Long post.... Was listening to 247 podcast with Ivins/Copper(I know how most feel). They attended this players personnel symposium last week. Alonzo Highsmith was one of the speakers, he shared some thoughts on certain positions which they highlighted. What stood out were his thoughts on wide receivers and what he looks for. I went back and looked at the film of the kids we brought in at that position since he has been here and they all hit these traits.
A. Strong Hands/Play Strength- This is something for WRs which is very underrated. I am younger but one WR who had amazing play strength recently was Jamar Chase. No matter what CB he lined up against he was very physical, off the line, in phase, and at the catch point. An example of a player not being good at this that was highly rated was Mark Pope, slight frame and knocked off easily.
When looking at our recruits they all stand out with strong hands/play strength.
1. Chance Robinson, he has a very thick frame in the lower body(pause) and plays very physical. The blocks at the end of his hudl show his physicality.
2. JoJo Trader, he has a slight frame. I know some said he had to solidify his status to those in the recruiting department. The catches he makes in traffic or on top of DBs are unreal, what he lacks in size(pause) he makes up for with his strong hands to snatch any pass at the high point.
3. Shemar Kirk, he is well known for his YAC ability. His play strength and strong hands are underrated to me. He has some impressive contested catches on his tape against solid JUCO competition(step down from CCSF or CSM).
B. YAC ability- The way the game is played now you need a receiver that can turn the 5 yard slant into an explosive play. Everybody wants a DeeBo Samuel now. Zo was trying to explain to people that how you get your YAC is important, once you get to college you aren't just turning that corner on people. You have to show some DOG and be willing to fight for those yards. Players down below in my opinion show that DOG and have impressive YAC ability.
1. Shemar Kirk, When he gets the ball in his hands he is not going down on first contact. As a well built WR he shows that physicality always looking to seek out contact once he gets the ball. This is his biggest strength as a WR in my opinion.
2. Ray Ray Joseph, as Money noted he has experience as a RB and that shows up in his HS film and in the clips we get from fall camp. He is quick and elusive, something we been missing in the slot.
3. Robby Washington, honestly he could have fit in the category above with his solid frame. It takes a minute to see the competitiveness that he has once the football is in his hands.
As a former scout Zo knows what it is supposed to look like at the receiver position, during his time with the Packer he was apart of a front office that did not draft a first round WR but found success in later rounds with Tae Adams(Strong hands) and Ty Montgomery(YAC/former RB).
BIG PAUSE
