Would Desmond Have More Success In Today's NFL?

Submitted by CarlosSpicyweiner21 on

Over the weekend I noticed Des was at the game. It got me thinking would he be a better receiver in the NFL today than he was during his career? He never really found a ton of success as a WR, and as we know was a solid return man.

 

Back then receivers needed to be 6'4 or nobody gave you much of a chance. With the game today being more about getting guys with skill the ball in space I have to think Des would have a huge amount of success today. Can you imagine him out there with the Patriots today? I am scared to think what stats he may have put up in the college game as it is now with getting guys in the open.

 

Hopefully this gave you a break from the anxiety of this week. GO BLUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mercury Hayes

November 21st, 2016 at 1:02 PM ^

Offenses throw more, defenses can't touch the receivers, and players like Wes Welker changed the game for slot receivers. Julian Edelman was a QB in college and has had a number of succesful seasons. Many other slot ninjas have had eye opening seasons. Welker had 120+ catches one year. Amendola had 80+ catches with the freakin' Rams. 

TY Montgomery has even played RB while smaller receivers like Donte Moncrief have done well too.

1 percent

November 21st, 2016 at 1:06 PM ^

Yeah, any WR would. I can't think of a WR that would have better numbers in a time when defenses could grab, hold and aim for your head than in today's game.

stephenrjking

November 21st, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^

Yes. He was an explosive athlete who could catch. He would have been a terror as a slot/slash guy, filling the role that guys like Percy Hardin and Darren Sproles have filled more recently. His problem, if I recall correctly, is that he couldn't deal with physical jams at the LOS. But the game is changed, and today coaches know how to utilize a guy with his size/skillset much better.

bacon

November 21st, 2016 at 1:44 PM ^

Des had a pretty good NFL career. 11 years, super bowl MVP. Maybe he could have had more catches and been better at WR, but the guy is in a rare group of former players at this point.

Ronnie Kaye

November 21st, 2016 at 2:09 PM ^

This is ignorant as hell. The fixation on tall wide receivers in the NFL didn't really take hold until Randy Moss came inot the league. The 80s were full of sub-6'0" WRs in the league.

pbmd

November 21st, 2016 at 8:12 PM ^

NFL players including receivers are bigger, faster and stronger today than 20 to 25 years ago.

desmond was not a NFL hall of famer but he made the pro bowl and was superbowl MVP.

his success at receiver would be commensurate with his peers- receivers do better with rules designed to help receivers.