AP: I attended Clemson during Sammy Watkins' time there; here's what I saw

[suzzer99]

https://www.arrowheadpride.com/2018/...not-dissapoint

From the Fan Posts - PS

As you can see from my login name, I may come off a tad biased in this conversation.

I went to Clemson during Sammy Watkins time there, and I still make a yearly pilgrimage back to relive the glory days and pretend I am a college student for the weekend. I also happen to be a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan. I tend to track former Clemson players once they make it to the NFL and I love rooting for their success.

When the Chiefs signed Sammy Watkins this offseason, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. The excitement I felt came because I know what kind of player he can be and the trepidation I felt came because the Chiefs didn't hold back on the budget to get him. But that's not what this Fan Post is about. I'm a glass-half-full kind of guy (with the exception of anything Matt Cassel-related), so I am going to tell you why he is in the best possible situation.

When I compare Watkins' NFL career to his college days, I notice one striking similarity and one stark difference.

First, the similarity.

Watkins has had bad luck with a number of small injuries that have slowed his progress as a pro. While at Clemson, this was true as well. Whether it was a foot, hamstring, ankle or something else, you could almost bet every year there would be something. The positive here is that none of these injuries were serious, but more of an annoyance.

The other positive is that even though he suffered injuries, Watkins performed as an absolute standout 95 percent of the time. I don’t mean to say this as a downer, but it has been a reality in Watkins' career thus far. All indications point to him being completely healthy now, so hopefully, the injuries are a thing of the past.

Now, the difference.

The stark difference between Watkins' college and pro career is how he has been used, and it is this point that I want to harp on. I have never understood why NFL coaches constantly take players and try to fit square pegs into round holes. It drives me insane. I could go on another 500 words on this topic, but let's stay on point here.

Thus far, Watkins has been mostly used as a deep threat and seemingly as a distraction for opposing defenses. Teams have used his speed and presence to move opposing defenses to work the field to create better matchups and spacing for other playmakers. That point was even more evident last season with the Los Angeles Rams, and that’s why I will not be touching Brandin Cooks in a fantasy league this season.

While at Clemson, Watkins did not typically line up in the outside role. That was Deandre Hopkins’ job (By the way, I still occasionally dream about the offense Clemson had that featured Hopkins, Watkins, Dwayne Allen and Martavis Bryant).

At Clemson, Watkins did his best damage to defenses running screens, quick outs and slants to get the ball in his hands quickly and let his size and speed do the work. Watkins pretty much single-handedly beat Ohio State in a bowl game doing this. It was a beautiful rope-a-dope because as soon as defenses grew tired of allowing Watkins an easy seven to 10 yards on every catch like this, some poor corner would come up to the line and attempt to press Watkins. He would then blow by the defender and run either a double move or go route and take it to the house for six.

Can he be the deep threat that teams want? Absolutely. My point is he shouldn’t be used as a Tedd Ginn Jr.-type straight runner. Watkins is much more capable than that and unfortunately, that feels like a mold he has been pigeonholed to.

My optimism for Watkins grew after an article came out talking about how Reid has Watkins lining up all over the field. This is what Watkins has been waiting for and needs to show what made him the No. 4 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. Imagine having two Tyreek Hill-types lining up all over the field and the kind of confusion and damage that can do to an opposing defense. By having both of these guys able to line up anywhere and run a multitude of different routes, there are endless possibilities.

Add in Watkins' outstanding hands and size he adds a whole other dimension to this offense.

Do I think Watkins will be a 1,200-yard receiver? No. The targets just won’t be there between all the weapons the Chiefs have, but that is OK. Using Watkins' presence to pull defenses will help the rest of the Chiefs' weapons get open.

Knowing Reid sees more in Watkins makes me optimistic he will get an opportunity to get his yards.

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P.S. - To answer the question everyone is asking themselves by now, the answer is yes. I bought a Clemson Watkins jersey for my parents at the end of his college career thinking he would be a Hall of Fame-type player. And yes, I wanted Deshaun Watson. I was in the Tampa Bay Bucs stadium for the national championship victory over Alabama. I had nostalgia coming out of my ears. I was weak in the knees when the Chiefs traded up. The disappointment of the Chiefs pick of Patrick Mahomes over Watson was very short-lived because in another twist of fate I have been living outside Lubbock for the past two to three years getting to watch Mahomes play. I cannot wait to see what Mahomes grows into with this team and these weapons.

I may need to see a doctor in 4 hours if this erection doesn't subside.

[MahiMike]

Sweet. Thanks.

[KCrockaholic]

Ok, so basically the Chiefs will be using him more in the roles he was built for rather than just being a vertical burner.

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Ok, so basically the Chiefs will be using him more in the roles he was built for rather than just being a vertical burner.

Considering we already have the fastest vertical burner in the league - that would make sense.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Considering we already have the fastest vertical burner in the league - that would make sense.

All of that speed should make our short passing attack thrive.

[WhiteWhale]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Considering we already have the fastest vertical burner in the league - that would make sense.

After watching Hill live and seeing that he routinely outran 2 deep man coverage on those decoy routes...yeah... it makes sense.

Especially since Mahomes is actually physically capable of making that throw... a throw no QB would ever be expected to make.

There will be a play, this season, where Tyreek runs a go route as a decoy and Mahomes extends a play and bombs it over them.

Then teams will start playing their safeties even deeper, like they used to with Moss.

[Eleazar]

Get your preseason tickets now!

[ModSocks]

The Chiefs are going to WR screen the piss out of teams and fans here will be complaining about how bad of a playcaller Reid is.

CAN'T WAIT!

[KCrockaholic]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

The Chiefs are going to WR screen the piss out of teams and fans here will be complaining about how bad of a playcaller Reid is.

CAN'T WAIT!

Well, screens will be working a lot better suddenly. Weird how that will work when teams fear the QB.

[rabblerouser]

Originally Posted by KCrockaholic

Well, screens will be working a lot better suddenly. Weird how that will work when teams fear the QB.

The ball comes out so quick with Mahommes throwing the screen that the receiver has the ball in notion before the defenders can react.

It's a beautiful thing.

[Titty Meat]

He'll get injured again.

[staylor26]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

He'll get injured again.

Go **** yourself. Get outta here with this negative bullshit billay

[CasselGotPeedOn]

Originally Posted by Titty Meat

He'll get injured again.

Can you take your self loathing elsewhere please?

[WhiteWhale]

The problem with a guy who gets 'little injuries' all the time is that they add up and tend to shorten their effective careers.

Brandon Flowers is a great example.

Good thing he's 25 and Kc only signed him for 3. We'll see how he does.

[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by WhiteWhale

The problem with a guy who gets 'little injuries' all the time is that they add up and tend to shorten their effective careers.

Brandon Flowers is a great example.

Good thing he's 25 and Kc only signed him for 3. We'll see how he does.

Exactly. He's the perfect guy to have while Mahomes is cheap. And when Mahomes isn't cheap anymore, we don't have to pay Sammy