bubba9497 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/articles/20080716/1047296-p.html Click link for entire article Ranking the top 25 NFL wide receivers War Room scouts The top wide receivers in the NFL can come with mercurial personalities and stand out as some of the league's premier prima donnas. But when they're quiet, just go out and do their jobs within their team's offense and show off their awesome athletic skills, no other position is more fun to watch. The current crop of wide receivers features many promising youngsters, but two long-time dazzlers remain at the top: 1. Randy Moss, New England Patriots. Coming off 98 catches, 1,493 receiving yards and a league-record 23 receiving touchdowns, TD, Moss served notice that he still is the best in the game. 2. Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys. Yes, Owens will be 35 in December, but he ranked in the top five in the NFL in receiving yards, yards per game, touchdowns and 20-plus yard receptions in 2007. He is truly right behind Moss. 3. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts. Wayne could make an argument for being the top receiver on this list. He adjusts well to coverage and can beat you deep or with strong route running underneath. Even with coverage rolled to him last season (with Marvin Harrison out with a knee injury), he still dominated. 4. Andre Johnson, Houston Texans. He is defined by size, speed, and a great set of hands. He needs to stay healthy, but based on pure talent and his physical tools, he deserves to be ranked this high. 5. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts. Some will point to last season and argue he doesn't belong here. But consider Harrison had at least 85 receptions in seven of the past eight seasons and posted double-digit TDs in eight consecutive seasons before '07. If healthy -- the word we get is that he is -- he can return to being a dominant receiver. 6. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals. Fitz is a do-it-all receiver who can either use his strength to overwhelm corners in press coverage or use his speed to stretch the field. He also is a dangerous red zone threat with great hands and the athleticism to make tough catches. 7. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams. The owner of eight straight 1,000-yard seasons and at least 90 catches in each of the past six years, Holt continues to rank among the elite. Age and injuries are beginning to slow him down but haven't quite taken their toll yet. 8. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals. Johnson's offseason antics have lessened his status among the average fan, but he is an explosive player who stretches the field better than anyone. He still doesn't get nearly the credit he deserves for his route-running skills. 9. Plaxico Burress, New York Giants. What Burress did last season despite struggling through a myriad of injuries is nothing short of remarkable. Blessed with unbelievable skills and physical tools, he is definitely a top-10 receiver when his head is on straight. 10. Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers. Smith could certainly earn consideration for a higher spot on this list, but if 2007 proved anything, it's that Smith can't do it himself. With Jake Delhomme back under center, and improvements to the Panthers' receiving corps, offensive line and running game, Smith can easily reestablish himself among the upper echelon. 11. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints. Colston gets plenty of chances to show his wares in the Saints' aggressive passing attack. He matched Moss in catches (98) last season and only continues to improve. What a steal of a seventh-round pick. 12. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns. Edwards broke out in '07 and the Browns don't show any sign of taking the air out of the ball. His combination of size, speed, and athleticism makes him a tough assignment for even the best corners. 13. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals. Housh is the best of the "possession" receivers on this list because of his size, strength and ability to win one-on-one battles out of the slot. He is a top red zone threat and a great route runner. 14. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers. Despite the big play antics of young speedster Greg Jennings, Driver is still the go-to guy for the Pack. A tough player, he consistently works the middle of the field to make tough catches in traffic. 15. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers. Injuries have been a problem in recent seasons, and Ward isn't getting any younger (now 32). He remains one of the game's most complete receivers: a great route runner while showing good hands, a tough end zone presence and elite blocking skills. 16. Wes Welker, New England Patriots. With all the talk of Moss last season, many don't realize the Welker is the one who made the New England passing attack operate at such a high level. His ability to read coverage, adjust his routes, make catches in the middle of the field, and then make plays after the catch is a combination that is hard to find. 17. Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals. Boldin is big and physical working the underneath routes and the middle of the field, and also is adept at making plays after catches. He might be the No. 2 on his own team, but he would be a No. 1 for most other teams. Maybe next year? The top breakout candidate to crack the top 25 for '09: Steve Smith, New York Giants. Smith was a big-play receiver with his big-time college pedigree from USC and began to flash those talents in the second half of the Giants' Super Bowl season, contributing some key catches in the playoffs. Smith can either work from the slot or on the perimeter and has reliable hands. Look for him to get much more involved in the offense in Year 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 The only reason that Owens is ahead of either Wayne or Harrison is that Wayne and Harrison have to share receptions with one another. There is no other true WR option for the Cowboys since Glenn has been injured. Burress always has had all the promise in the world and sometimes has his head on straight enough to use it. But not always. As for Steve Smith, his niche has always been to find the holes in a defense and make catches. it will be interesting to see if he can do this in the pros. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ouvan59 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 The only reason that Owens is ahead of either Wayne or Harrison is that Wayne and Harrison have to share receptions with one another. There is no other true WR option for the Cowboys since Glenn has been injured. That can also be used as a reason that he doesn't have more catches. Defenses truly only have to focus on him. TO is a potential coaches nightmare but there is no denying he is a great receiver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Rob Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 am I the only one who thinks TJ Hoosiermama is severely overrated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 That can also be used as a reason that he doesn't have more catches. Defenses truly only have to focus on him. TO is a potential coaches nightmare but there is no denying he is a great receiver. They use TE's and RB screens to mask the fact that they don't have a #2 WR. Ownes is still a beast and gets his, but he isn't truly hampered by not having a #2 WR when he has Witten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WVUforREDSKINS Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 am I the only one who thinks TJ Hoosiermama is severely overrated? Nope you're not alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrockster21 Posted July 16, 2008 Share Posted July 16, 2008 am I the only one who thinks TJ Hoosiermama is severely overrated? It helps having Ocho Cinco on the other side of the field. Todd Stinkston averaged almost 19 yards per reception on the opposite side of TO in 2004. That being said, Hoosiermama had over 1100 yards and 12 TDs last year, so some of that has to be skill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoCoLifSavr Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 I would still take Torry Holt anyday. Class act guy there :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fifty Gut Posted July 17, 2008 Share Posted July 17, 2008 TJ runs money routes and is always open in the end zone. He's not overrated. Watch some Bengal games and see who it is that CP goes to when they need a big play (hint, it's not Chad Johnson). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Killer Rob Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I don't know man... there are those occasional flash-in-the-pan type guys. He could easily be one too? Still has alot to prove imo to have me sold on him being able to step up and take a #1 WR position and be among the best in the whole league. To already be ranked 13th best out of the whole league???.-I'm not sure he's quite there yet. There are tons of other WR's that I'd take WAY ahead of him @ 13th spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drowland Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 am I the only one who thinks TJ Hoosiermama is severely overrated? I don't think he's overrated. If anything is been underrated for years and is now getting his due. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFromYellowstone Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I don't understand how you can say Harrison deserves to be that high when he was injured last year, but then not put Steve Smith up there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forehead Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 I'm as die hard as the next guy, but I have to say I'm glad no one has come in here and tried to argue that Santana Moss belongs in the Top 25, because he really doesn't. Hopefully in 3-4 years, we'll see both Thomas and Kelly on this list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WSHRedskins3ATLBraves3 Posted July 18, 2008 Share Posted July 18, 2008 am I the only one who thinks TJ Hoosiermama is severely overrated? LAST YEAR'S TOTALS TJ HOUSH: 112 REC / 1143 YDS / 12 TDS 7. Torry Holt: 93 REC / 1189 YDS / 7 TDS 8. Chad Johnson: 93 REC / 1440 YDS / 8 TDS 9. Plaxico Burress: 70 REC / 1025 YDS / 12 TDS 10. Steve Smith: 87 REC / 1002 YDS / 7 TDS I just grabbed a couple of people ranked better than TJ and I don't think he's overrated at all. IMO he's underrated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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