My Top 10 Receiving Corps
Jeremy just posted his "top 10 receiving corps according to him" and just as I did during the break I'll have to disagree with him on a few of his selections. While the overall quality of the receiving corps is what's being evaluated, I do feel it's very important to keep in mind who will be getting these guys the ball. This is why on my list you will no longer find the Arizona Cardinals who a year ago were in the conversation for the number 1 spot on this list. The offense not only lost Anquan Boldin to the Baltimore Ravens, but the quarterback position once held by possible future hall of famer Kurt Warner is completely up in the air. With 2 weeks left to go till the start of the regular season, it's yet to name a replacement. The top 10 receiving corps in the league according to ME looks like this.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
Not included on Jeremy's list but as Arizona exited Philadelphia made its way in. Though I'm not quite as big a fan of Kevin Kolb as others seem to be, I would agree that he has many weapons to work with. Desean Jackson remains one of the biggest deep threats in the league and can only improve in a second year with Jeremy Maclin who was drafted to stretch the field in the same way Desean does. Both have big play ability and when you couple that with a solid tight end in Brent Celek, you'll find yourself on this list.
9. San Diego Chargers
Add Vincent Jackson to this mix and the favorites out of the AFC West look even more attractive. Malcolm Floyd who's been forced to become the team's number 1 receiver, is joined by Legedu Naanee who's surprised many with his contributions in San Diego. Antonio Gates remains one of the leagues elite Tight Ends and because of this always keeps the Chargers offense among the best in the league.
8. Houston Texans
If I were to ask you "who threw for the most yardage last year?" you'd answer Peyton Manning, Drew Brees or maybe even Philip Rivers. You'd also be wrong because the answer to that is Matt Schaub. Matt may be throwing to the best receiver in the league in Andre Johnson which may help that statistic. The biggest secret in the league is Tight End Owen Daniels who quietly is becoming one of the best Tight Ends in the league. Jacoby Jones has big play ability and can stretch the field while Kevin Walter is a solid number 2 option.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are not as high on my list as they are on Jeremy's but may have been if Stallworth wasn't lost for the first half of the season. Though they added a great player in Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason is a year older. I felt Donte Stallworth was a key addition to this team and I may have been more in favor of it than others when the deal was done as I felt Donte brought a different element to that New England Patriots undefeated team. He was huge after the catch and with his loss you'll see more Mark Clayton and maybe even a young David Reed.
6. New Orleans Saints
I have been pretty vocal in my opinion of Drew Brees and do feel he's a great quarterback, but with that said feel he's going to take a step back this year. He may still have a solid year and I may be completely wrong but I don't feel the Saints field a playoff team this year. Their receiving corps is still solid as Marques Colston and Robert Meachem are both very good players. At this stage in his career, Jeremy Shockey is also still a very good football player but I don't see any great players. Reggie Bush is also a threat out of the backfield, and Devery Henderson still is a decent third option.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Quite possibly could be the biggest surprise on this list as an offense that struggled through the air last year could take a huge jump this year. When Antonio Bryant was signed instead of Terrell Owens, I felt it was a huge mistake as I am of the opinion that Owens still has something left in the tank. I never was a Bryant guy and with his recent release you can see exactly why I wasn't. Terrell, on the other hand, still has some speed and can still get open. Couple that with Ocho Cinco and new slot receiver Jordan Shipley and all of a sudden, Carson Palmer has a few toys to play with. Add rookie tight end Jermaine Gresham, who has received high praise from quarterback Carson Palmer, and you've got a much better offense than you had last year. Much better.
4. Dallas Cowboys
If Dez Bryant is as good as everybody seems to suggest he is, this receiving corps may be even better than this position. Miles Austin proved last year he was a legitimate number 1 receiver but will have to do it again to fully convince others he deserves that title. Jason Witten is huge on 3rd downs and is frequently on Romo's radar and with a 3rd option in Roy Williams who was a number 1 for many years in Detroit, and you've got a difficult offense to game plan for.
3. New England Patriots
This receiving corps may have dropped if it included anybody else not named Moss but with the presence of the most dominate receiver I've ever seen, you have to keep it this high on the list. Randy Moss cannot be contained with single coverage and will create room for everybody else on the field. Wes Welker has benefited greatly from it, and if he can return to his pre-injury form, will do so again. Julian Edelman has also had a year of experience in the offense and will also help move the ball. Also as the Ravens did this year, the Patriots drafted 2 tight ends who could have an immediate impact in Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. Those guys will also receive some decent advice on the position as veteran Alge Crumpler is also now a Patriot.
2. Green Bay Packers
As I've stated a few times before, Aaron Rodgers may very well now be in the conversation of "best quarterbacks in the league not named Brady or Manning". He has a few options down field as well as Greg Jennings has proven he can stretch the field and Donald Driver still is very productive in his later years as is the case here with Derrick Mason. Jermichael Finley also absolutely looks the part and may be on his way to the next great Tight End in this league. Jordy Nelson and James Jones are also very solid players as is Donald Lee, the 2nd tight end. The Green Bay Packers, if they can protect Aaron Rodgers, will put up a lot of points this year and when it's all said and done could have the best offense in football.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Now this has absolutely nothing to do with my support of the Colts because if this list were for the best offensive line in football or for the best running game, you'll see I won't even have the Colts listed. The fact of the matter is that the team is stacked at this position. Reggie Wayne remains one of the best receivers in football, and may be the best route runner in the game. Pierre Garcon has the potential to be among the leagues best also and can stretch the field in the way Marvin Harrison did for so many years. Last year the league got a glimpse of his speed and playmaking ability and I believe this year it will be showcased again. Austin Collie, as a rookie last year caught 60 balls for 676 yards and has shown he can play the Slot with the best of them. Anthony Gonzalez who was a first round pick and was selected to replace the aforementioned Marvin Harrison gets lost in all of this because an injury sidelined him for the entire year last year. He's back this year and can prove to be a huge contributor. Dallas Clark is the tight end nobody talks about yet creates match up problems week in and week out. His production at the position was only surpassed by Antonio Gates last year and actually 21 more balls than the "standard at the position." Because the Colts running game has struggled the past couple of years people mistake this with inability of Joseph Addai to run the football when it fact, Addai is hugely important to the success of the offense and is great catching the ball out of the backfield.
