Quality WRs who are not physical freaks (1 Viewer)

[bigmiiiiike]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

 

[DoubleG]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

I agree - to a point. I think the reason people are "dismissing" Blackmon (i.e. letting him fall to the back of round 1 in rookie drafts or being drafted as a decent WR2 in most redrafts...if that's "dismissing") is not just that. Look at all the other "non-freak" WRs you listed - more specifically, their QBs - Manning, Ryan, Romo, Eli, and Big Ben. For the most part, all of those QBs are considered to be near the top in the NFL. Part of the reason he is falling in drafts a little further than predicted before he was drafted is the QB situation in Jax. WRs who run good routes and have very good but not elite speed and don't have huge size advantages have to rely in part on a QB who can put the ball where it needs to be. The concern in regards to Blackmon is that he aint got that. If he would have gone to a team with a decent or good QB, he'd be going a lot higher. The hype is held in check because as a WR without freakish size or speed, you rely a little more on your QB. And the QB situation in Jax, stinks.

 

[doowain]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

There is really only one physical freak at WR and his name is Calvin (an argument can be made for Julio/Demaryius).We get enamored with measurables, but that doesn't mean you can play WR. That list you mention. All of those guys are superb WRs, mostly because they are top notch route runners. There is more to getting open in the NFL than being fast. Ask DHB.

 

[Koya]

Was J Rice a "physical freak"

Steve Largent?

Marvin Harrison?

Isaac Bruce?

 

[Steel Dillo]

I don't think Hines Ward was elite in any physical category, but he had a great career.

 

[Warrior]

Don't think he's referring to all-time. Sure, it's easy to look at the past 50 years and find some good WR's that aren't physical freaks. The NFL is different now.

 

[Devine Intervention]

Watching his game film you can't really say this guy isn't a physical freak. Same thing with a guy like Cruz. There is power in those wrs that you aren't getting with a Harrison or someone like that. Blackmon has a lot more power than given credit for. I also think that not enough credit is given to the intelligence of a wr. Jerry Rice made a living on studying the game and how DBs responded to him and how to run crisp routes. Its not just I can jump higher and run faster.

 

[FreeBaGeL]

Brandon Lloyd is the epitome of the kind of guy who would be absolutely unstoppable if his body were as good as his football skills.

The guy is 6'0" 188lbs but comes down with jump balls like he's 6'5" 230.

 

[imagroid]

Ugh, everyone on this MB is either a freak or a beast, etc... So overused.

He's the same size as Nicks, so I have no idea why his size is constantly used against him.

 

[ZWK]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:

2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.56

2010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.53

2009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.56

2009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.51

2008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.59

2008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.58

2007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.51

2004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.54

2003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.72

2003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.62

2002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.57

2001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.57

2000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.56

1999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

 

[Sinner]

The ultimate - Wayne Chrebet

 

[Sweet Love]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:

2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.56

2010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.53

2009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.56

2009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.51

2008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.59

2008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.58

2007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.51

2004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.54

2003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.72

2003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.62

2002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.57

2001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.57

2000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.56

1999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

Did Boldin walk it? Or gallop?

 

[Carter_Can_Fly]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

There is really only one physical freak at WR and his name is Calvin (an argument can be made for Julio/Demaryius).We get enamored with measurables, but that doesn't mean you can play WR. That list you mention. All of those guys are superb WRs, mostly because they are top notch route runners. There is more to getting open in the NFL than being fast. Ask DHB.

I think you are missing how much of a freak Andre Johnson is.AJ6'3"230 lbs4.41 forty... ran a 10.59, 100 meter big east championship41 inch verticle132 inches broad jumpJulio Jones6'2"220 lbs4.34 forty38.5 inch verticle135 inch broad jumpCalvin Johnson (the biggest freak)6'5"239 lbs4.35 forty42 inch verticle138 inch broad jump

 

[Holy Schneikes]

There are good receivers in a lot of categories. I don't think you have to be huge AND fast/quick - though that's the best case scenario of course. But personally, I look for guys have at least ONE dominant characteristic. Either big, physical guys who dominate that way, or super fast guys who dominate that way, or super quick guys who dominate that way.

You can even be very productive without a single dominating physical trait (like Rice), but I think it's a lot harder/rarer. If you look at the top guys, you can generally go down the last and say;

Guys have no hope of covering him because he's too damn fast AND too damn big (Calvin, Andre)

Guys can't cover him because he is too big and strong and athletic (Fitz, Marshall, Jackson, Colston, Nelson)

Guys can't cover him because he's too damn fast and/or quick (Cruz, Smith, Welker, Wallace, Harvin, D Jackson)

But sometimes you are left with guys who don't DOMINATE in any one area, but have a really nice COMBINATION of speed/size like Nicks or Roddy White. I think Roddy's athleticism is a little underrated though - he's no slouch in the speed department.

Bottom line, it's not a requirement, but it reall,y really helps to be able to rely on a physical ability to just out and out beat a guy.

 

[Sabertooth]

Any Packets or Patriots wideout. Probably the most "physical freak" guy is Donald Driver, who almost chose to become an olympic high jumper before joining the Packers.

 

[cstu]

There are good receivers in a lot of categories. I don't think you have to be huge AND fast/quick - though that's the best case scenario of course. But personally, I look for guys have at least ONE dominant characteristic. Either big, physical guys who dominate that way, or super fast guys who dominate that way, or super quick guys who dominate that way.

You can even be very productive without a single dominating physical trait (like Rice), but I think it's a lot harder/rarer. If you look at the top guys, you can generally go down the last and say;

Guys have no hope of covering him because he's too damn fast AND too damn big (Calvin, Andre)

Guys can't cover him because he is too big and strong and athletic (Fitz, Marshall, Jackson, Colston, Nelson)

Guys can't cover him because he's too damn fast and/or quick (Cruz, Smith, Welker, Wallace, Harvin, D Jackson)

But sometimes you are left with guys who don't DOMINATE in any one area, but have a really nice COMBINATION of speed/size like Nicks or Roddy White. I think Roddy's athleticism is a little underrated though - he's no slouch in the speed department.

Bottom line, it's not a requirement, but it reall,y really helps to be able to rely on a physical ability to just out and out beat a guy.

Blackmon and White has near identical pre-draft measurements.

 

[David Yudkin]

Wes Welker is listed at 5'9", 185 lbs (which is a stretch IMO). He appears to be pretty good.

 

[Holy Schneikes]

There are good receivers in a lot of categories. I don't think you have to be huge AND fast/quick - though that's the best case scenario of course. But personally, I look for guys have at least ONE dominant characteristic. Either big, physical guys who dominate that way, or super fast guys who dominate that way, or super quick guys who dominate that way.

You can even be very productive without a single dominating physical trait (like Rice), but I think it's a lot harder/rarer. If you look at the top guys, you can generally go down the last and say;

Guys have no hope of covering him because he's too damn fast AND too damn big (Calvin, Andre)

Guys can't cover him because he is too big and strong and athletic (Fitz, Marshall, Jackson, Colston, Nelson)

Guys can't cover him because he's too damn fast and/or quick (Cruz, Smith, Welker, Wallace, Harvin, D Jackson)

But sometimes you are left with guys who don't DOMINATE in any one area, but have a really nice COMBINATION of speed/size like Nicks or Roddy White. I think Roddy's athleticism is a little underrated though - he's no slouch in the speed department.

Bottom line, it's not a requirement, but it reall,y really helps to be able to rely on a physical ability to just out and out beat a guy.

Blackmon and White has near identical pre-draft measurements.

Yep, Blackmon could easily fit in that category. Don't know if he will or not, but he certainly could. And that category is maybe a bit smaller than the others.I'm just saying that I generally feel a lot better about making a big investment in a guy if he's very big or very fast. If everything else is top notch, it won't matter, but it's just a nagging thing at the back of my mind for guys like that.

 

[DesmondBishop]

Torry Holt seems to fit that bill pretty well.

Tim Brown had a pretty stellar career and was pretty average physically.

 

[az_prof]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.562010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.532009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.562009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.512008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.592008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.582007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.512004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.542003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.722003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.622002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.572001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.572000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.561999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

This list actually supports the concerns. Over a decade and this is a pretty small group of guys who even merit mention. And of them, only a few have turned out to be great dynasty players. Price? One great year and then failure when he had to be the #1 guy. DJax? Average. Ocho--a stud. Bryant? Nothing special. Brandon Lloy? He didn't break out until very late in his career. Boldin has had a strong career--throw him in with Ocho as the exception that proves the rule. Cotchery? A couple of good years and then not much. Bowe? Has flashed talent but hasn't lived up to hype, yet. Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great. Manningham? A good but not great player. Nicks? Too early to tell. Same for Brown and Williams although neither of them look like elite, difference maker players--they look more like good players.So really there are two elite dynasty, fantasy players in the decade who fits this profile. That's not many. That tells me his trajectory is more likely to be that of a fantasy WR2 or WR3 at best.

 

[finito]

Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great.

How is Steve Johnson a late bloomer? He broke 1k in his 3rd season.

 

[az_prof]

Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great.

How is Steve Johnson a late bloomer? He broke 1k in his 3rd season.

My error. I still would say that he is not an elite WR and never will be. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him fade. At best, he is a WR2 and more likely a WR3 going forward. You wouldn't put him in the class of Ochocinco, would you? He certainly isn't in the class of the freaks like Randy Moss ( the original freak), Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson. I wouldn't want to use the second pick in a rookie draft if I thought the player's ceiling was Stevie Johnson.

 

[Sabertooth]

Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great.

How is Steve Johnson a late bloomer? He broke 1k in his 3rd season.

My error. I still would say that he is not an elite WR and never will be. I wouldn't at all be surprised to see him fade. At best, he is a WR2 and more likely a WR3 going forward. You wouldn't put him in the class of Ochocinco, would you? He certainly isn't in the class of the freaks like Randy Moss ( the original freak), Calvin Johnson, Andre Johnson. I wouldn't want to use the second pick in a rookie draft if I thought the player's ceiling was Stevie Johnson.

 

[chinawildman]

There are plenty of non-freak WRs that have done well, but they've usually had an elite QB to help them along the way. The real question is whether a non-freak WR can perform when his QB is just average. Off the top of my head I think of people like Steve Smith, pre-Warner Isaac Bruce, Brandon Lloyd.

Personally I think the "freak" physical measurables of WRs are overrated. A receiver has 2 primary functions: 1) Get open 2) catch the ball. All being a freak does is help them overcome any deficiencies in either of these 2 skills.

 

[cstu]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.562010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.532009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.562009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.512008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.592008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.582007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.512004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.542003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.722003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.622002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.572001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.572000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.561999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

This list actually supports the concerns. Over a decade and this is a pretty small group of guys who even merit mention. And of them, only a few have turned out to be great dynasty players. Price? One great year and then failure when he had to be the #1 guy. DJax? Average. Ocho--a stud. Bryant? Nothing special. Brandon Lloy? He didn't break out until very late in his career. Boldin has had a strong career--throw him in with Ocho as the exception that proves the rule. Cotchery? A couple of good years and then not much. Bowe? Has flashed talent but hasn't lived up to hype, yet. Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great. Manningham? A good but not great player. Nicks? Too early to tell. Same for Brown and Williams although neither of them look like elite, difference maker players--they look more like good players.So really there are two elite dynasty, fantasy players in the decade who fits this profile. That's not many. That tells me his trajectory is more likely to be that of a fantasy WR2 or WR3 at best.

Here are the guys on that list who were drafted in the first two rounds:Nicks 1.29Boldin 2.54Antonio Bryant 2.63Chad Johnson 2.36Price 2.53None were picked remotely as high as Blackmon (who the Jags actually traded up to get). Price is the worst on the list and had a 94/1252/9 season. Antonio Bryant was a head case and still put up a couple of 1000 yard seasons, including 83/1248/7 in 2008.

 

[Nero]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

Cruz, Austin, and White all measure to have over 40 inch verticals and each broad jumped over 10 feet predraft. That is freakish at any size IMO.

 

[ZWK]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:

2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.56

2010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.53

2009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.56

2009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.51

2008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.59

2008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.58

2007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.51

2004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.54

2003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.72

2003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.62

2002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.57

2001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.57

2000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.56

1999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

This list actually supports the concerns. Over a decade and this is a pretty small group of guys who even merit mention. And of them, only a few have turned out to be great dynasty players. Price? One great year and then failure when he had to be the #1 guy. DJax? Average. Ocho--a stud. Bryant? Nothing special. Brandon Lloy? He didn't break out until very late in his career. Boldin has had a strong career--throw him in with Ocho as the exception that proves the rule. Cotchery? A couple of good years and then not much. Bowe? Has flashed talent but hasn't lived up to hype, yet. Steve Johnson? A late bloomer who looks to be good but not great. Manningham? A good but not great player. Nicks? Too early to tell. Same for Brown and Williams although neither of them look like elite, difference maker players--they look more like good players.So really there are two elite dynasty, fantasy players in the decade who fits this profile. That's not many. That tells me his trajectory is more likely to be that of a fantasy WR2 or WR3 at best.

If you're looking at success rate, it's probably better to look at a more complete list where you can see success rate. Here is a complete list of all WRs drafted in the first round since 1999 who (using data from NFL Draft Scout) 1) measured under 6'3", 2) did not run a sub-4.45 40 at the combine, and 3) did not run a sub-4.40 40 at their Pro Day:2012 Kendall Wright 5'10" 196 4.61 combine (4.42 pro day)

2012 Justin Blackmon 6'1" 207 4.46 pro day

2010 Dez Bryant 6'2" 224 4.52 pro day

2009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.51 combine

2009 Michael Crabtree 6'2" 215 (no 40 time)

2007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.51 combine

2007 Craig Davis 6'1" 200 4.41 pro day

2005 Roddy White 6'1" 207 4.46 pro day

2004 Rashaun Woods 6'2" 202 4.47 combine

2003 Andre Johnson 6'2" 230 4.41 pro day

2002 Donte Stallworth 5'10" 197 (no 40 time)

2001 Reggie Wayne 6'1" 198 4.45 combine

2001 Freddie Mitchell 6'1" 185 4.46 combine

2001 Rod Gardner 6'2" 219 4.48 combine

2001 Koren Robinson 6'2" 211 4.61 combine

2000 Peter Warrick 5'11" 194 (no 40 time)

2000 Travis Taylor 6'1" 199 (no 40 time)

1999 David Boston 6'1" 215 4.47 combine

1999 Troy Edwards 5'10" 191 4.57 combine

I've bolded the ones that are relatively similar in size to Blackmon (at least 6', 195-219 lbs.). A few stars, several busts (but mostly from 2001 or sooner).

 

[DoubleG]

You had to bring up David Boston.

 

[Koya]

Don't think he's referring to all-time. Sure, it's easy to look at the past 50 years and find some good WR's that aren't physical freaks. The NFL is different now.

These guys didn't exactly play in the 50s. And you are telling me that Jerry Rices skill set wouldn't correlate today - with even friendlier passing rules? When so many of the recent all time greats aren't uber physical specimens I think it proves the point that much more.

 

[Xue]

I've been looking a lot at Blackmon this offseason, the knock on him being that he's not that tall and not that fast. He's 6'1", 205ish, with a mid 4.4s 40 time. I initially thought he'd be the next Michael Crabtree, who didn't seem to have any one particular quality that would make him stand out in the NFL. However, then I thought about guys like Reggie Wayne, Roddy White, Miles Austin, Victor Cruz, and Antonio Brown. None of these guys are that big, fast, or athletic (compared with freaks like Calvin, Julio, Fitz, etc), yet they've had very productive years/careers. What other WRs are in this mold? And aren't we rushing to judgment to dismiss Blackmon because he's not a physical freak?

Cruz, Austin, and White all measure to have over 40 inch verticals and each broad jumped over 10 feet predraft. That is freakish at any size IMO.

Was going to point out the same thing.

 

[JHuber77]

Steve Smith CAR anyone?

 

[coolnerd]

Physical freaks are the exception, not the good to very good to excellent Wrs. the reason we marvel at Calvin Johnson is that there aren't other dudes 6'5 240 running 4.3 something. Even when step down a Larry fitzgerald level 6'3 220 4.45-4.50 there is ususally some dude floating around the draft with those measurables. The difference in dudes is skill (versus pure athletic ability), work ethic, coaching, situation and opportunity.

 

[cstu]

It looks like Blackmon was the highest drafted player on that list.

 

[sspunisher]

A lot of the guys you are comparing aren't as different in size and speed as you think. Julio Jones and Miles Austin off the top of my head are pretty close in stature, and both are considered fast and high leapers.

Generally speaking, 4.40 speed is more than acceptable for any WR who is over 6'1" and 200+ pounds, assuming they play big. If a WR is is under 6 feet, he better have some kind of redeeming quality like amazing speed (DeSean Jackson), plays big despite size (Steve Smith), RAC ability (Randall Cobb), etc.

 

[cstu]

Physical freaks are the exception, not the good to very good to excellent Wrs. the reason we marvel at Calvin Johnson is that there aren't other dudes 6'5 240 running 4.3 something. Even when step down a Larry fitzgerald level 6'3 220 4.45-4.50 there is ususally some dude floating around the draft with those measurables. The difference in dudes is skill (versus pure athletic ability), work ethic, coaching, situation and opportunity.

I remember when people were calling Fitzgerald slow.

Pittsburgh's Pro Day:Height- 6-3 1/8Weight- 221 lbs.40 times - 1st run-4.51 and 2nd run-4.47Bench reps - (225 lbs.) 20 repsVertical jump - 35 inchesBroad - 10-1 SS - 4.27 3 Cone - 6.97

So Fitzgerald was basically two inches taller, 14 lbs. heavier and slightly slower than Blackmon.

 

[JOBOOZOSO]

Steve Largent

http://nflfilms.nfl.com/2012/05/10/this-day-in-football-happy-birthdayjim-zorn/

 

[Koya]

FYI, if you do want to discuss current players, it still looks like this:

Welker

Steve Smith Car(getting old, but been a top WR for years)

Roddy White - Not sure about his measurables, but doesnt strike me as uber physically gifted.

Colston - Never been very fast

Victor Cruz (only one year, but as current as it gets)

 

[DoubleG]

FYI, if you do want to discuss current players, it still looks like this:

Welker

Steve Smith Car(getting old, but been a top WR for years)

Roddy White - Not sure about his measurables, but doesnt strike me as uber physically gifted.

Colston - Never been very fast

Victor Cruz (only one year, but as current as it gets)

6' 4" and 225 don't count as "freak"? And he did run A 4.5 forty - so he's about the same speed as Fitz, but bigger.

 

[Shlon]

FYI, if you do want to discuss current players, it still looks like this:WelkerSteve Smith Car(getting old, but been a top WR for years)Roddy White - Not sure about his measurables, but doesnt strike me as uber physically gifted.Colston - Never been very fastVictor Cruz (only one year, but as current as it gets)

Roddy White was a two time state champion in wrestling (South Carolina), he's not uber physically gifted but definitely isn't chopped liver.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Surprised that no one has mentioned Greg Jennings yet.

 

[Koya]

FYI, if you do want to discuss current players, it still looks like this:

Welker

Steve Smith Car(getting old, but been a top WR for years)

Roddy White - Not sure about his measurables, but doesnt strike me as uber physically gifted.

Colston - Never been very fast

Victor Cruz (only one year, but as current as it gets)

6' 4" and 225 don't count as "freak"? And he did run A 4.5 forty - so he's about the same speed as Fitz, but bigger.

Always thought he was slower than that. Big does not constitute freak. Even so, the others are good proof that you don't need to be 6'4" with a 4.4 forty

 

[Koya]

FYI, if you do want to discuss current players, it still looks like this:WelkerSteve Smith Car(getting old, but been a top WR for years)Roddy White - Not sure about his measurables, but doesnt strike me as uber physically gifted.Colston - Never been very fastVictor Cruz (only one year, but as current as it gets)

Roddy White was a two time state champion in wrestling (South Carolina), he's not uber physically gifted but definitely isn't chopped liver.

These guys are all NFL players and the best at that. They are ALL great athletes, but not all über freaks is my point.

 

[scothawk]

It depends what you mean by "freak", but here's a list of WRs since 1999 who ran 4.50 or slower at the combine, measured under 6'3", and have had some success in the NFL:2010 Antonio Brown 5'10 186 4.562010 Mike Williams 6'2" 221 4.532009 Austin Collie 6'1" 200 4.562009 Hakeem Nicks 6'1" 212 4.512008 Mario Manningham 6'1" 181 4.592008 Steve Johnson 6'2" 210 4.582007 Dwayne Bowe 6'2" 221 4.512004 Jerricho Cotchery 6'1" 212 4.542003 Anquan Boldin 6'1" 216 4.722003 Brandon Lloyd 6'1" 184 4.622002 Antonio Bryant 6'1" 188 4.572001 Chad Johnson 6'1" 192 4.572000 Darrell Jackson 6'1" 197 4.561999 Peerless Price 5'11" 180 4.55

I came on to bold the receivers that surprised me to be in that list. Turns out the only one I didnt expect to be that slow was Cotchery.Slow of course is relative, but you get my thinking.

 

[FunkyPlutos]

Surprised that no one has mentioned Greg Jennings yet.

First guy I thought of...

 

[Koya]

Fwiw, 4.5 forty is hardly studly. It's fast but not that fast. Not by nfl standards for sure.

 

[prymetyme25]

Fwiw, 4.5 forty is hardly studly. It's fast but not that fast. Not by nfl standards for sure.

this statement amazes me.....NFL standards or not, most people don't realize how fast 4.5 really is..... I'm sure the average guy or ex athlete thinks they could go out and run a good 40 time but truth of the matter is i bet most of your average athletes run about a 4.6 to 4.8 range.... loltruth be told 4.5 is really fast.....

 

[Skip22]

Steve Smith ran a 4.38 and has a 38'' vertical

 

[Koya]

Fwiw, 4.5 forty is hardly studly. It's fast but not that fast. Not by nfl standards for sure.

this statement amazes me.....NFL standards or not, most people don't realize how fast 4.5 really is..... I'm sure the average guy or ex athlete thinks they could go out and run a good 40 time but truth of the matter is i bet most of your average athletes run about a 4.6 to 4.8 range.... loltruth be told 4.5 is really fast.....

I'll see your lmao and raise you a roflmao? Not sure where you are coming from here, to be honest.As a former track athlete and football player (played high school and some in college, small school), 4.5 is fast but hardly unheard of - at the high school level. Moreso at College even.I ran a sub 4.5, and while it's fast, its not record breaking at any level, by any stretch. So, when we are talking about some of the best athletes in the world in a game where speed is often a big advantage, not a stretch to say 4.5 is nothing special. It means you are straight line fast, its almost a mendoza line whereby those who play certain skill positions (WR / CB) have to make up for it if they are much below 4.5.Now, 4.4 is getting really fast and anything under is blazing. But 4.5, while fast, is nothing special at that level.

 

[Sabertooth]

Actually the more I think about this, the only physical freak right now is Calvin.

 

[grateful zed]

I don't think Hines Ward was elite in any physical category, but he had a great career.

Hall of Famer