Opinion Man speaks out on WRs

QB inexperience won't hurt Moss' TD productivity

By Ron Pollack, Editor-in-chief
May 12, 2000

While it remains to be seen how good Daunte Culpepper will or won’t be this season, I have absolutely no doubt that Randy Moss will continue to find the endzone with great frequency. The guy would catch double-digit TD passes with me at quarterback. He’s that good. OK, so that’s going to a ridiculous extreme (one hit by an angry defensive end and you’d be writing my eulogy). That said, any NFL quarterback able to heave the ball down the field is more than enough for the amazingly talented Moss. He’s unstoppable on the deep ball. he’s unstoppable on the jump ball. What amazes me the most is how graceful he is and how effortless he makes everything he does look. You can criticize him all you want for lapses in concentration and disinterest in practice, game films, disciplined route running, etc., but when the bright lights go on there’s no one more dangerous at his position.

The most amazing thing I can say about new Buccaneers WR Keyshawn Johnson is that he just might be better than he thinks he is.

There may not be a receiver more in sync with his quarterback than Colts WR Marvin Harrison is with Peyton Manning.

As productive as he is, it seems to me that Jaguars WR Jimmy Smith is not yet a big enough household name.

I think one of the most intriguing wide receivers in football for the 2000 season is Joey Galloway. He doesn’t really seem like the perfect fit for Cowboys QB Troy Aikman, but Galloway is such a talented wide receiver that it will be great fun to see how he and Aikman develop. I would have thought the Cowboys would have added a go-to, go-over-the-middle wideout. Still, the tandem of Galloway and Rocket Ismail should really stretch the field. If Aikman can take advantage of that, it should only help Emmitt Smith and the running game.

If he ever decides to go this route, I think Vikings WR Cris Carter would make a sensational coach.

I think Marcus Robinson will knock on the door of superstardom this season for the Bears.

Patriots WR Terry Glenn is a very good player, but I don’t think he will be a great player year in and year out. He’s a top 10 wide receiver, but he should be hanging out in the rarefied air of Randy Moss and Keyshawn Johnson.

Broncos WR Ed McCaffrey does not get anywhere close to enough credit for the way he plays.

I don’t think last year was a fluke for Redskins WR Michael Westbrook. He might not become a superstar in this league, but I think he will become a star.

I think Cardinals WR David Boston will make huge strides this season.

I don’t think last season was a fluke for Panthers WR Patrick Jeffers.

If I were running a team that needed a wide receiver, I still wouldn’t bring in Carl Pickens. His attitude wouldn’t be worth the trouble to me now that his play has started to slip. There’s a very good chance that his play could rebound if he gets out of Cincinnati, but I’d rather let another team take the risk on him.

I blinked and all of a sudden the Bears have amazing depth at wide receiver. When did that happen? All of these weapons should be a lot of fun to watch in Chicago’s innovative passing attack.

Click here for Opinion Man's views on RBs
Click here for Opinion Man's views on QBs

The Archives
1999 - 2000 Season