Mardy Gilyard - strong work ethic, highly productive

[Seneschal2]

If the Pats want him, no earlier or later than round two.

He's been one of this board's most oft mentioned, and is also my #1 ranked receiver for the Pats -- primarily because of his work ethic and proven production. What follows are quotes from two sources exemplifying his inner drive to succeed. But first, a quick flashback to the round two receivers the Pats have drafted:

Several posters are leery to select another WR in round two because of the failures in Chad Jackson and Bethel Johnson -- like the round is cursed for that position. Well, Deion Branch was also selected there, and resembled a seasoned vet his rookie year. Obviously Branch had something the aforementioned two were lacking.

Branch was very productive at Louisville w/ back-to-back seasons of 71 and 72 receptions. He also came from an offense that prepared him well for the pros. That aside, he exhibited a strong enough work ethic to succeed in practices as well as games. Without actually knowing, it appeared that both Jackson and Johnson (although athletically gifted), lacked the intangibles of Branch.

The time has arrived to re-visit the WR position, not only for the apparent immediate need -- but for the future as well. The Pats could draft one in round 2, or later on -- or both.

Gilyard had 204 receptions in his college career, far exceeding the career totals of each of the three second round picks. He followed that production by impressing at Senior Bowl week. His Pro Day was also impressive as he improved his 40 Combine time with a 4.47, removing most doubts about him being fast enough to play the position.

Mardy found a permanent home on my Pats prospects list when I read about him wanting to improve his skills during Senior Bowl week. Here's the source and quote:

ProFootballWeekly.com - Gilyard working overtime at Senior Bowl

"(Gilyard) came down to my room; he wanted to go through the playbook again for an hour," Jefferson [Shawn], who played receiver for 13 NFL seasons, said. "So, this kid, he loves football and he cares. It's important to him. He's a competitor. I like that.

...The thing I like about (Gilyard) is he's resilient. He'll battle his ass off for you.

"He's been my leader out here. He really has. I like that kid. I think he's got a chance."

---

Two days ago, I read this quote from Gilyard's receiver's coach at Cincinnati:

Big C's NFL Blitz

“Mardy focused on every skill to help him become an elite receiver,” Molnar said in a recent phone interview. “Not just catching the ball, but hand placement, putting the ball away after the catch, route-running technique, etc. He took all those things very seriously. He was always looking to perfect his skills. Mardy is a perfectionist when it comes to his craft.”

---

Please read the rest of the coach's quotes (and please post more quotes ), then perhaps many will agree, that Gilyard's intangibles will make him successful in the Pats offense...and a legitimate reason to re-visit the WR position in round two.

 

[upstater1]

I would be very happy to grab Mardy.

I think teams probably have him pegged for the early 3rd, so unless we trade out of the first round into the early second and pick up a 3rd rounder, I'd be very happy to take him with our last 2nd rounder.

I think the two guys being mentioned a bit, Damian Williams and Mardy Gilyard, would be excellent in this offense. I'm not of the belief that they should swing for the fences with Arrelious Benn and the like.

Then again, if Dez Bryant falls to 22, I grab him there. A lot of people are projecting Brandon Graham to Atlanta and Odrick in the top 20, which would mean that no stud defensive player is available to the Patriots other than Jerry Hughes. Hughes might very well rise to that range. But right now he's a 1st round/2nd round tweener.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I'd take a chance with the last of our second round picks. I've read he has a tough time fighting through press coverage, but the intangibles make me think he could pick up the system and be productive. At the very least, he's an upgrade over our 3rd receiver last season.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

 

[VJCPatriot]

?

:idontgetit:

There are a bunch of WR prospects available in round 2, The trick will be picking the right one for the Pats system.

The question is, that if we get a Sydney Rice type of WR, will we be patient enough to let him develop, or will people be out for blood, the second he fails to make an impact in his first year?

2007 	Minnesota Vikings 	13 	31 	396 	12.8 	4
2008 	Minnesota Vikings 	13 	15 	141 	9.4 	4
2009 	Minnesota Vikings 	16 	83 	1,312 	15.8 	8

Sidney Rice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[patsfan-1982]

?

:idontgetit:

There are a bunch of WR prospects available in round 2, The trick will be picking the right one for the Pats system.

The question is, that if we get a Sydney Rice type of WR, will we be patient enough to let him develop, or will people be out for blood, the second he fails to make an impact in his first year?

2007 	Minnesota Vikings 	13 	31 	396 	12.8 	4
2008 	Minnesota Vikings 	13 	15 	141 	9.4 	4
2009 	Minnesota Vikings 	16 	83 	1,312 	15.8 	8

Sidney Rice - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

i agree it takes like 2 or 3 years for a rookie to realy become a star or at lest a good player. but i think rice, would of had better numbers he's first two years if he had a real QB

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You find and promote your Rice equivalent, I'm in agreement with Seneschaldeuce and Upstateruno as to Gilyard's ability to learn quickly and make an impact as a rookie. The kid's a gamer.

 

[patchick]

i think rice, would of had better numbers he's first two years if he had a real QB

I agree, Rice's numbers are deceptive. His first year, the QB-challenged Vikings ranked dead last in the league in pass attempts. Year 2 they ranked 28th. With a rotating cast of Kelly Holcomb, Tavaris Jackson, Gus Frerotte and even Brooks Bollinger starting under center, it was a nightmare environment to develop a young WR. Then year 3 Favre arrives, the offense is transformed, and Rice suddenly "matures."

But to answer the broader question, would I be happy to spend a high pick and sign a player to a 4-year contract and see almost no return on that until year 3 -- when my team had immediate needs at the position? It wouldn't thrill me.

 

[Patriot Missile]

To be honest I don't much about this guy. Just from what I've heard and read on this board. He did adjust well for the one pass in the senior bowl. Better than most pro's I might add.

What wr position does anyone see this guy playing? Is he primary,2ndary or slot?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

To be honest I don't much about this guy. Just from what I've heard and read on this board. He did adjust well for the one pass in the senior bowl. Better than most pro's I might add.

What wr position does anyone see this guy playing? Is he primary,2ndary or slot?

Yes.

........

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If the Pats want him, no earlier or later than round two.

He's been one of this board's most oft mentioned, and is also my #1 ranked receiver for the Pats -- primarily because of his work ethic and proven production. What follows are quotes from two sources exemplifying his inner drive to succeed. But first, a quick flashback to the round two receivers the Pats have drafted:

Several posters are leery to select another WR in round two because of the failures in Chad Jackson and Bethel Johnson -- like the round is cursed for that position. Well, Deion Branch was also selected there, and resembled a seasoned vet his rookie year. Obviously Branch had something the aforementioned two were lacking.

Branch was very productive at Louisville w/ back-to-back seasons of 71 and 72 receptions. He also came from an offense that prepared him well for the pros. That aside, he exhibited a strong enough work ethic to succeed in practices as well as games. Without actually knowing, it appeared that both Jackson and Johnson (although athletically gifted), lacked the intangibles of Branch.

The time has arrived to re-visit the WR position, not only for the apparent immediate need -- but for the future as well. The Pats could draft one in round 2, or later on -- or both.

Gilyard had 204 receptions in his college career, far exceeding the career totals of each of the three second round picks. He followed that production by impressing at Senior Bowl week. His Pro Day was also impressive as he improved his 40 Combine time with a 4.47, removing most doubts about him being fast enough to play the position.

Mardy found a permanent home on my Pats prospects list when I read about him wanting to improve his skills during Senior Bowl week.

While I do not think Gilyard will become a bad WR in the NFL, the fact remains that I see two things that make me think he is not going to be drafted by the Pats:

1.) The bowl game against Florida. He had a miserable day and could not get off the LOS against Haden and did not improve at all when he moved to the other side. On the day all he caught were some bubble screen throws, until blow out garbage time and we have 2 WR's and a RB that are much better at YAC on bubble screens. How he performed against top secondary players in meaningful games is a very important piece of film, and unfortunately that film is not very complimentary.

2.) Chicken leg syndrome. Chicken leg guys are scary because the are high cut and it seems to take away from their quick twitch. If there was one defining characteristic of Branch, it was quick twitch, the ability to create separation by exploding in and out of cuts. I do not see that on the patterns that Gilyard runs.

 

[upstater1]

While I do not think Gilyard will become a bad WR in the NFL, the fact remains that I see two things that make me think he is not going to be drafted by the Pats:

1.) The bowl game against Florida. He had a miserable day and could not get off the LOS against Haden and did not improve at all when he moved to the other side. On the day all he caught were some bubble screen throws, until blow out garbage time and we have 2 WR's and a RB that are much better at YAC on bubble screens. How he performed against top secondary players in meaningful games is a very important piece of film, and unfortunately that film is not very complimentary.

2.) Chicken leg syndrome. Chicken leg guys are scary because the are high cut and it seems to take away from their quick twitch. If there was one defining characteristic of Branch, it was quick twitch, the ability to create separation by exploding in and out of cuts. I do not see that on the patterns that Gilyard runs.

Gilyard though has better hands than Branch. Gilyard has the best hands in the draft--hands down.

About the Florida game, I saw a coach who spent the whole month in Buffalo and really hardly cared about coaching Cincy, devise some ridiculous plays that took away half the field. Tony Pike was rolling out on every play. Granted, Florida was penetrating and rushing him, but good god man, stand back there and take a hit, and if you get hit, you get hit. Gilyard had absolutely no chance to shine because they were rolling out toward his side of the field, and the whole defense was defending only that half the field. Cincy's #2 receiver Binn was taken totally out of the game, and only the freshman Woods provided an alternate target in the passing game. It was a joke. You can't judge him by one game, and just because the competition was Florida means little to me because Cincy played Oklahoma and Oregon as well as good CBs like McCourty and our own Darius Butler in the BE. It's not like he went up against only one good CB in his life (Haden) and blew it. he was challenged a lot.

 

[bbell31]

we dont need gilyard. we have welker, edelman, tate who are all similar. we arent going to draft him so this thread has zero significance except for daydreaming.

 

[BritPat]

we dont need gilyard. we have welker, edelman, tate who are all similar. we arent going to draft him so this thread has zero significance except for daydreaming.

Welker, Edelman and Tate are three different styles of receiver. How can he be like them all?

And FYI, we've interviewed him at the Combine, he's spoken to two of our position coaches on separate occasions, and we had a Private Workout with him last Tuesday.

You might want to rethink your position.....

 

[WesWelker83]

Welker, Edelman and Tate are three different styles of receiver. How can he be like them all?

And FYI, we've interviewed him at the Combine, he's spoken to two of our position coaches on separate occasions, and we had a Private Workout with him last Tuesday.

You might want to rethink your position.....

I think Gilyard will be an alright pro and definitely not a bust but I think the following players are better and I would take them all over Gilyard.

1. Damian Williams
2. Andre Roberts
3. Eric Decker