Leonard Hankerson: Patience

[TD_washingtonredskins]

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.

You mentioned Owens, but it isn't as though Owens took over games during his first 16 games of experience. In fact, for their first year or so together people thought that JJ Stokes was going to develop into the stud.

Hankerson actually compares favorably to Owens so far. In his first 16 games, Owens had 35 catches for 520 yards. In 12 games Hankerson has 36 catches for 460 yards. I don't think preaching patience is a bad thing here.

[thesubmittedone]

I like Hankerson and am pleased with his contributions in year 2 of his career. WRs usually do take 3 years to really get into gear, especially a 3rd round pick.

[SiCkSoULjA]

You mentioned Owens, but it isn't as though Owens took over games during his first 16 games of experience. In fact, for their first year or so together people thought that JJ Stokes was going to develop into the stud.

Hankerson actually compares favorably to Owens so far. In his first 16 games, Owens had 35 catches for 520 yards. In 12 games Hankerson has 36 catches for 460 yards. I don't think preaching patience is a bad thing here.

Hahaha Hank compared too TO? Lol please Hank isn't in the same league, TO is a physical freak! One of the hardest working players ever in the NFL, ole Hank doesn't have that fire let alone the talent.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Hahaha Hank compared too TO? Lol please Hank isn't in the same league, TO is a physical freak! One of the hardest working players ever in the NFL, ole Hank doesn't have that fire let alone the talent.

I'm simply pointing out the better numbers, someone else brought TO into the conversation.

[Redskinscub]

Remember Rod Gardner? Bruce Smith nicknamed him 50/50 which desrcibed his chances of catching a ball thrown his way. I hope LH is not the 2nd coming of Rod.

[skins4ever17]

All of this is crap. We have waited almost two years for him now.

[mel25]

Im not a WR expert, I'm not going to sit up here and pretend to be. I do coach WR's at the high school level and have attended several clinics put on by area college coaches on how to best coach wide receivers. The one thing that stood out to me was something Ralph Friedgen said. You work on finishing catches by making sure the pre catch aspects of being a WR are second nature. When I look at Hankerson, he effortlessly stems defensive backs. There is very little drift to his routes. He moves in and out of breaks very well for his size and there have been plays this season where his ability to get deep have given the skins opportunities to stretch the lid of the linebacker/safety zone. He sets up his double moves well and also uses his body surprisingly well to create space. The drops look bad right now, judging RG3's deep ball has been a work in progress but I simply am trying to get people to see.... he isnt that far away. He just turned 24, and is coming off a season ending injury. He will continue to have drops, he will continue to frustrate you but the "pre catch" ability is there and stellar. Give him time, let him grow. When things slow down mentally for him he is going to be a force. Just hope its here and no where else.

This reminds me of an article I read a few years back about how QBs are given about 3 years to blossom, but WRs are expected to produce right away, and why they should be given around 3 years also. It had a few examples to back it up, and why WRs picked in the later rounds were doing so well because they were given time and not expected to produce immediately. I'll admit, I lost site of that until now. I'll also add that there were a few articles when Hankerson was drafted about his work ethic. They talked about how in college he wasn't very good at something, did a lot of extra things over the off season, and ended up breaking a few Miami records. So I'll give him last off season to work hard at getting healthy. hopefully this one is dedicated to correcting other things. Good post man, I'll give him a little more time (I said that like I have the power to cut him anyway lol).

[terpskins10]

All of this is crap. We have waited almost two years for him now.

I can name several receivers where if their fans would have felt the same way about them, they never would have gotten the chance to develop into the players they are now.

[rick7423]

I am hoping Hank becomes the receiver he has the promise to be... BUT, I do not care if he runs PERFECT routes, if he can't catch then he is not dependable. Keep him on the roster and if a good replacement comes along, then put him on the bench until he actually wants to play the position. I am not a hater, just a realist. I am patient, but when a player is just not performing, then something must be done.

[repo_4]

I really wanted Hank to work out and after the game I said he needed to go. Overreaction on my part, but he has to show some signs of improvement. Catching the ball is fundamental for a WR. I could see having to work on routes, seperation... but CATCHING the ball has to be done and IMHO cant be something you wait for him to figure out how to do. The year is only half way over so maybe he figures it out. I will say he hasnt had much live game time because of the injury. I just watched Randy Moss make a sick move to score a TD, and he is 114 years old! We cant expect the same from Hank?

[Gibbs Hog Heaven]

Great OP to which I fully concur. And something MANY should heed not only in terms of a second year young player, but this team as a whole at the current stage of our complete overhaul.

Hail.

[NLC1054]

This reminds me of an article I read a few years back about how QBs are given about 3 years to blossom, but WRs are expected to produce right away, and why they should be given around 3 years also. It had a few examples to back it up, and why WRs picked in the later rounds were doing so well because they were given time and not expected to produce immediately. I'll admit, I lost site of that until now. I'll also add that there were a few articles when Hankerson was drafted about his work ethic. They talked about how in college he wasn't very good at something, did a lot of extra things over the off season, and ended up breaking a few Miami records. So I'll give him last off season to work hard at getting healthy. hopefully this one is dedicated to correcting other things. Good post man, I'll give him a little more time (I said that like I have the power to cut him anyway lol).

Hank went to Miami highly touted, but struggled to stay on the field, mainly for the reasons people are dinging; drops and what not.

After his sophomore season a family friend put him in contact with Mark Duper, who worked with him. Hank can back---in his third year---and absolutely exploded, and then broke records set by Michael Irvin.

So that's why I think he's worth waiting for. He needs to play better, but he's nowhere near as awful as people pretend.

[Skins3000]

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.

I agree that Hankerson will not be a T.O. or Vincent Jackson but Hankerson will be a good #2 in time. I think everyone must understand this is Hank's 7th game starting and he is a rookie damn near himself so I definitely will give Hank a pass for yesterday along with the rest of the receivers.

[charles mannley]

I really hope he develops into a solid receiver, but that is up to him. I think he is probably one of our worst deep ball threats because he really seems to have problems with that.

He had a big pass he dropped in the giants game where he short armed the pass where even Aikman made the comment that he should have extended himself. It looked very catchable. He also had a pass in the Rams game where he almost dropped it and if he had anybody on him he would have probably dropped it.

In the short game he has been a very good go to guy, which I can enjoy, and I just would really like to see him become a big play guy.

[NoCalMike]

Allow me to clarify my reply on the first page of this thread. I didn't mean to say the verdict is out on Hankerson. The sample size is still too small one way or another. He might still develop into something great.

I was just commenting on what we've seen SO FAR. So far what I have seen is someone who doesn't appear to be destined to be a #1 WR, and once you have been shown to not be a "playmaker" you better have the other intangibles to make your career continue.

The question I am posing, is whether or not Hankerson's other attributes & intangibles are enough to overcome the fact that he seems to drop a lot of passes that are right in his hands.

Santana Moss, in his prime, is an example of a WR that you could bite your tongue on the drops, because for the most part he was consistently producing. That is the difference. When you are only being targeted 3-4 times a game, those drops (especially for sure TDs) will be magnified, and examined, then cross examined. That is just the fact of being a #2 or #3 WR in this league. You won't get the benefit of the doubt!