Rosterfarian
Sep 27, 2007 2007 Season, Lundy, Preview, RB free-for-all, Samkon Gado cured cancer, WR
I got so wrapped up in the weekly prediction post (which, by the way, are quickly becoming my favorite things to write) that I forgot to mention the team added TE/LS/ST Joel Dreessen and WR David Anderson to the active roster.
Now, while I was hoping for Charlie Adams because he’s 6-2 and relatively fast, I suppose David is a solid enough addition for the short term. He had one catch last year (27 yards) and 3 kick returns (30 yard average), along with three catches and on TD in the preseason. Of course, he’s also a 5-10 /196 white guy with a 4.53 40. Which is another way of saying make sure you temper your expectations accordingly.
Dreessen, aside from having bizarre back-to-back double letters in his last name, theoretically takes the place of Cedric Killings as a widebody who can run well enough to play special teams. He is also a long-snapper, which will be handy if Bryan Pittman and Jeff Zgonina die unexpectedly.
Just like a lot of people, I assumed that part of the roster additions this week would address the horrific running game that Jameel Cook and Sam Gado proffered last week. The theory is that Ron Dayne is going to be able to carry the load this week (and it’s not like the Falcons run D is much on tackling), which would make RB less of a priority. Unless he can’t. In which case we will either see Cook resume getting the bulk of the carries over Gado, which will make me scream at the TV, or see Gado assume the role of primary back, which will likely make me scream at the TV. Whither Wali Lundy?
Random tangent: Part of the non-Lundy stuff I’ve read this week has said he’s “slow.” Lundy, of course, ran a 4.43 at the combine. Gado ran a 4.68. If Wali is slow, Gado is best described as glacial.
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September 27th, 2007 at 8:29 pm
Another plus for Anderson is that he is a really bright player who runs good routes. He was last year’s energy guy in camps (he would have been this year’s try hard camp guy but he got hurt). Literally, you would see him doing just about anything they asked him to.
Mathis is now hurt by the way. Either a “lower leg” (if you believe today’s presser) or a “foot” (if you believe Manfull’s blog). Doesn’t say which leg/foot–you know, if it is the same one he had surgery on.
You see, the Texans had way too many playmakers, and Big Bad Schaub has to make everything happen on the offense by himself.
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September 28th, 2007 at 8:33 am
Running good routes is important, but I’m still not totally sold. I mean, call me crazy, but I prefer my top 3 receivers to be over 6-feet or, barring that, that they run a 4.35 40.
Thank god we are playing the Falcons this week.
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September 28th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Yeah, and make them good looking too as long as you are ordering up WRs.
I went to a talk once with Kyle Shanahan. As he discussed stuff, under their system, precise route running and good hands is valued in some ways over pure physical skill. I guess that is how an undrafted guy like Rod Smith could excel in Denver.
They want positive yardage every play so they are never in 3rd and long. Eventually defenses start showing tendencies, and then they get the big plays by exploiting those tendencies.
That being said, get well soon Andre and Baby Andre (Jacoby).
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September 28th, 2007 at 10:51 pm
I can’t allow a discussion of Gado’s speed to go by without commenting on a conversation with a guy you’ve never heard of unless you are a Husker or Texans fan. Zack Weigart was a regular of mine on Sundays after home games for the last two years. He commented to me once that he could outrun Gado, and he was 36 (at the time) with two bad knees. I know I’ve run this out before, but I had to bring it up once more.
Tangenitally, but somewhat related, I think the reason Gado is still here is the coaches love his mentality and makeup. (I’ve also served Rick Smith previously. He went out of his way to compliment Gado on his work ethic). By cutting bait early with players like Carr or Moulds (and passing on guys like Bush, Lynch, and Revis) Smithiak have shown that being a self centered bad teammate will get you cut, even if we still owe you money, you are an athletic talent, and the team needs help at your position. By drafting/signing guys like Okoye, Abbate, Clark, Turk, Schaub, and Jacoby they have demonstrated that a team oriented mentality matters as much as talent for them.
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September 29th, 2007 at 7:09 am
If figured “good looking” went without saying. That’s the de facto requirement to be on my imaginary team. Don’t judge me.
Seriously, though… I don’t know that “tall or fast” is really asking a lot when looking for a WR. Your point about route running in this system is well taken, though, and makes total sense. Before we starting mentioning Rod Smith in the same paragraph as David Anderson, let’s not forget that Smith was at least six feet tall and ran in the mid-4.4s. Just sayin’.
Dan, I love the Weigert story. I picture the two of them running, Weigert pulling away, and the rest of the team falling over laughing. Then they realize that Gado is their running back and they all start to cry.