Is Albert Wilson... good now!?!?

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by staylor26

He looks like a totally different player this year. Contract year might have something to do with it.

I really don't think he does. He's the same role player and credible receiver he's always been, Smith just trusts him a bit more and he's been asked to do more after sliding into the slot role that Hill vacated by going to the Z.

Let's not act like he's making the diving plays people were always so hard on him for not making. And I've never agreed with the folks that say he avoids contact; he's generally been a willing player.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

I really don't think he does. He's the same role player and credible receiver he's always been, Smith just trusts him a bit more and he's been asked to do more after sliding into the slot role that Hill vacated by going to the Z.

Let's not act like he's making the diving plays people were always so hard on him for not making. And I've never agreed with the folks that say he avoids contact; he's generally been a willing player.

I disagree completely. It was not just about the diving plays. He simply was never reliable, hence why Alex didn’t trust him.

For example, he’s so much better on those bubble screens it’s crazy. Also, he wouldn’t have made those two big plays he made yesterday in years past. If you don’t see a difference in Wilson, I have no idea what you’ve been watching.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by staylor26

I disagree completely. It was not just about the diving plays. He simply was never reliable, hence why Alex didn’t trust him.

For example, he’s so much better on those bubble screens it’s crazy. Also, he wouldn’t have made those two big plays he made yesterday in years past. If you don’t see a difference in Wilson, I have no idea what you’ve been watching.

Smith didn't trust him because Smith doesn't trust anyone.

His catch rate is up a little bit, yes but that is a product of small sample sizes. He had 3 drops in 51 targets last year; he has 2 in 41 this year. If he drops another one over his next 10 targets, his numbers will align virtually step for step. There's effectively no difference in his hands.

And no, he wasn't someone that was jaking plays over the middle. He had one bad play and perception became reality with the guy.

And he isn't GOOD now. He's still not particularly fast, he's not large and he's not all that quick (though he's above average). He's largely still a JAG, though he might be a slightly better one. He's always been game and it shows on plays like the 1st down late. He has good vision but he had that last year; he made some nice plays on screens. He's just a competent depth receiver.

But that's who he was last year as well. The problem with Wilson last year wasn't Wilson, it was the people that expected a UDFA from a small school to be a superstar. He never was, he isn't now. But he was a credible, versatile depth player that made some plays for us. That's exactly who he has been this year but has shown more with additional opportunity.

The people that so badly wanted him cut last off-season were wrong. Hell, the folks that got mad about him getting a relatively paltry RFA deal were wrong. And anyone that thinks he's suddenly a significantly better player is also wrong - he's pretty much the same guy.