Getting elite wide receivers: Why did BB wait?

[loosebearing]

I think just about every post in this thread has been right. It's probably a little bit of everything. BB & co. did make significant efforts to sign a few high-level FA WRs. They did expect Branch to be on the roster last year. And they also seem to have changed their philosophy in a couple of ways:

- Emphasizing the position more after seeing how passing offense dominates the new NFL

and

- Giving up on drafting WRs.

This last bit hasn't been mentioned much. BB has spent three 2nd-round picks on receivers. Then entering a draft with an obvious major need at receiver he traded 3 draft picks for veteran WRs and didn't draft a single one. It's been shown statistically that WR is the most unpredictable position to draft high, and early signs are that BB has tossed away his crystal ball. Gimme a guy who already knows how to get it done.

First of all a thank you for actually reading all the posts in a thread rather than just the last page.

Second - a good point about the draft picks - especially since you didn't mention it you probably didn't hear BB's reasoning to switching to veteran WR's over Draft Picks on WEEI this monday.

He was addressing the strengths of Randy Moss. Besides his speed and hands is his ability to shred DB's at the line with quick hand movements.
He said that college receivers very rarely get challenged off the line, while in the NFL they are constantly tested. And if they can't get into their routes the DB's are relentless on them. He said that this alone made it a crap shoot to pick WR in the draft. That a 1'st rounder with better speed and hands who can't free himself is a bust, while a 5th rounder with less physical attributes becomes a star. Between the lines what he was saying is the crystal ball has cracks - but a three to five year veteran is crystal clear.

 

[patchick]

Second - a good point about the draft picks - especially since you didn't mention it you probably didn't hear BB's reasoning to switching to veteran WR's over Draft Picks on WEEI this monday.

He was addressing the strengths of Randy Moss. Besides his speed and hands is his ability to shred DB's at the line with quick hand movements.
He said that college receivers very rarely get challenged off the line, while in the NFL they are constantly tested. And if they can't get into their routes the DB's are relentless on them. He said that this alone made it a crap shoot to pick WR in the draft. That a 1'st rounder with better speed and hands who can't free himself is a bust, while a 5th rounder with less physical attributes becomes a star. Between the lines what he was saying is the crystal ball has cracks - but a three to five year veteran is crystal clear.

Didn't hear that -- great stuff, thanks!!