Leonard Hankerson: Patience

[MLSKINS]

Hankerson seems to be playing scared right now. I don't know if it is the injuries or what, but dude isn't all there.

I would get rid of him though,. hopefully he gets it together. We are going to need him.

[darknessplayas]

Hankerson seems to be playing scared right now. I don't know if it is the injuries or what, but dude isn't all there.

I would get rid of him though,. hopefully he gets it together. We are going to need him.

I feel the same, he is playing scared for w/e reason. Hes also mechanical, to be a good player, you need to be smooth. Running/catching should be 2nd nature to him but its not......I've always been a Hankerson supporter and still am but he needs to step it up.

[righteousbowi]

He was Injured last year, so Ina way this Is his rookie season. Lets pull this thread up 3 years from now and see how he ends up.

[NLC1054]

Hankerson has one of the worst football IQs I've ever seen.

Really?

How do you figure.

[LiveStrongSkins]

The issue isn't just the drops though. There is a reason that a WR like Terrell Owens was forgiven for his drops, and he had quite a few. It was because of his ability to straight up take over games, regardless of being double-covered.

There is always a trade off with top tier talent that you excuse if the consistent play is shown.

The issue I have with Hankerson is that he is looking like a possession WR when all is said and done, and something a possession WR is counted on for is CATCHING THE BALL.

If Hankerson was at the level of the elite WRs in the NFL, but also had occasional drops, then I don't think we would have a big problem with it, the problem is he isn't.

Do we know that yet though Mike? He essentially had a one game trial last year and is working his way back from injury this year. Hes dropped passes and been inconsistent but has also made plays to show you what he can be. I still think the sample size is a little small to label him inconsistent for now.

[DC9]

I think we're making to much out of the TD drop he had against the Steelers. Everyone was dropping balls yesterday.

And Hankerson's played pretty well this year to I feel.

Agreed. We also got the TD on that drive anyways. Had we not, then I would've been a little more upset. He's the possession guy who is asked to do different things because of injuries to Garcon (and has done them well, in my opinion).

I'm a Hankerson fan and I am still convinced we got him as a steal in the 3rd round... he'll pan out well for us.

[LiveStrongSkins]

I feel the same, he is playing scared for w/e reason. Hes also mechanical, to be a good player, you need to be smooth. Running/catching should be 2nd nature to him but its not......I've always been a Hankerson supporter and still am but he needs to step it up.

See I disagree here a little bit. To me he seems to be thinking on the run but has run some great routes. He does alot of things naturally. At times he looks mechanical but he needs the reps. It's essentially his rookie year. Next year he will be further removed from the injury and more reps to draw from. He will continue to improve but I see a really good route runner, a guy who breaks down a DB very quickly vertically and uses his size to create space.

[darknessplayas]

See I disagree here a little bit. To me he seems to be thinking on the run but has run some great routes. He does alot of things naturally. At times he looks mechanical but he needs the reps. It's essentially his rookie year. Next year he will be further removed from the injury and more reps to draw from. He will continue to improve but I see a really good route runner, a guy who breaks down a DB very quickly vertically and uses his size to create space.

I hope I'm wrong and maybe Im being too harsh, but I just feel bad for Rg3. He was running for his life yesterday, made some great throws and got nothing from them....Again Im not saying hes a bust or anything, he needs to step his game up, thats all .

[Jumbo]

Hankerson has one of the worst football IQs I've ever seen.

You have to like the modern football IQ system ratings with those fluorescent team-color numbers on their foreheads.

Looks especially cool when they're running through the tunnels.

[zoony]

I'm not seeing the athleticism. He is slow out of his breaks. He runs like Donny Warren on reverses

[Dan T.]

The overall vibe I get with him is that he doesn't want to be out there. He doesn't attack the game with gusto or want to be THE GUY. Maybe it's inexperience, or lack of confidence. It seems he has the physical tools, but the desire for the game needs to catch up.

[LiveStrongSkins]

I'm not seeing the athleticism. He is slow out of his breaks. He runs like Donny Warren on reverses

Gotta disagree here Zoony. At the last home game I made it a point to specifically watch Hankerson and came away pleasantly surprised. He gets vertical on DB's very quickly and pretty much has his way on the Dig route and deep out. Does he look awkward at times sure? but in my eyes he certainly hasnt been slow out of his breaks, and Donnie Warren certainly doesnt get behind St. Louis secondary like Hank did either.

[skinsmania123]

Is it me or didn't Hankerson drop a sure TD pass against the Vagiants as well? It is true we have not seen enough of Hankerson to know if he is truly a bust or not, but honestly I am on the fence here. Usually young guys are studs out there and anxious to prove themselves and normally make big plays if they can handle the big stage. It may be his mindset that needs adjustment. This week against the Panthers and their soft D would be a good time for Hankerson to catch the elusive TD pass. I would be very happy to be wrong about him.

[Chachie]

I'm not seeing the athleticism. He is slow out of his breaks. He runs like Donny Warren on reverses

Like I said (and got skewered for) in my "Stankerson" thread... If a player has something special, it shows up right away. I have not seen one thing about Hankerson that makes me think he'll be a dependable starting WR2 in the NFL. I don't see speed, hands, hops or field savvy.

[peanut0862]

I'm not ready to to cast a verdict just yet but when he came out of Miami he did have a reputation of dropping balls. If I remember correctly Mel Kiper said it was one of the reasons he fell to the third round