Hey Coach, Super happy for Claypool's production today. And DJ getting hurt was a big reason why Claypool had more targets. Like I said earlier, they compliment each other very well. Much like Ward/Burress. Also you can't poop on DJ's stats for getting hurt in a game. I agree now, it's time to take him off of PRs. Keep in mind though, he's still bigger than Hollywood Brown.
1) No Idea on HOF. I'd never call HOF in year 2. The only player I would say is tracking for the HOF right now is TJ and Ben. Pouncey & Heyward have a shot as well. I don't crown 2nd year players the same way Chad Johnson crowned himself a little too early.
2) Yes, I believe he and Claypool have Pro Bowl talent.
3) Yes, High target players get production, and DJ is a high target player.
4) Wallace was a TD machine. Few receivers for the Steelers had more than his 32 as a Steeler and 57 career. Wallace also played the Z. One of the best deep ball receivers we ever had, and did it on a small frame. Right now the only Steelers with more career TDs than Wallace are Stallworth, Ward, and AB. Not really a fair comparison at this time.
5) It depends on what you are looking for in a WR. DJ has better hands, runs better routes and is elite at making people miss. Claypool has more height, weight, speed, is a better combat catcher due to his size, and an excellent ST tackler. Better is a matter of perspective on what you like more in a receiver. Claypool is flash, DJ is steady. Excellent game by Claypool, but I want to see him string together more consistency. He's trending the right way though!
I'm going to rewatch the coaches film when it releases to see where Claypool lined up. They used him in the slot a lot for some mismatches on LBs. I did see him on the X edge as well.
Thanks for the replies, Cope,
On 1 ) I would add DeCastro as a possible hall of fame player.
2 ) Pro Bowl talent is easy to spot, the player often does things that few others can. Claypool for example has has shown this already. His speed, catch radius, and leaping ability are evident. His big play ability is evident in his first 4 games played. He also had the type of game that pro bowlers, if they are lucky have once per season. Johnson to me shows nothing of the sort on film. He's small, his speed is average, and his ball security is an issue. He is also injury prone as I said. He's not a not the smartest player around either, as he showed yesterday before getting hurt, tying positive yardage into a negative play. I think Claypool has pro bowl talent, I do not see it for Johnson. No way. To be selected to play in the pro bowl, you need to be one of the 8 best in the NFL, or if you prefer 4 best in the AFC.
Using 2019 PRO BOWL from the AFC those players were Hopkins, Hill, Brown and Allen. Ju-ju subbed for Brown, Landry for Allen. Johnson isn't in their class. No way. Far from it. I think he won't have much more than 800 yards ( could very well be less ) and 5 TD's this season, which is a long way from the PRO BOWL I bet heavy he doesn't crack 1,000 yards receiving. He won't likely lead his team in receiving yardage either. His current 9.8 yards per catch is low as well. He's a solid #2 or good #3, limited to short to medium routes away from the sidelines.
3 ) Johnson targets are going down, not up. Why? Ju-ju and Claypool are both better, and Ebron offers value as a good receiving TE in the red zone or over the middle.
4 ) Very good. Wallace will have abetter career than Johnson. A 6 feet even 200 pounds, he wasn't really small. Johnson at 5'10 1/2 183 pounds Johnson is small.
5 ) Johnson has good, but inconstant hands. He drops too many easy ones. Claypool isn't all flash. Take yesterday, the DB was respecting his speed so he ran and out and picked up an easy 15 years. We will see more of that. Claypool can make game changing type of plays, Johnson seldom can. That should be evident. If someone asked me you can have either Claypool or Johnson on the team, it's Claypool by a mile. I think 8 out of 10 Steeler fans would agree.
I like you last sentence. Claypool can line up as the X, Y or Z receiver with great impact. That makes him versatile and even harder to cover. Ie. He can play any position X, Y, Z ( Also as a reverse runner ). He has great size, very good deep with his speed and large catch radius.His hands seem very good. He can jump with the best of them, too. Put him in the slot. getting the 3rd DB or a Linebacker in a match up, he can take it to the house. Johnson, due to his small stature and lack of big speed is not as versatile. He's a quick route runner type who can get open short, and gain some RAC, but his patterns that he is good at are short hence his yards per catch is below average for a receiver. Jonson is not a sideline guy, nor a good red zone thread, Claypool is both. As a blocker Claypool is very strong. Johnson gets slated away easily...not his fault there is a 24 pound difference between the two. THis means as a split wide option, or Y Claypool can be a real factor as a blocker. We saw it already.
I don't see Johnson's breakout anytime soon. We just aw Claypools break out yesterday. As I said before, I see Johnson as slightly slower E Sanders when he's healthy. Of the WRs picked from 2000 to current, I don't see Johnson's being among the 5 best. I'd put Claypool over him as well.
Ward
Brown
Ju-ju
Wallace
Sanders
Holmes
Burress
We have had some really good ones. Bryant while he was here and clean, I think was a better player too though that is arguable.
-Coach
