2009-Garrard Ready to Evolve

Garrard is not currently the guy that will take you to the superbowl, put the whole team on his back and "throw" us to the Lombardi Trophy. He may run and accurately pass us there, but that's all we can hope for right now. The question remains, can he evolve into "that guy"?

Lets review Garrard.

My first thoughts of Garrard last year are the supporting cast. We know who the WR's were, and we know that maybe they could have started for Seattle last year...maybe. The offensive line was in shambles, and we all knew this after we lost to a Titans team that we would've crushed the year prior. The 2008 season was going to be a disappointment. How bad? We didn't know for sure, so, we as fans were forever optimistic?

Then, ever so slowly, it happened. Like the sun setting on a beautiful day, suddenly, we looked up and noticed it was gone, only a fleeting memory remained. This occurred at differing times for each one of us. For some, it may have been by halftime of the first week. For me, however, it was the Bengals game we lost. I lasted throughout the Browns game because i felt like I saw a drive in Matt Jones I hadn't seen before. This excitement held the disillusionment at bay, momentarily at least. I had just seen a WR play, and in our uniform to boot. He played with drive, he played with instinct, he even knew when to run out of bounds. Then his basketball skills failed him on the tip drill that followed that spectacular run-out-of-bounds play. Most importantly, I saw Garrard learn that he had a go-to guy. This may have even confused Garrard, because he was used to hitting wr's in the chest and then having to back up ten yards, or worse, do it all over because they thought they were there to block, not catch.

In 2007, Garrard led a stunning offense. We all remember our offense emerging to become number two in the league following the bye week. We were behind only the best offense in NFL history, the 2007 New England Patriots. Vic is kind enough to continually point out how Tom Brady and the Patriots ruin our seasons as much as the Colts do. That's a whole other article, though.

That year we saw a QB play, and play good. Some say his interception total shouldve been higher. I say, so should every QB's. What I learned was that Garrard was accurate, Garrard was comfortable, and Garrard could play. Garrard did have a solid line and a running attack that year as well. This led to him being labeled a "game manager". That was his role, and he filled it well. So well he almost made the Pro Bowl. The next year, however, challenged him. He responded well at times, and poorly at other times. He took the hits, threw the balls with a guy in his face and watched receivers fail to catch them. I dont know about you, but that would have depressed me. Now, he did make situations worse at times, but all quarterbacks do occassionally, especially when they're throwing off their back foot.

The only game in 2008 where we looked like the team from 2007, was against the Lions, and thats like cheating. I really do feel sorry for those fans, it's not fair to them. We might look at our current situation and say, "Hey, this sucks, it's not fair". Well, it's fair for all teams, but at this point im rambling.

Back on topic, I truly feel that we need youth at the quarterback position. I don't care what round, I'm no draftnik. I don't understand scouting, God knows i try, but that is all it is. Effort without understanding. I can tell you what I believe, and my belief is that Garrard can evolve into this passer that we want him to be. Garrard has never had a true number one receiver. Garrard could do wonders with a receiver that he knows he can trust. Thats what he does, he plays with heart and he needs the trust, as evidenced by the way he asked the coaches about the team drafting a quarterback. He needs the family feel, the confidence he's the guy. Don't worry about if it's sissy, or if it is anything. Just accept it.

He got that with Matt Jones later on in the season and it worked beautifully. Now, this was not a Manning/Harrison or a Warner/Fitzgerald combination. This was Garrard, finally finding his guy. One that was reliable, but not flashy. If he has the line, and the running game at a slight level above that of 2007, which i believe he will, then he will be in a good position. However, to take full advantage of this opportunity he will need a reliable reciever. I know we all know this, and we can hope for "whoever" all day long, but we probably won't get them. So, what we can do is let Garrard get connected with the people we have, and hopefully, Gene hooks him up in the draft. I know, I know, that's boring you say. Well thats how it is, for better or for worse. That's all Garrard has to hang his hat on, and it doesnt look any better to him either. Let's just hang in there and watch, it's what were best at.

I say we should be true fans, and root for our team before we give up on this guy. He will give his best every play. After all, he has already lost twenty pounds because he felt like he could improve his play. That's commitment, and that defines Garrard. I honestly can't wait to watch Garrard with a reliable receiver that can "move those chains" everytime he has the ball, or even most of the time. I wonder though, will he ever have his chance to prove himself on an even field with everyone else? That means with quality recievers.

So, I will sit and watch Garrard with hope, and a loud voice screaming for him, However, if he does something stupid, I will question him and think about when we skipped Roethlisberger (hey, that's what fans do!).



This is just my own humble opinion, please put me in my place if you feel im wrong. If not, let me know your thoughts.

**this was edited by silencecs on BigCatCountry.com**

2009 NFL WR prospects

I don't want to harp the wr button too much, but they are getting a lot of chatter so i wanted to express my thoughts. I just watched YouTube videos on DHB, Percy Harvin, Jeremy Maclin, Hakeem Nicks, Michael Crabtree, Brian Robiskie and Kenny Britt.
Bare with me while i throw stats out the window and just comment on what my eyes see. I wanted to test one of those Vic Ketchman sayings and see who makes the biggest difference.
So here is my WR board

1. Derrius Heyward-Bey (DHB), WR Maryland
Do you remember last year when DeSean Jackson ran that punt back on TN and the announcer said he had video game speed and that he made it look all to easy. Well, that's how i felt when i just saw this guy. It was jaw-dropping amazing. Great hands, great acceleration. amazing.



2. Hakeem Nicks, WR North Carolina
Would have Crabtree numbers if he was at Texas Tech. The guy was quick and fast and could break big plays. His hands are amazing.



3. Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech
Not the fastest guy BUT he found ways to get open and has glue for hands. It might be because he played QB in high school, but i saw him on this one play run by the corner and look at the safety while slowing, safety looks the other way, Crabtree eases away. He will get yards-after-the-catch in the NFL. But i doubt he becomes a Randy Moss/Larry Fitzgerald guy.



4. Jeremy Maclin, WR/PR/KR Missouri
BIG play guy, always searching who to get behind so he can break free and turn on the jets. He did not run the 4.3 we wanted at the combine, but i think his pro day will be better and he told NFL network he has run a 4.31 before (his best). When he is in the open, he is comfortable and plays that way. He will always search.



5. Brian Robiskie, WR Ohio State
Mr. Smooth. He had a young qb this year, but if you watch him, he was ole reliable. You know like that good tool in your shed that you know will get the job done no matter how dirty or gritty the job may be. He'll run his routes, catch the badly thrown balls, and get all he can out of the play. No one will look for him to make the big play every time, but he can make it every once in a while. His biggest asset is his route-running (smooth) and his concentration.



6.Percy Harvin, WR/RB Florida
Big play guy but i wonder if he can be used correctly. Florida had him at multiple positions so him fitting the nfl offense as a wr could be questioned. He will more than likely be a slot guy. He knows where to go to extend the play and he is a fast man. Not 4.3 like we heard he would be, but he is still fast. His pro day might prove us wrong.



7.Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers
Reggie Williams with hands and what i mean by that is a big, physical reciever who can block extremely well and catch those red zone fades.



Just a quick run-through on wr's coming out this year that i did about a month ago.

-Brandon

since free agency

The jaguars resigned C Brad Meester and CB Scott Starks. Also signing S Sean Considine from the Philadelphia Eagles.Considine will mainly be for special teams and for depth on both safety positions.The jags still have a need at strong safety or cornerback. Brian Williams will play either but not both. 

Gene Smith has stayed true to his word and avoided big name free agency signings. He did target two other players, one of which, C.J. Mosley DT has signed on with the browns. This makes me wonder if the browns really feel like Shaun Rogers might be leaving with all the controversy going on. The other was OT Tra Thomas of philadelphia. He remains a free agent. 

On another note Khalif Barnes is in Oakland and has been for a few days. He has not signed any contract.

T.O. got realeased by the 'boys. Character confrontation in the locker room....again. Buffalo wanted to stay this side of the border so they signed excitement.

Here is a thought.

If the team is getting younger, why do we have a 31 year old qb making 8.6 million this season.

Personally, i like david. There is just a a youth movement going on and we cant win now so dont be surprised if there is a trade to someone like NYJ or TB. Watch out for DT BIG John Henderson (30) to be moved as well. I do not have league sources but Charlie Bernstein, the writer for jagnation on scout.com, said in a live chat a few weeks ago that he does not expect him to be in the jags uniform this coming season. Coincidentally it is for the same reason i just stated about Garrard. Getting old, get value while you can. BUILD. 

So we will see come draft day, both might be here and get traded on draft day, both might be gone before. Maybe Garrard stays to help increase his worth, but gets a year older in the process.

all i can say is trust gene, he hasnt screwed us yet. He is building for the long term, not a flash in the pan.

Go to www.bigcatcountry.com if you havent been there yet. I say this to all of my readers, which is me.

They let me write two articles, here are the links

kenny britt scouting report

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2009/3/3/779463/wr-88-kenny-britt-rutgers

what my eyes see at wide receiver

http://www.bigcatcountry.com/2009/3/5/781492/what-my-eyes-see-at-wr

thanks guys,

mock draft soon

Fred Taylor released

this makes me sad

its a business decision as taylor was scheduled to make over 6 mil this season.

supposedly taylor tried to take a pay cut, but it may not have even been big enough to make a difference

salary cap should be about 24 mil under and hopefully taylor will go somewhere good and get him a ring

Big Cat Country reports

im still just stunned....

Scout.com Big Board

if nothing else, they generally know what they are talking about so its worth reading

Big Board

todd mcshay probably uses this

Porter, Florence cut

click here for article

23 million dollars guaranteed money gone.....

Gene Smith is the man!

Our new GM just said indirectly that you help the team or your off the team!

money became a non-factor bc performance was so bad.

the problem with this is now WR is an even bigger need with Reggie Williams likely leaving in free agency, Jerry Porter cut, and who knows if Mike Walker is really 100%. I believe he is, but his knee, i dont know well see

currently we have

Matt Jones, tall and lanky possession guy with no yac yardage

Dennis Northcutt, drops a lot but runs good routes and can get seperation

Mike Walker, 3rd rounder two years ago who missed rookie season and played well in spurts including a 100 yard game against the steelers

Troy Williamson, speed speed and more speed...no hands

we need another one from somewhere, most likely the draft after round 2.

Defensive Back

We absolutely have to draft one, a good one

Mathis (CB) cant cover the whole field

Sensabaugh (SS) might leave in Free Agency

Williams (CB/SS) cant play both spots

so we need a starting SS and starting CB

Defensive Line

Rob Meier cant be Marcus Stroud

John Henderson is not in his prime

Rookie DE's should get good (Harvey, Groves)

So primary focus is on DT

Linebackers

if they are comfortable with Darryl Smith switching from OLB to MLB, then we have no need to replace Mike Peterson with Clint Ingram moving into Darryl Smith's spot but im sure depth is something they want

Offensive Line

Brad Meester (C) will be a free agent.

Dennis Norman (C) his backup is available, and i know hes not as good, but ive heard hes more physical

so look for a center to be drafted maybe later

It appears that Khalif Barnes (LT) will walk in free agency this year, now we have no starter

need one, i hope we get one in FA or we will be need drafting which is what Gene Smith said would not happen. No big FA spending and BAP drafting

Off-season needs are 

Starting

CB,WR,DT,SS

possible MLB,C

Line Depth on both sides

not good........

oh yeah, favre retired

Mock Draft 2009

Revised Mock Draft 2009, post Senior Bowl

Round 1

1. Detroit (0-16)

    Matt Stafford, QB Georgia

2. St. Louis (2-14)

    Eugene Monroe, LT Virginia

3. Kansas City (2-14)

    Mark Sanchez, QB USC

4. Seattle (4-12)

    Chris "Beanie" Wells, HB Ohio State 

5. Cleveland (4-12)

    Aaron Curry, LB Wake Forest

6. Cincinnati (4-11-1)

    Jason Smith, LT Baylor

7. Oakland (5-11)

    Michael Oher, LT Ole MIss

8. Jacksonville (5-11)

    B.J. Raji, DT Boston College

9. Green Bay (6-10)

    Andre Smith, LT Alabama

10. San Francisco (7-9)

       Michael Crabtree, WR Texas Tech

11. Buffalo (7-9)

       Everette Brown, DE Florida State

12. Denver (8-8)

       Rey Mauluga, ILB USC

13. Washington (8-8)

       Brian Orakpo, DE Texas

14. New Orleans (8-8)

       Malcolm Jenkins, CB Ohio State

15. Houston (9-7)

       Vontae Davis, CB Illinios

16. San Diego (8-8)

       Knowshon Moreno, HB Georgia

17. NY Jets (9-7)

       Jeremy Maclin, WR Missouri

18. Chicago (9-7)

       Michael Johnson, DE Georgia Tech

19. Tampa Bay (9-7)

       Josh Freeman, QB Kansas State

20. Detroit (from Dallas) (9-7)

      Ebon Britton, LT Arizona

21. Philadelphia (9-6-1)

       William Beatty, LT Connecticut

22. Minnesota (10-6)

       Alex Mack, C California

23. New England (11-5)

       Aaron Maybin, OLB/DE Penn State

24. Atlanta (11-5)

      Brandon Pettigrew, TE Ok State

25. Miami (11-5)

       Peria Jerry, DT Ole Miss

26. Baltimore (11-5)

       Brian Cushing, OLB USC

27. Indianapolis (12-4)

       D.J. Moore, CB Vanderbuilt

28. Philadelphia (from Carolina) (12-4)

       Louis Delmas, FS Western Michigan

29. NY Giants (12-4)

       Kenny Britt, WR Rutgers

30. Tennessee (13-3)

       Percy Harvin, WR/HB Florida

31. Arizona (9-7), Super Bowl Runner -Up

       LeSean McCoy, HB Pittsburgh

32. Pittsburgh, (12-4) Super Bowl Winner

       Max Unger, C Oregon