Darius Watts (1 Viewer)

[jeter23]

The Associated Press reports Denver Broncos WR Darius Watts shined during the team's 16 days of workouts, which included their last minicamp. Head coach Mike Shanahan singled out Watts as the player who made the biggest strides over the offseason. Shanahan said, "I see him feeling a lot more comfortable with the system where he doesn't have to think. He can react. A lot of times when a guy can do that, then catching a ball becomes much easier. He still has great speed, he's very explosive and he can do things a lot of receivers can't do. More importantly for him, I think he feels a lot more comfortable with the scheme so he can go out there and execute and not think. He looked pretty good."

 

[joffer]

from Pony Boy in a thread earlier in the offseason

I've posted this a few times, and I'll post it yet again for those holding out hope for Watts.He is a really nice kid, great work ethic, and superb physical ability. He could truly be a special WR - one of the top 5-10 in the NFL, seriously......except that he was involved in an auto accident as a youth that left him with a crippled hand. He & his family refer to it as his "claw". He does not have the ability to grasp footballs with that hand.In college, his physical skills knitted to his work ethic & route running got him open enough where the ball wouldn't have to be thrown perfectly for him to cach it because he had such separation. Now that he is in the pros, he doesn't have that kind of edge and he isn't capable of plucking a ball with 2 hands - he has to either cradle to his body, pin it against his crippled hand with his good hand, or catch the ball with only his good hand. That's the reason why you'll see him make a spectacular catch followed by dropping 2 really easy passes.It's just too much of a handicap to overcome and become a reliable WR at the NFL level. He's inconsistent & unreliable, which unfortunately has moved him down the food chain in DEN. Now with Walker in the fold, the development of Adams & Devoe, and the introduction of Marshall & Hixon through the draft, it would seem that Watts' days are numbered.It's really a damn shame, because he's really a very likeable person who works so damn hard. But that's just not enough at this level.If you're holding out hope that Watts will eventually get over his dropsies, it's a false hope. It's a physical problem that he just can't do anything about.

 

[BoltBacker]

I'll believe Watts can catch when he does in live games. Isn't this the same old song and dance every summer? Doesn't really matter if you can catch the ball in summer if you drop them all season long.

Until then I'm assuming Charlie Adams is the best cantidate for WR#3 since Lelie is likely on his way out of town. For that matter I like Adams as a deep sleeper in large leagues because of Smiths age and the fact I have very little confidence Walker is going to be healthy and produce like most people are expecting. As with every DEN situation, we'll see.

 

[BoltBacker]

..except that he was involved in an auto accident as a youth that left him with a crippled hand. He & his family refer to it as his "claw". He does not have the ability to grasp footballs with that hand.

So what you're saying is being familiar with a system doesn't un-cripple your "claw"?

 

[Phlash]

I wish I had claws

 

[SSOG]

If Lelie really holds out, and Watts somehow manages to improve his hands, then he could wind up as the #3. The competition isn't exactly stiff, with Charlie Adams being the primary contender.I said it last year, though, and I'll say it again this year... NOBODY in the NFL ever looks as good as Denver's #3 WR during the offseason or preseason. Seriously, that's ALL the Denver media ever talks about- how fantastic the #3 WR looks, and how he's making all of these circus catches and getting separation against everyone and looking like the second coming of Jerry Rice. Darius Watts is just the most recent Denver WR that the media wets itself over. A couple of the previous ones include Adrian Madise (2 career catches for 10 yards) and Kevin Kasper (24 career catches for 287 yards).The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.Fdit: Actually, I ran a search, and this is what I had to say about Darius Watts on July 31st last year:

Watts was selected towards the end of the second round, and every single bobblehead out there immediately started crying "REACH!" at the top of their lungs.Then Watts got into camp last offseason and burned every DB on play after play, making circus catch after circus catch, and everyone started screaming "SLEEPER!" at the top of their lungs.Then Watts dropped several potentially game-winning catches, and basically came down with a big case of the rookies, and everyone who bought into the sleeper stuff started yelling "OVERRATED!"Now he's back in camp, making more circus catches and burning more DBs, and everybody is back to the refrain of "SLEEPER!"What nobody ever mentions or realizes is that the WR3 in Denver's offense is never going to have any fantasy value.

 

[Bri]

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

 

[SSOG]

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

Assuming Javon Walker plays like Denver says he's going to, I disagree. Rod Smith could produce 50 catches and 2 TDs, and he still would outproduce last season's #2 WR.It's not Rod Smith and Javon Walker that are going to limit Darius Watts (or Denver's WR3)'s value. It's actually Stephen Alexander and Tony Scheffler and the TEs. The reason Denver's WR3 produces so little, historically, is because Denver involves its TEs in the offense more than 80-90% of the teams in the NFL. Look at teams with a history of TE involvement and tell me how many of them have ever produced a fantasy-viable WR3. EVER. Unless Denver starts involving its TEs less and its WRs more (something that WILL NOT happen, given the premium Shanahan puts on blocking and the run), Denver's WR3 is just not going to be a position of fantasy value.

 

[Bri]

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

Assuming Javon Walker plays like Denver says he's going to, I disagree. Rod Smith could produce 50 catches and 2 TDs, and he still would outproduce last season's #2 WR.It's not Rod Smith and Javon Walker that are going to limit Darius Watts (or Denver's WR3)'s value. It's actually Stephen Alexander and Tony Scheffler and the TEs. The reason Denver's WR3 produces so little, historically, is because Denver involves its TEs in the offense more than 80-90% of the teams in the NFL. Look at teams with a history of TE involvement and tell me how many of them have ever produced a fantasy-viable WR3. EVER. Unless Denver starts involving its TEs less and its WRs more (something that WILL NOT happen, given the premium Shanahan puts on blocking and the run), Denver's WR3 is just not going to be a position of fantasy value.

It's early, can't think of the name, Scheffler is the rook TE? That guy...yeah he seems like he's gonna work out. However, rookie TEs like Shockey are super rare. It's what? a 1 in 100 chance he gets 800 yards in his rookie year? How many haven't? How many have? We're not talking about Mercedes or Vernon Davis...he wasn't even the top TE coming out. Well the Broncos seem so convinced he's gonna be real good I figure why not take a shot on him in FF. He's drafted so late I really can't see why anyone would pass on him.I've read a few Alexander is mostly just a blocker articles that pretty much scare me away from him. Coachspeak? Well he, and Shanny, was saying it so that's pretty scary for FF.

I don't think Watts is their #3 but instead he looked good in shorts like he does every year. Not a fan of Adams but I do think it's he or Lelie(if he actually shows up).

I love Rod and am just a big fan. Much like "my boy" Curtis Martin, I'm starting to accept that he's going to need some help soon. Some rest, couple plays off here and there, that is all.

I'm not disagreeing with ya so much here SSOG. You might be right. In the past if a Denver #3 WR got ya(just an example) 40 fantasy points a year I'm only figuring now it'll be 50....little more, may very well be useless in FF.

BTW-

If I keep reading praise about the Pats rook TE that will actually play FB and spell Graham+Watson well....that could be a bunch of opportunity in dump passes and he'll pose a whole new set of Qs for me regarding rook TEs. I noticed Shanny let 2 of his fave "extra" blockers(FB+HB) go in Anderson and Hape. I could see their rook TE playing some FB or what looks like an H-back role in those spots. Depends how much Shanny loves the guy I guess, but I'm gonna look for that and expect more touches later in the season if he's called upon to do that. It's always learn to block in the NFL first, catch later, with young TEs.

 

[BoltBacker]

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

Assuming Javon Walker plays like Denver says he's going to, I disagree. Rod Smith could produce 50 catches and 2 TDs, and he still would outproduce last season's #2 WR.

What do you think the chances are Walker plays like DEN says he's going to this year?

 

[SSOG]

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

Assuming Javon Walker plays like Denver says he's going to, I disagree. Rod Smith could produce 50 catches and 2 TDs, and he still would outproduce last season's #2 WR.It's not Rod Smith and Javon Walker that are going to limit Darius Watts (or Denver's WR3)'s value. It's actually Stephen Alexander and Tony Scheffler and the TEs. The reason Denver's WR3 produces so little, historically, is because Denver involves its TEs in the offense more than 80-90% of the teams in the NFL. Look at teams with a history of TE involvement and tell me how many of them have ever produced a fantasy-viable WR3. EVER. Unless Denver starts involving its TEs less and its WRs more (something that WILL NOT happen, given the premium Shanahan puts on blocking and the run), Denver's WR3 is just not going to be a position of fantasy value.

It's early, can't think of the name, Scheffler is the rook TE? That guy...yeah he seems like he's gonna work out. However, rookie TEs like Shockey are super rare. It's what? a 1 in 100 chance he gets 800 yards in his rookie year? How many haven't? How many have? We're not talking about Mercedes or Vernon Davis...he wasn't even the top TE coming out. Well the Broncos seem so convinced he's gonna be real good I figure why not take a shot on him in FF. He's drafted so late I really can't see why anyone would pass on him.I've read a few Alexander is mostly just a blocker articles that pretty much scare me away from him. Coachspeak? Well he, and Shanny, was saying it so that's pretty scary for FF.

I don't think Watts is their #3 but instead he looked good in shorts like he does every year. Not a fan of Adams but I do think it's he or Lelie(if he actually shows up).

I love Rod and am just a big fan. Much like "my boy" Curtis Martin, I'm starting to accept that he's going to need some help soon. Some rest, couple plays off here and there, that is all.

I'm not disagreeing with ya so much here SSOG. You might be right. In the past if a Denver #3 WR got ya(just an example) 40 fantasy points a year I'm only figuring now it'll be 50....little more, may very well be useless in FF.

BTW-

If I keep reading praise about the Pats rook TE that will actually play FB and spell Graham+Watson well....that could be a bunch of opportunity in dump passes and he'll pose a whole new set of Qs for me regarding rook TEs. I noticed Shanny let 2 of his fave "extra" blockers(FB+HB) go in Anderson and Hape. I could see their rook TE playing some FB or what looks like an H-back role in those spots. Depends how much Shanny loves the guy I guess, but I'm gonna look for that and expect more touches later in the season if he's called upon to do that. It's always learn to block in the NFL first, catch later, with young TEs.

I think you misunderstand me. I don't think the Denver TEs necessarily eat into the #3 WRs NUMBERS... just that they eat into his OPPORTUNITIES. The #3 WR never sees the field in the red zone, and when you aren't catching many passes, TDs are really the main source of value for #3 WRs. I also do expect a jump in Denver's WR3 numbers as well, because Scheffler is a rookie and there's no depth at TE (although if they trade Lelie for a Vet, this all goes out the window).

The WR3 in Denver does not present value. It just doesn't, no matter what the massive media hype machine would lead you to believe. They do this every year, and every year the result is the same.

Normally I agree 100%. I don't know how much longer Rod Smith can visit the fountain of youth each summer. At some point, the old guy is gonna play like an old WR and need to be "spelled" some. WR3 should have some value then, for a change.

Assuming Javon Walker plays like Denver says he's going to, I disagree. Rod Smith could produce 50 catches and 2 TDs, and he still would outproduce last season's #2 WR.

What do you think the chances are Walker plays like DEN says he's going to this year?

Hard to say exactly- mostly because it's hard to tell if Walker is really for real, or just a one-year wonder. If he's the real thing, then I think they're pretty decent. Denver checked him over with their docters and gave him the green-light. I don't think they're expecting another 1300+ yards, I think they're just looking for 800-1000 yards, which they could pair with another 800-1000 from Rod Smith. Of course, that's just my guess, I don't know Shanahan, and so he might honestly be expecting 1300 out of Walker.I think the odds are fantastic that Walker puts up 800-1000 yards this year. 1300? Not so great.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

When you've got a 36 year old,

and an ACL casualty as you top 2 WRs,

you best take a long look at a

possible Darius Watts breakout season.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

SSOG makes some good points...

when was the last time a DEN WR3 did well? the three amigos?

and since the coach & system are intact, historical trends should be a good indicator...

a lot of discussion in shark pool is focused around redraft, but increasingly dynasty matters come into play... rod smith keeps cheating father time, but at some point he will have to hang up his cleats.

maybe if watts can advance to WR3, he would be a step closer to WR2...

while on the subject, how much longer to DEN insiders think smith can play... two more years? more? isn't he like 47?

 

[Bri]

SSOG makes some good points...

when was the last time a DEN WR3 did well? the three amigos?

I should have looked this up before2005=Adams like 200

2004 Watts 350ish

2003-Easy Ed (#2) got hurt and Lelie had 600+ yards. Let's call it a wash due to the injury and ignore 03.

2002 Lelie had 500

2001-Rod and a million other WRs during an injury year for Easy Ed

Before this Rod and Easy Ed have like 90% of all receiving yards for WRs, if not higher.

 

[Bri]

a lot of discussion in shark pool is focused around redraft, but increasingly dynasty matters come into play... rod smith keeps cheating father time, but at some point he will have to hang up his cleats.

maybe if watts can advance to WR3, he would be a step closer to WR2...

It seemed like Adams took his #3 job last year. I don't think Denver has their #2 WR(when Rod retires) on their roster. Adams seems like depth. Watts just seems like a good guy in shorts and eh the rest of the time. I don't see who it could be.

 

[SSOG]

while on the subject, how much longer to DEN insiders think smith can play... two more years? more? isn't he like 47?

It's really hard to say, since with a lot of players, age seems to just sneak up and hit them without any warning whatsoever. With that said, I think Rod Smith compares very favorably in terms of work ethic to Jerry Rice, which I think will CERTAINLY help his career. He has not missed an offseason workout in his entire career, which is just ASTOUNDING. Having Walker in town also helps him out, since he doesn't NEED to be the WR1 anymore, which leaves him free to just become a phenominal role player. Still, there are a lot of variables to consider.First off, he is ALL ABOUT WINNING, which is really the thing I love best about him. If Walker comes to town and catches 100/1500/15 and Smith himself gets 20/200/0, but they win a Superbowl, then I guarantee you that Rod Smith would be the happiest guy on the entire team. He had a 200 yard game and blew off all of the reporters afterwards because he was so devastated and angry that his team lost. He didn't even care that he'd just had a 200 yard receiving game, all that he cared about was that his team lost. This could hurt him, or this could help him. As long as he thinks the team is competitive and he can help, he will be back, whether he's a WR1 or a punt returner (which he's actually really good at, too). On the other hand, if the team wins the superbowl or falls apart, I see Smith retiring.

I don't think conditioning is going to be a huge problem, since has never really been based on athletic ability. He comes in every season as if he's just fighting for a roster spot, so I don't think he's going to grow complacent. If you saw him chase down Julius Peppers from behind on that 106 yard interception return in 2004, you saw that he's got plenty left in the tank. If he sticks around, I could see him putting up fantasy relevant numbers for another two seasons- meaning 800+ yards receiving. Whether that comes in a WR1 role or as a WR2 behind Walker, I don't know, but I do believe that he's got at least two more years of that in him. After that, if he has the desire, I could see him sticking around another couple of years. At the moment, Jerry Rice is the only WR in history to play a snap past the age of 40 (if I recall correctly). The way Rod Smith is going, I truly believe he could become the second.

Then again, his game could just entirely fall apart this season and he could be out of the NFL by next year. Sometimes football's funny like that.

a lot of discussion in shark pool is focused around redraft, but increasingly dynasty matters come into play... rod smith keeps cheating father time, but at some point he will have to hang up his cleats.

maybe if watts can advance to WR3, he would be a step closer to WR2...

It seemed like Adams took his #3 job last year. I don't think Denver has their #2 WR(when Rod retires) on their roster. Adams seems like depth. Watts just seems like a good guy in shorts and eh the rest of the time. I don't see who it could be.

I agree that Adams and Devoe are nothing more than special teamers and borderline depth guys, and any team that is using them as a WR3 is a team with serious depth issues. If Watts could just catch the dang ball, he would be an absolute stud. A lot of Broncos fans seem to think that Brandon Marshall, our fourth round draft pick, is going to be the guy who takes over the #2 spot after Smith retires... but I've heard that song and dance before, and would like to see something first before I jump on his bandwagon.

 

[Bri]

Forgot about Marshall. I guess, dynasty wise, if I had to take a shot on someone it'd be him. Agree with what SSOG said though

 

[-OZ-]

a lot of discussion in shark pool is focused around redraft, but increasingly dynasty matters come into play... rod smith keeps cheating father time, but at some point he will have to hang up his cleats.

maybe if watts can advance to WR3, he would be a step closer to WR2...

It seemed like Adams took his #3 job last year. I don't think Denver has their #2 WR(when Rod retires) on their roster. Adams seems like depth. Watts just seems like a good guy in shorts and eh the rest of the time. I don't see who it could be.

I'll take "2007 NFL draft" for $200 Alex. It's really too bad lelie is acting like a complete putz. This would be his time to shine. Let's see, the other WRs are ancient and coming off injury, and you think another team will be better?

 

[BoltBacker]

I don't think they're expecting another 1300+ yards, I think they're just looking for 800-1000 yards, which they could pair with another 800-1000 from Rod Smith. Of course, that's just my guess, I don't know Shanahan, and so he might honestly be expecting 1300 out of Walker.

I think the odds are fantastic that Walker puts up 800-1000 yards this year. 1300? Not so great.

So in a nutshell you think DEN signed Walker to a $42 million extension and are looking for 800 yards or more?

 

[Bob_Magaw]

it is possible the team has tempered expectations for walker this season... he is coming off an ACL injury...

that isn't the same thing as saying they have permanent tempered expectaions... many skill position players nowadays come back strong after about two years, so maybe they are counting on him doing even better year two, three, etc...

 

[BoltBacker]

it is possible the team has tempered expectations for walker this season... he is coming off an ACL injury...

that isn't the same thing as saying they have permanent tempered expectaions... many skill position players nowadays come back strong after about two years, so maybe they are counting on him doing even better year two, three, etc...

Well, according to this..."Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News - [Full Article]

The Denver Broncos reached an agreement in principle Monday on a five-year contract extension that will pay WR Javon Walker about $40 million, including $15 million in option bonuses in 2007-08. However, this contract will not start till next season. He has to play out the remaining of his rookie contract he signed with Green Bay but did get a $1 million roster bonus this season from the Broncos. "

... it's going to cost them $15million if they decide to honor the contract they just signed him too. I'm guessing he doesn't every see that contract anyway but if Walker produces 800 yards this season I'm betting the house that he doesn't see that contract. Tempered expectations or not.

I'm sure Walker will be more than willing to take a big paycut to remain with the team, afterall he's never had an over-inflated sense of of self-worth in the past. "Team First Guy"..... that's a good description of Javon Walker thus far in his NFL career.

 

[-OZ-]

I don't think they're expecting another 1300+ yards, I think they're just looking for 800-1000 yards, which they could pair with another 800-1000 from Rod Smith. Of course, that's just my guess, I don't know Shanahan, and so he might honestly be expecting 1300 out of Walker.

I think the odds are fantastic that Walker puts up 800-1000 yards this year. 1300? Not so great.

So in a nutshell you think DEN signed Walker to a $42 million extension and are looking for 800 yards or more?

Somehow, I don't think they signed him to the extension with just this year in mind. It's entirely possible he gets 800 this year, and dominates after that.

 

[BoltBacker]

Somehow, I don't think they signed him to the extension with just this year in mind. It's entirely possible he gets 800 this year, and dominates after that.

On the contrary, I think they signed him to that contract because they don't think they'll have to ever actually pay him that $.a) If lightning strikes and Walker turns into Randy Moss this year....... everything is good and everyone is happy. I think this is unlikely coming off that type of injury and in a run oriented system like DEN uses but who knows?

b) If Walker works his way slowly back and gets an "ok" 800 yards.... DEN says he hasn't earned $15mil and ask Walker to take a HUGE paycut from the contract he signed less than a year ago. Based on Walkers past...... soap-opera ensues.

c) Walker had one good year(won't bother to prove how many no-name WR's have had one great year) and coming off an injury isn't even able to produce 800 yards. DEN never even gives a thought to axing him..... they are willing to demand paycuts from guys that produce they certainly aren't going to feel bad about releasing a player that wants to be payed all-pro and can't produce 800 yards.

If Walker was dumb enough to go for an "extension" like this one I can't believe GB wouldn't just "give in" and let Walker have his new contract....... written in vanishing ink.

 

[BoltBacker]

Denver checked him over with their docters and gave him the green-light.

What do you mean by "green-light"????Has he even seen DEN DB's at this point?

They signed him to a contract that doesn't expose them in the least. If Walker goes out and gets 100 yards this season they spent $1-2mil on him total.

 

[SSOG]

I don't think they're expecting another 1300+ yards, I think they're just looking for 800-1000 yards, which they could pair with another 800-1000 from Rod Smith. Of course, that's just my guess, I don't know Shanahan, and so he might honestly be expecting 1300 out of Walker.

I think the odds are fantastic that Walker puts up 800-1000 yards this year. 1300? Not so great.

So in a nutshell you think DEN signed Walker to a $42 million extension and are looking for 800 yards or more?

I think it usually takes 2 years for a player to recover fully from an ACL injury. I think Denver is still capable of using Rod Smith as a WR1 and would be happy with WR1A or even solid WR2 production from Walker. I said 800-1000 yards, too, so stop focusing on that 800 number. Also, keep in mind that I'm discussing his floor here, which also impacts things (for instance, Lelie might be expected to get 800 yards, but his floor would probably be closer to the 500-600 range).Denver is a run-first team, and like ANY run-first team, I think they would be very happy with 800-1000 yards from their WR2, especially if they still have Lelie in town for the WR3.

Denver checked him over with their docters and gave him the green-light.

What do you mean by "green-light"????Has he even seen DEN DB's at this point?

They signed him to a contract that doesn't expose them in the least. If Walker goes out and gets 100 yards this season they spent $1-2mil on him total.

Yeah, he's seen the DBs. I'm pretty sure he and Champ went out to dinner together last night, and Dominique Foxworth allegedly went with him to see the new Pirates of the Carribean movie.By "Green Light" I mean Denver's doctors said "Hey, guys what, this guy's career isn't over. Spending money on him isn't a horrible idea!"