Next year's deep threat?
Who do you think will be our next deep threat? I think we've got some pretty good receivers, but I'm not sure who (if anyone) we have as a deep jump ball threat?
I would have thought that Stonum fits the mold best, but we barely went deep to him at all this year; instead, Mathews was the primary deep threat (not his strength).
Today we even sent Shoelace deep. That makes sense because he's got speed, but I feel like we must have a better deep threat than our back-up QB?
I'm guessing that Hemmingway and Roundtree might not have the speed to stretch the field deep - do you think one of them emerges as a deep threat? Perhaps Stokes?
Alternatively, we might start sending the slots deep. A guy like Gallon can probably burn most DBs, his drawback being that he probably won't get to the jump balls.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:29 PM ^
I think Roundtree and Hemingway should both be threats next year. I'd like to see Martavious back at slot with RR and JH on the outsides in 3-wide looks.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^
His elgibility has expired. I know, Roy Roundtree.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:30 PM ^
I think we'll see more shots downfield as Forcier (or Robinson) improve their deep throws. Stonum has the potential if he does a better job going up for the ball instead of waiting for it and Koger has the size and leaping ability. Stokes was rumored to be that kind of speedster but I never got the impression during recruiting that he was a jumpball guy.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:31 PM ^
Both of those guys should be able to stretch the field. As you said, Stonum fits the bill. Not sure about Stokes' speed.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:46 PM ^
I think he's being thought of as more of a possession receiver like Matthews or Arrington or Terrell. His speed is his biggest criticism.
It'd be great to get this Kenny Stills kid in who visited today. I don't really see a #1 jersey on the roster right now. But a lot of these guys are still young.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:50 PM ^
David Terrell was no possession WR. He was an awesome deep threat. Marquise Walker was the possession guy.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:31 PM ^
How do you have a deep threat if you don't have an offense or a QB that can throw a deep ball.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^
pretty soon you'll be in negative points land. Just a couple more threads is all it will take. I'm giving it about 12 minutes
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 PM ^
Tate's shoulder was bum most of the year, and accounted for some of his interceptions. Once his AC joint heals he should be back to capacity. But, I do realize your just looking for negative reactions right now, so that's just to anybody who thinks we don't have a deep passer.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:42 PM ^
Tate's AC joint is affecting him more than he'll ever admit. He's the type that wouldn't admit it impaired his ability if his arm fell off mid-throw.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:32 PM ^
We don't need one. "Deep threats" are for run offenses looking to cash in off of play action. We want to get all of our slots (They're accumulating now) in open space so they can freak people like Smith did on his TD. What we need is to keep improving our offensive line and make sure Vincent Smith is ready to go next year. Personally i would like to see Devin Gardner run a WVU offense, where we're running the ball most of the game, but, that debate can be settled in the spring and fall camps.
If we do end up trying to go deep next year, my money is on Stonum standing out.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:41 PM ^
That was a beautiful move by Smith on that TD
November 21st, 2009 at 10:15 PM ^
Uh, even Rodriguez had deep threats at West Virginia. The name Chris Henry ring a bell? A deep threat is not just for a running team looking to cash in. Every team needs a deep threat, it will help your running game by preventing safeties from cheating up and playing in the box (see Michigan 2008).
Having a deep threat allows those slot receivers to excel in the open field as well.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:32 PM ^
will be a solid deep threat in my opinion. Stonum should be but hasn't demonstrated enough to convince me he will be. Roundtree may be as good an option for "deep" threat if you include his running after the catch.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:33 PM ^
I have to say Stonum. We barely went deep AT ALL this year, and I think that he's just the best option out of the guys that are here NOW. I don't know too much about the current prospects, but I just see Stonum being more of a jump ball threat than JR or Roundtree.
I don't think we will go deep with the slots too much, just cause it seems like RR likes to have them create by causing missed tackles. But, then, what do I know?
November 21st, 2009 at 8:36 PM ^
Having a lineup of Stonum, Hemingway and Roundtree as our starters with guys like Stokes, Gallon, Odoms, or any of the true freshman as back-ups is one of the best groups of WR's in the Big Ten. Bonus? No seniors.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:39 PM ^
Hopefully Stonum can work with Tate in the offseason and they develop some chemistry. He's a big receiver with some nice hops and can do something with the ball after the catch.
November 21st, 2009 at 8:39 PM ^
Tate seemed to underthrow a lot of deep balls later in the year. He threw a nice deep ball early in the year, so I think his arm was never completely right after the injury.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:48 PM ^
A family friend of mine, who is a retired doctor, suspects that this is the case, based on Tate's throwing motion.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:24 PM ^
I gotta agree here Stills is incredibly complete and runs a 4.36 40 according to Scout if not than DJ Williamson. Ricardo Millers well hes more of a complete guy than speed
November 21st, 2009 at 9:40 PM ^
Frankly, I don't think it was just Tate's shoulder. That certainly contributed to our inability to stretch the field, but when your QB is running for his life behind a patchwork O-line, its pretty tough for him to plant his foot, step into the throw, and let the ball fly.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:01 PM ^
cares about finding a deep threat when your Qb underthrows the deep ball too much. your o-line doesnt block long enough for that to happen, and the Wr dont even try to create anything or go deep they just sit on thier short routes when its done grab a bag of popcorn and watch tate scrambling for his life with the ball in one hand away from his body toward the ground
November 21st, 2009 at 10:22 PM ^
The reason we don't have a real deep threat is because of speed. Stonum has the best speed of all the outside receivers, he just doesn't start/play all that much. But he's still a sophomore so hopefully he'll be able to step into Mathews old shoes and play well.
DJ Williamson is a kid that pops into mind when I think of deep threat. Gotta love that straight-line burner speed. I hope he can develop as well.
Hemingway is solid, but he's a lot like Mathews, just a little slow. And we'll have to see if Je'Ron Stokes gets some playing time next year. He's a speedier guy too.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:36 PM ^
I was told DROB played wide out today. I wasn't able to catch the game due to work but did he burn any of the OSU CBs?
November 21st, 2009 at 10:37 PM ^
Nope. Turns out a lot of athletes can run pretty fast too.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:53 PM ^
We sent him deep on Tate's first interception. He was unable to get separation.
November 21st, 2009 at 10:51 PM ^
The way he finished off the season has me expecting big things next year. He had about 400 yards over the past 4 games I think and him and Forcier seem to have great chemistry. He could be an impact player next year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 12:56 AM ^
Yes. My boyfriend commented that Roundtree reminds him of Manningham, which is high praise as far as I'm concerned.
I think Tate and Roundtree work really well together, and I think we'll reap the benefits of that chemistry next year.
November 22nd, 2009 at 4:17 AM ^
I love what Roundtree has done the last few weeks, but Manningham is a bad comparison. Manningham wouldn't have gotten run down. I see Roundtree as more of a possession receicer - I don't mean that in a bad way, just saying he isn't really a threat to catch a deep ball.