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Pats WR's ... What is a #1 WR?

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In the Rookies Report For Training Camp thread, saw this little exchange ... Think it really merits its own thread...





So whats a #1... How is a #1 defined? Basically, to me, in the most commonsense tyle answer, its the teams most talented guy... The protoypical 1 would be the X receiver, the best pass catcher on the field, the guy split to the outside... am I wrong? Is there a better definition?

If not the X because you just have a speed guy on the outside, maybe the 1 is in the Z spot, (or flanker for the football historians), just based on the players intangibles... lines up on the outside, off the line of scrimmage... Usually good hands, has some speed, can make quick cuts, runs good routes...

Outside of that, with the lack of a true Split End, I would define the 1, or in relation to this roster, our 1 should be defined as the best guy on the field, even if they aren't a true X... If fully recovered, it has to be Bourne, though I think he might struggle this year a bit, just based on the observations that it "takes a year"...

So, do we have one? Who is it?

Thats what we will find out in camp this year... Polk certainly has the speed... but then again, so does Thornton... at 6-1, 203 pounds, Polk is a bit more solid than Thornton, and is likely to be better just because he can use that body/size to his advantage much more effectively than Thornton... tbh i am of the belief that Thornton is on the bubble, and most likely will not make the 53 man roster this year...
Jalen Reagor this guy have one of the most impressive College tapes I've seen from a WR. You could see why he went before J Jefferson What an enigma *scratches bald head*.

 
Traditionally you're right - the X is (or should be) your #1 WR.
But the Pats have rarely had that. Since 2000, it's been Troy Brown, Branch, Welker, Edelman.
07-09 Moss was our prototype #1, but even then, Welker was THE centerpoint.

I think in today's NFL, the #1WR is a bit of a misnomer, but comes down to THE pass catcher who can always get open, and that the QB is looking for in "must-have" moments. ie: in KC, it's Kelce. So, TE can be a #1 "receiver" too.

It seems as if Pop could be that GUY this year. While allowing Polk & Baker to develop as the playmakers without pressure; and Bourne & Osborn will also help spread the targets around, but Pop will be the guy Defenses have to key on - and that defines #1WR.
 
You think he gets it this year? That would be nice he was a player at TCU.
He posted the highest completion percentage of his career in Minny before he arrived here. Last year he posted the lowest of his career, in his defense the offense was horrid. He also dropped some passes that landed in his bread basket.

I think there’s a battle between Reagor and Thornton for that “speed” role and there’s probably only a roster spot for one of them. Kick returns might play a role here, Reagor does that well. I hope Thornton emerges though, he has more upside.
 
Jalen Reagor this guy have one of the most impressive College tapes I've seen from a WR. You could see why he went before J Jefferson What an enigma *scratches bald head*.


don't really know anything about him
 
He went one pick before Justin Jefferson.
yeah, well... N'Keal Harry...




thats all i am gonna say about relative draft positions...
 
So I guess we can all shut up about the Pat’s (every team) not having a #1… by this ^ rationale every team has a #1.

Somehow I don’t think the weaponz obsessed or lovers of shiny hood ornaments will play along…
On the contrary, trying to find out what a 1 is... or how people perceive / define a number 1... differing opinions welcomed...

Is it just the stud WR ala Randy Moss

Or do people see a guy like Julian as a one, when he was at the top of his game?

Is it relative to the league as a whole? Is it relative to the team only?

I dunno... want to see what you all think
 
On the contrary, trying to find out what a 1 is... or how people perceive / define a number 1... differing opinions welcomed...

Is it just the stud WR ala Randy Moss

Or do people see a guy like Julian as a one, when he was at the top of his game?

Is it relative to the league as a whole? Is it relative to the team only?

I dunno... want to see what you all think
I think the notion of a #1 defense is mostly garbage. There’s maybe 3 or 4 weapons in the league that keep D coordinators up at night or they roll coverages too. Otherwise most coordinators can shut down one great receiver with one great CB or by rolling coverage in his direction… and once that happens your ability to score is dependent on your other receivers ability to win.

In short, a group of good receivers is better than one overpaid superweapon and a bunch of jags. “Weapons” are aptly named because they’re tools, and there is a tool for every job.

David Patten stretched the field and provided a deep threat which opened up underneath routes.

David Givens was a big strong physical presence who could win on the outside.

Troy Brown was the ultra quick slot receiver who could win in a phone booth and take advantage of the middle of the field.

Kevin Faulk was a quick shifty RB who could catch like a WR and makes plays out of the backfield and on outlet passes.

None of these guys was some ridiculously talented superweapon, they all had a role and attacked an area of the field which allowed the others to do the same. The QB threw to the open man, made the opponent defend every blade of grass. It’s a team game.

The overriding need for a superweapon is a myth. The Chiefs haven’t had one the last two years and won rings. Meanwhile Tyreek Hill who is the best weapon and receiver in the entire league… he’s been bounced in the wildcard round the last two years.
 
I think the notion of a #1 defense is mostly garbage. There’s maybe 3 or 4 weapons in the league that keep D coordinators up at night or they roll coverages too. Otherwise most coordinators can shut down one great receiver with one great CB or by rolling coverage in his direction… and once that happens your ability to score is dependent on your other receivers ability to win.

In short, a group of good receivers is better than one overpaid superweapon and a bunch of jags. “Weapons” are aptly named because they’re tools, and there is a tool for every job.

David Patten stretched the field and provided a deep threat which opened up underneath routes.

David Givens was a big strong physical presence who could win on the outside.

Troy Brown was the ultra quick slot receiver who could win in a phone booth and take advantage of the middle of the field.

Kevin Faulk was a quick shifty RB who could catch like a WR and makes plays out of the backfield and on outlet passes.

None of these guys was some ridiculously talented superweapon, they all had a role and attacked an area of the field which allowed the others to do the same. The QB threw to the open man, made the opponent defend every blade of grass. It’s a team game.

The overriding need for a superweapon is a myth. The Chiefs haven’t had one the last two years and won rings. Meanwhile Tyreek Hill who is the best weapon and receiver in the entire league… he’s been bounced in the wildcard round the last two years.
But what if we are the Team that develop that overpaid superweapon what if we develop the next Adams or Hill would you let them walk or pay them??
 
I think the notion of a #1 defense is mostly garbage. There’s maybe 3 or 4 weapons in the league that keep D coordinators up at night or they roll coverages too. Otherwise most coordinators can shut down one great receiver with one great CB or by rolling coverage in his direction… and once that happens your ability to score is dependent on your other receivers ability to win.

In short, a group of good receivers is better than one overpaid superweapon and a bunch of jags. “Weapons” are aptly named because they’re tools, and there is a tool for every job.

David Patten stretched the field and provided a deep threat which opened up underneath routes.

David Givens was a big strong physical presence who could win on the outside.

Troy Brown was the ultra quick slot receiver who could win in a phone booth and take advantage of the middle of the field.

Kevin Faulk was a quick shifty RB who could catch like a WR and makes plays out of the backfield and on outlet passes.

None of these guys was some ridiculously talented superweapon, they all had a role and attacked an area of the field which allowed the others to do the same. The QB threw to the open man, made the opponent defend every blade of grass. It’s a team game.

The overriding need for a superweapon is a myth. The Chiefs haven’t had one the last two years and won rings. Meanwhile Tyreek Hill who is the best weapon and receiver in the entire league… he’s been bounced in the wildcard round the last two years.
Thats what I am hoping we have this year - a solid group of WR's to work with... if we do, it will make Maye's eventual transition to the starter much easier...
 
We haven’t had a true #1 (X type) since Randy Moss 14 years ago. One of the biggest misconceptions arising from the rise of fantasy football is that you need one to win football games. On the contrary, history shows that it may even hurt the team by making them too one dimensional. In the past 15 seasons, only 2 Superbowl champions have had a clear cut true #1 - Denver in 2015 with Demaryius Thomas, and Kansas City in 2019 with Tyreek Hill.
 
I think the notion of a #1 defense is mostly garbage. There’s maybe 3 or 4 weapons in the league that keep D coordinators up at night or they roll coverages too. Otherwise most coordinators can shut down one great receiver with one great CB or by rolling coverage in his direction… and once that happens your ability to score is dependent on your other receivers ability to win.

In short, a group of good receivers is better than one overpaid superweapon and a bunch of jags. “Weapons” are aptly named because they’re tools, and there is a tool for every job.

David Patten stretched the field and provided a deep threat which opened up underneath routes.

David Givens was a big strong physical presence who could win on the outside.

Troy Brown was the ultra quick slot receiver who could win in a phone booth and take advantage of the middle of the field.

Kevin Faulk was a quick shifty RB who could catch like a WR and makes plays out of the backfield and on outlet passes.

None of these guys was some ridiculously talented superweapon, they all had a role and attacked an area of the field which allowed the others to do the same. The QB threw to the open man, made the opponent defend every blade of grass. It’s a team game.

The overriding need for a superweapon is a myth. The Chiefs haven’t had one the last two years and won rings. Meanwhile Tyreek Hill who is the best weapon and receiver in the entire league… he’s been bounced in the wildcard round the last two years.
I think a really good QB can make a group of good WR's look good but that's not Biscuit he's average.
 
But what if we are the Team that develop that overpaid superweapon what if we develop the next Adams or Hill would you let them walk or pay them??
The Chiefs did the right thing not paying Tyreek a second time and taking the massive draft haul they got in return. This isn’t a one size fits all proposition.

IMO having a top QB (Maye hopefully) and a top flight OLine is more important than overpaying one weapon. Has Devante Adams helped the Raiders?

The Chiefs have proven once and for all if you have the QB and OLine you can always find reasonably priced weapons and win rings.
 
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We haven’t had a true #1 (X type) since Randy Moss 14 years ago. One of the biggest misconceptions arising from the rise of fantasy football is that you need one to win football games. On the contrary, history shows that it may even hurt the team by making them too one dimensional. In the past 15 seasons, only 2 Superbowl champions have had a clear cut true #1 - Denver in 2015 with Demaryius Thomas, and Kansas City in 2019 with Tyreek Hill.
Cooper Kupp Rams.

 
Thats what I am hoping we have this year - a solid group of WR's to work with... if we do, it will make Maye's eventual transition to the starter much easier...
A defense has a harder time defending a great team than a single great receiver.

Christian Gonzalez negated Tyreek Hill last year. Gilmore used to shutdown #1 WR’s on the regular.

The NFL only has one Tyreek, one Gronk… it’s not like there’s a bunch of these guys in every draft class to be had.
 
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