Chad Jackson vs. Braylon Edwards

[BelichickFan]

I know there's more to it than speed and quickness. Of couse, Jackson's hands seem to be as good as anyone's too. And he's played multiple positions, inside and outside WR. But I digress.

I just looked up the numbers of our second round pick vs. the #3 overall last year.

40 : Edwards : 4.45, Jackson : 4.32
20 Yd. Shuttle : Edwards : 4.02, Jackson : 4.03
3-Cone : Edwards : 6.83, Jackson : 6.74
Vertical : Edwards : 38", Jackson : 38.5"

Edwards is a couple of inches taller but about the same weight so Jackson is actually more well built.

These were the only comp numbers I could find, Jackson's were from the combine, Edwards' were from his pro day.

Bottom line, Jackson matches up athletically to the #3 pick in an admittedly weak draft. Now if he's coachable enough to touch up his route running a little . . .

 

[dryheat44]

Sure, just don't look at things like production in college.

 

[milwaukeebeers44]

. . .we just hope he doesn't get bacterial skin infections or tear his ACL. . .

 

[BelichickFan]

Sure, just don't look at things like production in college.

Jackson averaged over 22 YPC two years ago and, when moved inside, caught 89 passes last year. Where's the production problem ?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

He may have caught 80 plus balls, but for 9 YPC. That's pitiful. Most TEs can do better than that.

And the year before he had a great YPC average, but he caught less than 25 balls, I think. Anybody can get lucky once or twice a game on a few go routes.

Like someone said earlier, where's the production?????

 

[letekro]

He may have caught 80 plus balls, but for 9 YPC. That's pitiful. Most TEs can do better than that.

And the year before he had a great YPC average, but he caught less than 25 balls, I think. Anybody can get lucky once or twice a game on a few go routes.

Like someone said earlier, where's the production?????

As a 19-year-old sophmore at a major D-I school, he had over 600 yds and 6 tds. As a 20-year-old junior, he broke that school's single season reception record and scored 9 more tds. If he returned for his senior year he would have broken many career marks at UF, so I don't understand the lack of production thing. Obviously, juniors are going to be less productive comparatively to seniors.

 

[bucky]

He may have caught 80 plus balls, but for 9 YPC. That's pitiful. Most TEs can do better than that.

And the year before he had a great YPC average, but he caught less than 25 balls, I think. Anybody can get lucky once or twice a game on a few go routes.

Like someone said earlier, where's the production?????

According to the Florida Gators Web site, he averaged 10.2 ypc.

http://www.gatorzone.com/football/stats/team.pdf

 

[BelichickFan]

Like someone said earlier, where's the production?????

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I like Jackson better. However, he appears to be an equal athlete, about the same size, about the same hands, a good worker and smart (the last two Belichick would know about from his pal at Florida).

Edwards does appear to be more refined, based on production, but we're talking about an early #2 pick vs. the third pick overall and I find the comparison interesting.

 

[drpatriot]

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I like Jackson better. However, he appears to be an equal athlete, about the same size, about the same hands, a good worker and smart (the last two Belichick would know about from his pal at Florida).

Edwards does appear to be more refined, based on production, but we're talking about an early #2 pick vs. the third pick overall and I find the comparison interesting.

Edwards was a vastly better college player. This isn't always a basis for NFL production (see: Tim Couch, Desmond Howard) but it often is. Time will tell on this one.

 

[JackBauer]

He may have caught 80 plus balls, but for 9 YPC. That's pitiful. Most TEs can do better than that.

But that's the design of Meyers' system. What do you want him to do, make up his own routes?

 

[Remix 6]

Meyer didnt use Jackson effecively..barely ran long routes..all 5 yard - 10 yard curls and quick slants. He said he prefers playing outside..he wont be used as inside guy

 

[VJCPatriot]

Meyer didnt use Jackson effecively..barely ran long routes..all 5 yard - 10 yard curls and quick slants. He said he prefers playing outside..he wont be used as inside guy

I don't think that's the case. BB doesn't really care what a player 'prefer's. BB cares about what is in the best interest of the team. Jackson has shown skills both on the outside in the inside, and I think if he were inside in the slot it would be almost impossible for the nickle corner or linebacker to handle him.

I think the Pats will use him both inside and outside depending on the situation and the matchups.

 

[Remix 6]

i mis phrased that..i meant Jackson said hes a lot better as outside..he feels more comfortable there. He said he was productive in both but in NFL he will likely be outside because his speed

 

[drew4008]

Jackson averaged over 22 YPC two years ago and, when moved inside, caught 89 passes last year. Where's the production problem ?

Braylon Edwards had borderline Heisman numbers and Jackson's stats don't even come close to his.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Braylon Edwards had borderline Heisman numbers and Jackson's stats don't even come close to his.

You should know by now that college numbers don't tell the whole story.

Anyone remember a certain Michigan WR named Desmond Howard?
Drafted #4 overall in the 1992 NFL draft.
Hyped to be the next great WR because of his college career.
Turned out to be nothing more than a PR/KR specialist. Good one at that, but disappointing as a WR, especially considering the draft status.

Courtesy of Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Howard):
College career
Howard attended the University of Michigan, where he won the Heisman Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player, in 1991. Playing wide receiver, returning kicks, and returning punts, Howard scored 23 touchdowns in 11 regular-season games, including a Big Ten Conference-record 19 touchdown receptions. Howard was a member of four consecutive Big Ten championship teams at Michigan (1988-91), traveling to three Rose Bowls.

The moment which probably defined Howard's college career was his memorable touchdown-scoring 93-yard punt return against arch-rival Ohio State in 1991. Once he reached the end zone, Howard struck the now-famous "Heisman pose," thus causing ABC play-by-play commentator Keith Jackson to utter the line, "Hello, Heisman!" Since this moment, he has been credited with popularizing the "Heisman pose" as an on-field celebration for football players at all levels.

----------
So to answer your question, yes it may turn out that Jackson becomes the better WR than Braylon Edwards. It is too early to tell. And college production is hardly DETERMINATIVE of NFL production. And I disagree with the previous poster that Jackson was not productive in college. He was productive in two different ways and showed versatility. How that translates to the NFL, that remains to be seen.

 

[drew4008]

You should know by now that college numbers don't tell the whole story.

I never said they did, but was just responding to the other guy's post who was wondering what separated them statistically. Edwards is a much more polished WR as well.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I never said they did, but was just responding to the other guy's post who was wondering what separated them statistically. Edwards is a much more polished WR as well.

Well Jackson has yet to hit the NFL playing field, why don't we wait until then to make the comparisons? There's a lot of time between the draft and the regular season. And I am assuming both players will be working hard on their game in that time period.

Let them play ball first, because if the game were determined on paper, what purpose would there be to holding the season?

 

[BelichickFan]

Braylon Edwards had borderline Heisman numbers and Jackson's stats don't even come close to his.

Duh. I wasn't talking about stats, I was talking about speed, quickness, hands, size, smarts. I think we can develop a player to be productive if he has those qualities I just listed and Jackson seems to be on par with Edwards in those qualities.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

Time Will Tell.

Gator-Aidâ„¢ will have the dream opportunity on the Pats' receiver-depleted squad. By the end of this year, he may be a star. Otherwise, he may be an instant contributor, which in itself is great first-year work for a wideout.

Third year is make-or-break... of course, if he is a star right out of the gate, we can answer this question in 06... otherwise we wait to confirm him as a bust (how many are still waiting for the Bethel breakout, anyway?)

Quoting measurables and college stats is all good and well, but it's comforting when a player has actually played a snap or two in the NFL.

Til then...

GO GATOR-AID!

PFnV