DK who?

[SocialParasite]

Now that we're at the bye week and near the halfway point in the season, figured I'd check in on how our old WR1 is doing compared to our new WR1. Thoughts?






BTW, to be clear, this wasn't to take a shot at DK. Up to this point, he's put up the stats that he usually does, so he's not doing bad. I'm surprised that the reception ratio between the two is that big.

But shout-out to JSN, who has not only taken on a heavier load, but is having a whole lot of success. Credit to Darnold, and even Kubiak, even though I know he's not the most popular guy around here.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[SocialParasite]

View attachment 75202

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[NoGain]

I was close to 100% in favor of cutting bait with DK and getting what we could for him this past off season. I had seen enough. He just wasn't worth what he would be asking for as a true #1 receiver. I thought at the time that Pickens was the far better receiver of the two, though I understood that he had worn out his welcome with Mike Tomlin. On top of that, JSN was already starting to show that he was ready to emerge as our #1 guy last year, and was clearly the better all round receiver of the two.

Moving on from DK, Geno, and PC was one of the more significant and effective house cleanings we've done as a franchise.

 

[Hawkstorian]

I would have liked to have both assuming the contract didn't get stupid, which it did.

 

[SocialParasite]

View attachment 75205

Have you let GeNO go yet, Soulfish?

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[SoulfishHawk]

 

[Rat]

JSN isn't a replacement for DK. Like Hawkstorian said, it would have been great to keep having both, had it been economically feasible.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Yep. Not always a one guy vs. another guy. Different type of receivers. JSN a better receiver, imo. But DK isn't nearly as bad as people make him out to be. But he's gone and it's probably for the best. So far it seems to be working out very well.

 

[Rat]

The Steelers are playing well too, granted their division looks like it might give the 2010 NFC West a run in the history books. As of now, I don't think either side is having regrets.

Hey, I'm not one who considers himself above taking shots at former players (evidence: my many Russ and Geno comments), but I just really don't get the intense bad will many seem to have towards DK. He WAY outplayed his draft position and contract, was a consummate teammate, learned from his mistakes and dialed back the jawing with opposing DBs (seriously, ONE 15-yard penalty last season), did all the little things that some receivers think are beneath them like excelling with run blocking, bought into the team culture Day 1, and any displeasure he had with the organization he had the sense to keep behind closed doors. I swear I saw someone on here earlier say that "DK demanded the ball with his mouth" or something like that. When was this?

I think fans just see how massively jacked DK is and think he's a failure because he isn't Megatron. Few are, and that's just not his game anyway. He was very effective at what he did do though.

He was widely considered fool's gold in the draft. He was determined to not be the guy who looked like Tarzan and played like Jane, and proved himself a force worthy of a defense's best attention immediately. He should be lauded for his efforts. We were very fortunate to have him. I hope the Steelers lose nearly every game DK plays, but not because of him.

 

[NoGain]

To me it's not about dissing on DK, or thinking he's bad or anything. I just didn't think he was worth the money he was going to get and did. He's currently paid as a top three/four wide receiver in the league, and I just saw him more towards the bottom tier of #1 wide receivers in the league. I could easily name 20 receivers I'd take over him as #1 guys. It's about effectively allocating your resources.

 

[Rat]

To me it's not about dissing on DK, or thinking he's bad or anything. I just didn't think he was worth the money he was going to get and did. He's currently paid as a top three/four wide receiver in the league, and I just saw him more towards the bottom tier of #1 wide receivers in the league. I could easily name 20 receivers I'd take over him as #1 guys. It's about effectively allocating your resources.

That's a reasonable take, and given his body type, I do have concern that the injuries will start piling up. I see a LOT of comments though acting like he was Kadarious Toney or some lazy selfish diva who couldn't cut it. It's some weird revisionist history.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

The Steelers are playing well too, granted their division looks like it might give the 2010 NFC West a run in the history books. As of now, I don't think either side is having regrets.

Hey, I'm not one who considers himself above taking shots at former players (evidence: my many Russ and Geno comments), but I just really don't get the intense bad will many seem to have towards DK. He WAY outplayed his draft position and contract, was a consummate teammate, learned from his mistakes and dialed back the jawing with opposing DBs (seriously, ONE 15-yard penalty last season), did all the little things that some receivers think are beneath them like excelling with run blocking, bought into the team culture Day 1, and any displeasure he had with the organization he had the sense to keep behind closed doors. I swear I saw someone on here earlier say that "DK demanded the ball with his mouth" or something like that. When was this?

I think fans just see how massively jacked DK is and think he's a failure because he isn't Megatron. Few are, and that's just not his game anyway. He was very effective at what he did do though.

He was widely considered fool's gold in the draft. He was determined to not be the guy who looked like Tarzan and played like Jane, and proved himself a force worthy of a defense's best attention immediately. He should be lauded for his efforts. We were very fortunate to have him. I hope the Steelers lose nearly every game DK plays, but not because of him.

Outstanding post.

 

[hox]

22 receptions on the season, tied for 69th? That's bad. Steelers should have just kept Pickens who is putting up far better stats.

 

[SocialParasite]

The Steelers are playing well too, granted their division looks like it might give the 2010 NFC West a run in the history books. As of now, I don't think either side is having regrets.

Hey, I'm not one who considers himself above taking shots at former players (evidence: my many Russ and Geno comments), but I just really don't get the intense bad will many seem to have towards DK. He WAY outplayed his draft position and contract, was a consummate teammate, learned from his mistakes and dialed back the jawing with opposing DBs (seriously, ONE 15-yard penalty last season), did all the little things that some receivers think are beneath them like excelling with run blocking, bought into the team culture Day 1, and any displeasure he had with the organization he had the sense to keep behind closed doors. I swear I saw someone on here earlier say that "DK demanded the ball with his mouth" or something like that. When was this?

I think fans just see how massively jacked DK is and think he's a failure because he isn't Megatron. Few are, and that's just not his game anyway. He was very effective at what he did do though.

He was widely considered fool's gold in the draft. He was determined to not be the guy who looked like Tarzan and played like Jane, and proved himself a force worthy of a defense's best attention immediately. He should be lauded for his efforts. We were very fortunate to have him. I hope the Steelers lose nearly every game DK plays, but not because of him.

Well said. I don't feel the same way about DK as I do Geno or Russ. I'm not gonna look for opportunities to make him look bad. DK did well in his time here, and he was a good teammate for the most part. The only thing that leaves a little bit of a sour taste in my mouth regarding DK, was him announcing his desire for a trade on the same day Lockett was cut.

I'll point out, I appreciated that he was a willing blocker, and wasn't anywhere near the diva that guys like Percy Harvin were. He definitely earned his snaps & his money here, but like many said before, I wouldn't want to be paying him what Pittsburgh is.

 

[BirdsCommaAngry]

Our offense would be pretty crazy if DK didn't go diva on us and we still had him this year (on a more reasonable contract). That'd require him to undertake a complete personality change and wouldn't be possible though.

 

[cymatica]

That's a reasonable take, and given his body type, I do have concern that the injuries will start piling up. I see a LOT of comments though acting like he was Kadarious Toney or some lazy selfish diva who couldn't cut it. It's some weird revisionist history.

I think most people were just frustrated at his route running and inability to use his size on contested catches. Running lazy routes resulting in picks when the game is on the line sure gives a bad look.

 

[LeveeBreak]

DK gave many reasons to root for him and many that rightfully pissed people off. He's a freak athlete for top end speed, but not a technically gifted WR, isn't gonna juke any DB's to get open, and was good for a non-negligable % of drops. He was never in the discussions for top tier WR, but showed enough to garner some highlight attention. His immaturity cost us more than most players in the league, which is a factor.

I liked him when he was on but damn he could frustrate me more often than I like. I always thought DK held back JSN, who was clearly better at getting open. DK was Geno's 1st read and if he didn't get fed, he let everyone know.

This isn't a bash DK post...IMO it's a stated reality. I'm not sure we'd be a better team with him. Maybe, just dunno.