Player Spotlight: Bryant Johnson (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Bryant Johnson, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Player Page Link: Bryant Johnson Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

This guy should be the #1WR in SF. He signed a 1 year deal for 1 reason...opp to cash in on a great statistical season in a Mike Martz offense. pure and simple, this guy is playing for money...something I personally like as a FF owner.

What is working against him is the QB play. Smith/Hill/O'Sullivan is a far cry form Warner/Leinart so you have to temper your enthusiasm.

64/800/5 TD would seem about right.

This guy should be a nice pick as a WR4 in the middle rounds of drafts.

 

[Jason Wood]

This guy should be the #1WR in SF. He signed a 1 year deal for 1 reason...opp to cash in on a great statistical season in a Mike Martz offense. pure and simple, this guy is playing for money...something I personally like as a FF owner. What is working against him is the QB play. Smith/Hill/O'Sullivan is a far cry form Warner/Leinart so you have to temper your enthusiasm. 64/800/5 TD would seem about right. This guy should be a nice pick as a WR4 in the middle rounds of drafts.

I couldn't agree more MOP. Johnson is, to my mind, is among the best values at the position this year. He's been waiting for a clear starting job, is playing for a Mike Martz offense, is playing for a long-term deal, and while none of the 49ers QBs is that appealing, we know Martz of all people will find a way to get hefty passing totals from SOMEONE.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Sorry I don't see what's so special about Bryant Johnson. Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis will be better receiving options than Bryant Johnson. But hey since Johnson's "playing for money" (like everyone else in the NFL by the way) so he should be a good fantasy player this year. Yeah right.

Assuming that this Martz offense even takes in San Francisco (which I really doubt), I still don't see Johnson as much of a fantasy option this season. He's never even had 50 catches in a season. All four of the guys I mentioned had 50 catches just last season.

40/500/2

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Sorry I don't see what's so special about Bryant Johnson. Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis will be better receiving options than Bryant Johnson. But hey since Johnson's "playing for money" (like everyone else in the NFL by the way) so he should be a good fantasy player this year. Yeah right. Assuming that this Martz offense even takes in San Francisco (which I really doubt), I still don't see Johnson as much of a fantasy option this season. He's never even had 50 catches in a season. All four of the guys I mentioned had 50 catches just last season.40/500/2

WOW...I can tell you almost every poster on this board would bet you $50 that BJ clears 50 catches. When was he supposed to clear 50 behind Fitz and Boldin? Why the hate? You seem so closed minded to him...he is #1 on the depth charts right now...don't you think just by accident he is going to get more than 500 yds and 2 TD...seems awfully low.

 

[Man who'd fire the Yorks]

The fact that he's now in a Mike Martz system should tell you he's gonna see balls thrown his way.

70/700/7

 

[Todem]

78/975/5

A great value play this season.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

Sorry I don't see what's so special about Bryant Johnson. Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis will be better receiving options than Bryant Johnson. But hey since Johnson's "playing for money" (like everyone else in the NFL by the way) so he should be a good fantasy player this year. Yeah right.

Assuming that this Martz offense even takes in San Francisco (which I really doubt), I still don't see Johnson as much of a fantasy option this season. He's never even had 50 catches in a season. All four of the guys I mentioned had 50 catches just last season.

40/500/2

WOW...I can tell you almost every poster on this board would bet you $50 that BJ clears 50 catches. When was he supposed to clear 50 behind Fitz and Boldin? Why the hate? You seem so closed minded to him...he is #1 on the depth charts right now...don't you think just by accident he is going to get more than 500 yds and 2 TD...seems awfully low.

The 2 TD's? Maybe who knows. My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle? Why? Because everybody else says so? That's ridiculous.I wish someone could tell me one good thing about Bryant Johnson outside of "he's playing in a Martz system". I doubt it though since he isn't really that good.

 

[PatsWillWin]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

 

[finito]

Sorry I don't see what's so special about Bryant Johnson. Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis will be better receiving options than Bryant Johnson. But hey since Johnson's "playing for money" (like everyone else in the NFL by the way) so he should be a good fantasy player this year. Yeah right. Assuming that this Martz offense even takes in San Francisco (which I really doubt), I still don't see Johnson as much of a fantasy option this season. He's never even had 50 catches in a season. All four of the guys I mentioned had 50 catches just last season.40/500/2

WOW...I can tell you almost every poster on this board would bet you $50 that BJ clears 50 catches. When was he supposed to clear 50 behind Fitz and Boldin? Why the hate? You seem so closed minded to him...he is #1 on the depth charts right now...don't you think just by accident he is going to get more than 500 yds and 2 TD...seems awfully low.

How do you know he's #1 on the depth charts? I thought I remember Martz saying Bruce would assume the #1 role this year... (could be wrong but I'm pretty sure I read it within the last month or so).As for Bryant, he had a few chances to step in and produce with injuries to Boldin/Fitz the last few years and for all intensive purposes, he failed. He had a couple of good games but was incredibly inconsistent. I've watched him play and he vanishes for entire games it seems. I think Arnaz Battle and Bruce will both post better numbers than him this season. Still, he's draftable and will have a couple of good games.60 catches, 790 yds, 4 TDs

 

[The Man with the Plan]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.The Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. What happened?

 

[PatsWillWin]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

 

[The Man with the Plan]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

 

[Blackjacks]

Sorry I don't see what's so special about Bryant Johnson. Frank Gore, Isaac Bruce, Arnaz Battle, Vernon Davis will be better receiving options than Bryant Johnson. But hey since Johnson's "playing for money" (like everyone else in the NFL by the way) so he should be a good fantasy player this year. Yeah right.

Assuming that this Martz offense even takes in San Francisco (which I really doubt), I still don't see Johnson as much of a fantasy option this season. He's never even had 50 catches in a season. All four of the guys I mentioned had 50 catches just last season.

40/500/2

WOW...I can tell you almost every poster on this board would bet you $50 that BJ clears 50 catches. When was he supposed to clear 50 behind Fitz and Boldin? Why the hate? You seem so closed minded to him...he is #1 on the depth charts right now...don't you think just by accident he is going to get more than 500 yds and 2 TD...seems awfully low.

The 2 TD's? Maybe who knows. My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle? Why? Because everybody else says so? That's ridiculous.I wish someone could tell me one good thing about Bryant Johnson outside of "he's playing in a Martz system". I doubt it though since he isn't really that good.

He was a 1st round draft pick who might have taken alittle longer than others to "get it" and by the time he did....Whoooops, the best wr tendem in the NFL are infront of you on your depth chart on your team. I like Johnson's chances this year: 75 catches 875 yards and 6 td's

 

[ravnzfan]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

we get it...aggree to disagree and we move on, 'K?I'm only slightly more pesamistic than MoP...55/715/4I think Bruce leads the pack and has an 80/1100 yd season, while Battle and Johnson split 110/1500

 

[gianmarco]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

This explanation makes no sense. Boldin missed 4 games. What did you expect him to do in those 4 games? Catch 50 balls in 4 games? Even if he only caught 20 balls in 4 games, that's still pace for an 80 catch season. And, if Boldin missed 4 games, then for 12 games he was behind Boldin/Fitz. The fact that he caught 46 receptions in that time is pretty amazing. How many #3 WR's catch almost 50 balls? There may be reasons to not be optimistic about him, but the ones you're giving simply aren't it. I understand you're asking for a reason "other than he's playing for Martz". Well, I'd like another reason as to why he won't do well other than "well, look at what he did in Arizona behind Fitz/Boldin" when he had limited chances at best. No, 4 games while Boldin is out when he had limited reps as a starter isn't enough for me to say he's garbage.ETA---Boldin missed weeks 4, 5, 6, and 14. In those games BJ had 14/151/1. If you just want to do the unthinkable and extrapolate that out, it comes out to 56/604/4. If he wins the #1 job, I could see a small uptick to those #'s in the 60/750/5 range. Anything more is bonus. Predicting much less than that is ignoring the impact Martz can have on an offense, even with what he has to work with.

 

[The Man with the Plan]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

This explanation makes no sense. Boldin missed 4 games. What did you expect him to do in those 4 games? Catch 50 balls in 4 games? Even if he only caught 20 balls in 4 games, that's still pace for an 80 catch season. And, if Boldin missed 4 games, then for 12 games he was behind Boldin/Fitz. The fact that he caught 46 receptions in that time is pretty amazing. How many #3 WR's catch almost 50 balls?

There may be reasons to not be optimistic about him, but the ones you're giving simply aren't it. I understand you're asking for a reason "other than he's playing for Martz". Well, I'd like another reason as to why he won't do well other than "well, look at what he did in Arizona behind Fitz/Boldin" when he had limited chances at best. No, 4 games while Boldin is out when he had limited reps as a starter isn't enough for me to say he's garbage.

I'll give you 4.1. Frank Gore

2. Vernon Davis

3. Isaac Bruce

4. Arnaz Battle

 

[gianmarco]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

This explanation makes no sense. Boldin missed 4 games. What did you expect him to do in those 4 games? Catch 50 balls in 4 games? Even if he only caught 20 balls in 4 games, that's still pace for an 80 catch season. And, if Boldin missed 4 games, then for 12 games he was behind Boldin/Fitz. The fact that he caught 46 receptions in that time is pretty amazing. How many #3 WR's catch almost 50 balls?

There may be reasons to not be optimistic about him, but the ones you're giving simply aren't it. I understand you're asking for a reason "other than he's playing for Martz". Well, I'd like another reason as to why he won't do well other than "well, look at what he did in Arizona behind Fitz/Boldin" when he had limited chances at best. No, 4 games while Boldin is out when he had limited reps as a starter isn't enough for me to say he's garbage.

I'll give you 4.1. Frank Gore

2. Vernon Davis

3. Isaac Bruce

4. Arnaz Battle

I'll give you a couple more1. KJ

2. Roy Williams

3. CJ2

4. Shaun McDonald (79 receptions)

5. Michael Furrey (61 receptions)

There should be enough balls going around to get him more than 40 balls. And that's predicting him as only the #3 WR. If the 4th option can get 79 receptions and the 5th option can get 61 receptions in Martz's system, then predicting 40 for the possible #1 or #2 WR is on the low side any way you cut it.

 

[PatsWillWin]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

This explanation makes no sense. Boldin missed 4 games. What did you expect him to do in those 4 games? Catch 50 balls in 4 games? Even if he only caught 20 balls in 4 games, that's still pace for an 80 catch season. And, if Boldin missed 4 games, then for 12 games he was behind Boldin/Fitz. The fact that he caught 46 receptions in that time is pretty amazing. How many #3 WR's catch almost 50 balls?

There may be reasons to not be optimistic about him, but the ones you're giving simply aren't it. I understand you're asking for a reason "other than he's playing for Martz". Well, I'd like another reason as to why he won't do well other than "well, look at what he did in Arizona behind Fitz/Boldin" when he had limited chances at best. No, 4 games while Boldin is out when he had limited reps as a starter isn't enough for me to say he's garbage.

I'll give you 4.1. Frank Gore

2. Vernon Davis

3. Isaac Bruce

4. Arnaz Battle

I'll give you a couple more1. KJ

2. Roy Williams

3. CJ2

4. Shaun McDonald

5. Michael Furrey

There should be enough balls going around to get him more than 40 balls. And that' predicting him as only the #3 WR.

I'm not sure what is more striking - the complete lack of any credit to Bryant or the high level of faith in Battle/Bruce.

 

[MAC_32]

He's going to be given the opportunity to get the #1 role, but I just don't think he's good enough to do it. I think he's more of a complimentary WR. If he falls far enough I'd consider him and I'm holding tight in my dyno, but I'm just not expecting much. Bye week/injury filler at best.

 

[sfl49er]

I hope all the other teams dont expect much either

 

[LBH]

Im not sure what to make of Bryant Johnson or the 49er offense this year. I think Gore will be good. I have no idea who will emerge as the best wr in the passing game. I dont like that Bryant Johnson never seemed to have any big games when he has started in place of an injured Fitz and Boldin over the last few years, but at the same time he seems to be the wr with the best upside thats locked into a starting position in SF right now. The other starting wrs are interesting too. Issac Bruce has a long history of playing in a Martz offense. Based on how Furrey and Mcdonald did in Detroit, Im not even sure Battle isnt the best option. The nice thing is that Johnson, Bruce, and Battle are all players that can be had late in drafts. My best guess on B.Johnson....

70 850 6

 

[switz]

ETA---Boldin missed weeks 4, 5, 6, and 14. In those games BJ had 14/151/1. If you just want to do the unthinkable and extrapolate that out, it comes out to 56/604/4. If he wins the #1 job, I could see a small uptick to those #'s in the 60/750/5 range. Anything more is bonus. Predicting much less than that is ignoring the impact Martz can have on an offense, even with what he has to work with.

And that was as the #2 receiver, where he is slotted to be the #1 in SF.

 

[switz]

My point is that Bryant Johnson isn't as good as people are making him out to be all of a sudden. The guy was a third receiver and now because he's playing in the "Martz offense" I'm supposed to believe that he's the #1 receiver behind Frank Gore, Vernon Davis, Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle?

Serious question here - do you know who the #1 and #2 receivers were in front of him?

Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I doubt that excuse for him not becoming a good player will work this season when he's behind Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle.

So do you think it's a valid explanation as to why he never caught 50 balls in AZ or not?

No. Not really. As I mentioned before the Arizona Cardinals were ranked 2nd in pass attempts last season with Anquan Boldin missing 4 games and no other real receiving options than Fitzgerald and Johnson yet he was only able to get 46 receptions. So when it was set up for him to get 50 he couldn't do it. Now he's going to a much worse offense with a receiving tight end and a running back who can catch passes along with two other solid wide receivers. I doubt he gets 50 receptions this season either.

This explanation makes no sense. Boldin missed 4 games. What did you expect him to do in those 4 games? Catch 50 balls in 4 games? Even if he only caught 20 balls in 4 games, that's still pace for an 80 catch season. And, if Boldin missed 4 games, then for 12 games he was behind Boldin/Fitz. The fact that he caught 46 receptions in that time is pretty amazing. How many #3 WR's catch almost 50 balls?

There may be reasons to not be optimistic about him, but the ones you're giving simply aren't it. I understand you're asking for a reason "other than he's playing for Martz". Well, I'd like another reason as to why he won't do well other than "well, look at what he did in Arizona behind Fitz/Boldin" when he had limited chances at best. No, 4 games while Boldin is out when he had limited reps as a starter isn't enough for me to say he's garbage.

I'll give you 4.1. Frank Gore

2. Vernon Davis

3. Isaac Bruce

4. Arnaz Battle

I'll give you a couple more1. KJ

2. Roy Williams

3. CJ2

4. Shaun McDonald

5. Michael Furrey

There should be enough balls going around to get him more than 40 balls. And that' predicting him as only the #3 WR.

I'm not sure what is more striking - the complete lack of any credit to Bryant or the high level of faith in Battle/Bruce.

What I really like is including Davis, when Martz has never been known as a guy to use his TE. And then Battle, who couldn't nail down a starting position while battling it out with far inferior WRs.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Shaun McDonald 2007 -- 79/943/6

Mike Furrey 2006 -- 98/1086/6

Neither of those guys was anything close to the best weapon on the Lions offense, either. Martz will get production out of his passing game, I have no doubt. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Frank Gore lead the 49ers in catches, but there will be a WR or two that does some damage also.

As far as Bryant Johnson vs. Arnaz Battle vs. Isaac Bruce, I like Johnson and Bruce to end up as WR1/2 when all is said and done, and think that both will likely offer nice value this year. How anyone can blame Johnson for not beating out Fitz and Boldin is beyond me. He was a former 1st round pick and played well as the Cards' WR3, with 40+ catches four years running.

70 catches for 875 yards and 5 TDs

I also think that he has quite a bit of upside beyond what I have projected.

 

[MAC_32]

Shaun McDonald 2007 -- 79/943/6

Mike Furrey 2006 -- 98/1086/6

Neither of those guys was anything close to the best weapon on the Lions offense, either. Martz will get production out of his passing game, I have no doubt. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Frank Gore lead the 49ers in catches, but there will be a WR or two that does some damage also.

As far as Bryant Johnson vs. Arnaz Battle vs. Isaac Bruce, I like Johnson and Bruce to end up as WR1/2 when all is said and done, and think that both will likely offer nice value this year. How anyone can blame Johnson for not beating out Fitz and Boldin is beyond me. He was a former 1st round pick and played well as the Cards' WR3, with 40+ catches four years running.

70 catches for 875 yards and 5 TDs

I also think that he has quite a bit of upside beyond what I have projected.

FYI - Furrey and McDonald's roles in the offense were closer to what many (myself included) have projected for VD and Battle this year. Battle's the receiving option I'm targetting for this year, especially in a PPR.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

FYI - Furrey and McDonald's roles in the offense were closer to what many (myself included) have projected for VD and Battle this year. Battle's the receiving option I'm targetting for this year, especially in a PPR.

The point is that multiple players in a Martz offense have opportunity to ring up stats, I agree. If Battle plays the Furrey/McDonald role, then who does that leave to be Roy/Calvin? Isaac Bruce will turn 36 this year, and Battle is a journeyman. Bryant has all the opportunity in the world this year.

 

[MAC_32]

FYI - Furrey and McDonald's roles in the offense were closer to what many (myself included) have projected for VD and Battle this year. Battle's the receiving option I'm targetting for this year, especially in a PPR.

The point is that multiple players in a Martz offense have opportunity to ring up stats, I agree. If Battle plays the Furrey/McDonald role, then who does that leave to be Roy/Calvin? Isaac Bruce will turn 36 this year, and Battle is a journeyman. Bryant has all the opportunity in the world this year.

Watch Jason Hill in camp, a good camp and he'll get worked into the offense. My problem with Johnson is he will probably be regarded as the #1 by the opposition and draw the opposing CB1, I don't think he can produce in that situation.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Bryant Johnson was a young prospect and most expected this guy to break out in Arizona the last few years. He gets a change of scenery but to me, not for the better. The competition at WR won't be as great as it was in Arizona, but the passing game isn't at the same level either. This could be Bryant Johnson's last chance to make something of himself in this league, but he'll have to prove it to me.

40 receptions, 540 yards and 2 td's

 

[Ministry of Pain]

FYI - Furrey and McDonald's roles in the offense were closer to what many (myself included) have projected for VD and Battle this year. Battle's the receiving option I'm targetting for this year, especially in a PPR.

The point is that multiple players in a Martz offense have opportunity to ring up stats, I agree. If Battle plays the Furrey/McDonald role, then who does that leave to be Roy/Calvin? Isaac Bruce will turn 36 this year, and Battle is a journeyman. Bryant has all the opportunity in the world this year.

Watch Jason Hill in camp, a good camp and he'll get worked into the offense. My problem with Johnson is he will probably be regarded as the #1 by the opposition and draw the opposing CB1, I don't think he can produce in that situation.

You paint this picture like BJ might not be able to beat out Hill...are you kidding? Hill was targeted TWICE...that's 2 times his entire rookie year...whether he was injured or not, he has very little game time. BJ has been around for 4 or 5 years and has caught a number of balls in Arizona before coming to San Fran.The next thing you do is basically project Johnson out at zero catches because he might see CB1 on a weekly basis...so you think he could never once get seperation in a game? Are you serious? Sure it will be tougher but Johnson is going to clear a minimum of 50 catches in this offense when it is all said.