oso said:
I'm not trying to say that Dre isn't showing up at the required meetings. I'm sure he is. And you won't hear me calling him a slacker. But when it comes to Dre and Edge going to the "U" for winter workouts (He, Edge, and a few others are pretty infamous for that, so that's why I assumed you meant him), they need to be with their respective teams. Edge has a new team and new QB. Dre has a new coaching staff/system, and needs to work on catching some balls as well as perfect pick-up games of basketball with other skill players.
I've commented on this before and last year AJ and Carr spent some time together, but not that much. I also stated given the coaching staff I wasn't so certain that it wasn't a bad thing that he spent time at the U. He probably learned more there than he did in Houston.
However, for a vaunted relationship between receiver and qb, like manning-harrison, you have to spend a lot of time together in order to have the magic of that kind of relationship. Despite what some think it can not be done in TC. It requires a huge number of off time hourse dedicated to nothing more than throwing and throwing and throwing. You have to know what each other is thinking like the back of your hand. I have always been critical of that part of AJ's game. Now Carr, can't leave and go to the U, so it will be up to AJ to come to Carr. That's a reality of the new coaches and the new system.
In year 2 AJ made a lot of progress at the U, but last year he lost it. Of course so did the whole team. Just as Carr and DD and everyone else is going to be measured so is AJ. It looked like AJ did some pouting last year, but we will never know for certain. I hope that was not the case. I continue to say that AJ is not a number 1 go to receiver at this stage of his career and I don't know whether he will ever be because of his hands. He is a very good receiver with a lot of talent, but his hands remain a question. Rice dropped a lot of balls early in his career, but once he got over it it was Katty bar the door.
I have been wanting to hear from various sources on who was working out together and practicing when it wasn't necessary. Carr has always been a gym freek, so I wanted to hear that he was working with his receivers. The only way this team is going to get better in that area is for them to be on the same page. Carr throws a hard pass and it takes time for receivers to get use to it.
Recievers like Mathis need to work with Carr, because it requires a special timing when someone has that kind of speed. It requires leaning what they can handle and how to get the ball to them. You need to learn how far you can lead them. It's all about timing. Its all about how far in advance you can release the ball and let them go get it. When a receiver like Mathis knows where the ball is going to be thrown, he has a tremendous advantage over the defense.
Do not take lightly that BJ is also one of the receivers working out with Carr. I find that to be very encouraging. Many have pointed out that the TE has been one of the glaring weaknesses of our offense. Any signs of productivity out of BJ and that he will be healthy is a big plus.
Again, I simply remain positive at this point and like a lot of what I see. Of course their are things I don't like, but I'm waiting to see how they are solved. So far they have been solving problems rather than creating them.
now that Gaffs and Bradford have gone!!
My problem always has and always will be paying a guy like a S.B. QB when he actually has done nothing. Incentive always works.