Defining a #1 WR

[Hostile]

Sunday night on dcfanatic's radio show the most compelling discussion (IMO) regarded whether or not Sam Hurd is a potential #1 WR. I'm going to share with you my feelings on what a #1 WR is. I'm curious how some of you will define it.

My opinion was that Hurd is never a #1 WR, at best he's a #2. It was brought up that his mentor is TO who is a #1, and he plays closest to TO's style, etc.

Someone else brought up that he does not possess breakaway speed and for that reason doesn't fit as a #1. Then it was brought up that Irvin did not have breakaway speed, but found ways to get open similar to Keyshawn.

My contention is that there are no physical atributes that make someone a #1 versus a #2 WR. To me a #1 WR is the guy the QB is going to go to in a crucial situation. My example is from Michael Irvin's HOF speech in the 1994 NFC Championship Troy came in the huddle and said "no matter what, I'm coming to you." That is what makes Irvin a #1 WR.

Some will take that and say a #1 WR is physical then, and big, or a possession WR. My response would be, how do you explain Marvin Harrison then? Harrison is not big. He's not physical. He doesn't have world class speed. He gets open and his QB comes to him.

Every now and then you get a guy who is the whole package. Potentially that's what Calvin Johnson can become. He's big, he's physical, and he's fast. He only has one obstacle to becoming a #1 WR. Can he become the guy the QB comes to, or will Roy Williams still be that guy?

I don't think it's an insult to say a guy is a #2 WR. Remember when Michael Irvin said Dallas doesn't have a true #1, and Keyshawn was upset about it? Michael was saying that not because Key lacks anything as a WR, but because Terry Glenn was good enough to challenge Key for the QB's trust. Pretty similar to Cris Carter and Randy Moss together at Minnesota.

I think the same situation is happening right now in Arizona with Bolden and Fitzgerald. I also think Detroit could become that as well because it is doubtful to me that Roy Williams would ever fade far behind anyone.

I look at Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis and think he could be a #1 on a lot of NFL teams, but until Marvin Harrison shows signs of slowing down in some physical way, I don't think he will ever supplant Marvin as the #1 guy there. That doesn't mean he's less valuable to their success. It just means that at this point in time Peyton Manning is going to look for Marvin first.

When Key was here with Glenn, Irvin said there was no true #1 here the way there was when he was here with Harper. I agree with that. I also agree with him that Owens is absolutely a #1 WR. But trade Owens straight across for Reggie Wayne and I think he becomes the #2 guy there. For no other reason than Marvin is Peyton's 1st option. It isn't a slight, it's just about chemistry and trust in each other.

When someone says a team has no true #1 WR it is about where the QB looks when he feels most comfortable.

So, having confused you with all of that... ...I don't see Sam Hurd as a potential #1 WR. I see him more as an Alvin Harper compliment to a true #1 who I think will end up being someone we draft in the future. For that reason alone he may never rise above a #3 guy because I think he's behind Crayton, who I think has a chance to be a perfect #2 guy at some point.

Give me your thoughts.

 

[CATCH17]

The thing about Sam Hurd is he seems to be a playmaker.

He hasn't been able to show if he can be consistent or not but the catches he has had to make have been indcredible for the most part.

Hes only 22 years old. That is key with me. He is a dang good player at 22.

He also shows desire not only on the field but off of it too by learning all the receiving positions.

By the time hes 25 years old he might have developed himself into at least a starter. Maybe even the #1 guy.

Had we took this guy in the 1st round of the draft i'd be pretty happy with the player we got so far.

 

[Doomsday101]

I like Hurd but until he is given the chance in a reg season game and can produce the jury is still out on him. Way too many times guys show up in pre-season and are unheard of during the reg season.

 

[JPM]

Give me your thoughts.

Stanback only runs a 4.58, sorry that's all I got.

 

[superpunk]

The #1 receiver doesn't have anything to do with size. It's about talent and desire. Which in turn, leads to your view on being the QBs favorite target. If he's the most talented guy on the team, inevitably the QB is going to look for him and the coaching staff is going to manufacture more ways to get him the ball.

Size is inconsequential, IMO. Ted Ginn has every bit as much chance of becoming a #1 receiver as Calvin Johnson.

 

[zrinkill]

Stanback only runs a 4.58, sorry that's all I got.

Dangit ..... I was gonna say that .....

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't even know what a "#1" receiver is. Where did this idea come from? Fantasy football? Seriously, I don't know. Not many years ago there wasn't all this talk about #1s and #2s.

I guess if I had to give my thoughts on what people mean when they do say this, it's a receiver who's a big enough threat that the defense has to account for him and possibly give him special treatment. Those are the Steve Smiths, T.O.s, Santana Mosses, Torry Holts, and Marvin Harrisons of the league. In other words, there aren't that many of them. Without a doubt, not every team has one. Some, like Detroit and Arizona, might have more than one.

So by that definition, I agreed with Irvin. Keyshawn definitely wasn't one. He wasn't even the best WR on his own team, and defensive coordinators certainly didn't game plan to stop him.

As far as Sam Hurd goes, I think he's a #2 at his absolute, dream-come-true best, and more realistically a #3 like Crayton is now. He better just hope he makes the team and has a productive NFL career that lasts a few years. He certainly doesn't have the talent to ever cause NFL defenses headaches. I don't understand why people think he does.

 

[Sasquatch]

Sunday night on dcfanatic's radio show the most compelling discussion (IMO) regarded whether or not Sam Hurd is a potential #1 WR. I'm going to share with you my feelings on what a #1 WR is. I'm curious how some of you will define it.

My opinion was that Hurd is never a #1 WR, at best he's a #2. It was brought up that his mentor is TO who is a #1, and he plays closest to TO's style, etc.

Someone else brought up that he does not possess breakaway speed and for that reason doesn't fit as a #1. Then it was brought up that Irvin did not have breakaway speed, but found ways to get open similar to Keyshawn.

My contention is that there are no physical atributes that make someone a #1 versus a #2 WR. To me a #1 WR is the guy the QB is going to go to in a crucial situation. My example is from Michael Irvin's HOF speech in the 1994 NFC Championship Troy came in the huddle and said "no matter what, I'm coming to you." That is what makes Irvin a #1 WR.

Some will take that and say a #1 WR is physical then, and big, or a possession WR. My response would be, how do you explain Marvin Harrison then? Harrison is not big. He's not physical. He doesn't have world class speed. He gets open and his QB comes to him.

Every now and then you get a guy who is the whole package. Potentially that's what Calvin Johnson can become. He's big, he's physical, and he's fast. He only has one obstacle to becoming a #1 WR. Can he become the guy the QB comes to, or will Roy Williams still be that guy?

I don't think it's an insult to say a guy is a #2 WR. Remember when Michael Irvin said Dallas doesn't have a true #1, and Keyshawn was upset about it? Michael was saying that not because Key lacks anything as a WR, but because Terry Glenn was good enough to challenge Key for the QB's trust. Pretty similar to Cris Carter and Randy Moss together at Minnesota.

I think the same situation is happening right now in Arizona with Bolden and Fitzgerald. I also think Detroit could become that as well because it is doubtful to me that Roy Williams would ever fade far behind anyone.

I look at Reggie Wayne in Indianapolis and think he could be a #1 on a lot of NFL teams, but until Marvin Harrison shows signs of slowing down in some physical way, I don't think he will ever supplant Marvin as the #1 guy there. That doesn't mean he's less valuable to their success. It just means that at this point in time Peyton Manning is going to look for Marvin first.

When Key was here with Glenn, Irvin said there was no true #1 here the way there was when he was here with Harper. I agree with that. I also agree with him that Owens is absolutely a #1 WR. But trade Owens straight across for Reggie Wayne and I think he becomes the #2 guy there. For no other reason than Marvin is Peyton's 1st option. It isn't a slight, it's just about chemistry and trust in each other.

When someone says a team has no true #1 WR it is about where the QB looks when he feels most comfortable.

So, having confused you with all of that... ...I don't see Sam Hurd as a potential #1 WR. I see him more as an Alvin Harper compliment to a true #1 who I think will end up being someone we draft in the future. For that reason alone he may never rise above a #3 guy because I think he's behind Crayton, who I think has a chance to be a perfect #2 guy at some point.

Give me your thoughts.

Good post. So a number #1 receiver needs to be the most reliable of the existing corps? You don't think Hurd can be that if TO and Glenn were not here?

 

[THUMPER]

When someone says a team has no true #1 WR it is about where the QB looks when he feels most comfortable.

I think that is probably the best description of what makes a #1 WR. It is whoever the QB is most comfortable with and goes to most often.

There have been lots of guys who had all the physical tools but weren't really the #1 option for the QB, while other guys like Largent and Harrison, who were not big, strong, or fast were the go-to guys no matter what and they came through.

Nice post Hos.

We won't know if Hurd can be that guy until it happens.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

A true #1 WR has to be cocky, demanding (wants the ball in key situations), fearless, run consistantly great routes, has great hands, fast, quick reacting and a leader... You know Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice were that and more...

 

[LD Fan]

Good post. So a number #1 receiver needs to be the most reliable of the existing corps? You don't think Hurd can be that if TO and Glenn were not here?

You've got to be more than just the best "of the existing group". If the group sucks, that just means you suck less. I like the point above about opposing teams have to make adjustments to account for you. Other than adding that, the original post nailed it for me.

 

[LD Fan]

A true #1 WR has to be cocky, demanding (wants the ball in key situations), fearless, run consistantly great routes, has great hands, fast, quick reacting and a leader... You know Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice were that and more...

So Marvin Harrison isn't a number 1? The cocky part doesn't have anything to do with it. It's just baggage you have to deal with. By your definition, you should probably take TO out too. He doesn't consistently run great routes or have great hands. I'm not sure he's much of a leader either. Regardless, he's a number 1 to me.

 

[Hoov]

A number 1 wr is a guy that is clutch, a playmaker, the guy that makes something happen or wills himself to the firstdown marker or catches the td pass on 4th and goal.

On a few teams the TE is that guy because they dont have a #1 wr.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

So Marvin Harrison isn't a number 1? The cocky part doesn't have anything to do with it. It's just baggage you have to deal with. By your definition, you should probably take TO out too. He doesn't consistently run great routes or have great hands. I'm not sure he's much of a leader either. Regardless, he's a number 1 to me.

Are you serious? Dude Marvin Harrison demands the ball like every great WR does...

T.O. runs great routes, just look at his YAC totals. He played with a bum hand and had a good season. Every young WR looks up to him, just ask guys like Sam Hurd or better yet ask the likes of Chad Johnson...

 

[LD Fan]

Are you serious? Dude Marvin Harrison demands the ball like every great WR does...

T.O. runs great routes, just look at his YAC totals. He played with a bum hand and had a good season. Every young WR looks up to him, just ask guys like Sam Hurd or better yet ask the likes of Chad Johnson...

"Dude" - demanding the ball isn't cocky to me. Regardless, demanding doesn't make you a number 1 either. Try substituting "the player the QB looks to and trusts" for demanding and you're onto something. As far as leadership, to me that's more than a 2nd yr. player who will probably make the roster. To me it's someone most of the 53 guys in the locker room look to. TO has never been known for having great hands. Other than that, I'm right there with you.

 

[03EBZ06]

Good post Hostile.

I think most of would agree that to be a #1 WR, he must be reliable, get open, have great set of hands, and have a complete trust of QB to make plays. To me, speed doesn't mean whole lot if he can't run called routes or can't catch the ball.

As you alluded to, Marvin is perfect example of what a #1 WR should be even though he lacks certain physical attributes, but Payton trusts him and relys on him to make clutch plays.

I don't know if Hurd can be #1, we really haven't seen him enough to know. I like Hurd, I think he has a potential to be a good WR, but again, have no idea if he could be #1...yet.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Nice post Hos. Nothing for me to disagree with. I don't think Hurd is a #1 WR either. It is not a insult to call a guy a #2 WR either.

 

[Hostile]

Stanback only runs a 4.58, sorry that's all I got.

I appreciate these memory jogs.

:laugh2:

 

[Hostile]

A true #1 WR has to be cocky, demanding (wants the ball in key situations), fearless, run consistantly great routes, has great hands, fast, quick reacting and a leader... You know Michael Irvin and Jerry Rice were that and more...

Marvin Harrison isn't.

 

[Hostile]

A number 1 wr is a guy that is clutch, a playmaker, the guy that makes something happen or wills himself to the firstdown marker or catches the td pass on 4th and goal.

On a few teams the TE is that guy because they dont have a #1 wr.

I agree with this. Gates in San Diego and Crumpler in Atlanta are examples. You can even come close to saying Shockey in New York because Plaxico isn't a classic #1.