Biggs: Breaking down Bears' wide receivers
February 5, 2010 8:24 AM |
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By Brad Biggs Part 5 of a 12-part series.
As disappointing as the Bears' offense was in 2009, the group that entered the season with the most question marks wound up the brightest of the bunch.
No, the Bears didn't have any Pro Bowl wide receivers -- they've had just one since 1972, Marty Booker in 2002 -- but they showed enough promise in an otherwise forgettable season to give new offensive coordinator Mike Martz reason to be excited moving forward.
That's a departure from where the Bears were a year ago, discussing Terrell Owens, Plaxico Burress and everything in between. The Bears were poised to make a move for Burress if he hadn't run an out route to jail in New York. They passed on Torry Holt, a key figure of the "Greatest Show on Turf," and it turns out they made the right move in working to develop their own.
Photo: Johnny Knox flashed big-play potential as a rookie in 2009. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
"Boy, they've got some speed," Martz gushed when asked about the group earlier in the week. "And that really is kind of a diamond to me. When you look at that group, they can be a real strength of this football team. With (Devin) Aromashodu and (Johnny) Knox is really a diamond to me, and (Devin) Hester, what he can do whether he's outside or in the slot, the matchups on these guys are extreme.
"When I went to St. Louis from Washington, Isaac Bruce was too skinny. They weren't real happy with him. He was always hurt. They drafted this little guy, Az Hakim and they didn't know what they were going to do with him. And Ricky Proehl was a slow white guy. That's three-quarters of the 'Greatest Show on Turf.' And really what we'll do with these guys ... I think there's plenty of talent there. I'm real excited about their speed and the potential, and what we'll do is give them every opportunity to explore that and not make a definition on what any one of those guys can do but let them prove to us and put no limits on them."
That's precisely what you want to hear: a coach coming into a new situation with no preconceived notions on who should fit where. The Bears still might not have a Pro Bowler in the group, but if quarterback Jay Cutler improves under Martz the way everyone expects him to, these players are only going to improve.
The Bears are going to get off the bus chucking the ball, and with that we take a look at the wide receivers in the fifth installment of a 12-part analysis of the roster.
Wide receivers
Roll call: Devin Aromashodu, Earl Bennett, Rashied Davis, Devin Hester, Juaquin Iglesias, Johnny Knox.
2009 overview: Bennett and Hester were the primary starters, but the Bears did a better job than they had in the past of rotating players and dividing playing time. The result was fairly even production from the top three, especially after the rookie Knox got off to such a fine start. Bennett proved he was a capable possession receiver and Cutler's comfort level with him was apparent. He showed no fear going across the middle and should be able to find a role in Martz's scheme, although he will be pushed to maintain a starting job. For as much flak as Hester continues to get, the numbers were pretty solid until a calf muscle pull late in the season cost him playing time. He finished with 57 receptions (tops among wide receivers) for 757 yards (13.3 average) and three touchdowns. Through the Philadelphia game in Week 11, Hester was on pace for 83 catches and 982 yards, production no one would have complained about because those that have cast him as a potential No. 1 wide receiver were mistaken. Martz mentioned using him in the slot, and ultimately he could be best there similar to a former receiver he mentioned, Hakim.
Here's the rub on Knox and Aromashodu: Just before the season, Aromashodu was slated to be the third guy. Then, he got a quad injury and was forced to the sideline while Knox took off. Had Aromashodu stayed healthy, Knox would have been inactive on game days from the start of the season. As it was, the rookie speedster from Abilene Christian, a Division II school, got his chance. Before the end of the season, Aromashodu's chance came and Cutler immediately showed a preference, pushing the ball his direction. He's a different receiver and the only big target the Bears have in the bunch, but remember that in Martz's scheme, he doesn't put a premium on size.
Davis got minimal chances in the slot,but proved to be a veteran player that his young teammates could lean on. It will be interesting to see what type of role he's able to challenge for in the new system. He has been a reliable player on special teams. Iglesias became the latest version of Bennett, a draft pick that can't get on the field as a rookie.
By the numbers: Couple interesting things we learned about the newcomers. First, as explosive as Knox was and as promising as his future is, he had only three games where he produced more than 44 yards receiving. Consistency is going to be an issue moving forward for him, but expect him to be improved with more seasoning. Second, Aromashodu's production came almost entirely in the final four games. Yes, had it happened earlier, defenses would have schemed to limit him and it would have been difficult for him to maintain the pace he was on. But his production over those four games -- 22 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns -- translates to 88 catches for 1,128 yards and 16 touchdowns over an entire season.
Free agency/draft priority: Low. Unless the Bears believe there is a good fit that is needed to take the group to the next level, it would be surprising if anything big happened here. Plot all you want about a way for the team to pry Brandon Marshall out of Denver, that just doesn't look feasible, or necessary when considering the other needs. Ditto Anquan Boldin, who the Bears offered a second-round draft pick for on draft weekend last year. If Martz sees someone who has played for him in the past and might be a nice match to help teach the offense, that wouldn't be a bad idea.
Player to watch: Knox. It wasn't difficult to catch Martz's excitement about Knox, who some over the last year have compared to former Washington Redskins Pro Bowl performer Gary Clark. Knox has the speed to be a vertical threat and has shown the tenacity needed to work between the numbers. The Bears were careful in not giving him too much as a rookie. He'll be asked to learn a lot.
Looking ahead: It's going to be a grueling offseason for the receivers. As demanding as Martz can be with his quarterbacks, he expects every bit as much from his wideouts. Position coach Darryl Drake was one two offensive coaches retained through the purge and that's because the organization was pleased with the work he did with the young receivers. Drake's job just got more challenging.
Bottom line: Hester and the rest of the bunch are going to require some mental toughness moving ahead as they dive into a new playbook. Cutler was clearly frustrated at times last season when he wasn't on the same page with his receivers. Cutler will know the playbook by the summer, you can bet on that. He's going to need his targets to be on the same page, too.
Next: Linebackers.
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