Which WRs Do We Keep?

[DavidSeven]

ST value breaks ties; it doesn't get you on by itself at the receiver position. Lockette and Rice are not comparable in receiver skill. As purely a receiver, Lockette is a fringe NFL talent and ain't no offensive player making this team as a gunner specialist. In theory, Richardson, Norwood, even KPL or any number of rookies could fill out the gunner spot opposite Lane. Lockette still has a good a shot as most, but his two ST plays from last year aren't going to guarantee him anything. IMO, he's probably at around his ceiling as a receiver. The dude has been in the NFL for three seasons now.

 

[KiwiHawk]

Everyone is high on Lockette and his special teams abilities. While that's true, I think it's more important that we keep the 6 best receivers, regardless of special teams abilities.

I don't think you understand the emphasis that Pete Carroll places on special teams.

 

[HawkWow]

Lockette puts the fear of god into returners, and while Rice has had some contributions in the past and some big catches, the man is too brittle and has no special teams abilities. I really like Matthews but, if for the sake of this exercise we're only keeping six, I'm keeping Lockette over Matthews again due to the special teams attributes. He's a BIG reason why we held opponents to such ridiculously small returns

I think Kearse is battling with Norwood and Rice with Mathews. It would really suck to see Kearse get cut but I think that is going to happen. I won't be fooled overlooking the value of Rice this year. It was painfully obvious how much we lost when he went down.

One more thing, If McCoy keeps dropping passes they might make mathews a pass catching tight end hybrid.

I like your willingness to think outside the box, but I don't see us letting Kearse go this year. Not in order to retain Rice, Matthews or even the suddenly, wildly popular Ricardo Lockette. Kearse is too good, too cheap and knows the system.

Harvin, Baldwin, Norwood, Richardson, Kearse (+1) gives us a group of receivers we've not known in recent past. Great hands, great speed and nobody in that group knows the meaning of fear (even though at least 2 of them should).

Not to beat a dead horse, but when I look at that group and consider replacing Richardson for Lockette, considering size and health concerns, I don't see a huge drop off in the overall unit. Then I consider the (apparent) continued woes of McCoy and I still wish we would have drafted ASJ instead of Richardson (even in staying put to do so).

Our pass catchers would then look like:

Harvin
Baldwin
Norwood
Kearse
Lockette
Rice?

Miller
Willson
ASJ

The latter just looks a bit more well rounded, if not more reliable and dangerous, to me. And yes, I am a homer.

 

[Throwdown]

We kept 5 at the start of last season if I recall correctly.

Harvin
Baldwin
Richardson
Kearse
Norwood

 

[HawkWow]

We kept 5 at the start of last season if I recall correctly.

Harvin
Baldwin
Richardson
Kearse
Norwood

We share the same list but durability drops off considerably after Baldwin, Kearse and Norwood. Considering we have access to a decent (if not good) WR for the 6 spot, we may be wise to keep 6 this year (dropping a QB, if necessary).

 

[Lynch Mob]

First off I would start Sidney Rice on IR to get fully healthy and up to speed Rice can replace Lockette during the season.

1)Percy Harvin- past injury concerns
2)Doug Baldwin- Mr. Reliable
3)Jermaine Kearse- special teams contributer and phyical outside numbers WR
4)Paul Richardson- potential Injury concerns (slight frame)
5)Kevin Norwood- special teams contributer
6)Ricardo Lockette- for special teams reasons until Sidney Rice is fully healthy

you have to expect injuries to happen during the season so having a fully healthy Sidney Rice in your back pocket is a good thing. He knows the playbook and already has a good relationship with RW in the passing game so that would be a nice option if we lose a player in the first half of the season. Also I see it as time for rookie WR Kevin Norwood to get a feel for the speed of the game and ease into the Lockette special teams role. I see Norwood as a Jermaine Kearse when he first came in cutting his teeth in special teams before really contributing to the passing game in a year or two.

 

[Ziggyy108]

What happens when Andre Johnson is granted a release and he wants to come here to win a couple rings

 

[dontbelikethat]

What happens when Andre Johnson is granted a release and he wants to come here to win a couple rings

You give him pen and paper.

 

[HawkFan72]

What happens when Andre Johnson is granted a release and he wants to come here to win a couple rings

Goodbye Lockette.

 

[ZagHawk]

Am I the only one who wants to see the potential of 2012 Sidney Rice combined with SB Percy Harvin?

 

[HawkWow]

What happens when Andre Johnson is granted a release and he wants to come here to win a couple rings

Fun thought but we can't be tying up any more money in the position (imo). . Right now we have a real good balance of pricey players that can flat out ball and some cheaper players,,,that can also flat out ball. Even at his advanced age and desire to win a ring, I doubt Johnson would play for the money we'd want to offer him. But I could be wrong, too.

 

[HawkDabz]

I bet there will be a trade of one of the receivers. I think they may try to get trade value out of Kearse.

 

[Ziggyy108]

I bet there will be a trade of one of the receivers. I think they may try to get trade value out of Kearse.

I could see it. The Browns may be desperate to get a receiver.

 

[Seahawk Sailor]

Rewatch our run through the playoffs and Super Bowl. Lockette made some very clutch, key plays for us in those games, and not just on special teams. And word is, he's only getting better.

Our two rookies, as high as their potential ceilings might be, have a lot of catching up to do before they contribute what he does already.

 

[Bigpumpkin]

Rewatch our run through the playoffs and Super Bowl. Lockette made some very clutch, key plays for us in those games, and not just on special teams. And word is, he's only getting better.

Our two rookies, as high as their potential ceilings might be, have a lot of catching up to do before they contribute what he does already.

How does the old expression go? "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

 

[Recon_Hawk]

If Rice starts off on the pup, then great, see how Lockette does and make a decision week 6-9. If Rice gets a full-go for OTA's but still is still playing less than 100% then I think the deciding factor will be Richardson and Norwood's progression, not Lockettes. If the two young guys prove they can compete and make plays, I'm not sure there's roster space for a less-than 100% receiver, but IF rice is healthy, he's a top-3 receiver on this team. I'm hopeful he comes back strong.

Rewatch our run through the playoffs and Super Bowl. Lockette made some very clutch, key plays for us in those games, and not just on special teams. And word is, he's only getting better.

Our two rookies, as high as their potential ceilings might be, have a lot of catching up to do before they contribute what he does already.

Looking through the stat-line, Lockette made 1 catch in the playoff/superbowl run. The only other catch I remember of his during the season off the top of my head is the sideline snag against the saints and even that ball he didn't catch clean. A challenge would have ruled it incomplete. IMO, he's got a ways to go to prove he can catch the ball consistently. Hopefully preseason gives him that chance.

 

[Russ Willstrong]

Wow. Such a difficult decision. Can you imagine if Tate didn't become a lion.
Anyway I think Recon is right. Besides being a minimal contributor on offense Lockette also made one boneheaded play on ST in the playoffs. Kearse is just as valuable on ST with returner experience as well as gunner. If we have to switch off channel 83 to keep our core WR group we will do so again. Just as we've learned in the past and 49ers will agree is that Ricardo is not " a bird in hand". We have good speed even with Lockette gone. The two new hawks we drafted are unique talents as one averages 40 yds per score and the other is looking like a faster younger Aqua Bolden for us. Both have sure hands. No Hawk has Rice ' s catching radius and hands when he is healthy.

 

[kigenzun]

#1) Percy Harvin
#2) Doug Baldwin
#3) Jermaine Kearse
#4) Paul Richardson
#5) Kevin Norwood
#6) Chris Matthews

Sidney Rice - PUP

Ricardo Lockette - I'm sorry but, he's out...
HE CAN"T CATCH THE BALL!
...which, IMO, is the Primary Attribute/Basic Need in a wide receiver.
His best friend is Kaepernick; speaks for itself.
& Oh Yeah...
HE CAN"T CATCH THE BALL!
...which, IMO, is the Primary Attribute/Basic Need in a wide receiver.
Need i say more? I simply don't understand the love & fascination with a WR with only 7 receptions in 3 years.

Once again, for whys:
Harvin for Horizontal stretch/speed
PRich for Vertical stretch/speed
Matthews for Red Zone size/height
Baldwin, Kearse, and Norwood for the tough chain moving catches, intensity, effort, and consistency.
:th2thumbs:

 

[General Manager]

Harvin
Baldwin
Kearse
Norwood
Richardson

Barring injury those are your 5 locks the battle will come down to Rice , Matthews and Lockette if Rice can stay healthy he will likely secure the final spot. Now normally I'd have Rice as a lock but injuries are a very real threat to his ability to make the team this year. All of this is subject to change I need to see the two rookies play in preseason before any real analysis can be done . Right now there locks because they were drafted but they really shouldn't be because neither of them has proved a thing.

 

[chris98251]

Kearse or Baldwin would be the trade candidates I would think if our rookies or Mathews steps up, Lockette while a great gunner has not established his ability during normal play so doubt we would try. Jackson and Pryor could also be on the block for a team in need. We also have a congested RB situation to factor into this. Keeping an extra RB may cost a TE or WR spot as well. I think we may see a couple moves after a couple weeks of Pre Season when things happen unforeseen.

I don't want to see Kearse or Baldwin moved, but we are now blessed with depth and keeping depth means trading some of it as your players establish themselves and the youngsters develop. You would never get a better deal then guys that are cheap and young as far as value either.Teams will give a higher pick for a guy on a fresh contract that is in his mid 20's.