Expectations for Maclin in 2010
Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin had 56 catches for 773 yards as a rookie. How do those numbers compare to other receivers during the last five seasons? And what's in store for Maclin in 2010?
Expectations for Maclin in 2010
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
Jeremy Maclin had a standout rookie season, catching 56 balls for 773 yards.
But what's in store for him in 2010?
In order to better form an educated guess at how Maclin might perform next season, I took a look at how his rookie numbers compared to other first-year receivers since 2004.
I focused on receiving yards as the criteria for selecting this group, but also included their other stats. The following chart shows the 10 receivers whose yardage totals during their rookie seasons most resembled Maclin's total of 773:
| Player | Catches | Yds. | TDs | YPC | Rookie Year |
| Jeremy Maclin | 56 | 773 | 4 | 13.8 | 2009 |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 58 | 780 | 8 | 13.4 | 2004 |
| Calvin Johnson | 48 | 756 | 4 | 15.8 | 2007 |
| Keary Colbert | 47 | 754 | 5 | 16.0 | 2004 |
| Roy Williams | 54 | 817 | 8 | 15.1 | 2004 |
| Santonio Holmes | 49 | 824 | 2 | 16.8 | 2006 |
| Lee Evans | 48 | 843 | 9 | 17.6 | 2004 |
| Donnie Avery | 53 | 674 | 3 | 12.7 | 2008 |
| DeSean Jackson | 62 | 912 | 2 | 14.7 | 2008 |
| Greg Jennings | 45 | 632 | 3 | 14.0 | 2006 |
| Anthony Gonzalez | 37 | 576 | 3 | 15.6 | 2007 |
Not bad company, huh?
And here's how those 10 players performed in Year 2:
| Player | Catches | Yds. | TDs | YPC |
| Larry Fitzgerald | 103 | 1,409 | 10 | 13.7 |
| Calvin Johnson | 78 | 1,331 | 12 | 17.1 |
| Keary Colbert | 25 | 282 | 2 | 11.3 |
| Roy Williams | 45 | 687 | 8 | 15.3 |
| Santonio Holmes | 52 | 942 | 8 | 18.1 |
| Lee Evans | 48 | 743 | 7 | 15.5 |
| Donnie Avery | 47 | 589 | 5 | 12.5 |
| DeSean Jackson | 63 | 1,167 | 9 | 18.5 |
| Greg Jennings | 53 | 920 | 12 | 17.4 |
| Anthony Gonzalez | 57 | 664 | 4 | 11.6 |
And finally, differential from Year 1 to Year 2:
| Player | Catches | Yds. | TDs | YPC |
| Larry Fitzgerald | +45 | +629 | +2 | -0.3 |
| Calvin Johnson | +30 | +575 | +8 | +1.3 |
| Keary Colbert | -22 | -472 | -3 | -4.7 |
| Roy Williams | -9 | -130 | 0 | +0.2 |
| Santonio Holmes | +3 | +118 | +3 | +1.3 |
| Lee Evans | 0 | -100 | -2 | -2.1 |
| Donnie Avery | -6 | -85 | +2 | -0.2 |
| DeSean Jackson | +1 | +255 | +7 | +3.8 |
| Greg Jennings | +8 | +288 | +9 | +3.4 |
| Anthony Gonzalez | +20 | +88 | +1 | -4.0 |
| Totals: | +70 | +1,166 | +30 | -1.3 |
| Averages: | +7.0 | +116.6 | +3 | -0.13 |
So what can we conclude from the numbers? Here are some notes and observations:
* Six of the 10 receivers had more catches in their second years; one had the same; and three had fewer. Six of the 10 were within 10 catches (plus or minus) of their totals as rookies.
* Six of the 10 receivers had more receiving yards in their second years; four had fewer. Seven of the 10 had more touchdowns as sophomores; one had the same; and two had fewer.
* The most dramatic improvements were Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson. The most dramatic dropoff was Keary Colbert.
* Every one of the 10 guys on the list were taken in the first or second round of the draft. The highest picks were Johnson (second overall) and Fitzgerald (third overall). The lowest pick was Colbert (62nd overall).
* If Maclin falls in line with the averages, he'll project to 63 catches for 890 yards and seven touchdowns. But obviously there are several variables. It'll be Kevin Kolb, not Donovan McNabb throwing Maclin the football. Also, remember that Maclin missed a portion of training camp last year as a rookie.
* Last year at Lehigh, DeSean Jackson was the Eagles' most impressive player. When Maclin got on the practice field, his talent was evident, but I was skeptical of him having an immediate impact and picking up the offense right away. I was wrong. He came in and played very well. It'll be interesting to see how different Maclin looks this year at Lehigh.
* So, based on what you see above, what are your projections for Maclin in his second season?
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Comment removed.
How bout this analysis. Maybe McNabb is a lot like Dwight Howard. Both are great players, they get close to the end goal, but their goofiness and lack of intensity and toughness in tight important games leaves them w/o a ring. hmmm— peteike- WestPhillyGuy: Can you provide proof that KK is more accurate than 5? I don't want to hear what others say, so please provide your proof...real one.— Bigbadrookie
Kolb is clutch because he has the "it" factor. Reid realized after 2001 that McNabb was holding this team back. Reid. Couldn't hold off any longer once Kolb, a projected 5th round pick, was there for the taking in the second round. Even though the Eagles traded out of the 1st round and needed weapons he couldn't pass up on a QB who lacked the pure physical tools but had the "it" factor.- Kolb is clutch because he has the "it" factor. Reid realized after 2001 that McNabb was holding this team back. Reid. Couldn't hold off any longer once Kolb, a projected 5th round pick, was there for the taking in the second round. Even though the Eagles traded out of the 1st round and needed weapons he couldn't pass up on a QB who lacked the pure physical tools but had the "it" factor.
- Kolb is clutch because he has the "it" factor. Reid realized after 2001 that McNabb was holding this team back. Reid. Couldn't hold off any longer once Kolb, a projected 5th round pick, was there for the taking in the second round. Even though the Eagles traded out of the 1st round and needed weapons he couldn't pass up on a QB who lacked the pure physical tools but had the "it" factor.
- Lonewolf: STFU!!— Bigbadrookie
- Dragoon, forgot about that as well as Mike Vick is a dog killer and I will not root for the team and Andy Reid is fat. Thanks for the input— oharabri
- Wiffie my man, two things I have to say: 1)I hope like crazy that you are 100%, absolutely RIGHT in your assessment of and feelings for this year's Iggles team...LOVE to see it happen, and 2)You are without the shadow of a doubt, the biggest tool to ever drink kool-aid.— TBear
- I would be happy with 63 catches for 890 yards and seven touchdowns, assuming DJax and Celek post similar or better numbers than last year. I think there will be more catches in general with Kolb but not a whole lot more yards, so ypc would suffer. As long as the total TD number doesn't drop too much I'll be happy. I'm not too impressed with this defense so we'll need to put up lots of points.— troke
- Comment removed.
- I see a lot of Pinkston in Maclin. He makes a play in the open, but looks tentative when there is a crowd around. The guy has speed, but seems to play slow..especially on special teams. At best, Maclin will be an average receiver.— misplacedeaglefan
- lonewolf...i dont think anyone wants to be compared to Lawrence Taylor right now...— POTIN
- If, and that's an "Offensive line jells enough to give Kolb time to cycle through and find receivers, no injuries" kind of big if, I see Kolb having a huge year. 85 catches for Desean for 1200 years, 70 to Maclin for 900, 60 to Celek for 750, 50 to Avant for 650, and another 55 to TE Cornelius Ingram, RB's and the fourth receiver, whoever that is. That's 320 completions, or 20 a game, for 3500 yards plus, or almost 220 yards plus a game. Of course, all a big IF, but the offense has weapons and scoring hopefully won't be a huge issue for the Eagles this year. It is keeping the opposition out of the end zone that will be the issue.— Icemannj
- did he say demps playing like ed reed..did i read that wrong..u gotta be kidding me right? kolb clutch? 4td's and 7 ints is not clutch..neither is throwing two 100 yard pick sixs either...lol@mcnabb held the team back...i guess he couldn't play all 11 positions on defense plus play qb...wow@ the morons in this city...guess he was supposed to block so he can have time to throw and catch his own passes....smh...was he supposed to play special teams too?— bigjay215
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