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Receivers - How many and who?

the wonger need food

the wonger need food

All Pro
The first question would be how many? I believe that 6 (including JJ) were on the roster most games with Armstrong being left off the roster a few times for an extra tight end. Assuming Gaffney gets healthy, 3 guys are fighting for the final spot... Kasper, Starling and Swinton. (Locks: Dre, Gaffney, Bradford, Mathis and Armstrong)

Swinton
Pros - Great return guy, a definite upgrade over JJ. Lots of experience and generally a good decision-maker.
Cons - One-dimensional player, much like JJ. Buchanon and Mathis are the frontrunners for punt and kick returns.

Starling
Pros - Above average gunner on punt team. Very good special teams player. Speed and potential as WR. Can return kicks in a pinch.
Cons - Inconsistant as a receiver.

Kasper
Pros - Good return guy, not necessarily an upgrade over JJ, but will make good decisions. Above average hands, probably a good possesion receiver. Seems to make plays on all special teams.
Cons - Lack of speed. Caucasian. Journeyman.

It seems to me that Kasper is the most solid and diverse guy out of the bunch. Given the fact that the 6th guy on the depth chart will get thrown to half as many times as the tight ends (about 3), the best special teams guy will probably win out.
 
I don't know about Kasper now, but his combine numbers were impressive in 2001 (at least the ones I was able to find).

He broke three combine records for agility (according to this site which is apparently where he did his speed training, so you may take the info with a grain of salt);
http://www.parisischool.com/Kevin_Kasper.html

and according to Kiper he ran 4.38 in the 40:

http://espn.go.com/melkiper/s/2001/0307/1136944.html

p.s. I did find another page referring to the agility scores at the combine, but cannot find it now. If I find it again, I wll post it.
 
Kasper
Pros - Good return guy, not necessarily an upgrade over JJ, but will make good decisions. Above average hands, probably a good possesion receiver. Seems to make plays on all special teams.
Cons - Lack of speed. Caucasian . Journeyman.


Why does Kasper being caucasian have anything to do with whether or not he'll make the team. The best receiver the Titans have(Drew Bennett)just so happens to be a white guy. That's all I got for now, later.
 
the wonger need food said:
The first question would be how many? I believe that 6 (including JJ) were on the roster most games with Armstrong being left off the roster a few times for an extra tight end. Assuming Gaffney gets healthy, 3 guys are fighting for the final spot... Kasper, Starling and Swinton. (Locks: Dre, Gaffney, Bradford, Mathis and Armstrong)

Swinton
Pros - Great return guy, a definite upgrade over JJ. Lots of experience and generally a good decision-maker.
Cons - One-dimensional player, much like JJ. Buchanon and Mathis are the frontrunners for punt and kick returns.

Starling
Pros - Above average gunner on punt team. Very good special teams player. Speed and potential as WR. Can return kicks in a pinch.
Cons - Inconsistant as a receiver.

Kasper
Pros - Good return guy, not necessarily an upgrade over JJ, but will make good decisions. Above average hands, probably a good possesion receiver. Seems to make plays on all special teams.
Cons - Lack of speed. Caucasian. Journeyman.

It seems to me that Kasper is the most solid and diverse guy out of the bunch. Given the fact that the 6th guy on the depth chart will get thrown to half as many times as the tight ends (about 3), the best special teams guy will probably win out.
Click to expand...

Whats with the listing of his race as a con? :confused: And Kasper and Swinton should both be labeled as journeymen, if I recall they have been on nearly the same number of teams.

With all that aside, after atleast the first game, I must agree that I think Kasper is now leading the race for the last WR spot. Sloan Thomas may be returnign the practice squad, or cut cause the catch Pitts made last night was pretty nice.
 
dagr8whitehope said:
Why does Kasper being caucasian have anything to do with whether or not he'll make the team. The best receiver the Titans have(Drew Bennett)just so happens to be a white guy. That's all I got for now, later.
Click to expand...

Lighten up Francis... it was a joke.
 
the wonger need food said:
Lighten up Francis... it was a joke.
Click to expand...

Weird joke, but hey I can take a joke like the next guy. I just didn't find it too funny. But, somehow I think if he were another race and the same thing was said, it would have been wiped, along with any history of you ever having lived within about 10 seconds of posting it. You would probably be in the witness protection program by now, and under an assumed name of Titansfan. : :tomato:


As to your question, I'm not so sure Armstrong is a 100% lock. I would put him in the highly probable area, but it seems that the Texans staff has been sending out subtle signals that they covet more versatility that what Armstrong brings. I think they would be making a pretty huge mistake to cut him, but if they covet ST ability, and overall versatility over pure WR play, he could be a late cut. Other than your poor attempt at humor, I don't totally disagree with the rest of your analysis. Carry on. :tv:
 
the wonger need food said:
(Locks: Dre, Gaffney, Bradford, Mathis and Armstrong)
Click to expand...
I dunno.....how about this, Locks: Dre,Gaffney,Mathis. Of Armstrong & Bradford I really think the latter may be gone and I'm not as sure about
Armstrong either. I know they are both #2 WRs on the depth chart. Bradfords
fast, but what's the point, he can't hold onto anything - big time club hands.
Both Starling & Kasper are good ST players and hustle on every play - they
want it bad.
 
Gaffney is still being held out fo practice, and nobody is sure when he'll return. Any chance that hes starts the year on the PUP list and we carry two of teh questionable guys till his return. Give mem Kasper or Starling, I'm not all that impressed with Swinton an dfell that after Mathis or p-Buc get their shots at the return spots may impression of him will only worsen.
 
nunusguy said:
Bradfords
fast, but what's the point, he can't hold onto anything - big time club hands.
Click to expand...

Bradford has dropped 4 balls in the past two years or 3.4% of the balls thrown to him. To compare his club hands to the spiderman like hands of Randy Moss, Moss has dropped 4.7% of the balls directed to him the last two years. Bradford has problems getting good separation and getting noticed by Carr when he does. At least for the last two years hands have not been the problem.
 
Hoth-Boy said:
Gaffney is still being held out fo practice, and nobody is sure when he'll return. Any chance that hes starts the year on the PUP list and we carry two of teh questionable guys till his return.
Click to expand...

Capers on Gaffney from the main page today:

“Gaffney has a slight infection that we’re giving him medication for right now. It has nothing to do with his shoulder. Really, it doesn’t do anything (to set him back). He can continue to work his shoulder, which he is doing. Whether it’s a day or two before he’s back out here – Jabar know his assignments. I think the next step for him is when we add the physical element to things. He’s done as much, if not more, than what I expected of him at this point in time.”
Click to expand...
 
infantrycak said:
Bradford has dropped 4 balls in the past two years or 3.4% of the balls thrown to him. To compare his club hands to the spiderman like hands of Randy Moss, Moss has dropped 4.7% of the balls directed to him the last two years. Bradford has problems getting good separation and getting noticed by Carr when he does. At least for the last two years hands have not been the problem.
Click to expand...
OK, you got the facts and I can't argue with that, but that does surprise
me. I do know I got to see Bradford up close and personal at practice the
other day running drills into the EZ against Denver DBs and he appeared lethargic and I'm pretty sure dropped a couple - complete contrast to Kasper and Starling. 3.4 % - that's less that 1 drop every 25 passes his way - wonder what a Jerry Rice was doing in his prime, < 1 % ?
 
BradK10 said:
he was just assuming lack of speed beacuse he's white
Click to expand...

Yep...not funny and inaccurate bad combination.

Kasper seems to be the oppositie of JJ Moses (as a returner) in that he has great straightline speed, but limited wiggle instead Moses whole bunch of wiggle and LB type speed.

Also, he does have some skills in other special team areas and as a WR, even though I really don't want to see him starting a game.
 
nunusguy said:
OK, you got the facts and I can't argue with that, but that does surprise
me. I do know I got to see Bradford up close and personal at practice the
other day running drills into the EZ against Denver DBs and he appeared lethargic and I'm pretty sure dropped a couple - complete contrast to Kasper and Starling. 3.4 % - that's less that 1 drop every 25 passes his way - wonder what a Jerry Rice was doing in his prime, < 1 % ?
Click to expand...

Problems come and go with players. Bradford certainly dropped some balls in 2002 and we all remember it vividly (heck many people vividly remember him dropping passes that were actually dropped by Jermaine Lewis) because the Texans were new and he was the #1. Since that time however, he has had good hands. Look at DD, he certainly had a fumbling problem in the 1st two games last year and now some people keep repeating that he has a fumbling problem despite the fact that on the year he fumbled about the same or less than RB's with similar carries and in fact is currently riding one of the longest streaks (around 325 touches) without a fumble in the league. So for now I am going with Bradford's hands aren't bad and DD isn't a fumbler.
 
I think it is premature to say he is an upgrade from JJ. JJ was consistant over a long period of time with us and had a high return average and good hands. Swinton did show good return ability and field vision, I just don't think that he will make the roster on that alone with all the other competition out there. That is why JJ isn't here anymore.

This is what I think the WR situation looks like in no particular order:

AJ- like a rock

Bradford- Most likely gone after this year if mathis proves that he has any hands at all.

Gaffney- depending on how he does this season he might have to switch with Armstrong. Personally Im not that fond of his style of play, it just seems too relaxed to me.

Armstrong- I think he makes the roster as a back up with a good chance to take over Gaffney's spot.

Mathis- with that speed it would be sooooo nice to see him take Bradfords spot.

Swinton- his ability seems good as a returner, but for us right now I think it's a little one sided. He is not what we need right now IMHO.

Kasper- I like the way this guy plays. He is a tough fighter who gives 110%. Hopefully we can find a way to hold on to him and see how the WR situation is next year.

Starling- Im not too sure what to think about him. I haven't seen too much that stands out to me as a WR but for special teams he is great. To me he looks like a person that would do well on defense? For some reason I cant gauge him very good.

Dunbar, Pitts, Thomas- I dont know enough about them to really judge
 
How's Kendrick Sterling doing? Last year he was an intriguing prospect for us. He clearly has blazing speed but like Wonger said, his hands aren't that reliable for now. With so many receivers plus guys like Gaffney, Bradford, and A.J. one of these guys has to step up and make a big impact for us. Let's not forget Jerome Mathis. Although he lacks in route running and all that I still think his speed will allow us to do somethings in the offense.
 
Nawzer said:
Let's not forget Jerome Mathis. Although he lacks in route running and all that I still think his speed will allow us to do somethings in the offense.
Click to expand...
I think mathis could be our best draft pick of the year. route running sems like something that can be fixed. you cant teach speed.
 
Don't know if anyone else heard this, but the "voice of the Texans" said
yesterday afternoon on 610 that Kasper was going to be the Special Teams
captain for tonights game. A sort of honor bestowed on a player by the coaches, got to be a vote of confidance for Kasper and a fairly
significant indicator of guys progress and chances for making the roster
I'd think ?
 
nunusguy said:
Don't know if anyone else heard this, but the "voice of the Texans" said
yesterday afternoon on 610 that Kasper was going to be the Special Teams
captain for tonights game. A sort of honor bestowed on a player by the coaches, got to be a vote of confidance for Kasper and a fairly
significant indicator of guys progress and chances for making the roster
I'd think ?
Click to expand...

Based on this and what Capers said about him in the film clip on the front page of this site, it looks like Kasper will make it if he doesn't screw it up or get hurt between now and the final cut.
 
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