Ocho fight

[*SHRacerX*]

(06-07-2021, 11:51 AM)PDub80 Wrote: Regarding WR depth..

- I have high hopes for Mike Thomas being a good #4, but Tate looks to be more of a specific scenario type of player.

- The kid from SF, Taylor, has some potential behind Boyd. He had a very good rookie season and then just fizzled out of San Fran. I know he was out 2019 with injury, but that doesn't explain the drop in targets and production...

ROOKIE 2017: 60 targets & 43 catches 
2018: 41 & 26
2019: DNP INJURED
2020: 21 targets for 10 catches

^ I'm sure missing 2019 put Taylor behind and the 49ers found a strong replacement and Taylor just didn't have a place.

- The intriguing guy to me is Scotty Washington. As a developmental guy to see out there, I'm hoping he can really grow and learn with the guys on the roster. I think the pace and expectations will be high from the Bengals top 3 and, as the saying goes, iron sharpens iron.

- My hopes and dreams involve CJ & Sample becoming very viable targets, limiting the use of 11 personnel and allowing for more 12 sets (2 TEs) and a more prominently featured rushing attack.


^ If fully healthy, this leaves limited roles for Thomas, Tate, Taylor, & Washington to where maybe they are just there for rotational use. At 43, could Chad take the pounding of a possession receiver? I have no doubts he could get open on shorter routes and still catch. But the play to play beating is my question.

Really curious as to what the Bengals 5 wide ends up looking like. Will that be based on the scenarios like down and distance? Or will it be a reliable same 5 guys? Right now it would probably be the big 3 and Thomas + Tate? or would a TE (or 2) be tossed in instead? An RB (Evans? Mixon?).

I appreciate Taylor having a super flexible offense... but at what point do the Bengals declare who and what they really are as an offensive unit? Jack of all trades, masters of none?

I think Trent Taylor is a lock as backup slot WR.  None of the other guys are prototypical slot guys.  I think he might be a real steal.  Tate will provide quality depth behind Higgins and Chase outside.  The sixth guy?  I'm guessing Thomas because ZT knows him and he plays special teams although he wasn't very impressive in either role last year.  

As far as Chad goes, I think he could be a slot WR now and actually be productive but I agree with others that as fun as he might be to have around, it is more distraction and novelty at this point than production.  For a shit team like the Lions with no weapons?  Heck, I would give him a look.