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New Jersey – A comment from somebody in the organization on Shaq Evans, made me think of a big picture question about the Jets wide receiver position . . .
Eric Allen, who works for the Jets, as a reporter for their website, was asked by a fan, in a Q-and-A, about the wide receivers the Jets picked in the draft.
“It will be exciting to watch all these draft selections develop, but Shaquelle Evans is intriguing because he could push to become this team’s No. 2 WR,” Allen said. “The 6’1”, 213-pound Evans, who broke out the past two seasons with the Bruins, is proficient in a lot of categories: hands, route running and instincts. I saw him up close at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, AL and there is talent there.”
So what piqued my interested about that answer?
“He could push to become this team’s No. 2 WR,” is the part of the answer that got me thinking.
I don’t disagree that Evans has #2 receiver potential.
He’s a terrific fourth round value, who easily could have been picked higher. If this wasn’t one of the deepest receiver drafts in recent memory, he likely would have been picked in the second or third round.
He is a nicely-built receiver (6-1, 213) with 4.4 speed, solid hands, toughness and a good work ethic. He could be around the Jets scene for a long time.
But here is my why that one sentence got me thinking.
If Evans emerges as the Jets #2 receiver, who is the #1?
I like Eric Decker, and he was a good signing. He’s a solid, professional receiver, who runs good routes and has terrific hands, but he’s not a #1 receiver.
You would be hard-pressed to find anybody in the football world who views him as a #1 receiver.
This isn’t a “dis,” just a dose of reality.
“I don’t believe he’s a #1 one,” said former NFL head coach Mike Martz said on NFL Network in mid-March. “I see him as a third receiver, to be honest with you. You match him up one-on-one, you match him up with a good solid corner, he can disappear from a game. When you take him to another team and highlight him and they start rolling coverages, can he be successful, I don’t think so. He’s a good player. I think he’s a #2 or #3. May the buyer beware here.”
Remember, Martz is very close with Adam Gase, the Denver Broncos’ offensive coordinator. Martz is Gase’s mentor. They talk. Along with being an offensive guru with his own intelligent take on receivers, he got great insight from Gase on his former player.
So the point here is simple – if somebody is saying Evans could emerge as the #2, I’m assuming they think Decker is the #1.
And I just don’t see it.
But with that being said, it’s very possible, the Jets’ offense in 2014, could be like the San Diego Chargers’ offense from Norv Turner’s time as head coach (and before that offensive coordinator), when a running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates, where often leading the team in receiving.
When people talk about the Jets passing game, I think one point that is being missed here, with all the concern about the receivers, is that Chris Johnson could lead this team in receiving. The Jets intend to throw to him a ton. He’s a very good receiver out of the backfield with world class speed.
Also, the Jeff Cumberland-Jace Amaro tight end combination is going to be a huge part of the Jets’ passing attack. Marty Mornhinweg loves throwing to tight ends, and now he has two with great size who can stretch the field.
So I don’t want to make a big deal out of the “#1 receiver” thing. The Jets have plenty of passing game weapons now. They should be fine (if they get good QB play).
I just disagree with the theory that if Evans emerges at the #2, Decker is a #1. I just don’t see it.
May 14, 2104
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