't drop as many passes and is far more consistent.


Last year, when both receivers were actually healthy, Jackson caught just 49% of the passes thrown at him. He did, however, average 22.5 yards per catch; and his ability as a deep threat is the only reason why he had such a great year in 2010. And even then, Jackson's season was overrated, as he is a very one-dimensional player. The only asset he brings to the table is speed, and the arm of Michael Vick is the reason why he is able to haul in these long passes. That's not saying he's a bad player, because Jackson is a good receiver. However, he isn't great, and those who believe he is a top ten receiver are crazy.

This season, Jackson has gone deeper more but is averaging less yards per reception (16.2). He is, however, catching 53.1% of the passes thrown at him and has still been able to average 8.6 yards per target. However, yards per target favors those who go deep more often. Maclin, on the other hand, has impressed me by having a 67.6% catch rate despite playing with injuries. It doesn't matter what you use, because both the advanced statistics and general scouting say that Jeremy Maclin is the better receiver. This isn't a reaction to this season, it's basically a reminder that Maclin is the better, more consistent receiver.


This whole post isn't going to be about a battle between two receivers, because I like to cover two points in my Football Talk posts. The Chicago Bears have yet to extend Matt Forte, but they have extended their best player at a different position; wide receiver.

Earl Bennett was given a four-year deal worth $18 million ($4.5 million per year), and he has a good rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler. In fact, he's Cutler's go-to-guy and the QB connects with Bennett much better than he does with the other receivers on the team.

He's the team's most consistent receiver and has led the Bears in catch rate during the past two seasons. Bennett is versatile and can split out wide or man the slot, and he is averaging 9.5 yards per target this season. Although Johnny Knox is averaging 11.7 yards per target, he only catches 52.8% of what is thrown at him and goes deep 43.4% of the time.

The Bears obviously need to get a deal done with Forte, because he's one of the best backs in the league and also has a big impact in the passing game. Not only that, but he is one of the few backs who can excel in front of a subpar run blocking unit. The Bears are arguably the worst pass blocking team in the NFL, but their run blocking isn't quite as bad (it's still bad though). Anyway, re-signing Bennett was a smart move, and it didn't take a whole lot of money to do it.
Re-signed for $4.5 million per year
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2011 Week 11 Preview: Eagles and Giants

November 16th 2011 17:33
There is no way to understate the meaning of this game for the Philadelphia Eagles, because they have come off of a horrid performance against a poor Cardinals team. The Giants, on the other hand, lost to fellow NFC division leaders the San Francisco 49ers. This is an important rivalry matchup for both teams, and it's time to see whether or not the Eagles can right the ship.

In the Giants most recent loss, the key culprit was some of the worst offensive line play in a single game all season. Eli was constantly on the run, yet he still had a completion percentage of about 70% on such throws. It was Eli alone who kept the Giants in this game, because most other quarterbacks in this league wouldn't be able to make the throws he did; especially in the face of pressure. Although he isn't known for his ability to run with the football, the younger Manning is more than capable of evading the grasp of frustrated defenders who are looking for a sack.

I expect the Eagles defensive line to demolish a significantly weaker unit opposing them in the trenches, and I could see everybody on their line having a good day. The only Giant who is a capable starter on the line is right tackle Kareem McKenzie. He is a very good tackle who is among the best in the league at run blocking, but he has struggled this season in pass protection.

It is simply known fact that the Eagles run defense is beyond poor. Even if Ahmad Bradshaw does not play, I could still see Brandon Jacobs pounding the ball and slashing the Eagles defense. Since the Eagles utilize a Wide-9 with their defensive line, this puts a lot of strain on their linebacker corpse to make plays. Although Brian Rolle has emerged as a solid rookie linebacker, I am really not a fan of Moise Fokou.

The most interesting matchup to watch for will be the Giants receivers vs. the Eagles secondary. Even though the Eagles secondary hasn't played well this year, there is no denying their talent. I don't have high hopes for DRC right now, but Nnamdi is far too talented to keep this up. Asante Samuel has actually been playing well this season, and that was on display last week. My biggest problem is that their safeties are suspect in coverage, and it will be up to the receivers to present themselves as vertical threats (which they will) and force these lesser safeties to bracket them. Yeah, I'm pretty psyched to watch how this matchup ends out.

There's no denying that Michael Vick hasn't been as electrifying as he was last season, but Vick actually did play well early on in the season. However, it almost seems as if he is reverting to his former less-effective self. Last week, he was running instead of reseting the play far too often, and that didn't bode too well for the Eagles passing attack.

Another thing that I want to point out is that his receivers have been less effective this season. People are finally starting to see the light, as more and more people are starting to side with me in the Jeremy Maclin vs. DeSean Jackson debate. D-Jax has been poor this season, and tight end Brent Celek has been even worse. Maclin has been carrying the receiving corps this season, along with some solid help from Jason Avant. The Giants have about an average secondary, and that's pretty much thanks to cornerback Corey Webster. Again, the pass offense versus pass defense component should be an interesting battle to watch.

The Eagles offensive line has really come round this year, but they will probably be beaten by one of the most skilled defensive lines in the NFL. I don't need to heap praise upon this unit, because everybody knows how dangerous they can be to an offense's rhythm. If they can get consistent pressure on Vick, this passing offense could get in some trouble if Vick keeps reverting to old habits.

LeSean McCoy should be able to do well against an underwhelming group of linebackers, despite the presence of two solid safeties in run support. McCoy is simply rolling this season, and he should be in for another good game against the Giants. He is their most important player on offense right now, and I would like to see the Eagles give the rock to McCoy.

This is obviously going to be a tough matchup, but I believe in the Giants more than I believe the Eagles. They really haven't shown any week-to-week consistency, and the Giants also have the homefield advantage (if that means anything). I trust that Eli Manning will make some big plays and give the G-Men a win this week.
It's Eli Time
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9/2011 WR Rankings

September 24th 2011 13:50
1. Larry Fitzgerald
2. Andre Johnson
3. Calvin Johnson
4. Reggie Wayne
5. Steve Smith CAR
6. Roddy White
7. Greg Jennings
8. Brandon Marshall
9. Kenny Britt
10. Mike Wallace
11. Miles Austin
12. Santonio Holmes
13. Marques Colston
14. Jeremy Maclin
15. DeSean Jackson
16. Vincent Jackson
17. Anquan Boldin
18. Mike Williams TB
19. Steve Smith PHI
20. Hakeem Nicks
21. Lance Moore
22. Sidney Rice
23. Santana Moss
24. Brandon Lloyd
25. Dwayne Bowe
26. Braylon Edwards
27. Johnny Knox
28. Dez Bryant
29. Wes Welker
30. Austin Collie
31. Mario Manningham
32. Steve Johnson
33. Earl Bennett
34. AJ Green
35. Percy Harvin
36. Jordy Nelson
37. Malcolm Floyd
38. Pierre Garcon
39. Nate Washington
40. Davone Bess
41. Hines Ward
42. Robert Meachem
43. Mike Thomas
44. Donald Driver
45. Lee Evans
46. Julio Jones
47. James Jones
48. Antonio Brown
49. Jordan Shipley
50. Derrick Mason
Musgrave must use him more


Week 3 Picks

Bengals over 49ers
Panthers over Jaguars
Lions over Vikings
Titans over Broncos
Browns over Dolphins
Eagles over Giants
Saints over Texans
Patriots over Bills
Ravens over Rams
Jets over Raiders
Chargers over Chiefs
Packers over Bears
Cardinals over Seahawks
Falcons over Bucs
Steelers over Colts
Redskins over Cowboys (To make this more interesting)
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2/2011 Top 75 Wide Receiver Rankings

February 26th 2011 14:29
1. Larry Fitzgerald- Still put up big numbers with nightmare QB carousel. Can catch absolutely anything. Has height, leadership, and athleticism.
2. Andre Johnson- Speed, height, and athleticism. Nuff said.
3. Brandon Marshall- If only he was reunited with Cutler.
4. Reggie Wayne- Peyton doesn't make him great. He helps, but Wayne can ball. Have you seen some of the catches he makes? This guy is amazing.
5. Roddy White- He can beat you deep and can play the possession game. 2010's best WR.

6. Greg Jennings- Jennings is a multi-threat receiver that is extremely tough to guard. You can't afford to give him any inch of space.
7. Calvin Johnson- Megatron is insanely gifted. His raw ability is off the charts.
8. Steve Smith CAR- This is a list by talent, and Smith is certainly incredibly talented. His speed, blocking, hops, catching, and deep play ability make him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
9. Mike Wallace- The best deep threat in the league.
10. Steve Smith NYG- The best possession receiver in the NFL.

11. Anquan Boldin- He had a down year, but he is still an athletic wideout.
12. Marques Colston- A great deep threat that is silky downfield.
13. Hakeem Nicks- Extreme talent, but he needs to work on his routes big time.
14. Santonio Holmes- For those of you that don't think he is great, why don't you reexamine that game winning Super Bowl TD catch? Or watch his speed? Or how about the fact that he was the 11th best receiver in the league in helping his team win games according to Advanced Football Stats' WPA score.
15. Miles Austin- He isn't great, but he's definitely good.

16. Jeremy Maclin- If only people realized that it is Maclin who is the best WR on the Eagles.
17. DeSean Jackson- Maclin may be better, but D-Jax and his crazy downfield speed are closely behind Mac. Jackson really needs to work on his route running and other skills instead of just blasting downfield.
18. Vincent Jackson- V-Jax is a huge redzone target and should be valued more by his own team. If he played the whole season, Rivers would be the easy MVP pick.
19. Dez Bryant- I can't wait till this guy fully develops. My best stroke of luck was when I found his rookie card in a Score pack for $1. I'll be holding on to that one.
20. Austin Collie- Collie is a catching machine.

21. TB Mike Williams
22. Wes Welker
23. Dwayne Bowe
24. Sidney Rice
25. Chad Ochocinco
26. Lee Evans
27. Kenny Britt
28. Santana Moss
29. Lance Moore
30. Johnny Knox
31. Brandon Lloyd
32. Braylon Edwards
33. Malcolm Floyd
34. Steve Breaston
35. James Jones
36. Pierre Garcon
37. Percy Harvin
38. Nate Washington
39. Steve Johnson
40. Mario Manningham
41. Davone Bess
42. Jordan Shipley
43. Mike Sims-Walker
44. Jordy Nelson
45. Hines Ward
46. Jerricho Cotchery
47. Mike Williams SEA
48. Robert Meachem
49. Roy Williams
50. Earl Bennett
51. TJ Houshmanzadeh
52. Mike Thomas
53. Michael Crabtree
54. Danny Amendola
55. Randy Moss
56. Nate Burleson
57. Bernard Berrian
58. Donald Driver
59. Kevin Walter
60. Devery Henderson
61. Devin Hester
62. Anthony Gonzalez
63. Ben Obomanu
64. Devin Aromashodu
65. Mike Jenkins
67 Harry Douglas
67. Patrick Crayton
68.Greg Camarillo
69. Brian Hartline
70. Josh Morgan
71. Jacoby Ford
72. Jacoby Jones
73. Early Doucet
74. Chaz Schilens
75. DeMaryius Thomas
Already 19th Best WR
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