Assessing the Receivers

by: Michael Steffes

You may have seen Billt reference this in the previous thread. Hugh Millen has been evaluating the Hawks position by position.

Recently he did the WRs, and this produced some interesting research.

Millen looked at WRs who produced 1000 yards in their 12th season, which Bobby Engram did last year, and how they faired in the following two years. Mostly, they faired very well.

He used the examples of Tim Brown, Irving Fryar, Henry Ellard, Jimmy Smith, Joey Galloway, and Keenan McCardell. All but McCardell continued to have productive seasons for a couple seasons following their 1000 yard performance in their 12th year. This is very promising for Bobby keeping up his high level of play.

However, I do feel compelled to comment on one thing ignored by Millen. All of these players were perennial 1000 yard guys. Tim Brown had 6 1000 yard seasons to his credit, Fryar had 3 at that point, Ellard 5, Jimmy Smith 8, Galloway 5, and McCardell also had already had 5 1000 yard seasons by that point. Last year was Bobby's first. He set career highs in all the major categories. Hopefully, this is the real Bobby, post thyroid condition. But, if you believe in the idea that a players numbers generally look the same year to year, and can be projected, well then Bobby's season doesn't quite fit with these other examples. It appears though, Bobby will have all the motivation he needs to make sure it happens again. ~END~