Calvin says Dez isn't a good route runner

[spook930]

Honest question... Is Calvin a "great" route runner?

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

More than this game ... I hope Dez improves his route running. Not cause Calvin mentioned it. Just because he needs to. Period.

 

[cannonball44]

If Dez wants to take his game to the next level and dominate double teams, hes got to improve his route running. Hes not gonna grow any taller. He probably not gonna become any faster.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

dez needs to show me he cant be blanketed and shut down

 

[popp1234]

Honest question... Is Calvin a "great" route runner?

He is a one-in-a decade-talent, no doubt. From what I have seen of him he is not the final authority on route running (he is just ok) and he is not a possession type reciever. I think Dez has the advantage in the quickness and shiftiness aspect of his game, Johnson is a long strider, which is obvious because of his height. He does, however, gives you that Randy Moss type ability to successfully go catch deep jump balls in traffic and run through tackles using brute strength and size (so does Dez, to a lesser extent). Again, route runnner and possession reciever extraordinaire,Johnson is not. Actually, I was initially surprised that some of the "NFL experts", including Randy Moss said they would choose Dez over Johnson. I would still prefer Johnson because of his combination of size, speed, and strength, but they make a very compelling argument on Dez's behalf.

 

[spook930]

He is a one-in-a decade-talent, no doubt. From what I have seen of him he is not the final authority on route running (he is just ok) and he is not a possession type reciever. I think Dez has the advantage in the quickness and shiftiness aspect of his game, Johnson is a long strider, which is obvious because of his height. He does, however, gives you that Randy Moss type ability to successfully go catch deep jump balls in traffic and run through tackles using brute strength and size (so does Dez, to a lesser extent). Again, route runnner and possession reciever extraordinaire,Johnson is not. Actually, I was initially surprised that some of the "NFL experts", including Randy Moss said they would choose Dez over Johnson. I would still prefer Johnson because of his combination of size, speed, and strength, but they make a very compelling argument on Dez's behalf.

Ok cool, I agree with everything you said.

 

[kevm3]

hopefully we don't go with that conservative offense this next game so we can really let these two receivers talk on the field.

 

[sideon]

If this were a year ago i would agree but Dez is a much better route runner now.

 

[dstovall5]

Hopefully Dez sees this as an opportunity to show what he's capable of, and steps up this game big. Last week it was A.J Green vs CJ and both of those dudes went off. It's going to be one exciting game to watch, especially seeing 2 of the best at what they do.

 

[The Natural]

dez needs to show me he cant be blanketed and shut down

I didnt know we had members of the coaching staff on CZ

 

[Seven]

Next week on 'As The World Turns..............'

 

[DuceizBak]

I might be in the minority, but I don't believe Dez is smart enough to pick up on the fact that this was an insult.

Dez is really getting smarter. I know this isn't a joke but he used to be dumb as an ox. I seen him on TV giving an interview about this very subject. He seems more well spoken, uses less Umms and pauses in between sentences.. I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

 

[bounce]

It's always ridiculous that people try to rank players on some definite list. It's possible for a lot of players to be really really good without falling into a 1-2-3, etc. Calvin, Dez, AJ Green, Julio Jones, Andre Johnson... they're all REALLY good WRs, and all somewhere in the top tier. Who cares what order they're in. It's all a subjective list, anyway.

It's the same as people always trying to compare Kobe or Lebron to MJ, or saying they'll never be on MJ's level like it should be a slight to them. Ok, so if he's not MJ, they're still two of the greatest basketball players to ever pick up a ball.

 

[Redball Express]

He is a one-in-a decade-talent, no doubt. From what I have seen of him he is not the final authority on route running (he is just ok) and he is not a possession type reciever. I think Dez has the advantage in the quickness and shiftiness aspect of his game, Johnson is a long strider, which is obvious because of his height. He does, however, gives you that Randy Moss type ability to successfully go catch deep jump balls in traffic and run through tackles using brute strength and size (so does Dez, to a lesser extent). Again, route runnner and possession reciever extraordinaire,Johnson is not. Actually, I was initially surprised that some of the "NFL experts", including Randy Moss said they would choose Dez over Johnson. I would still prefer Johnson because of his combination of size, speed, and strength, but they make a very compelling argument on Dez's behalf.

I'd go with Dez if only becuz he plays with a chip on his shoulder and is playing to prove he's one of the best.

What concerns me is..like all the players we have had..after their initial contracts, we proceed to over pay them and they decline quickly after that.

We have to be careful not to be like we always do..

Too quick to be in love with what we want a player to become and pay him before he actual is that player.

Just look at what happened in 2007 .

That year..we had like 7-8 guys make the Pro Bowl and we went out and signed so many to big extensions killing our progress..

..just to start dumping them one by one as they became injured and resorted to who they were..average.

I say wait and see.

Before we claim Dez as the next Irvin..I'd like to see what he does in the playoffs..

Does he elevate his play or disappear..?

That's when you know.

And that's when you bring out the checkbook.

Not before.

 

[CATCH17]

Thanks Calvin.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

I'm not football smart enough to know if Dez runs good routes or not but I think if I was Calvin Johnson I'd let Dez's coaches worry about it & not care enough to comment.

 

[65fastback2plus2]

I didnt know we had members of the coaching staff on CZ

how does stating what I want to see make me a coach??? confusing.

 

[The Natural]

how does stating what I want to see make me a coach??? confusing.

Well you said what he needed to show you so I assumed you were on the staff

 

[Rack]

I take it as "yeah he's a great route runner, but besides that he's great at many other things too.."

Calvin is a classy guy, I don't think he would take a shot at other players like that.

It's not even close to being that. He clearly says "BESIDES route running", not "In addition to route running"...

I see it as Calvin being realistic. Dez does need to improve his route running.

 

[mahoneybill]

Hopefully he's indicating to Dez, this is something I also had to work on ( route running) . Dez is certainly not afraid to go over the middle.

From pre draft analysis of C . Johnson.
Quote

Johnson was used on a number of screen plays and bubble routes designed to get him the ball as fast as possible, and to allow him to work in space. As far as being a true technician in route-running, Johnson was more of an unfinished product when he entered the NFL. Of course, having massive size and speed definitely helped mask some weaknesses here. A common knock on Johnson coming out of Georgia Tech was that he couldn’t, or wouldn’t, run over the middle. This was something that plagued his pre-draft visits and workouts.