LOONEY -Charting the 53

[C-Mac]

CHARTING THE 53
September 16th – 6:00 AM

The Chiefs made their newest member of the club’s 53-man roster official yesterday afternoon. As WR Bobby Wade’s membership was put into ink by Kansas City, “Tryout Tuesday” was going on across the league. With many vested veterans available for hire, Week Two in the NFL has already proven to be an active week on the NFL’s transaction wire.

So, what does Wade bring to the table in Kansas City? I mean, we all know he can catch the football. But what does he bring that is different from all of the other players available on the market (and there are some big names out there – WRs Lance Long and Hank Baskett seem to be getting the most love from Chiefs fans I’ve talked to).

To me, it seems like Wade matches with the Chiefs on two accounts. His first match with Kansas City is the fact that Wade and head coach Todd Haley worked together in Chicago, during Wade’s rookie season (2003). There’s your base. Match One: Familiarity.

But “Chiefs match” number two is the most important. You see, Wade just might be part of the “right 53.”

“The thing I’ve been stressing to these guys is finding the right 53,” Haley said about his message to Chiefs players. “We’re going to do it at all costs. Every day is an evaluation, and if you’re not out there, how can we depend on you? If you’re out there and don’t know what to do, how can we depend on you?”

So why depend on Wade? How might he fit into the “right 53?” What makes the former all-time receiving leader at the University of Arizona, and seven-year NFL veteran, worth a shot? Two matches: Familiarity and need.

“After reviewing the tape, I thought special-teams wise it was a pretty solid performance,” Haley said yesterday. “Our special teams gave us a chance to win in most areas, but I would have liked to be better in the return game.”

That quote right there, paired with Haley’s post-game comment about being a bit disappointed in the awareness and technique of the Chiefs receivers core this Sunday, opened the door for a need. Those needs at receiver and at returner, paired with familiarity, are what looks like made Bobby Wade the newest Kansas City Chief.

Wade can return the football (50 kickoff returns for 1,194 yards/57 punt returns for 500 yards with a TD) and Wade can catch the football (208 receptions for 2,491 yards and seven TDs). He has the potential to fill two needs that Haley has identified. He has a chance to be part of the “right 53.”

Now it’s up to Wade to become dependable to this coaching staff. If the newest Chief is uncertain of expectations, which I’m sure he’s not, Haley left his receiving core some hints yesterday.

“Like I tell them: are you doing it how we’re coaching you and then it comes down to how well are you able to do it,” Haley said of the Chiefs wide receivers. “Talent is the great separator. There may be some guys who are doing it the way we want it done but maybe they’re just not good enough. Then maybe there are some guys that probably potentially could be really good but they’re not doing it the way we want it done.

“I want football players who are physical, physical receivers like I want at every position, guys who help block in the run game,” Haley continued. “I want football players, not just pass catchers, and then that have the ability to make plays when their number is called and in critical situations in difficult press coverage man-to-man.”

[DaFace]

Originally Posted by salame

Lance Long Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Bobby Wade Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)

lets get some more undersized receivers guys

That doesn't necessarily mean anything (see Eddie Royal). It's tough to be the #1 at that size, but that doesn't mean they can't play a big role in an offense.

[milkman]

Originally Posted by salame

Lance Long Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Bobby Wade Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)

lets get some more undersized receivers guys

Steve Smith, 5'8", 185.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by milkman

Steve Smith, 5'8", 185.

Damn it, MM, I was about to inform him that Steve Smith was coming over to break his jaw.

[yashi]

Wes Welker, Lance Moore, DeSean Jackson... size doesn't matter, at least that's what I keep telling myself.

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by salame

Lance Long Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Bobby Wade Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)

lets get some more undersized receivers guys

Steve Smith Height: 5 ft 9 in Weight: 185

2 inches shorter than Long AND Wade. He must suck!

Or... You must not watch much of the NFL.

[Pasta Little Brioni]

Originally Posted by salame

Lance Long Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)
Bobby Wade Height: 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) Weight: 186 lb (84 kg)

lets get some more undersized receivers guys

If they can get open and catch the ball, I don't care if they are 5 ft.

[salame]

Randy Moss Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Reggie Wayne Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Andre Johnson Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 223 lb (101 kg)
Terrell Owens Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
Jerry Rice Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Michael Irvin Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Dwayne Bowe Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
Ochocinco Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Larry Fitzgerald Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Anquan Boldin Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)


you guys gave me 3 and I could keep going if I wanted
my point is the Haley is used to success with two elite receivers who can manhandle the corners and safeties
general thought is that if the receiver is taller than the corner he has a better chance to catch the football
or are you not familiar with common sense?

the reason I put rice and irvin in there is not because I think all the people I listed are equally talented but they are considered two of the better wrs to play the game

[yashi]

Originally Posted by salame

Randy Moss Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Reggie Wayne Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Andre Johnson Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 223 lb (101 kg)
Terrell Owens Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
Jerry Rice Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Michael Irvin Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Dwayne Bowe Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
Ochocinco Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Larry Fitzgerald Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Anquan Boldin Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)


you guys gave me 3 and I could keep going if I wanted
my point is the Haley is used to success with two elite receivers who can manhandle the corners and safeties
general thought is that if the receiver is taller than the corner he has a better chance to catch the football
or are you not familiar with common sense?

the reason I put rice and irvin in there is not because I think all the people I listed are equally talented but they are considered two of the better wrs to play the game

Steve Smith
Wes Welker
Eddie Royal
Santonio Holmes
Santana Moss
DeSean Jackson
Lance Moore
Devin Hester
Lee Evans
Ted Ginn
Donnie Avery

Of course there's going to be more quality big receivers. They have a natural advantage. But talent is infinitely more important.

[The Franchise]

Originally Posted by salame

Randy Moss Height: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Reggie Wayne Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Weight: 198 lb (90 kg)
Andre Johnson Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 223 lb (101 kg)
Terrell Owens Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 224 lb (102 kg)
Jerry Rice Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Michael Irvin Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 207 lb (94 kg)
Dwayne Bowe Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Weight: 221 lb (100 kg)
Ochocinco Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 192 lb (87 kg)
Larry Fitzgerald Height: 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)
Anquan Boldin Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Weight: 217 lb (98 kg)


you guys gave me 3 and I could keep going if I wanted
my point is the Haley is used to success with two elite receivers who can manhandle the corners and safeties
general thought is that if the receiver is taller than the corner he has a better chance to catch the football
or are you not familiar with common sense?

the reason I put rice and irvin in there is not because I think all the people I listed are equally talented but they are considered two of the better wrs to play the game

You do realize that we're not expecting Wade or Long to be our #1 receiver.....right?

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by salame

you guys gave me 3 and I could keep going if I wanted
my point is the Haley is used to success with two elite receivers who can manhandle the corners and safeties

Haley coached Steve Breaston last year and he is exactly 1 inch taller/3 pounds heavier than Lance Long.
A difference that is probably pretty difficult to notice from eyeballing them.

For every great Wide Receiver who is 6' or taller I can name two bums equally as tall/big.

It's the talent that ultimately makes the difference.

Stop with this... Please.

[Mecca]

I can't believe Greg Jennings is in no one's WR list...

[salame]

Eddie Royal had one good year

[RustShack]

Seems like Long sucked balls in college for a school that wasn't even that good... I mean I wanted him because I heard the Cards like him a lot... but the stats surprise me.

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by salame

Eddie Royal had one good year

Dude. I hope you're being sarcastic.

[htismaqe]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Haley coached Steve Breaston last year and he is exactly 1 inch taller/3 pounds heavier than Lance Long.
A difference that is probably pretty difficult to notice from eyeballing them.

For every great Wide Receiver who is 6' or taller I can name two bums equally as tall/big.

It's the talent that ultimately makes the difference.

Stop with this... Please.

It's not just that. Steve Breaston wasn't really all that fast either. According to NFL Draft Scout, his low was 4.43 and his high was 4.51, so he's an average 4.46. Not only is he a productive reciever, they turned him into a RETURNER.