**All Things Wide Reciever 2012**

[bird_1972]

Vincent Jackson - WR - Chargers

NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora suspects the Bears and Redskins could end up in a "bidding war" for free agent Vincent Jackson.

I thought the Bears had the inside track for Colston. No way that they can be in the running for both him and VJ. Too little cap space.

[TaylorPickSix]

I see us paying VJax a loooooooot of money. Hopefully he earns it.

In other WR news, according to the twitterverse Mike Wallace flew down with BenJarvus-GreenEllis to hang out with Chad Ochocinco. Chumming up with future teammates already, eh?

[bird_1972]

I see us paying VJax a loooooooot of money. Hopefully he earns it.

I worry about this - how much of his performance was due to having Rivers throw him the ball and Gates taking pressure off of him? I'm not convinced he creates all of that on his own - might be worth paying a mint of money too (although, he'll surely get it).

[Oldskool]

I see us paying VJax a loooooooot of money. Hopefully he earns it.

In other WR news, according to the twitterverse Mike Wallace flew down with BenJarvus-GreenEllis to hang out with Chad Ochocinco. Chumming up with future teammates already, eh?

Chad and BenJarvus are probably going to get cut by the Patsies, so that theory may not hold water.

From what im hearing, the Patriots, Ravens and 49ers are the teams that could make a run for Wallace.

[Prototype]

As much as I liked Vincent Jackson, he is also 30 years old. And he's no physical freak like Randy Moss who can still gun it over 30. Are you sure you want invest most of your cap into this guy for the next 4 years?

[wilburmarshall]

Unless you're just referring to roster spot and not role this doesn't make a lot of sense. Armstrong disapeared this past season but his role is still as a field stretching vertical threat. Eddie Royal is a slot posession reciever. I've gone over this numerous times in other threads so feel free to search my posts to see the stats yourself but even with Shanahan/Cutler, Royal has an extremely low yards per catch (10.8 is his single season high), and very few plays of 20+ or 40+ yards. He's fast and he's shifty but he isn't translating it to the passing game at the NFL level. Gaffney was a better vertical threat this past season than Royal has ever been in a season.

It would make a lot more sense to have Royal replace Austin and Banks, saving us a roster spot. I'd like to see what Robinson has to offer as well as I was high on him going into training camp but he really struggled. I don't expect him to make the roster without a big camp/preseason.

I just think that someone like Armstrong are a dime a dozen, and that the other guys have a lot more potential.

BTW, are the Skins really interested in Royal or are people just suggesting it because he played well for Shanny in Denver? Will Royal fit in little Shanny's offense?...

[SkinsTillIDie]

Here's how we can afford Vincent Jackson, from a budget standpoint:

At the wide receiver position, with the assumption that we enter the 2013 season having signed Eddie Royal to an affordable, manageable veteran deal (say, $2 million a year), and cut Santana Moss, our wide receiving group could very possibly look like:

Hankerson (rookie contract)
Niles Paul (rookie contract)
2012/2013 draft pick (rookie contract)
Eddie Royal (~$2 million a year)
...
meaning we can afford an over-market rate for Vincent Jackson, as his enormous salary ($11 million a year?) would likely still fit into the budget that we've allotted to the position.

This is further aided by Shanahan's penchant for cheap, young running backs -- Helu and Royster will be on rookie deals, while a 3rd back (Hightower?) will also be on a manageable, affordable veteran deal.

Vincent Jackson makes bank in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 -- and when our young guys need to be paid, we can get Jackson off the books before he turns 33.

[bird_1972]

Here's how we can afford Vincent Jackson, from a budget standpoint:

But the question is: is he worth breaking the bank for?

[SkinsTillIDie]

But the question is: is he worth breaking the bank for?

In any case, we won't know for another year or three

It's a measured risk, for certain. I've mentioned this before, though it's easy to get lost in threads like these, but I think Vincent Jackson would bring to RGIII (if we were to get him) precisely what Plaxico Burress brought to Eli Manning. Similar size, 6'5, ~235lbs, though Jackson's a little faster. Similar age (28 vs 29 in first season with new team). Some potential problematic attitude similarities, which is what makes a move all the more uncertain.

This league has become so increasingly year-to-year that if we're presented with an opportunity to far and away improve a single position on the team -- and he fits into our lockerroom, system and salary cap structure (as only Shanahan + staff could truly know) -- I think it's a move worth the gamble. Presuming, of course, that we have a relatively affordable opt-out clause, or a front-loaded deal that allows us an exit in the case of a major mistake, in the vain of Haynesworth.

But Jackson's an elite physical freak who would add a legitimate big-play threat, touchdown machine, chain-moving possession receiver and last-ditch panic target in one. There are few receivers like him, and even fewer opportunities to add one to our team

[SkinSince87]

VJax and Meachem or VJax and Garcon, speed speed and more speed

[Laxpunk2006]

I worry about this - how much of his performance was due to having Rivers throw him the ball and Gates taking pressure off of him? I'm not convinced he creates all of that on his own - might be worth paying a mint of money too (although, he'll surely get it).

I'm not worried about the Gates effect. Antonio Gates has missed quite a bit of time over the years and struggled with foot injuries even when he wasn't missing games and Jackson has done just fine. For example in 2010 Gates missed the SF game and Jackson pulled in 5 catches for 112 yards and 3 touchdowns. This past year he caught 3 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown against Miami while Gates was sitting out. It seems like everyone went over 100 yards against Miami this year but theres still some evidence of production without Gates.

I'm sure they open things up for each other but we have a pretty good TE ourselves in Fred Davis.

I would be more concerned with what influence Phillip Rivers has on his production but if we don't upgrade our QB position we have bigger worries than if Jackson can match his previous production or not.

[skinny21]

I can understand what you are saying when it comes to age, cap, injuries, abilities, etc. All those things MUST be weighed by the current FO. I think they did a marvelous job last year of getting good value for the players that they signed. But when you say Meacham has more value, this is where I disagree. Colston wants 7 million a year (lets say that's roughly what it will take) and has throughout his career lived up to that asking price. Meacham wants (lets say) 4 million a year. I don't think Meacham has lived up to that value. In other words, I'd rather pay more for quality guy, then pay less for a less quality guy. I'd rather pay 7 million for 80+ catches, 1000+ yds and 10 TDs, than pay 4 million for 55 catches, 700 yards and 4 TDs. We can get that from Santana.

Sometimes you just can't keep going "cheap." Our Free Agent signings of the past (just like our drafting of QBs) has this fanbase in 2 modes. 1) "Lots of draft picks because we can't afford to give up picks for 1 player", 2) "Don't give anyone huge contracts because of that Haynesworth guy. We need to keep going cheap."

I hear you. Honestly, I'm leaning a bit toward Colston now that I'm learning more about him. I still think Meacham is a good value though. He fits the other criteria I mentioned, but his productivity is obviously far less than VJax or Colston. A team will take the chance that his lower productivity was mostly due to lack of time on the field (I.e. the high level of competition in NO).

I think he'd likely be one of our top 3 receivers, depending on Moss and Hankerston, quite possibly competing for #2 or even #1. Not necessarily because he's all that good, rather our current guys are not either. With Hankerston, we have potential. Moss and Gaffney? Well I respect them a lot, but we know what they can do for us and there's not much potential (for big plays especially). Meacham is significantly younger than both and more 'explosive'. If his targets are increased here, and he keeps his YAC and catch % somewhat consistent with his past, you'll have a pretty good player for a pretty reasonable price.

I understand wanting a legitimate #1 Wr, but I also understand wanting to wait and see how our offense changes with good QBing before breaking the bank on a Wr.

[pjfootballer]

I hear you. Honestly, I'm leaning a bit toward Colston now that I'm learning more about him. I still think Meacham is a good value though. He fits the other criteria I mentioned, but his productivity is obviously far less than VJax or Colston. A team will take the chance that his lower productivity was mostly due to lack of time on the field (I.e. the high level of competition in NO).

I think he'd likely be one of our top 3 receivers, depending on Moss and Hankerston, quite possibly competing for #2 or even #1. Not necessarily because he's all that good, rather our current guys are not either. With Hankerston, we have potential. Moss and Gaffney? Well I respect them a lot, but we know what they can do for us and there's not much potential (for big plays especially). Meacham is significantly younger than both and more 'explosive'. If his targets are increased here, and he keeps his YAC and catch % somewhat consistent with his past, you'll have a pretty good player for a pretty reasonable price.

I understand wanting a legitimate #1 Wr, but I also understand wanting to wait and see how our offense changes with good QBing before breaking the bank on a Wr.

I hear what you are saying also about value. I definately don't want to overpay for another bust, but I trust that this FO does their homework on a guy and doesn't just grab the next shiney thing. I also wanted to add, if you look at our WRs, we really don't have alot of money invested in that position right now. Moss is the most expensive, followed by Gaffney. We have 3 guys on rookie contracts (Hank, Paul and Robinson) a couple of guys on UDFA contracts (Armstrong and Banks) and one that is a FA (Stallworth). I really think we need to take a chance on Colston or VJax at this point. I also want to let you know that I don't think Meacham is garbage, because his size and skillset are what we need, but I'm not sure he could be a true #1. Maybe you are right that he's held back being in NO with a bevy of other WRs.

[Alcoholic Zebra]

VJax and Meachem or VJax and Garcon, speed speed and more speed

If you look at the numbers, Garcon is not a playmaker receiver, and compares to Gaffney (except he's a bit worse than Gaffney).

Meachem is also a product of Brees. Meachem is a 1st round draft pick who busted, we don't want him. Also, if you look at his highlight reel, and then look at Anthony Armstrong's, they look like the same player.

[skinny21]

I also want to let you know that I don't think Meacham is garbage, because his size and skillset are what we need, but I'm not sure he could be a true #1. Maybe you are right that he's held back being in NO with a bevy of other WRs.

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't project Meacham as a number one Wr (even #2 is maybe pushing it). I do believe he can improve our corp, and add something we've been lacking (Armstrong in 2010 being the exception).

To whoever said Meacham is a bust, that's fine, but we wouldn't be paying him that kind of money so who really cares? Pay him as a low end #2 and hope he steps up his game.