Jordan Matthews was the best slot receiver in football? Are you nuts? Doug Baldwin, Larry Fitzgerald, Julian Edelman, Jarvis Landry, Golden Tate, Mohamed Sanu, Keenan Allen, Randall Cobb? Even in his best year he was maybe on the fringe of the top-10. He put up big numbers in a Chip Kelly offense that was mostly devoid of talent but ran more plays than any other team in history. He's not very physically gifted, but he's physical and wins at the catch point. Still, there was a reason he was available later into free agency.
Britt's best years are well behind him, and his weird year with the Rams came when he was the only warm body available to catch passes. He's a journeyman now, and one whose production and yards per reception has steadily dropped since 2014. He'll be 30 in September, and he's got a reputation as a malcontent. Maybe he'll go back to his old self with a full offseason with Brady, but it's just as likely he's on the waiver wire come opening day.
Neither of these guys are even guaranteed to make the team, let alone play a major role. I'd love to see them do well but I'm not expecting anything.
BTW, this is all great. But its opinions and guesses.
Britt has been a downfield player (more than Hogan) with some pretty average QBs. He is only a year older (30) than Hogan as well and will now be playing with the GOAT. Look what playing with the GOAT did for Hogan.
So while we can guess and speculate what happened and why and what will happen - Saying Britt isnt a "downfield player" is wrong. He is a downfield player whether he comes here and excels or flames out regardless of his attitude as well - none of that changes what type of WR he is. Can he still do it is the question?? So far in camp he was the standout until he pulled his hamstring. He may not be the "downfield player" he used to be but he might be given what TB has done for receivers.
Also, again, I dont think anything Matthews did his first 3 years in the NFL is "unimpressive". Sure he gets a lot of balls but 225 catches, 2673 yards and 19 touchdowns his first 3 years in the league is pretty solid regardless of system.
Doug Baldwins 1st 3 years in the NFL 130 catches, 1932 yards 12 TD
And BTW
Matthews avg catch % those years was 65%
Baldwins was 62.4
Granted Baldwin's yards per reception is a few yards longer but the point stands. Matthews caught 42% more balls, 28% more yards, and 37% more TDs than Baldwin over their first 3 years in the league.
Also, Matthews did it with 4 different QBs and literally a different one each year - Bradford, Sanchez, Foles and Wentz. Baldiwn, had Jackson for a year and Wilson going forward, exclusively.
Also, if someone came in here and started proclaiming that the great Julien Edelman or even WW for that matter, were overrated because they played with the GOAT and in a system that as BB puts it "favors the slot receiver" people would lose their minds.
By the way, here are the catch % rates for 2 slot WRs
65.6 - Matthews first 4 years in the league.
65.8 - Danny Amendola first 6 years in the league which includes 2 years with the GOAT
Amendola is known for having elite hands.
Lets look at Julian Edelmans last 3 years:
His catch rate was 66.5 and that is with him and Brady literally sharing a brain at this point. Matthews is 65.6 his first four years in the NFL with 4 different QBs none of which hold a candle to Brady.
Matthews and JE have about the same Yards Per Reception avg over those time periods also. I am not saying JM is better than JE at all also. But JE is locked in to TB at this point and that is a huge advantage.
So again, I ask you, without tap dancing, are you going to admit Jordan Matthews at least isnt "unimpressive" and that Britt is at least a proven "Downfield player" regardless of what he may or may not do and what potential boost he may get from playing with the GOAT
Oh, by the way, Matthews and Britt are both playing for contracts this year.
