Kansas shootout: Kwamie Lassiter v. Pooka Williams

[fredtoast]

Same day that I read another story hyping former Jayhawk Kwamie Lassiter for a roster spot the Bengals released a depth chart that shows him buried behind the third stringers at WR.  But he is listed as #2 punt return and #3 kick return.  Brandon Wilson is still on PUP and not listed on the depth charts.

Last year another former Jayhawk, Pooka Williams, was getting a lot of hype as a player who might earn a roster spot as a WR/return man.  He is listed ahead of Lassiter at kick return (#2) but behind him at punt return (#3).  But the most important thing to note at this time is that Williams is listed ahead of Lassiter at WR.

Lassiter (5'11", 185) is bigger than Williams (5'10", 170) and has the advantage of playing WR in college while Williams was a RB.  Even RBs that are used a lot as receivers don't usually have the same skills as WRs.  RBs rarely get open by route running.  Instead they usually catch a lot of screens, swing passes, wheel routes, and check-down dump-offs.  Route running is an underrated skill that WRs spend thousands of hours practicing.  

Even though Lassiter played WR at Kansas his numbers were not very impressive.  His 4-year career totals are 1550 yards, 10.5 avg., and 7 tds.  His best season was 59 receptions for 653 yards and 3 tds.  He did not return kick-offs in college and was not very good at punt returns (30 ret, 6.7 avg, 0 td, no return over 25 yards).

Williams did not return punts in college, but he was decent at kick-off returns (18 returns, 24.6 avg, 1 td).

Lassiter ran a slow 40 for a small WR (4.52).  I read that Williams ran a 4.38 at his pro day (neither player went to the combine), but draftscout.com just lists him as 4.46.  Lassiter had a better short shuttle time, but Williams was faster in the 3-cone drill.  Their vertical and broad jumps are also pretty close.  So I don't see a big athletic advantage for either of them.

Honestly I don't think all the numbers I have posted here make much difference.  They appear to be so close in talent and skill that it will all come down to what the coaches see on the practice field and in pre-season games.

I don't think either of them has a very strong chance to make the final roster.  Neither one of them seems to be elite as a return or WR.

Any of you have a favorite?

[*PhilHos*]

Watch both get cut now. lol

[*Go Cards*]

Think the Bengals will still add a veteran for their #4 WR.

Thinking one that is cut for cap space on the cheap trying to make a last minute run at a ring before his career ends.

This is my hope anyway.

[*PhilHos*]

(08-10-2022, 10:36 AM)PhilHos Wrote: Watch both get cut now. lol

Didn't know it was a poll, but I think it's Lassiter that makes the team.

[*ochocincos*]

Ultimately I voted for neither.

I'm obviously not in the Bengals practices to see Lassiter in PR drills, but he wasn't very productive with it in college. Only a 6.7 YPR average.
I think it will be a difficult time unseating Taylor, who is a solid return specialist and has also had some production as a slot receiver in the NFL.

Pooka Williams hadn't really done PR prior to coming to NFL, and I don't think he's magically picked it up to supplant Taylor as PR or even Evans/Wilson as KR.

[Nicomo Cosca]

Chris Evans will be the KR.

[fredtoast]

(08-10-2022, 11:12 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Chris Evans will be the KR.

I am not sure who it will be, but with the new safeties we drafted I doubt Brandon Wilson can keep a roster spot based soley on his kick return skills.

[TecmoBengals]

Neither, my favorite is Miami University RedHawk Jack Sorenson. That's my emotional favorite. My practical thinking tells me none of these dudes make the roster and the Bengals find a veteran closer to the start of the season.

[fredtoast]

(08-10-2022, 11:59 AM)TecmoBengals Wrote: Neither, my favorite is Miami University RedHawk Jack Sorenson. That's my emotional favorite. My practical thinking tells me none of these dudes make the roster and the Bengals find a veteran closer to the start of the season.

Is he the guy who stepped in and led Dillion to the Texas high school state championship after Jason Street got paralyzed

[Nicomo Cosca]

(08-10-2022, 12:17 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Is he the guy who stepped in and led Dillion to the Texas high school state championship after Jason Street got paralyzed

Rep

Love that show.

[SunsetBengal]

I went with Williams, based upon him making the team last year. A year in the system with the advantage of building upon what he learned about the offense last year. Although it's looking like whoever dazzles the most in the return game will have the edge on making the final 53. Should make for some interesting viewing in the Preseason games.

[*ochocincos*]

(08-10-2022, 12:17 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Is he the guy who stepped in and led Dillion to the Texas high school state championship after Jason Street got paralyzed

No that's HOF QB Matt Saracen!

[ezekiel23]

Neither of these guys will make the final cut.

[NUGDUKWE]

(08-10-2022, 11:42 AM)fredtoast Wrote: I am not sure who it will be, but with the new safeties we drafted I doubt Brandon Wilson can keep a roster spot based soley on his kick return skills.

Brandon Wilson isn't even back practicing is he? I'm wondering if he will go into the season on the PUP list? Or how many players can even be on that?

[fredtoast]

(08-10-2022, 05:14 PM)ezekiel23 Wrote: Neither of these guys will make the final cut.

That is the way I am leaning also.

[*rfaulk34*]

(08-10-2022, 12:17 PM)fredtoast Wrote: Is he the guy who stepped in and led Dillion to the Texas high school state championship after Jason Street got paralyzed

Nope. Runner up. They won the Championship the next year. 

[Nicomo Cosca]

(08-10-2022, 10:20 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Nope. Runner up. They won the Championship the next year. 

Speaking of FNL - it’s kind of crazy that besides Vince, Landry became the biggest star of that cast.

[Housh]

There’s just no need for Pooka if Trent is out returner

[*rfaulk34*]

(08-10-2022, 10:31 PM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: Speaking of FNL - it’s kind of crazy that besides Vince, Landry became the biggest star of that cast.

Yup. And what a creepy dude he became. 

[*SHRacerX*]

(08-10-2022, 10:34 AM)fredtoast Wrote: Same day that I read another story hyping former Jayhawk Kwamie Lassiter for a roster spot the Bengals released a depth chart that shows him buried behind the third stringers at WR.  But he is listed as #2 punt return and #3 kick return.  Brandon Wilson is still on PUP and not listed on the depth charts.

Last year another former Jayhawk, Pooka Williams, was getting a lot of hype as a player who might earn a roster spot as a WR/return man.  He is listed ahead of Lassiter at kick return (#2) but behind him at punt return (#3).  But the most important thing to note at this time is that Williams is listed ahead of Lassiter at WR.

Lassiter (5'11", 185) is bigger than Williams (5'10", 170) and has the advantage of playing WR in college while Williams was a RB.  Even RBs that are used a lot as receivers don't usually have the same skills as WRs.  RBs rarely get open by route running.  Instead they usually catch a lot of screens, swing passes, wheel routes, and check-down dump-offs.  Route running is an underrated skill that WRs spend thousands of hours practicing.  

Even though Lassiter played WR at Kansas his numbers were not very impressive.  His 4-year career totals are 1550 yards, 10.5 avg., and 7 tds.  His best season was 59 receptions for 653 yards and 3 tds.  He did not return kick-offs in college and was not very good at punt returns (30 ret, 6.7 avg, 0 td, no return over 25 yards).

Williams did not return punts in college, but he was decent at kick-off returns (18 returns, 24.6 avg, 1 td).

Lassiter ran a slow 40 for a small WR (4.52).  I read that Williams ran a 4.38 at his pro day (neither player went to the combine), but draftscout.com just lists him as 4.46.  Lassiter had a better short shuttle time, but Williams was faster in the 3-cone drill.  Their vertical and broad jumps are also pretty close.  So I don't see a big athletic advantage for either of them.

Honestly I don't think all the numbers I have posted here make much difference.  They appear to be so close in talent and skill that it will all come down to what the coaches see on the practice field and in pre-season games.

I don't think either of them has a very strong chance to make the final roster.  Neither one of them seems to be elite as a return or WR.

Any of you have a favorite?

My favorite would be Lassiter, only because he has been a WR and it is a new position for Williams.  You would think that would lead to fewer mistakes, but I am not at practice and Williams could have impressed his year on the PS.

For me, I want one of them to make it because it could mean that both Evans and Taylor are not being asked to do KR and/or PR duties and I would rather keep them as their original position, especially Evans, as I think he showed enough his rookie season to warrant a lot more looks this season.  

I wouldn't beat Lassiter up too much for his college production.  He had El Stinko at QB and general on offense around him.