05-11-2017, 04:45 PM
(05-11-2017, 04:22 PM)Bengal Dude Wrote: He might get some outside work, but he gets pigeon holed into the slot because he wasn't used as a big downfield threat while at Pitt. We know how the team views AJ and we just drafted Ross to also contribute down the field. It seems like Boyd would be an inside threat along with Eifert.
You don't have to be a downfield threat to work the outside. Anquan Boldin was never a big downfield threat but was a very good #2 throughout his entire career. Normally teams use one guy on the outside that can stretch the defense and another who is more of a possession guy. In our case it just so happens we have a guy in AJ that can do both well, but that doesn't preclude Boyd from being very good outside. His route running and ability to catch the ball away from his body makes him a great possession receiver.
The other issue with the "down field" theory everyone around here has been going on and on about recently is the fact most teams outside of Arizona and Pittsburgh don't take massive amounts of shots downfield. Many teams including ours use a lot of west coast concepts which means it is about route combinations that open up run after the catch opportunities. I am convinced a lot of fans are going to be upset when we don't take 15 shots downfield every game based on how some of them view what outside WR's do.
