Chad Jackson vs. Florida Receivers past

[Bostonian1962]

I think we've all heard the many "experts" lament that the Patriots could be getting, in Chad Jackson, what many who drafted Florida receivers in the past: A Bust

I don't see the comparison at all. I don't see it for the following reasons:

1. Jackson does not come from the Steve Spurrier chain of receivers
2. "Those" receivers were usually very slight in build. Jackson is a big, sturdy, solid receiver.
3. "Those" receivers dropped balls ALOT. Jackson has great hands.
4. Tom Brady is throwing the ball to Jackson. That obviously can't be said about the Florida receivers of the past.

I'd be interested to know if others on this board saw Jackson on the Cap. One special, where he dominated the others in the competition. It's hard to erase that from my memory bank.

Summary: Jackson is not a 5'9 1/2" wide receiver, with a slight build, and bad hands. Comparison to FLA receivers of the past, NOT VALID!

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Anyone who brings this up is just being silly. It's like saying the Patriots' draft choices will be busts because the Patriots couldn't draft under Pete Carrol/Bobby Grier. Jackson never played for Spurrier, wearing that uniform is irrelevant.

 

[JD10367]

Wasn't Jackson also used at Florida more in the manner that the Pats will use him? And I think he's also worked with different offenses down there, which means he must have half a brain and thus some flexibility to learn the system in New England.

It might be different if the weight of the team was being heaped upon his rookie shoulders. However, even if Branch were to sit out the season (which he won't), the Pats will still have an excellent ground game, an excellent short-pass game, a stout defense, and the best QB in the NFL. Jackson doesn't have to be the second coming of Jerry Rice: he needs to run fast and get open, and his teammates will take care of the rest.

 

[PatsFanInEaglesLand]

I think we've all heard the many "experts" lament that the Patriots could be getting, in Chad Jackson, what many who drafted Florida receivers in the past: A Bust

I don't see the comparison at all. I don't see it for the following reasons:

1. Jackson does not come from the Steve Spurrier chain of receivers
2. "Those" receivers were usually very slight in build. Jackson is a big, sturdy, solid receiver.
3. "Those" receivers dropped balls ALOT. Jackson has great hands.
4. Tom Brady is throwing the ball to Jackson. That obviously can't be said about the Florida receivers of the past.

I'd be interested to know if others on this board saw Jackson on the Cap. One special, where he dominated the others in the competition. It's hard to erase that from my memory bank.

Summary: Jackson is not a 5'9 1/2" wide receiver, with a slight build, and bad hands. Comparison to FLA receivers of the past, NOT VALID!

I some what agree with what you posted wxcept for #4. D. Jackson, Caldwell, Anthony, Gaffney, ect.... all had great hand in college and caught everything thrown at them.

 

[Remix 6]

bo CJ was used wrong..not like we will.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I some what agree with what you posted wxcept for #4. D. Jackson, Caldwell, Anthony, Gaffney, ect.... all had great hand in college and caught everything thrown at them.

I never looked at any of the FLA receivers as having great hands. In fact, Anthony and Green were here in DC, playing for Spurrier, and I saw them drop ball after ball. It got so bad, their coach who brought them in cut both of them.

I will agree with you partially. D. Jackson doesn't seem to have the bad hand knock, and it's probably more that the FLA receivers didn't get jammed at the line in the SEC, and were running free, than the hands thing.

Respectfully, I really don't think anybody you mentioned has the hands that Jackson has. I also think he's built more powerfully, and will be less likely to get bottled up off the line. Time will tell. Appreciate your post.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Last season, Jackson ran a ton of dig and out routes. He was also used some on reverses. At the snap of the ball, he usually was in motion going behind the QB, as in the fake end around. As a result, Jackson had a lot of catches, but his YPC resembled that of a TE's, under 10 YPC.
It is important to note that Urban's offense is not in any way, shape or form a pro offense.
The year before that, Jackson was used to stretch the field. He didn't catch that many balls, but his YPC was spectacular (over 22 I think). In that offense, very similar to Spurrier's, the receivers did the reading of the defense and ran to a spot. The QB was responsible throwing to that spot. The QB read the receiver, more or less.
Again it's important to note that both offenses he ran in college were not true pro offenses. So while none of us doubt his talent, based on his college experiences, I can not see a situation where he has some growing pains early and if healthy, then he finishes strong, provided he avoids the rookie wall.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Again it's important to note that both offenses he ran in college were not true pro offenses.

I doubt anyone disagrees with this but, to clarify, Belichick is on record as saying that Meyer's offense has more pro elements than many college offenses.