It's not like the NFL wasn't looking for big, fast, and agile WRs with good hands before he showed up.
It's not the Hall of Physical Specimens.
Actually, it is exactly like that.
As I said, before he arrived it WAS creeping in and the NFL was starting to get the idea but when you look at the annual TD receiving leaders prior to 2006, it is overwhelmingly the likes of Marvin, Reggie, Hines, DJAX, Torry Holt, Chris Henry, Steve Smith, etc,etc.
Yes, those were the days of a "little" bit of the occasional T.O. and TEs like Gonzo and Gates were starting to change the position, but for the vast most part, the NFL was clearly still playing small ball with speed. WHen Calvin arrived, and people started realizing how players like him created nightmares for defenses, ITs been bigger and better ever since. Entire offensive philosophies are designed this way. EVERY team now wants the Andre Johnson sized guy with wheels, the Mike Evans. It completely opened the door that will be here for a long time.