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USA Today: Kevin Walter is not a second-rate No. 2 receiver

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Texans: Kevin Walter is not a second-rate No. 2 receiver

He turns 31 soon, which isn't old. But Kevin Walter is wise, his 10 seasons in the NFL not at all a fluke.

Then again, it might be a surprise to learn he has spent the past six seasons with the Houston Texans, serving as their de facto best wide receiver not named Andre Johnson. And it might be unsettling to discover he's likely been the most reliable Texan of recent recall - since 2007, Walter has played in 77 of 80 regular-season games, starting 75.

And yet he hears the chatter about how Houston should upgrade at the No. 2 wide receiver, which is his role. The noise is usually loudest this time of the year, around training camp, and Walter shakes his head and laughs.

"People can say whatever," he said Wednesday. "I don't care what people think."

That's because he knows how his teammates and coaches feel about him.

"If you ask anyone in our locker room who's the most underrated player, the most important player or the unsung hero of our team, it's Kevin," Texans quarterback Matt Schaub said. "Every time, hands down. No question..."

read more: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/foot...012-08-01/texans-offense-receivers/56671564/1
 
Kevin seems like a great guy, hard worker, and an awesome teammate. Its not his fault that the organization has placed him in this No. 2 receiver role for so long. He does some very good things in this offense for us though, and I love having him on the team. His weaknesses are just exposed sometimes especially when Andre is out. In this league you have to be able to beat man coverage at times, and he just doesn't have that ability to do that consistently right now. However he's savvy enough to find open seams in zone.
 
I've always liked Walter, but stopped defending him in the forum years ago because I perceived a majority bias against him. I just let the coaching staff's decisions speak for themselves, which has been quite clear in their confidence in him as our no. 2 receiver for years.
 
Kevin Walter doesn't suck. That said his competition at the spot has been jacoby jones and now a bunch of rookies and udfa's.

If the texans had drafted or signed a legit wr kw likely would have been on the bench.

It can be said that they have not addressed the wr spot because of kw, but I just think we've adressed issues that were more pressing.

Kw would be an excellent 3rd or 4th wr. Personally I'd rather have another guy be the #2 that can actually play spot duty as the #1 in the very likely event Andre misses some time.

I guess my biggest problem with kw is andre's health if that makes any sense.

I love kw. I hope he has a big year because despite his drop in numbers he's not a bad wr. I just don't know if it's going to play out like that.
 
Thorn said:
he runs good routes and has made some good catches for us. considering everything, I'm glad to have him. To unseat him, someone is going to have to be pretty good.

carear stats: and he hasn't had a fumble since 2006

http://www.nfl.com/player/kevinwalter/2505453/careerstats
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This^^^

He's not flashy or anything but he brings his lunch pail and goes to work. He took a salary cut for the team. And I'm sure some will say it was that or "hit the road" but do we KNOW that? Has anyone from the Smithiak camp come out and SAID that?

I totally agree with Thorn, someone will have to be pretty good to take away his job. Maybe in a couple of years one of the current crop of kids...
 
Kevin Walter is one of those guys that thrives with a true #1. I think what people are worried about with him is that he isn't the kind of receiver that can step into that #1 role when a guy like AJ goes down
 
gtexan02 said:
Kevin Walter is one of those guys that thrives with a true #1. I think what people are worried about with him is that he isn't the kind of receiver that can step into that #1 role when a guy like AJ goes down
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Walter doesn't have the speed to be a true #1 reciever, I don't think anyone would argue with that. What he is, is a workhorse #2 and is pretty good at it. We need someone to be coaching up to eventually replace AJ as the #1. Walter isn't that guy, but like you said, he's a darn good #2.
 
gtexan02 said:
Kevin Walter is one of those guys that thrives with a true #1. I think what people are worried about with him is that he isn't the kind of receiver that can step into that #1 role when a guy like AJ goes down
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That's pretty much how I feel.

If Aj goes down you have to rely on bench players to pick up the receiving slack.
 
ObsiWan said:
This^^^

He's not flashy or anything but he brings his lunch pail and goes to work. He took a salary cut for the team. And I'm sure some will say it was that or "hit the road" but do we KNOW that? Has anyone from the Smithiak camp come out and SAID that?
I totally agree with Thorn, someone will have to be pretty good to take away his job. Maybe in a couple of years one of the current crop of kids...
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Yeah, that's something I think is just an internet rumor thing.
 
Rey said:
Kevin Walter doesn't suck. That said his competition at the spot has been jacoby jones and now a bunch of rookies and udfa's.

If the texans had drafted or signed a legit wr kw likely would have been on the bench.

It can be said that they have not addressed the wr spot because of kw, but I just think we've adressed issues that were more pressing.

Kw would be an excellent 3rd or 4th wr. Personally I'd rather have another guy be the #2 that can actually play spot duty as the #1 in the very likely event Andre misses some time.

I guess my biggest problem with kw is andre's health if that makes any sense.

I love kw. I hope he has a big year because despite his drop in numbers he's not a bad wr. I just don't know if it's going to play out like that.
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Examples please...?
And I mean guys we had a shot to get...

I mean would you rather have drafted a KW replacement unit with one of our 1sts or keep who we drafted -- Mercilus, or Watt, or Cushing (yes, I purposely omitted K.Jackson)...

...or would you rather have to pay through the nose to sign some "name" vet. And I can't think of anyone we can afford or who wouldn't have put us much deeper in salary cap hell...

I guess my bottom line question is... who would you erase from the roster to get the KW replacement unit? And who would that guy be?
 
gtexan02 said:
Kevin Walter is one of those guys that thrives with a true #1. I think what people are worried about with him is that he isn't the kind of receiver that can step into that #1 role when a guy like AJ goes down
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Rey said:
That's pretty much how I feel.

If Aj goes down you have to rely on bench players to pick up the receiving slack.
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The closest guy we had to an A.J. replacement was Andre Davis. He stepped up his game in '07 when A.J. went down. The next year he hardly saw the field because A.J. would never come out of a game.
 
TexansFight said:
DeVier Posey is going I light up for us and be the real number 2 IMO
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I think it's more important for the Texans to be looking for a true #1 to replace AJ. But if someone is good enough to beat out Walter for his spot, then we'll be a better team for it.

Getting to attached to individual players will always get your emotions hurt in the end because they never last forever. I have already made that mistake with Foster, so I'm lucky they signed him to a long term deal.
 
Thorn said:
I think it's more important for the Texans to be looking for a true #1 to replace AJ. But if someone is good enough to beat out Walter for his spot, then we'll be a better team for it.

Getting to attached to individual players will always get your emotions hurt in the end because they never last forever. I have already made that mistake with Foster, so I'm lucky they signed him to a long term deal.
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I don't think anyone currently on the roster has true #1 potential. I think Posey can be a great pro but he's better fit for a #2 spot and I think can be great in that role down the line. The jury is out on Lestar Jean and i usually refrain from talking about him because i've seen next to nothing outside of one or two preseason catches. Martin looks like a lethal future slot guy for us.
 
Thorn said:
Walter doesn't have the speed to be a true #1 reciever, I don't think anyone would argue with that. What he is, is a workhorse #2 and is pretty good at it. We need someone to be coaching up to eventually replace AJ as the #1. Walter isn't that guy, but like you said, he's a darn good #2.
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I would disagree that he's a darn good #2. He's an adequate #2 for what we do, but saying he's darn good is stretching it. He's in the bottom third as far as #2 receivers are concerned in terms of receiving ability. His intangibles make him valuable to the team though. I've said this plenty of times that I would love him as our #3 receiver, but as many have said we don't have a better option at the #2 spot at this point. I hope he proves me wrong and shows me that he can beat man coverage, but I just haven't seen it on a consistent basis these last 2 years.
 
Walter was picked up as a possession receiver, and I don't think they ever intended for him to be a no. 1 receiver. He's a compliment to AJ, not a replacement.
 
Double Barrel said:
Walter was picked up as a possession receiver, and I don't think they ever intended for him to be a no. 1 receiver. He's a compliment to AJ, not a replacement.
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Exactly. That's why whenever AJ has gone down KW has stayed in the same role and they have had Andre Davis or JJ practice/play the #1 role.
 
ObsiWan said:
I guess my bottom line question is... who would you erase from the roster to get the KW replacement unit? And who would that guy be?
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My point was that there were other more pressing needs on the team for us to address.

I dont remember every wr that was within reason of us getting through free agency, trade or the draft.

And the first round isn't the only place to find a wr.
 
Double Barrel said:
Walter was picked up as a possession receiver, and I don't think they ever intended for him to be a no. 1 receiver. He's a compliment to AJ, not a replacement.
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What he said!

KW is a very good receiver for our scheme.
He does it all, consistently - the things Kubiak asks of him.
 
Rey said:
Kevin Walter doesn't suck. That said his competition at the spot has been jacoby jones and now a bunch of rookies and udfa's.

If the texans had drafted or signed a legit wr kw likely would have been on the bench.

It can be said that they have not addressed the wr spot because of kw, but I just think we've adressed issues that were more pressing.

Kw would be an excellent 3rd or 4th wr. Personally I'd rather have another guy be the #2 that can actually play spot duty as the #1 in the very likely event Andre misses some time.

I guess my biggest problem with kw is andre's health if that makes any sense.

I love kw. I hope he has a big year because despite his drop in numbers he's not a bad wr. I just don't know if it's going to play out like that.
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Exactly. Walter is #2 but not a #2 if you know what I'm saying. If AJ and I are the only two receivers on a team, I am WR2.
 
Ryan said:
I don't think anyone currently on the roster has true #1 potential. I think Posey can be a great pro but he's better fit for a #2 spot and I think can be great in that role down the line. The jury is out on Lestar Jean and i usually refrain from talking about him because i've seen next to nothing outside of one or two preseason catches. Martin looks like a lethal future slot guy for us.
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Posey can stretch the field and he runs good route and has good hands.
Those are some qualifications for a #1.
He does have potential.

However, to ask a third round pick to fulfill that role is way too much.

I will be happy if he can replace Walter in a few years.
 
And KW plays a big role in the running game too. With a stud #1 and some TEs that can do some damage, I'll take what KW brings all day long. As others have said, it's when that stud #1 goes down, it's not going to be KW stepping in. He's just not that guy.
 
ObsiWan said:
Examples please...?
And I mean guys we had a shot to get...

I mean would you rather have drafted a KW replacement unit with one of our 1sts or keep who we drafted -- Mercilus, or Watt, or Cushing (yes, I purposely omitted K.Jackson)...

...or would you rather have to pay through the nose to sign some "name" vet. And I can't think of anyone we can afford or who wouldn't have put us much deeper in salary cap hell...

I guess my bottom line question is... who would you erase from the roster to get the KW replacement unit? And who would that guy be?
Click to expand...
I don't think you can make such a statement and then say whoopsies on KJ. Demaryius Thomas instead of Kareem. Also, Mohammed Sanu in 3rd round rather than Posey.
 
76Texan said:
Posey can stretch the field and he runs good route and has good hands.
Those are some qualifications for a #1.
He does have potential.

However, to ask a third round pick to fulfill that role is way too much.

I will be happy if he can replace Walter in a few years.
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I think Posey was drafted to replace Jacoby not Walter.
 
Enough with the BS and the coddling of Walter.

Walter is below average. People can bring up all of these little things he does like blocking, working hard, and running the routes that he supposed to run, but he is not a play maker. He has had one good season here with the Texans. At this point in his career he is a really bad #2 WR that should have been replaced at least two seasons ago along with Jacoby Jones.
 
Kevin Walter does not get enough credit for the job he does.....He may not get the receiving yards....but he does the stuff to get other players open on this team. He is respected by his teammates for his work ethic.
 
rush2112mn said:
Kevin Walter does not get enough credit for the job he does.....He may not get the receiving yards....but he does the stuff to get other players open on this team. He is respected by his teammates for his work ethic.
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That, to me, is important. Walter is not going to suddenly transform himself into an all-pro, and we all know it. But he's good at what he does. And like I said earlier, that doesn't mean he can't be beaten out for his slot. He ain't the best #2 in the league, but for our purposes, he does what he's supposed to do. We just are not stacked at the reciever position like we are at RB and TE, that's just a fact.
 
rush2112mn said:
Kevin Walter does not get enough credit for the job he does.....He may not get the receiving yards....but he does the stuff to get other players open on this team. He is respected by his teammates for his work ethic.
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Oh yes he does. He gets way to much credit. No one is interested in having a #2 WR on your team that isn't a play maker. You can find tons of lunch pale guys who can block and do other things in this league. The Texans need a play maker at the #2 spot. Walter shouldn't be anywhere higher than the #3 spot on our WR roster. This is a typical player that people would laugh at if he played for the Jags or the Titans.
 
How many teams have a possession receiver that is a play-maker? And I distinctly remember him MAKING A PLAY last season that was huge in securing our playoff spot.

When you have our starting QB, starting all pro WR, and coaching staff singing praise for the guy, I don't see "coddling". That just comes across as hating on the guy for wanting him to be something that he's never been and was never billed to be.
 
Double Barrel said:
How many teams have a possession receiver that is a play-maker? And I distinctly remember him MAKING A PLAY last season that was huge in securing our playoff spot.

When you have our starting QB, starting all pro WR, and coaching staff singing praise for the guy, I don't see "coddling". That just comes across as hating on the guy for wanting him to be something that he's never been and was never billed to be.
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Thanks DB, great post.

MSR
 
Double Barrel said:
How many teams have a possession receiver that is a play-maker? And I distinctly remember him MAKING A PLAY last season that was huge in securing our playoff spot.

When you have our starting QB, starting all pro WR, and coaching staff singing praise for the guy, I don't see "coddling". That just comes across as hating on the guy for wanting him to be something that he's never been and was never billed to be.
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He is a #3 to #4 guy at this point of his career. He had one really solid season for the Texans as a #2 WR. That's it. If you want to call it hating than fine, I'm hating, but that sounds lazy. That word itself really needs to be abolished, because people misuse it to frequently. Someone criticizes a player they like, and they just come back saying "you're hating". I find that to be lazy. If I came in here and started criticizing Foster for all of these random things, than that would be a little understandable, but Walter?? Lol! Come on man, at this point in his career he is no different than the kid that gets a starting QB position because his dad is the coach in Little League.

There are plenty of teams that have play making WR's at the #2 position. I didn't say that the Texans needed a #1 WR at the #2 position. Just that they needed a play making WR at the #2 position. If AJ gets hurt again, Walter is incapable of being anything that can make teams even wince at our passing attack. Walter is average and nothing more. He is one of those typical guys that only gets praised around here because he is a Texan and has played here for a few years and is a nice guy. No one would even bat an eye at him if he played somewhere else. He isn't even relevant at this point honestly.
 
Texecutioner said:
He is a #3 to #4 guy at this point of his career. He had one really solid season for the Texans as a #2 WR. That's it. If you want to call it hating than fine, I'm hating, but that sounds lazy. That word itself really needs to be abolished, because people misuse it to frequently. Someone criticizes a player they like, and they just come back saying "you're hating". I find that to be lazy. If I came in here and started criticizing Foster for all of these random things, than that would be a little understandable, but Walter?? Lol! Come on man, at this point in his career he is no different than the kid that gets a starting QB position because his dad is the coach in Little League.

There are plenty of teams that have play making WR's at the #2 position. I didn't say that the Texans needed a #1 WR at the #2 position. Just that they needed a play making WR at the #2 position. If AJ gets hurt again, Walter is incapable of being anything that can make teams even wince at our passing attack. Walter is average and nothing more. He is one of those typical guys that only gets praised around here because he is a Texan and has played here for a few years and is a nice guy. No one would even bat an eye at him if he played somewhere else. He isn't even relevant at this point honestly.
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All I read was the bolded part, because that's all I need to see that you're a hater. :jk:
 
HJam72 said:
All I read was the bolded part, because that's all I need to see that you're a hater. :jk:
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I like Walter though man. Good guy and a hard worker, no question. This isn't about giving out medals for sportsmanship even though that seems to be more important to many fans in Houston. This is about trying to put the best team together that you can while you are in that small window to compete for a SB. Walter and Jacoby should have been replaced two seasons ago.
 
Yates to Walter. TD!!! = Texans playoff birth. :hurrah:

Walter is big, strong and tough. A perfect slot receiver. I'm not sure who the folks are that criticize him are, but maybe they should understand what a slot receiver does.

The only thing the Texans need is a receiver in a 3 receiver set that can be a deep threat opposite of Andre and G*d forbid if Andre goes down, become the #1.
 
Texecutioner said:
He is a #3 to #4 guy at this point of his career. He had one really solid season for the Texans as a #2 WR. That's it. If you want to call it hating than fine, I'm hating, but that sounds lazy. That word itself really needs to be abolished, because people misuse it to frequently. Someone criticizes a player they like, and they just come back saying "you're hating". I find that to be lazy. If I came in here and started criticizing Foster for all of these random things, than that would be a little understandable, but Walter?? Lol! Come on man, at this point in his career he is no different than the kid that gets a starting QB position because his dad is the coach in Little League.

There are plenty of teams that have play making WR's at the #2 position. I didn't say that the Texans needed a #1 WR at the #2 position. Just that they needed a play making WR at the #2 position. If AJ gets hurt again, Walter is incapable of being anything that can make teams even wince at our passing attack. Walter is average and nothing more. He is one of those typical guys that only gets praised around here because he is a Texan and has played here for a few years and is a nice guy. No one would even bat an eye at him if he played somewhere else. He isn't even relevant at this point honestly.
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Tex, different teams are built differently.

A spread team would have more receivers on the rosters (instead of a certain combination of FB and TEs).

The ball distribution would be different.

I suggest that you look for a source that shows how many routes a receiver run in all of his 16-game season (which you won't find).

From there, you can look at different things: Was he open and the QB didn't go his way? Was he running a clearing route such that the defense left another receiver open? How many catchable balls thrown his way that he caught or dropped.

Then you can come back and tell me which receivers in this league are play-makers as the real #2.

In our offense, one of the TEs is a key part of the passing offense, and the RB is another one.

I understand your wanting to have the best at each position (which would be a different discussion altogether due to several factors), but at the same time, your criteria is not set correctly, I'm afraid.
 
What I mean is that you can bring in some receivers you think is a playmaker on other team, and they won't have the same production they had had with some other teams.
 
76Texan said:
Tex, different teams are built differently.

A spread team would have more receivers on the rosters (instead of a certain combination of FB and TEs).

The ball distribution would be different.

I suggest that you look for a source that shows how many routes a receiver run in all of his 16-game season (which you won't find).

From there, you can look at different things: Was he open and the QB didn't go his way? Was he running a clearing route such that the defense left another receiver open? How many catchable balls thrown his way that he caught or dropped.

Then you can come back and tell me which receivers in this league are play-makers as the real #2.

In our offense, one of the TEs is a key part of the passing offense, and the RB is another one.

I understand your wanting to have the best at each position (which would be a different discussion altogether due to several factors), but at the same time, your criteria is not set correctly, I'm afraid.
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These are all valid points, but at the end of the day Walter is our #2 WR on the depth chart. He is the 2nd option in our passing game as far as the WR's go. He is a guy who simply is average man. Is his blocking average? No, but you don't continue to keep a guy in your important offensive plans that much for years because of his blocking and his great attitude. There are lots of players with a great attitude around the league and a lot of guys that can also bring a better dynamic to an offense than what Walter can at this point. He has served his purpose here, but at the end of the day there isn't a team in the league that worries about Walter on any Sunday. We have had plenty of opportunities to upgrade this WR core, and at some point the Texans need to abandon this boyscout only mentality for their roster and start considering other guys who can contribute more potentially.

76Texan said:
What I mean is that you can bring in some receivers you think is a playmaker on other team, and they won't have the same production they had had with some other teams.
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That is definitely true. Take Welker for example. Great WR. One of the best in the league, but I don't think for a second that he'd be a dynamic WR on just any team without a guy like Brady or Brees throwing to him in a system where that fits Welker's skills. Welker could not easily be replaced in NE's system though. Walter could easily be replaced in ours though.
 
76Texan said:
Posey can stretch the field and he runs good route and has good hands.
Those are some qualifications for a #1.
He does have potential.

However, to ask a third round pick to fulfill that role is way too much.
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Exactly, especially a third rounder from Lane college, or a street FA cut from someone's bench.

When Ochocinco couldn't make the game, who stepped up, the #2 WR (wHosYormama) or Chris Henry?

When Marvin Harrison didn't make the game, who stepped up? the #2 WR (Wayne) or whoever their third WR was?

I'm not opposed to KDub being the best possesion WR in the league..... but that's Ricky Proehl, behind Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt, & Az Hakeem.
 
rush2112mn said:
Kevin Walter does not get enough credit for the job he does.....He may not get the receiving yards....but he does the stuff to get other players open on this team. He is respected by his teammates for his work ethic.
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Let's make him a blocking TE & call it a day.
 
Double Barrel said:
How many teams have a possession receiver that is a play-maker? And I distinctly remember him MAKING A PLAY last season that was huge in securing our playoff spot.

When you have our starting QB, starting all pro WR, and coaching staff singing praise for the guy, I don't see "coddling". That just comes across as hating on the guy for wanting him to be something that he's never been and was never billed to be.
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No, we want him to play the position he is suited for..... slot WR, #3 WR.

Jumping on Jacoby for not being a #1 WR while KDub remains in obscurity, that's hating.
 
BCRich said:
No, we want him to play the position he is suited for..... slot WR, #3 WR.

Jumping on Jacoby for not being a #1 WR while KDub remains in obscurity, that's hating.
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That's what I've wondered for a while. JJ deserved all of the criticism he got for years, but why on earth Walter somehow freed himself of it is beyond me. Sure he blocks, has pretty good hands and all, but what about getting open and being consistent? Walter has been just as much of a disappointment in the grand scheme of things if you ask me. Been here longer, been in the league longer, and has had a lot more trust from the coaching staff over the years. He had one very good year here as our #2, but other than that, he has just been an average player.
 
beerlover said:
You can bet Andre Johnson would like to be as durable as Kevin Walter.
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Texecutioner said:
Walter doesn't take near the hits and collisions that Andre has had to absorb over the years. Not really a fair comparison.
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Yes AND not necessarily.

As a slot receiver, you have safeties and linebackers attacking you. I am not discounting the physical play of corners and one safety "that always know and targets" where AJ is on the field.

AJ's issues have been more about his own body effin' with because there's no DB in the league that will knock him out.
 
Texan_Bill said:
Yes AND not necessarily.

As a slot receiver, you have safeties and linebackers attacking you. I am not discounting the physical play of corners and one safety "that always know and targets" where AJ is on the field.

AJ's issues have been more about his own body effin' with because there's no DB in the league that will knock him out.
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I think the point was that Aj catches a lot more balls than KW..... so he gets tackled more often.
 
Love Kevin Walter. One of, if not the most unsung players on our team every year.

Good blocking, good route runner, tough as hell, comes through when called upon. I seriously couldn't imagine not having him on this team. Personally, I think he's underutilized.
 
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