Lucky Whitehead vs. Nick Harwell

[jazzcat22]

With the recent reports from TC saying Harwell has stepped up in the past few days, and with the reports of Whitehead's fumbles, as well as in the SD game.
Has he fumbled in TC, it seems he has but I do not know for sure.

Whitehead is 5-9, 179, 40 is 4.39, vertical 36, broad jump 10-01
Harwell is 5-11, 193, 40 is 4.52, vertical 34, broad jump 10-03

Return game
Whitehead 2013, 2014, returned 23 KO's for an average of 24.0, 20 punts for 15.6
Harwell, limited in returns in 2010, 2011, KO's 3 for 23.3, punts, 8 for 4.0

Now we don't know all the reasons for or against these averages in college. But seems Whitehead is way better on the returns.
Receiving
Whitehead, 85 - 896 yards, 8 TD's in 2 years, 76 of those came last year
Harwell, 229-3166, 23 TD's, in 3 years at Miami, OH, before he transferred to Kansas. There he was 44 - 470, 5 TD's.

So while Harwell seems way ahead for WR play, Whitehead has the experience as a returner.

So if Harwell is tried as a returner and does ok, then do you sacrifice a little speed for a player that is more ready to be a WR and contribute.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Harwell is the better choice. The only reason he would be kept is for returns. Harwell is way ahead of Whitehead as a receiver.

 

[Seven]

At this point for what either one would contribute at WR.........I would keep the better returner.

Special teams could make or break Dallas in late season.

They've been average at best for several years.

 

[Alexander]

At this point for what either one would contribute at WR.........I would keep the better returner.

Special teams could make or break Dallas in late season.

They've been average at best for several years.

This is what I would do as well. Whitehead needs to hang onto the football. But unless Harwell can field punts, he is not an active squad type. More of a practice squad player, almost tailor made in fact.

 

[CATCH17]

Harwell runs really nice routes.. What his upside though? Not much.. Kind of a Sam Hurd at best type of player.

Whiteheads speed can't be taught so i'd go with him.

Much more upside with Whitehead.. Hartwells are a dime a dozen.

 

[RJ_MacReady]

Keep Harwell, and let Dunbar earn his money by making him take PR/KR duties.

 

[Hailmary]

The 5th wr isn't going to see much time in the passing game, so I'd like to include dunn in the conversation. May be the best KR in the bunch with the edge going to lucky in the pr game.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

At this point for what either one would contribute at WR.........I would keep the better returner.

Special teams could make or break Dallas in late season.

They've been average at best for several years.

I agree.

I think the fumble was a bit overblown in the Chargers game. Whitehead got turned over and as he was about to fall to the ground, on his back, a defender jarred the ball loose with his helmet.

To me, most players in the NFL, including Harwell, are going to fumble on that play. If it were a fumble on a strip or a lighter hit that would be something else.

I just don't think you can replace Whitehead's speed and more importantly, his ability to get quick out of the gate. That's a great attribute to have for a returner. And being behind Dez, T-Will, Beasley and Street...you're not going to see many snaps unless he's a beast in the coverage units on ST. And most likely they could cut him and put him on the P-S without issue. I really don't know about that with Whitehead because of his speed and return ability.




YR

 

[erod]

Harwell is the better receiver, no doubt. But unless he beats out Street for No. 4, can Dallas really use him?

Take the better return guy, whoever that is. He's going to have the most impact on games.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Whitehead doesn't look comfortable catching punts imo. I think hes going to muff a lot of kicks. I'm going with the better receiver who can also tackle on special teams. Thats Harwell. Let Beasley return punts.

 

[DFWJC]

Harris' overall contributions in recent years will become increasingly apparent as the season goes on.

That's not saying we should have paid him what NY did, as he may already be declining. But 2 coverage teams, two return positions, reliable perimeter run blocking, and WR insurance is pretty much impossible to replace with even two players, let alone one.

I was hoping that maybe Whitehead could be on a coverage team too. Uh, no way.
He'll. need to be a very good to great return guy if he can't help us anywhere else.
Roster spots are gold.

 

[erod]

Whitehead doesn't look comfortable catching punts imo. I think hes going to muff a lot of kicks. I'm going with the better receiver who can also tackle on special teams. Thats Harwell. Let Beasley return punts.

Beasley is an injury waiting to happen returning punts. I agree with you that Whitehead doesn't look real comfortable catching punts.

 

[JohnsKey19]

The 5th wr isn't going to see much time in the passing game, so I'd like to include dunn in the conversation. May be the best KR in the bunch with the edge going to lucky in the pr game.

They'll go with the STs/WR guy every time in this scenario. Harwell would have to be viewed as a future starter to win this battle. Harwell is a guy you likely can add later from the practice squad if needed.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Harwell runs really nice routes.. What his upside though? Not much.. Kind of a Sam Hurd at best type of player.

Whiteheads speed can't be taught so i'd go with him.

Much more upside with Whitehead.. Hartwells are a dime a dozen.

That's where I am on this, Harwell at best is an average receiver in the NFL, Whitehead can be a dynamic return man and possibly a very effective slot guy. Unless he keeps fumbling, Lucky is the easy choice.

 

[gimmesix]

With the recent reports from TC saying Harwell has stepped up in the past few days, and with the reports of Whitehead's fumbles, as well as in the SD game.
Has he fumbled in TC, it seems he has but I do not know for sure.

Whitehead is 5-9, 179, 40 is 4.39, vertical 36, broad jump 10-01
Harwell is 5-11, 193, 40 is 4.52, vertical 34, broad jump 10-03

Return game
Whitehead 2013, 2014, returned 23 KO's for an average of 24.0, 20 punts for 15.6
Harwell, limited in returns in 2010, 2011, KO's 3 for 23.3, punts, 8 for 4.0

Now we don't know all the reasons for or against these averages in college. But seems Whitehead is way better on the returns.
Receiving
Whitehead, 85 - 896 yards, 8 TD's in 2 years, 76 of those came last year
Harwell, 229-3166, 23 TD's, in 3 years at Miami, OH, before he transferred to Kansas. There he was 44 - 470, 5 TD's.

So while Harwell seems way ahead for WR play, Whitehead has the experience as a returner.

So if Harwell is tried as a returner and does ok, then do you sacrifice a little speed for a player that is more ready to be a WR and contribute.

Was watching one of the training camp live videos and they talked about Whitehead being on the field with the first-team offense playing the role Dwayne Harris used to play. He also was out with the first team some against San Diego. So it appears the fifth receiver spot is his to lose. If we keep Harwell, it will probably be as a sixth receiver because we don't feel we can get him to the PS. Right now, I don't think Dallas feels that way.

Harwell does look good in practice running crisp routes to get open. I'd say Whitehead is definitely more raw in that area, and if he fails to show he can be the return man, then Harwell has a chance to win the fifth spot.

 

[gimmesix]

I agree.

I think the fumble was a bit overblown in the Chargers game. Whitehead got turned over and as he was about to fall to the ground, on his back, a defender jarred the ball loose with his helmet.

To me, most players in the NFL, including Harwell, are going to fumble on that play. If it were a fumble on a strip or a lighter hit that would be something else.

I just don't think you can replace Whitehead's speed and more importantly, his ability to get quick out of the gate. That's a great attribute to have for a returner. And being behind Dez, T-Will, Beasley and Street...you're not going to see many snaps unless he's a beast in the coverage units on ST. And most likely they could cut him and put him on the P-S without issue. I really don't know about that with Whitehead because of his speed and return ability.




YR

I agree that fumbles get overblown, but Whitehead needed to get both hands on that ball in traffic. He held in just one arm without covering it as he was being tackled.

 

[erod]

I agree that fumbles get overblown, but Whitehead needed to get both hands on that ball in traffic. He held in just one arm without covering it as he was being tackled.

Fumbles are never overblown in special teams. They lose games, and they're unforgiveable. They kill defenses on punts, and they make for very easy scoring drives on kickoffs.

I can't remember the exact percentage, but a turnover in the kicking game generally equates to a loss most every time.

 

[jaybird]

This is what I would do as well. Whitehead needs to hang onto the football. But unless Harwell can field punts, he is not an active squad type. More of a practice squad player, almost tailor made in fact.

Fumbles? I thought he fumbled once

 

[conner01]

Harrell is the better reciever
Lucky better special teams
I also think lucky has a higher ceiling
He is not that experienced. Mostly just last year so I factor in the higher ceiling and return ability and probably go with lucky
But still mighty early
I need to see both a lot more and I assume we will
Right now I go with lucky but he does have to hang on to the ball and work on being a weapon as a reciever
Ask me again when training camp is over and the decision actually has to be made

 

[Alexander]

Fumbles? I thought he fumbled once

In the game, yes. But there have been reports he has muffed some in practice too.