what to make of Darrius Heyward-Bey? (1 Viewer)

[Phrenchdude]

DHB... despite being drafted way too high by Al Davis 2 years ago, he was supposed to be an exciting player, a burner. Expectations remained low however, partly because Oakland Oakland was really bad, with an even worse QB situation, partly because half the league suspects Al Davis is batsh*t crazy and went loco for a sexy offensive weapon that his team didnt really need, and for which he cealry over reached come draft time.

So last year the kid is learning to adjust to the pros, and with the focus more on Crabtree anyway, nothing was really expected of him. This year, there has been progress on all fronts and in past weeks, Fantasy hawks everywhere have been whispering about him being *the* WR to pick up due to his upside potential.

Clearly, the kid has speed, and he's getting tons of looks from QB Gradkowski, which is very promising since it provides opportunity, the key to any success... but what can you say about a guy who gets the ball thrown to him 31 times, a team high, and tied for 17 in the NFL with Santana Moss, but only catches 11 of those? That's a dismal 35% completion rate.

Is Gradkowski throwing them all over the place and making them impossible to catch or does the kid have t*ts for hands and couldnt catch the avian flu if he was sitting in a henhouse?

I havent watched a single Oakland game so i cant pass judgement on the player but my curiosity is piqued. What do the homers and experts say?

 

[Raider Nation]

I would put it at 60% poor throws and 40% hands of stone. Bottom line is he's anything but reliable.

EDIT: He's also being thrown to when he's not even open... but our line is so piss poor, the ball has to come out NOW.

 

[Slevin Kelevra]

Al Davis loves speed

 

[FavreCo]

All you need to know in 1 video.

1:12 is nice but 1:16 is gold, Jerry.

 

[sartre]

I haven't seen any Oakland games this year but was intrigued by the target numbers myself. One of the FBG staff is high on him, and even went so far in the write-up of the week 3 game to proclaim that he was ahead of Louis Murphy in the pecking order. The others, and most of the posters in the Shark Pool, are not so fond of DHB.

Though I'd like to believe there's a WR just waiting to bust out here, I'm listening to the majority on this one.

 

[The_Underachiever]

All you need to know in 1 video.

1:12 is nice but 1:16 is gold, Jerry.

Holly crap that's terrible. I went from thinking he just sucked to feeling sorry for the guy. The real question is do you think any of those other guys would have been much better in Oakland with Russel, Campbell... whomever.

 

[Warpig]

I haven't seen any Oakland games this year but was intrigued by the target numbers myself. One of the FBG staff is high on him, and even went so far in the write-up of the week 3 game to proclaim that he was ahead of Louis Murphy in the pecking order. The others, and most of the posters in the Shark Pool, are not so fond of DHB. Though I'd like to believe there's a WR just waiting to bust out here, I'm listening to the majority on this one.

Well, if you go by the targets, I believe he is ahead of Murphy in the pecking order. But Murphy is the bigger threat to make a big play. And now Zach Miller is getting in a groove with Bruce. I think DHB has a good head on his shoulders...he just needs to get to the point where the game slows down for him.

 

[PahtyTom]

I like the kid, I think he has talent, and he has improved...BUT I think he's still a year away from a big impact. I want it to be this year, but I can't see it right now.

 

[TwinTurbo]

Troy Williamson part 2. The only reason DHB is still getting targets is because he was a high first round pick.

 

[bocksheesh]

Anyone liking Heyward-Bey more now after his game last week and now with Louis Murphy out and Zach Miller with a painful injury and questionable to play?

Who else is Campbell going to throw to?

Then again, he could just stink.

 

[duaneok66]

he is hurting this week (limited participation in practice) so dont expect much this week - maybe Reese will get a lot of looks with Zach Miller (probably) out . . .

 

[Alluro]

Is anyone thinking DHB could have a breakout season in year 3? Or is he penciled in for the troy williamson/ted ginn career path?

 

[Sudoku_in_the_Bathtub]

He's a poor man's Devery Henderson with a bad QB.

 

[finito]

I think he'll be given one more shot but Murphy and Ford look like the best wrs on the team to me.

 

[Alluro]

Bloom was singing his praises for a while early in the year...and then he stopped talking about him as his production dipped. I know he has suspect hands, but for people who watch him play, how are his other skills? Can he run NFL routes? Does he get separation?

 

[menobrown]

Bloom was singing his praises for a while early in the year...and then he stopped talking about him as his production dipped. I know he has suspect hands, but for people who watch him play, how are his other skills? Can he run NFL routes? Does he get separation?

He's fast, has decent size and I think he genuinely is trying but that's about it. Nothing about him looks natural. Does not seem to have instincts, hands or route running ability.

 

[Nero]

Ford had a good run at the end of last year. However, no one has really stepped up and claimed the status as Oakland's #1. Therefore, if I had the roster room, I'd keep him at least one more year because he still has a chance. Maybe the third year is the charm for him.

 

[NorrisB]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

 

[DansRams]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

this

 

[Dr. Awesome]

Bloom was singing his praises for a while early in the year...and then he stopped talking about him as his production dipped. I know he has suspect hands, but for people who watch him play, how are his other skills? Can he run NFL routes? Does he get separation?

It doesn't matter how good he is at the other things. He's awful at the one thing he can't afford to suck at. Catching the football. Stay away or dump him if you can possibly get anything.

 

[ConnSKINS26]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

Over Ford as well? Schilens can't stay healthy, and Ford really showed his explosive potential last season.

 

[SproutDaddy]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

You mean Zach Miller. But if I was looking at their WRs, it would be Murphy.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

It seems like I've read this before, many times. 5 catches in 5 games in year 3.

 

[silentmark]

the guy to get in this offense is schilens

You mean Zach Miller. But if I was looking at their WRs, it would be Murphy.

Exactly. Miller all the way. Chaz is an toenail injury waiting to happen, I wouldn't waste a roster spot on him.

 

[Garrett]

Jacoby Ford, and it is not even close. He only started half the season last year to put up 25/470/2. I expect him to be a 1,000 yard WR in 2011.

 

[finito]

Jacoby Ford, and it is not even close. He only started half the season last year to put up 25/470/2. I expect him to be a 1,000 yard WR in 2011.

I like Ford, but I wouldn't count Murphy out. He looked excellent at times as well, though he lacks Ford's explosiveness. I think both have nice potential.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

He catches the ball like he's Helen Keller wearing boxing gloves.

 

[Dawg Pound 69]

Avoid all Oakland WR's. Jason Campbell is terrible, and they will continue to be a running team.

 

[LawFitz]

Ford, Miller and Murphy are the three fantasy plays. DHBust is terrible. #7 pick on a no hands burner when guys like Maclin and Nicks were had much later. Another big Al busted first rounder. Old man makes better picks in the later rounds but usually messes up his 1sts. That point alone trumps all else with the Richard Seymour deal, sadly.

That said, McFadden has made a nice turn around, but everyone else, not just Al had DMC as that kind of stud coming out of school.

 

[Alluro]

Both Waldman and Bloom were bullish on DHB early on last year. I'd be interested to see what their take is on him going forward.