Comments on: Eagles, Nova Duel For My Attention on Sunday Night

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:18:09 +0000

I’m not “looking” for anything. I think he’s a great WR. But I haven’t seen anything from him, physically or skill wise, that puts him in a #1 WR discussion. Not necessarily a bad thing. But when I think of a #1 guy, I think of elite talent – Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Larry Fitz, Brandon Marshall, even DeSean. Maclin is solid in every area, but I haven’t seen anything SPECTACULAR about him. Again, not a complaint, just an observation.

By: bsencore

bsencore — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:34:15 +0000

Pete, you are right. My numbers were off for this season because factored in 9 games instead of the team’s 10 by accident. But if you extrapolate for a 16 game season based only off of his numbers as a starter (remember he barely played the first two games) then you get 70 receptions, 930 yards, and 8 TDs. That performance isn’t too shabby, especially when you consider only 4 rookie receivers have caught 60 balls since 2000 (DJax being one).

Either way though, you’re being wayyyy too harsh. All the things that make me think he could be a #1 receiver:

He picked up the offense quickly and runs good routes already.
He’s fast. Maybe not DJax’s level, but he’s got some serious straight-line speed.
He’s got the frame to put on another 10 pounds to start breaking tackles.
He (unlike others I could mention) doesn’t fumble.
He can burn one-on-one coverage right now. The KC game was proof.

What more exactly are you looking for?

By: phillyfan

phillyfan — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:39:06 +0000

Pete – I think you are way jumping the gun on Maclin – “seen nothing to indicate he can be a #1 in the league”. First of all, who cares? Nobody can ever figure out what a #1 WR is in the league anyway?

What is wrong with having Harrison (DeSean) and Wayne (Maclin). That is who Maclin reminds me of – a young Reggie Wayne. That is the upside. Good enough? Was Wayne considered #1 when Harrison was in his prime? No, but his value wasn’t doubted – call it 1A.

Breaking tackles comes with increased strength. You don’t see that with WR until their 3rd year. Maclin still has a college body. Only the speedsters can make an immediate impact in the pros. Jackson doesn’t break tackles either – he runs past possible tacklers. Maclin doesn’t have that raw speed, but I see every indication that as he puts on muscle he will add breaking tackles to the package. We could see a Reggie Wayne or even the talent of a TO down the line.

By: stu

stu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:49:30 +0000

Sorry, I meant their runs of NFC East titles in the early 2000s, not the 90s (sorry, the Hoying/Pedersen teams weren’t winning much).

By: tk76

tk76 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:55:28 +0000

BTW, I lived in Ann Arbor while Avant was at Michigan, and he was a quality #1 at the college level. he found ways to make big plays in critical situations (and I’m a PSU fan.) They had better athletes on that team, but Avant was the Man.

By: tk76

tk76 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:53:52 +0000

I think we should start adding Avant, 26, to that list. He may not be a #1, but he looks to be an emerging weapon.

By: stu

stu — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:47:25 +0000

I love when they show the DeSean, LeSean, Maclin, and Celek graphic, with all of those guys being under the age of 24. It reminds me of when the Eagles started their NFC East title run in the late 90s, when they were one of the youngest teams in the league with their oldest offensive starter being Chad Lewis at the age of 27. For all of the frustrations that Andy Reid gives me (RUN THE BALL), he really does a fantastic job of quietly developing the roster to mix in a lot of young guys who can contribute effectively.

By: Pete

Pete — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:30:31 +0000

bsencore-

he's on pace for 763 yards, and 6 TD.

Never said he had a limited ceiling, hence the question. Yes, he had a great game against Tampa. But only Detroit and Tennessee have given up more passing TD's this year.

You aren't "asked" to be explosive. When Maclin catches the ball, I'm still waiting for him to break one or make a tackler miss, and he doesn't do much of that. I have seen nothing to indicate he can be a #1 WR in this league.

I love Maclin, and he HAS been impressive and can probably be a great #2, which is really all he needs to be for us with DeSean around. But with 1st round picks, especially guys who were talked about going as high as #7, you are looking for elite players, and I haven't been able to tell if Maclin can be that.

By: bsencore

bsencore — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:21:11 +0000

“What is Jeremy Maclin’s ceiling? He’s shown this year he can be a solid WR in the league, but I haven’t seen anything explosive out of him that makes me think he can be more than that. Has anyone else?”
Um… what? The kid held out for a week of training camp, gets thrown into the fire as a starter when Curtis goes down, with two different QBs, in a system that traditionally has been difficult for receivers to pick up especially coming from the spread offense. All that, and he’s on pace for 66 receptions, 848 yards, and 7 TDs — on par with DJax’s numbers from last year, but with more scores. How is that kind of production in his first year (!) limited his ceiling in your mind?
As for explosiveness, first of all he’s across from one of the most explosive players in the NFL so he’s not asked to do as much of that. And second: did you see the Tampa game? He showed what he can do when teams shift their coverage over to DeSean.

By: tk76

tk76 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:16:35 +0000

Eagles game was the rare game where they won despite trailing entering the 4th. neither team seemed that sharp, with breakdows and missed opportunities on both side of the ball- but an entertaining football game.

Came away thinking Kobb (or insert any other accurate passer who gets rid of the ball quickly) could have more effectively used the Eagles weapons in this game.) I’m not really a McNabb basher either.