This and he is a proven #1, Eric Decker has not garnered the attention that Hakeem Nicks has gotten in the past. Teams litterally went into games against the Giants with the goal of shutting down Nicks which allowed Victor Cruz to flourish. I cant explain the production dropoff either, but if im going to pick one, its Nicks over Decker. Personally though I would prefer we draft two WR's and sign none but ill take the guy who has proven he can succeed despite opposing defenses gameplanning to stop him. No team gameplans with the objective to take Eric Decker out of the game, he has never received that treatment. If he comes to the Jets as the #1, he would be the reciever the opposing defenses would look to shut down each game.
I will admit though if you look at Pierre Garcon, it might actually be evidence that Eric Decker could still succeed greatly.
It's not about needing evidence that Decker could succeed without other guys around him. Of course he could, or maybe he won't. Stating that he needs other big time WR's around him to succeed is just wrong though. There's no evidence to prove that. Or at least, none has been presented. I haven't even seen a good argument.
This is a nonsensical way of looking at picks. Stephen Hill could have very well gone to Chicago, been developed by the Trestman offense and turned into a stud whereas Jeffrey could have come here and been a bust. We will never know. It usually takes talent and the right circumstance for a player to break out unless they're complete freaks like Calvin Johnson, Gronk, Jimmy Graham, AJ Green etc. In hindsight the pick looks bad, but the thought process behind the Hill pick made plenty of sense. He had all the tools, we just weren't able to develop him as well as the Bears did to Jeffrey.
This is all just wrong. Could Vernon Gholston have turned into a top tier passrusher elsewhere? Extremely doubtful. Stephen Hill did not have all the tools to succeed, and thats where a huge misunderstanding of Hill comes from. Just because the guy can run in a straight line fast and is tall does not mean he has all the tools to succeed in the NFL. I feel stupid just writing that statement. He is not fluid, lacks body control, is a body catcher, can not high point a ball, struggles to create separation through breaks, ect... As I said, Tall + Fast =/= all the tools needed to succeed. Jeffery was a far superior prospect and that is the reason why he is a far superior player.
If he can stay healthy, which is a big if. I was a huge Nick,s fan coming out of College, his last Bowl game was one of the best performances I've ever seen. That being said, he's not the same player he was 5+ years ago.
This is a ridiculous way to approach anything. Your basically implying that every bust in NFL history could have had a completely different career if a different team drafted em and coached em up. Im sorry I have to disagree with that, there comes a point where a player is just either bad or he is good. Coaching does have an impact but it cant be used as an excuse. The mistakes Stephen Hill was making should have been fixed a LONG time ago, like back in college. Its clear he was never going to become a player like Jefferey, im sorry.
You speak as if Hill is already a failed pick. He's entering his THIRD season. YEAR THREE, and before he was hampered with injury he lead the league in YPC early on and was showing signs of improvement. Sure he's struggled, but he was a project to begin with, this should be expected and it's far too early to give up on an athlete of his caliber. Many receivers have taken three or even four years to figure it out: Braylon Edwards Year 1: 512/2 TD Year 2: 884 / 6TD Year 3:1289 / 16TD Vincent Jackson 2: 453/6 3: 623/3 4: 1098/7 Marty Booker 1: 219/3 2: 490/2 3: 1071/8 Santana Moss 1: 40/0 (injured) 2: 433/4 3: 1105/10 Steve Smith 1: 154/0 2: 872/3 3: 1110/7 Javon Walker 1: 319/1 2: 716/9 3: 1382/12 Ashlie Lelie 1: 525/2 2: 628/2 3: 1084/7 Roddy White 1: 446/3 2: 506/0 3: 1202/6 There's more...
I know for a fact many of us on this board raised eyebrows when we drafted Hill. The guy did not play in an offense that resembled an NFL offense.
Lax I have to agree with you on Hill. This really begs the question of why the hell and who in the hell pushed for Hill. They keep trashing Rex for his heavy hand (presumably in selecting) players in the defensive side of the ball. I respectfully submit that our scout and draft department and decision makers in the offensive side of the ball leaves a lot to be desired.,,,and that ain't on Rex.
If Hill is so good then why are we having discussions about drafting and signing WR's? The Jets dont believe in Hill and that will become evident in free agency and the draft.
Rex didn't want Hill, he fought against the pick. The Jets had Hill rated as a 1st Rd talent, big mistake.
Rex actually opposed the Hill pick. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/don_banks/08/31/stephen-hill-jets-notebook/
Look at Denver's offense, they've got Welker Decker Thomas, these guys all command attention. I just don't see Decker being the game breaker we need especially at the price he's probably going to command.
