Who has the best group of receivers in the Pac 12?
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 6:15 AM PDT
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PrintThe west is the land of wide open offenses and quarterbacks who like to air it out for huge numbers. So who has the best corp of wide receivers in the Pac 12 conference?
I am going with Arizona for now with Washington coming in a close second. The one thing that holds me back from picking the Huskies is a healthy Juron Criner at Arizona and a lack of toughness that was displayed at times by UW receivers last season.
Arizona - Most experts have picked the Wildcats as having the best group pf WR's in the conference and that is hard to dispute since Juron Criner comes back to lead a group with good talent, depth, and experience. It has been rumored that Criner has been suffering from some physical ailment this summer and that it has put his season into possible jeopardy. Mike Stoops is now saying that Criner will be ready to go when camp opens. If that is true we have to give Arizona the nod for having potentially the best group of wide outs in the Pac 12.
Reports late last month claimed that Arizona's All-American wide receiver status for the 2011 season was "uncertain" after an "erratic episode" that had resulted in his hospitalization. But Wildcat head coach Mike Stoops told the Arizona Daily Star today that Criner was "here and ready to go" once the team's fall camp opens on Aug. 4. "We anticipate him being the same player - or a better player - than he was a year ago," Stoops added.
Washington - It is hard not to pick the Huskies number one but the lack of a returning QB could diminish the firepower in comparison the Arizona. Kearse and Aguilar are big time guys entering their senior seasons with plenty of potential for upside. Frosh Kasen Williams will provide immediate impact. There is plenty of experienced depth behind them and there is finally going to be some solid help from the tight end position. ASJ, Hartvigson, and Hudson represent a major upgrade but they are unproven at this point.
A mixed bag. Kearse had big moments, Aguilar had few, Johnson had none. Aguilar caught 14 fewer passes, and also had a drop in yardage and touchdowns. That was a banner season compared to Johnson. The sophomore finished the season with one catch.
Southern Cal - When all you recruit are four and five star players you are definitely going to build up a great arsenal of wide receivers. Robert Woods is the next great Trojan wide receiver while true frosh George Farmer and Kyle Prater have the potential to be even better. As usual there is plenty of talented depth and most importantly an older and wiser Matt Barkley to deliver the ball.
Farmer comes out of the same high school as 2010 freshman phenom Robert Woods and fellow 2011 USC WR recruit Marqise Lee. Farmer, the overall #12 pick and the #1 pick for wide receivers is fast, big, intelligent and has a set of golden hands on him. Speculation says he’d make a great safety as well as wide receiver. It is likely Farmer will start alongside his former high school teammate Robert Woods, with his main competition being redshirt freshman Kyle Prater.
Washington State - The Cougars can throw the ball all over the field and they have receivers who are more than capable of getting after the ball. Marquess Wilson burst on the scene last year as a true frosh and hauled in over 1000 yards. Jared Karstetter snagged 62 passes from QB Jeff Tuel who is primed to have a great season. The Cougs have put together some nice depth behind them led by Gino Simone.
Wilson exploded onto the Pac-10 scene last year as a lithe true freshman, receiving over 100 yards in five of his first eight games. He would end up over 1,000 yards for the season, the first Cougar to do that since Brandon Gibson did it as a junior in 2007. Did I mention he was a true freshman? Playing on an offense that was one of the worst in history the year before he arrived?
Arizona State - The Devils have been amassing some decent talent and experience at the WR positions. Quarterbacking is expected to improve next season so perhaps this group is headed for a breakout season. Mike Willie, Aaron Pflugrad and Jamal Miles will be the starters with some great depth off the bench from George Bell, A.J. Pickens, and J.J. Holliday. Plufgrad is a transfer from Oregon. He left after the Ducks fired his (Robin) dad. His dad landed on his feet and is now the head coach of Montana.
Senior cornerback Omar Bolden left Saturday's scrimmage at Sun Devil Stadium with a knee injury that looked to be serious. Coach Dennis Erickson didn't immediately know the severity, but he was concerned. Especially after senior receiver T.J. Simpson was carted off the practice field just two days ago with a similar issue. "When you see two guys like that go down you almost feel like not practicing," Erickson said. Losing either player would hurt the Sun Devils' chances to contend in the Pac-12's South Division.
Oregon State - I could be rating the Beavers a little high here with the uncertainty surrounding the health of James Rodgers and Jordan Bishop. If those guys are at 100% this group is right at the top of the conference Markus Wheaton, Darrell Catching, Kevin Cummings and Geno Munoz are healthy and good enough to keep the Beavers in the upper half of the conference at this position.
In a perfect world, the Oregon State passing game would look golden going into spring football: what's not to like about strong-armed QB Ryan Katz throwing to the likes of James Rodgers, Markus Wheaton, Jordan Bishop, Darrell Catchings and Joe "The Tank'' Halahuni? Who doesn't love the upside of 6-foot-5 Obum Gwacham, an intriguing red zone target once he learns to run routes properly, or dependable Geno Munoz, who moves to slot receiver?
California - The big problem with the Cal offense as of late has been the play at QB. Consistent play from new QB Zack Maynard would give this group a big shot in the arm. Keenan Allen and Marvin Jones will carry most of the load. Ted Miller of ESPN picked Pac-12 Cal WR Keenan Allen as the most indespensable player on the Cal roster.. Allen is the half-brother of new quarterback Zach Maynard, and as a true freshman caught 46 passes for 490 yards and a team-leading five receiving scores.
This one might come as a surprise to some, but not to observant Cal fans. This selection is not just about Keenan Allen, sophomore receiver. It's about the idea of Keenan Allen: an athletic, big-play guy who, with his half-brother Zach Maynard playing quarterback, becomes the second coming of DeSean Jackson as a sophomore -- only at 6-foot-3 -- the flashy half of a top receiving combination with Marvin Jones.
Oregon - The Ducks were pounded by graduation at these positions but they do have one of the best TE's in the conference in David Paulson. In addition to solid depth at TE they have some real serious talent coming in as freshman this season. Devon Blackmon, BJ Kelley, and Raushan Vaughn are expected to contribute in a big way. Lavasier Tuinei and Josh Huff saw extensive action last season and are laso expected to pick up a piece of the slack.
Say hello to Lavasier Tuinei. This senior wideout should be a force to be reckoned with in the Pac-12 this season if his play even comes close to his physical attributes. Although Tuinei only had 36 receptions for just fewer than 400 yards last season, he is a physical specimen who defensive backs will have a hard time covering.
Stanford - The Cards graduated their two top WR's but they do have a great stable of tight ends and the best QB in the country. Andrew luck will deliver the ball on the money and whoever Stanford puts out there is going to catch the ball. Chris Owusu is the top returnee but there are a few health questions concerning him. When healthy he is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. Drew Terrell, Darren Daniel, Griff Whalen and Jamal-Rashad Patterson represent the current future and depth at the position.
As new Stanford head coach David Shaw convened his first spring football practice Monday, it was clear that Andrew Luck didn't develop any rust on his passing touch since the Orange Bowl. It was less clear who his main targets will be in the fall.
UCLA - The Bruins are in one of the most fertile recruiting territories in the country. There is always talent on this roster at the skill positions. Nelson Rosario can be one of the better WR's in the country when he is engaged. The question is how happy and engaged is this unit or squad with a coach on the hot seat? Randy Carroll and Josh Smith will be expected to take it to the next level to help out this season's starting QB.
Our top two receivers - Embree and Rosario - combined for 61 total receptions during the 2010 football season. In comparison, J. Kearse, Pac-10's 6th best receiver caught 63 balls during the same season.
Rosario and Embree combined for 718 receiving yards. That number would have been barely good enough for the 8th spot in conference statistics in which Robert Woods - a Trojan freshman - placed 7th with 786 receiving yards in Lane Kiffin's offense.
Bruin receivers and tight ends combined for 8 TDs for the entire season. Jeff Maehl from Oregon (and Kearse from Washington) caught 12 scores alone during the same season.
Utah - DeVonte Christopher is the only guy on the roster returning who has much experience. The cupboard isn't empty though. The Ute's have some good looking talent with Reggie Dunn, Dres Anderson, Luke Matthews, Dexter Ransom and Kenneth Scott getting a shot to compete for spots in the rotation.
Receiver DeVonte Christopher emerged as a dangerous deep threat last season and should be the go-to guy in new coordinator Norm Chow's offense. Christopher - a 6-foot-1, 200-pound junior who played quarterback in high school - is Utah's leading returning receiver after recording 39 catches for 660 yards (16.9 ypc) and six touchdowns in 2010. Christopher topped 100 yards against Pitt, Iowa State and Colorado State en route to earning honorable-mention All-Mountain West Conference honors.
Colorado - Paul Richardson and Toney Clemons are a dependable duo but the depth behind them needs to step up if the if the Buffs intend to compete in the Pac 12 this season.
Despite losing CU's all-time leading wide receiver in Scotty McKnight, we return five guys who saw the field last year, plus one guy who logged playing time two seasons ago. We should be OK at the position this season, and I'm not sure there is much question as to who will be seeing the field.
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WR rankings
I guess I don’t see these the same way as you. I like UA’s receiving core for it’s depth and their QB, but I don’t see many game breakers. I fear you’ve overrated UWs corps. Kearse is an NFL pick next April. Beyond him, however, we have a terribly inconsistent Aguilar, a regressed JJ, and a bunch of talented but untested players in Smith, Campbell and Kasen. With that in mind, here are my thoughts on the rankings.
1) USC
2) Arizona
3) Washington
4) OSU – virtual tie with an unknown status on Rodgers. Third if Rodgers plays
5) Washington State
6) UCLA – I’m kind of betting that one of Embree and Rosario will live up to potential. If they both do, this is a very strong situation for UCLA
7) Cal – Allen is a big time player – his stats as a frosh were better than Tuinei’s as a junior
8) ASU
9) UO – only ranking them this high because of their TE and talented frosh. Tuinei is not a reliable receiver. The fact that he couldn’t beat out Maehl despite significant physical advantages is telling. Huff is super talented with the ball in his hands, but hasn’t shown much in blocking, routes or catching.
10) Colorado
11) Utah
12) Stanford- they probably belong higher with Luck throwing and a stable of good TEs, but their wideouts are in flux and they have a whole new offensive coaching staff. Plus, I wanted to get Kirk’s attention
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
Interesting that you pick USC #1
I love the potential but hat exactly have these guys proven going into the season? As usual this is all a crap shoot based on returning talent that doesn’t take into account young talent that will emerge and make an impact over the course of a season.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Barkley factor + immense talent.
…and Woods is already a star
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
Hey GM, I just dropped in to see if your eyeball was working for you what with all the observing in this post.
As I remember, Tuinei beat the Dogs for a long TD strike last year, eh what? And I’m writing this becuz since then he’s put on about 25 #‘s dropped his 49 speed a tenth and added 20% to his weight room stats. You are the only person I’ve heard say that he was/is not reliable. But, may we’re not talking about the same guy. Also, I remember Josh Huff blocking a dog or two clear off of the field last year; are you still pissed about that game? How many receiving TD’s did he have last year, that true freshman?
Well, we’ll see; you could be right. Have you read our new mantra? DT 2 DT 4 TD….! In a post about receivers, it’s kinda catchy, eh?
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
Very interesting quote
“What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful.” CHIP KELLY
Let me translate that: lie, cheat, steal, and completely ignore the NCAA rules to make sure your players have a chance to be successful. Sound about right?
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Easy boys
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 6:23 PM PDT up reply actions
There is an Oregon education at work.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
by Gekko Mojo on Jul 20, 2011 8:47 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Just teasin'. I enjoy the banter. Keep it coming
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
by Gekko Mojo on Jul 20, 2011 8:51 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Dear Dawgs, I am so sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities. I do have an excuse and I brought a note from my Mom.
To whom it may concern:
Famous did do an atrocious job of informing you that you were misinformed about LT’s and Josh Huff’s receiving and blocking skills. I had called him to lunch and then he had to take his nap; he just rushed too much. Can you forgive him, please?
He assures me that he was really trying to be polite and not flick and shit at anyone. I noticed that instead of 40’s (40 yard dash time) that he erroneously typed 49. I can see how (without knowledge of a standard keyboard) that that would be most difficult to comprehend, especially as understanding as you fine folk appear to be.
I do hope that you wonderful sports fans in Seattle will accept my note of apology and believe that I, too, am very sorry that things turned out so poorly for you simply because of Famous’ haste.
Perhaps as a token of your acceptance of our most humble apology(s), you would be willing to get us a couple of tickets to the Washington/Oregon game and we could sit with you and if you needed you could continue to make fun of Famous at your leisure. What say you?
Mother Duck
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
…and I got so nervous I typed
not flick and shit at anyone
when I meant to write “…not flick any shit at anyone…”
Jeez, I go to correct a mistake and I make yet another. Please forgive an old woman?
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
So, was it funny enuf to persuade you to consider getting the tickets?
I will wear my semi-famous ‘FAMOUS DUCK’ jersey…..eh? I’d let you autograph it…..?
"What you are entrusted to do as a coach is to create an environment where your players have a chance to be successful." CHIP KELLY
Thinking over the WR rankings..
I think O****n’s situation is actually pretty bad when you take into account how much their offense relies on WRs to block down field. That’s always one of the most difficult things for players to pick up and typically takes several years to develop. Meanwhile for us, our WRs may not be game breakers right now but they can block really really well. I don’t know how good Arizona’s corp is at blocking but I’m curious if you took that into account in your rankings.
Blocking..nope
I didn’t have time to get into that much detail but it is certainly a big contributing factor.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions
Blocking at WR really improved over the season last year.
Coaches (I am sure) stressed blocking and stressed blocking and stressed blocking. From the get go. By the end of the season, it clearly began to register, and the kids bought in. Clearly took pride in it.
This year, quality downfield blocking should be there from day one. It doesn’t pad your stats, but it’s a huge deal in winning games. Also pays off in special teams. This WR corps is big enough to really get after you.
Ya our WRs are very good at downfield blocking.
It’s such an underrated factor and when I think of spread offenses that rely on getting their players out in space it’s one of the key factors in winning games. That being said there are a lot of teams running various forms of spread O in the Pac and having rookie wide-outs will be a big downside for them regardless of scheme, QB, OL, and RB.
but the lack of a returning QB could diminish the firepower
Locker’s inept accuracy is what hurt him. Price’s upside out weighs Locker’s firepower. I would be surpised if Price didn’t finish with a 60% passing completion average. Have seen him in practice. Price has better speed than most people think.
The Tunnel is Hallowed and Sacred Ground
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Jul 20, 2011 9:28 AM PDT reply actions
60%?
That is pretty lofty for a sophomore who doesn’t have much experience.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
topic for another post
…but relevant here…
Can’t help but wonder how much of an effect the arrival of Williams along with the other newcomers will have on competition for pt, and whether or not the upperclassmen will respond to the challenge with exhibiting better hands. DA and others do well blocking, and that is perhaps the toughest thing for rookies to learn, but receivers are supposed to actually receive and the hands of stone thing needs to become extinct.
Add in significant completions to the TE’s and hopefully the FB and perhaps the numbers from previous starters may actually go down a bit while the totals for the team swell. We start moving the chains better and it’s a “rising tide floats all boats”-type of thing.
Also can’t help but wonder which players show up on ST’s, as we’re still in huge need of an upgrade there. With all this speed things need to change. That extra 5-10 yards on every change of possession is major.
I hate wishing away my summer, but since we’re not having one anyway, lets go ahead and start the fb season now.
Great comment
Williams is going to come and contribute with a physical presence immediately.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jul 20, 2011 1:23 PM PDT up reply actions
good points
I too think the competition will be improved, perhaps significantly. Not just Kasen, but Kevin Smith and (hopefully) a rejuvenated James Johnson (not to mention kids like DiAndre Campbell and Marvin Hall).
The big upgrade at TE with ASJ here and (hopefully) a healthy Hartvigson should provide Price a lot more targets than Jake had. Zach retiring is a blow to the FB group – I’m not sure that Amosa has the hands that Zach did – but maybe Petty will fill the gap?
Either way, I expect Price to have better targets to throw to than Jake did, so the idea that Price might actually post a higher completion pct. and passer rating than Jake is plausible, and not an indictment of Jake.
do you think
it’s possible that one of the TE’s might be moved to FB? IIRC, that’s the exact path Robin Earl took way back then, and he never moved back to TE. Much of the requisite skill set is the same, is more the location and change of angles that change. DJ saw a gap and a possible solution…he commented on it at the time about getting the ball into Earl’s hands more, and also on his bulldawgedness in YAC.
It’s sad to see the end of the idea of ZF being in a h-back role, but I can’t help but wonder if using a TE as a variation of the 2-TE set wouldn’t accomplish almost the exact same thing.
I’m thrilled that we now have the horses (make that dawgs) to even be having this conversation.
By moving the ball around, we also turn the point of attack into a floating crap game for the defense. That can only work toward our best interests.
Barnett
Marlion Barnett doesn’t have the size to be a prototypical TE, and he’s been talked about as more of a hybrid, H-Back type. Wouldn’t surprise me to see the staff try to find some formations and plays to bring Barnett in the backfield as a blocking back/outlet receiver, run him on some wheel routes.
and Price will have more time
Jake was often in panic mode, I think Price (or Montana) will have a better line.
Utah's recievers
have a lot of sheer talent, but not much experience. As I posted here it will be interesting to see how Christopher does when all the attention is on him. I think he will have some nice pieces to help him, but we just won’t know.
As a side note, its nice to meet you guys. Looking forward to this season.
Cheers!
Affectionately known on Over the Monster as "Pete"
Follow me on twitter: @BigBenSportsGuy
by BigBenSportsGuy on Jul 20, 2011 12:20 PM PDT reply actions
we shall see ...
… my only assessment of them was personal attendance of the Las Vegas Bowl and, well, it wasn’t pretty.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
@chrislandon
glad to have Utah
Utah seemed to be thought of as more of the afterthought in the Pac-12 expansion, but that program earned their invite. I’m on record as being a huge fan of Kyle Whittingham as a coach (really wanted the Huskies to poach him after firing Ty), and while they may need a few years to adjust to the higher week-in/week-out competition in the Pac-12, I expect that their recruiting will also rise, and they’ll be a major factor in the Pac-12 South.
As far as WSU,
our WR Coach, who has been at WSU since 92’, says this is the most talent he has ever had and when you look at the talent of the underclassmen its not hard to see why. Some unknowns to non-WSU fans are: Rahmel Dockery, Henry Eaddy, and Kristoff Williams. Williams was actually slated to be in Marquess Wilson’s spot until he got turf toe; the coaches were high on his physical style of play. Dockery has years of highlight reels on youtube for his speed on field vision and Eaddy is also a speedy player from Florida. Adding those 3 to what we had last year should provide a well-rounded WR corp.
WR Coach, who has been at WSU since 92’, says this is the most talent he has ever had
I guess that means WSU is going to be 10-1. Don’t think so. They will struggle to get to 6-6
The Tunnel is Hallowed and Sacred Ground
by bigdawgdaddy999 on Jul 20, 2011 10:26 PM PDT reply actions
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