Football Heyword-Bey Gets a Rough Initiation - PFT

Dante84 · 05-11-2009, 09:00 AM

HEYWARD-BEY GETS A ROUGH INITIATION
Posted by Mike Florio on May 11, 2009, 10:27 a.m. EDT
He finished the weekend by skipping practice, as he nursed a sore hamstring. At one point before the muscle revolted, he dropped three straight passes.

But rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey likely got the biggest splash of cold water in eyes that at some point could be blamed for his lack of production during his first snap against an NFL cornerback.

Nnamdi Asomugha.

Heyward-Bey did everything he was supposed to do. And Asomugha was in place to prevent him from catching the ball.

“I came back,”and I just went, ‘All right, I’m not in college anymore,’” Heyward-Bey said, according to Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times.

And since Heyward-Bey could generate only 600 yards and change “in college” last season, that’s not an encouraging observation for Raiders fans.

Many teams have rookies practice only against other first-year players at their initial camp, preventing such “welcome to the next level, bitch” moments for guys who already are feeling nervous about their new jobs.

The challenge for each team is to decide whether to give the incoming players a chance to build confidence by competing against each other, or to throw them into the fray.

On one hand, it’s a good way to begin the process of smoking out a bust.

On the other hand, it’s a good way to begin the process of smoking out a bust.

Of any first-round pick who doesn’t play quarterback for the Detroit Lions, no rookie will be more scrutinized than Heyward-Bey. He was the first receiver taken in the draft, ahead of Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt.

With Crabtree playing for the nearby 49ers, it’s safe to say that someone in the Bay Area media will be charting every aspect of their respective performances — catches, yards, touchdowns, and drops — on a regular basis.

No one expects Heyward-Bey to make a first-year impact like Randy Moss did in 1998. But the decision of a team with unconventional methods and a recent history of questionable moves to make Heyward-Bey the seventh overall pick is prompting many to sit back and practice their delivery of the possible epitaph to his career.

“I told you so.”

Dante84 · 05-11-2009, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dante84

He finished the weekend by skipping practice, as he nursed a sore hamstring. At one point before the muscle revolted, he dropped three straight passes.

Will it ever end????

Boy, I hope not.

**Gonzo** · 05-11-2009, 09:14 AM

Awesome pick there...

Enjoy that raider fans.

Spicy McHaggis · 05-11-2009, 10:03 AM

Who knew catching the ball would be such a huge part of playing receiver in the NFL?

Crush · 05-11-2009, 10:06 AM

What about Mike Mitchell?

Mr. Krab · 05-11-2009, 10:08 AM

Nice, i hope he gives everyone flashbacks to the Ryan Leaf moment.

**The Franchise** · 05-11-2009, 10:16 AM

It's going to suck even worse when he has to learn how to catch from a different QB after next years draft.

KcFanInGA · 05-11-2009, 10:21 AM

Thanks Al, really.

**Kyle DeLexus** · 05-11-2009, 10:37 AM

They are going to ruin him. While it makes me look bad from a draft standpoint since I was pimping DHB, I will love every minute of that team imploding.

**buddha** · 05-11-2009, 10:40 AM

Al knows the first thing you need to do is break the rookie's spirit. Mission accomplished. He's already dropping passes with Raider-like efficiency. The system that gave us James Jett is still as finely honed as it ever was.

okiedokieokoye · 05-11-2009, 10:56 AM

Don't worry guys..if the DHB experiment fails miserably...they can still put fear into the rest of the AFC West with the dreaded Samie Parker.

chiefzilla1501 · 05-11-2009, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spicy McHaggis

Who knew catching the ball would be such a huge part of playing receiver in the NFL?

Yeah, but did you see how fast he was? It's the QB's fault--DHB ran so fast that every throw was probably behind him.

KCrockaholic · 05-11-2009, 11:17 AM

The guy is on his way to bust-mania. I never liked him comming out of college. If you go to draft planet, and look for my post in the 2010 draft class thread you can see my short scouting report on him. Like ive said. I watched 5 guys play that were in college last year. Heyward-Bey was one of them. Not impressed. Thats all I can say.

KCrockaholic · 05-11-2009, 11:19 AM

"I watched 3 games on Heyward-Bey, and was not real impressed. I guess to be fair Maryland just doesnt throw the ball that much. He has awesome straight-line speed obviously, and can accelerate away from defenders. But that was in college, in the NFL I dont see him being anything special. He drops too many passes from what ive seen. I would say, Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, Nicks, even Ramses Barden will end up with better NFL careers than Heyward-Bey. I think he is an alright kid, pretty soft-spoken in his interviews but I will be very surprised if he ends up having a good NFL career. Hes the type of player that might have 50 catches for 800 yards his rookie year, but NFL teams will quickly figure him out and be able to shut him down."

Saved you the time...

htismaqe · 05-11-2009, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcrockaholic4life

The guy is on his way to bust-mania. I never liked him comming out of college. If you go to draft planet, and look for my post in the 2010 draft class thread you can see my short scouting report on him. Like ive said. I watched 5 guys play that were in college last year. Heyward-Bey was one of them. Not impressed. Thats all I can say.

Yep.

I was vocal about DHB too. Anybody that read my commentary in the DraftPlanet forum KNEW this was coming.

05-11-2009, 09:00 AM
Dante84 Tossed Salad & Scrambled Eggs Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: ATX & OPKS Casino cash: $1701996 VARSITY	Heyword-Bey Gets a Rough Initiation - PFT HEYWARD-BEY GETS A ROUGH INITIATION Posted by Mike Florio on May 11, 2009, 10:27 a.m. EDT He finished the weekend by skipping practice, as he nursed a sore hamstring. At one point before the muscle revolted, he dropped three straight passes. But rookie receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey likely got the biggest splash of cold water in eyes that at some point could be blamed for his lack of production during his first snap against an NFL cornerback. Nnamdi Asomugha. Heyward-Bey did everything he was supposed to do. And Asomugha was in place to prevent him from catching the ball. “I came back,”and I just went, ‘All right, I’m not in college anymore,’” Heyward-Bey said, according to Steve Corkran of the Contra Costa Times. And since Heyward-Bey could generate only 600 yards and change “in college” last season, that’s not an encouraging observation for Raiders fans. Many teams have rookies practice only against other first-year players at their initial camp, preventing such “welcome to the next level, bitch” moments for guys who already are feeling nervous about their new jobs. The challenge for each team is to decide whether to give the incoming players a chance to build confidence by competing against each other, or to throw them into the fray. On one hand, it’s a good way to begin the process of smoking out a bust. On the other hand, it’s a good way to begin the process of smoking out a bust. Of any first-round pick who doesn’t play quarterback for the Detroit Lions, no rookie will be more scrutinized than Heyward-Bey. He was the first receiver taken in the draft, ahead of Michael Crabtree, Jeremy Maclin, Percy Harvin, Hakeem Nicks, and Kenny Britt. With Crabtree playing for the nearby 49ers, it’s safe to say that someone in the Bay Area media will be charting every aspect of their respective performances — catches, yards, touchdowns, and drops — on a regular basis. No one expects Heyward-Bey to make a first-year impact like Randy Moss did in 1998. But the decision of a team with unconventional methods and a recent history of questionable moves to make Heyward-Bey the seventh overall pick is prompting many to sit back and practice their delivery of the possible epitaph to his career. “I told you so.”
Posts: 19,748

05-11-2009, 10:03 AM	#4
Spicy McHaggis Keep 'er Movin' Join Date: Sep 2004 Casino cash: $9905359	Who knew catching the ball would be such a huge part of playing receiver in the NFL? __________________ “We want players who are big, strong, smart, fast, tough and disciplined,” Pioli said, finally bringing an end to the era of Chiefs executives who searched desperately for players who are small, weak, stupid, slow, fragile and unruly.
Posts: 4,963

05-11-2009, 10:06 AM	#5
Crush Amateur Poster Join Date: Mar 2004 Casino cash: $5197091	What about Mike Mitchell?
Posts: 15,297

05-11-2009, 10:08 AM	#6
Mr. Krab Big Red Nuts Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $10004900	Nice, i hope he gives everyone flashbacks to the Ryan Leaf moment.
Posts: 3,512

05-11-2009, 10:16 AM	#7
The Franchise Most Valuable Villain Join Date: Dec 2006 Casino cash: $3025047	It's going to suck even worse when he has to learn how to catch from a different QB after next years draft.
Posts: 92,196

05-11-2009, 10:21 AM	#8
KcFanInGA I just peed a little on my leg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: GA Casino cash: $10004900	Thanks Al, really. __________________ Know what the pillsbury doughboy has between his legs? DOUGHNUTS!!
Posts: 932

05-11-2009, 10:37 AM	#9
Kyle DeLexus Opie and Anthony XM 105 Join Date: Nov 2008 Casino cash: $10002400	They are going to ruin him. While it makes me look bad from a draft standpoint since I was pimping DHB, I will love every minute of that team imploding.
Posts: 7,910

05-11-2009, 10:40 AM	#10
buddha You may think you know... Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: California Casino cash: $10006184	Al knows the first thing you need to do is break the rookie's spirit. Mission accomplished. He's already dropping passes with Raider-like efficiency. The system that gave us James Jett is still as finely honed as it ever was.
Posts: 2,183

05-11-2009, 10:56 AM	#11
okiedokieokoye I'm not arguing that with you. Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: North Hollywood Casino cash: $7195100	Don't worry guys..if the DHB experiment fails miserably...they can still put fear into the rest of the AFC West with the dreaded Samie Parker.
Posts: 456

05-11-2009, 11:17 AM	#13
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4732900	The guy is on his way to bust-mania. I never liked him comming out of college. If you go to draft planet, and look for my post in the 2010 draft class thread you can see my short scouting report on him. Like ive said. I watched 5 guys play that were in college last year. Heyward-Bey was one of them. Not impressed. Thats all I can say.
Posts: 21,133

05-11-2009, 11:19 AM	#14
KCrockaholic Sarcasm Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Olathe Casino cash: $4732900	"I watched 3 games on Heyward-Bey, and was not real impressed. I guess to be fair Maryland just doesnt throw the ball that much. He has awesome straight-line speed obviously, and can accelerate away from defenders. But that was in college, in the NFL I dont see him being anything special. He drops too many passes from what ive seen. I would say, Crabtree, Maclin, Harvin, Nicks, even Ramses Barden will end up with better NFL careers than Heyward-Bey. I think he is an alright kid, pretty soft-spoken in his interviews but I will be very surprised if he ends up having a good NFL career. Hes the type of player that might have 50 catches for 800 yards his rookie year, but NFL teams will quickly figure him out and be able to shut him down." Saved you the time...
Posts: 21,133