Baskett: Eagles receivers among league's best
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Baskett: Eagles receivers among league's best
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Count Hank Baskett among those who think the Eagles are just fine at the wide receiver position.
In a video interview on the team's Web site, Baskett said the Eagles have an advantage over other teams because they can throw five different talented receivers at defenses.
"When you have just one receiver, yeah that one receiver can make a lot of plays, but in the NFL, injuries happen," Baskett said. "What if you put all your eggs in one basket and that big-play receiver gets hurt? Then what? Then it's a widespread panic."
Baskett listed the team's five receivers -- DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant and himself -- and described what each player brings to the table.
"That's five dangerous weapons right there that you don't know what to do with," he said. "You can't gameplan all five of us."
And finally, he said the Birds' receiving corps is among the best in the NFL.
"I would definitely say our recievers stack amongst the best in the league. Some teams that they say have great receivers, they have one receiver. That's not great receivers. That's a great receiver," Baskett said. "... When you got a mixed group of guys that can fill every one of those different categories, that helps out because if one goes down, you have a guy that can come in, as we did last year, and still make things happen."
What does the MTC audience think? Agree or disagree with Baskett's assessment?
I think I know which way this one's going to go...
I don't know what you've been smoking, but pack another bowl for me.— ematusko- They have a bunch of good receivers and one potentially very, very good one. That makes the receivers, as a group, good. If they were to get a Boldin type, that would make the rest of the group much, much better because he would draw double teams and open it up for the rest. Bottom line: we don't need one, but we would definitely be a much better offense with one (see 2004 with TO, the last time the offense was consistent)— woogie
- I'll take the next hit after you ematusko. Personally, I can't stand this kind of talk. Did the Eagles forget how they lost the game that would have gotten them to the Super Bowl? Where were these guys when we needed them? How about some humility? How about we have to work harder this year, we didn't get it done? They're resting on laurels they don't have.— notch44
- Kendra has ol' Hank thinkin' nothin' but positive thoughts.— StopThePanic
- First of all, what do you expect Baskett to say? Do you expect him to say "I think myself and the other WRs suck?". Give me a break. I would have no respect for the guy if he didn't have confidence in himself and his teammates or if he trashed his teammates in the media. As for as facts, the Eagles were 6th in the league in passing yards, tied for 8th in passing TDs, and 6th in points. So production-wise, the Eagles were around the 6th best passing team in the NFL. Based on the stats, I don't think Baskett is that far off base despite the the beliefs of some clueless fans who think players "suck" unless they are All-Pro or share similar brilliantly articulated viewpoints. That doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement, but there's always room for improvement on a football team. If you took all 5 of our WRs, would you trade the entire group of WRs to the Cowboys, Giants or Redskins for their entire group of WRs? No way. We don't have that incredible 1-2 punch like Boldin/Fitzgerald...of course, neither does any other team in the NFL. I don't know of any teams that have better 3 through 5 WRs though. It would just be nice to get a Boldin to put in that #1 spot and just make us even better at spots 3-5 also. Westbrook can't be overlooked here though. He's the best receiving back in the NFL and, when healthy, catches a ton of passes so we're not as reliant on our WRs for the passing game as a lot of other teams.— JimG
- being confident is one thing. being completely delusional is another story.— jayfril
Comment removed.- I think the WR corps and Donovan would benefit from some consistency in who is playing from week to week. I know its great to have a bunch of guys to throw to but way too often a guy, like Baskett, could have 8 catches one week but only 1 or none the following week. If they don't get a guy like Boldin or somehow find a stud in the draft, I say stick with Jackson, Avant, and Baskett as the top 3 guys. Curtis is a nice player but he doesn't exactly strike fear into any defense. I say stick with those three like the Colts did with Harrison, Wayne, and Stokely/Gonzalez. They line up the same guys in the same position almost every play and just say to the defense that they belive their guys are better than yours. And a majority of the time, they were right. Oh and throw the fade to Baskett every time in the REDZONE (like the Giants have done to us with Burress) and make people stop him. The guy is 6'-4" and can jump through the roof! Here it is. Stop it if you can!— USNPatriot
- That's like calling Coach Reid , skinny. Dude, take off the blinders. A Temple WR with one leg can do more than Reggie Brown. Eagles need an enema!— Big Ragu
- Comment removed.
- Once again the fools have come with their haterade and nonsensical posts! Gimme a break! Our WRs are a good lot. Who else can catch a ball in the ground or 6 feet over your head the way our WRs can? Since McWhiner tends to throw where the opposition and even our WRs can't get the ball, its good to have these 6 guys who can get the ball where its thrown sometimes. Hank Baskett is a good tall reciever who has good hands. Look at some of his highlights from other games. If he gets the ball in a good stride, he can break out for a TD like he has doen in the past. Figure on DeSean getting better this year and Kevin Curtis catching passes in the middle and forget about us getting a stud WR. We don't need one. Now, A stud TE? Yeah we can use one of those.....
How many passes did Westbrook catch? If you take out his stats what's left? I'd like to know. If the offense was more balanced ( running game) he may not be far off. Not saying that quintet is the greatest show on turf, but they'd be more effective with some balance as well as more consistency from the QB. Hit them in stride, fewer over/under throws. Is there a stat(s) to calculate missed opps? Not trying to get all sabremetric here, but I for one would like to see some coaches game film.— fuss77- I want a pound of that s--t he smoking. He has to be smoking something to feel this good (stupid). D-Jack, Kevin Curtis are great receivers. Then,...— sheek2109
- I agree with Woogie. I think the receivers are good with DeSean having potential to be exceptional but adding a legitimate number one would make the other receivers that much better. Acquire Boldin then he would draw double teams which would free up Jackson. He would need additional attention which would free things up underneath. With a healthy Westbrook, a Boldin, and a possible first round back, it gives the opponent many different looks and would be a nightmare for defensive coordinators.— blackknight
- I just wonder how good they really could be with an accurate QB— JamesJ
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