GridironGems
Footballguy
I wrote this article back in early June and forgot about it until today. I just come into FBG forum every once in awhile and glance through some things. I never did add anything to this article or change anything, so it's not like I spent a lot of time on it. But just thought I'd post it for your enjoyment and mine.
Transitioning Wide Receivers
By: Brett Landoll
There are many wide receiver transitions during the off-season each year around the league. It could be receivers looking for a new start after a few disappointing seasons, being kicked off the team, or a salary cap casualty. No matter what the reason is, not everyone can make the transition smoothly. It can either factor being a good fit for the receiver into the system or just a new environment. While there are many factors, I discovered that experience and years in the league are the biggest and most important factor.
Let’s start off by looking at how receivers in the past have transitioned after just a short time being in the league.
Peerless Price- After a big year in 2002, Price moved from Buffalo to Atlanta in his 5th year. I think we all know the result, as it was a disappointment, as he did not succeed expectations.
Joe Jurevicius- His first transition in his 5th year from the New York Giants to Tampa Bay was not a very successful one. But later in Jurevicius’ career (his 8th year), he made a smooth and productive transition to Seattle.
Keyshawn Johnson- Johnson was drafted by the New York Jets to start off his career with a bang, but once he got traded to the Buccaneers in his 5th year (Note the 5th year transition bug), his production dropped off a bit, it took him an extra year to get back on track again. But later in his 9th season, he made a lot smoother transition to the Dallas Cowboys and got his production back up.
These are just a few examples of how a receiver can struggle after changing teams early in his career. There are some examples of receivers succeeding expectations when changing teams early in their career also however. (Laveranues Coles to Washington in his 4th year, Joey Galloway was successful transitioning when he stayed healthy, and Santana Moss last year).
It just seems to me, the older they get, the better transition they make.
Derrick Mason- He had a great career with the Titans before moving on to Baltimore. Many people thought his production would drop off due to the quarterback problems, yet Mason still put up 1,000 yards once again for his fifth straight time.
Terrell Owens- Owens put up a lot of great seasons with San Francisco, and then he decided he wanted a change and moved to Philadelphia in his 9th season. Of course we all know how productive he can be when he wants to be.
Plaxico Burress- Starting out in Pittsburgh, Burress needed a change in his 6th season in the league. He went to the New York Giants and put up better numbers than anyone expected with Eli Manning at the helm.
Once again the veteran receivers seem to fit in to new environments more nicely. Keenan McCardell also has made a few successful transitions in his career after his 6th season in the league. So what does this all mean for this upcoming football season? Well I will give you a few tips on how to know whom to draft based on players moving from team to team.
With Peerless Price moving back to Buffalo where he had success in his career, I believe he will make a nice transition with this being his 8th year in the league and being back in a situation where he is comfortable. I predict an 800-900 yard season for Price. Moving on to another former Buffalo Bill, Eric Moulds move to Houston is a good one. He will be alongside Andre Johnson in a new offense, where I think Moulds can put up a thousand yard year. Joe Jurevicius is on the move again, this time to the Cleveland Browns. Jurevicius should be the number one receiver while Braylon Edwards is still coming back from injury, and I expect him to surprise a lot of people. Keyshawn Johnson is just another one to note as I see him having a productive year alongside Steve Smith in Carolina.
As for players struggling on the move, I see Reche Caldwell’s move from San Diego to New England being a tough one. This will be his 5th year moving into an offense that spreads the ball around to everyone, even the defense. This will also be David Givens 5th year transition from the Patriots to the Titans. As history shows, it is tough for a young receiver to transition to a new surrounding. The same goes with Nate Burleson, Jabar Gaffney, and Antonio Bryant. The interesting one to watch will be 5th year Javon Walker moving into the AFC with the Broncos. Coming off his knee injury and fighting the “5th year bug”, we will have to wait and see what happens.
Transitioning Wide Receivers
By: Brett Landoll
There are many wide receiver transitions during the off-season each year around the league. It could be receivers looking for a new start after a few disappointing seasons, being kicked off the team, or a salary cap casualty. No matter what the reason is, not everyone can make the transition smoothly. It can either factor being a good fit for the receiver into the system or just a new environment. While there are many factors, I discovered that experience and years in the league are the biggest and most important factor.
Let’s start off by looking at how receivers in the past have transitioned after just a short time being in the league.
Peerless Price- After a big year in 2002, Price moved from Buffalo to Atlanta in his 5th year. I think we all know the result, as it was a disappointment, as he did not succeed expectations.
Joe Jurevicius- His first transition in his 5th year from the New York Giants to Tampa Bay was not a very successful one. But later in Jurevicius’ career (his 8th year), he made a smooth and productive transition to Seattle.
Keyshawn Johnson- Johnson was drafted by the New York Jets to start off his career with a bang, but once he got traded to the Buccaneers in his 5th year (Note the 5th year transition bug), his production dropped off a bit, it took him an extra year to get back on track again. But later in his 9th season, he made a lot smoother transition to the Dallas Cowboys and got his production back up.
These are just a few examples of how a receiver can struggle after changing teams early in his career. There are some examples of receivers succeeding expectations when changing teams early in their career also however. (Laveranues Coles to Washington in his 4th year, Joey Galloway was successful transitioning when he stayed healthy, and Santana Moss last year).
It just seems to me, the older they get, the better transition they make.
Derrick Mason- He had a great career with the Titans before moving on to Baltimore. Many people thought his production would drop off due to the quarterback problems, yet Mason still put up 1,000 yards once again for his fifth straight time.
Terrell Owens- Owens put up a lot of great seasons with San Francisco, and then he decided he wanted a change and moved to Philadelphia in his 9th season. Of course we all know how productive he can be when he wants to be.
Plaxico Burress- Starting out in Pittsburgh, Burress needed a change in his 6th season in the league. He went to the New York Giants and put up better numbers than anyone expected with Eli Manning at the helm.
Once again the veteran receivers seem to fit in to new environments more nicely. Keenan McCardell also has made a few successful transitions in his career after his 6th season in the league. So what does this all mean for this upcoming football season? Well I will give you a few tips on how to know whom to draft based on players moving from team to team.
With Peerless Price moving back to Buffalo where he had success in his career, I believe he will make a nice transition with this being his 8th year in the league and being back in a situation where he is comfortable. I predict an 800-900 yard season for Price. Moving on to another former Buffalo Bill, Eric Moulds move to Houston is a good one. He will be alongside Andre Johnson in a new offense, where I think Moulds can put up a thousand yard year. Joe Jurevicius is on the move again, this time to the Cleveland Browns. Jurevicius should be the number one receiver while Braylon Edwards is still coming back from injury, and I expect him to surprise a lot of people. Keyshawn Johnson is just another one to note as I see him having a productive year alongside Steve Smith in Carolina.
As for players struggling on the move, I see Reche Caldwell’s move from San Diego to New England being a tough one. This will be his 5th year moving into an offense that spreads the ball around to everyone, even the defense. This will also be David Givens 5th year transition from the Patriots to the Titans. As history shows, it is tough for a young receiver to transition to a new surrounding. The same goes with Nate Burleson, Jabar Gaffney, and Antonio Bryant. The interesting one to watch will be 5th year Javon Walker moving into the AFC with the Broncos. Coming off his knee injury and fighting the “5th year bug”, we will have to wait and see what happens.
