Select few have top talent at three offensive skill positions

[The Falcon Jedi Knight]

Select few have top talent at three offensive skill positions

• NFL.com
• Published: June 10, 2011 at 08:37 p.m.
• Updated: June 11, 2011 at 08:16 p.m.
• Liked: 1 | Comments: 90

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Bob Donnan / US Presswire Matt Ryan (left), Michael Turner and Roddy White are all among the best players at their positions in the league. <br clear="all">

Position rankings: Quarterbacks | Running backs | Receivers

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Over the course of the past few weeks, Pat Kirwan has compiled lists for the top quarterbacks, running backs and receivers in the game. Only four teams had players ranked among the top 15 at each of the three positions:

Falcons

Running back Michael Turner and receiver Roddy White are both in the top five at their positions, and Matt Ryan is in the top 10 at quarterback.

Michael Turner: A solid workhorse who finished third in the league in rushing and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns. The Falcons' passing game creates conflicts for defenses, and Turner will benefit from a high number of run audibles against two-high safeties. He could have a big year.

Roddy White: He has 200 receptions and 21 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

Matt Ryan: A rising star with 66 touchdown passes and just 34 interceptions in his first three years.

Texans

The Texans are represented by running back Arian Foster and wide receiver Andre Johnson in the top five at their positions. Matt Schaub comes in among the top 15 quarterbacks.

Arian Foster: A rising star who did it all in his first season as a starter, finishing first in rushing yards and second in runs of more than 10 yards.

Andre Johnson: He has 187 receptions and 17 touchdowns the last two seasons.

Matt Schaub: Probably belongs in the top 10, but winning has to be part of the equation to move up. He threw for 4,370 yards and 24 touchdowns last season.

Eagles

The Eagles have a player slotted in the top 10 at all three positions.

Michael Vick: He turned his life around and not only recaptured his career, but has improved as a quarterback.

LeSean McCoy: McCoy led the NFL in receptions (78) among running backs and was fourth in yards from scrimmage. He's on his way to big things.

DeSean Jackson: He's a big play waiting to happen and one of only two receivers with a 20-yard average over the past two seasons (Steelers wideout Mike Wallace is the other). He also has 20 total touchdowns in that span.

Giants

Quarterback Eli Manning made the top 10, and running back Ahmad Bradshaw and wide receiver Hakeem Nicks each rank in the top 15.

Eli Manning: He appears to be underrated with 4,000-plus passing yards while ranking fourth in touchdown passes (31).

Ahmad Bradshaw: He's an explosive back and a threat as a receiver. He moved into the feature role last season ahead of Brandon Jacobs and had a ratio of 1:8 in 10-yard runs per attempt. He could be a free agent this year.

Hakeem Nicks: The sky is the limit for this kid after posting 126 receptions and 17 touchdowns in his first two

Edited June 12, 2011 by The Falcon Jedi Knight

[Mr. Right]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

[Guest Gritz]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

Because we have a plodding, by-the-numbers offense.

Take up your question with Mike Mularkey.

[pzummo]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

Explosive and top talent are not synonomous. Bettis in his prime was a top talent at RB because he was a battering ram that would pick up the 1-2 yards needed for a TD. Consistency has a LOT more to do with being a top talent than explosiveness.

By the way, nice article. I wish they would've said "top talent at four" instead though. That would've knocked a couple more off that list. Tony G is still a top 10 TE, and according to the top 100 list he was top 5. I am not sure if Celek would still make the top 10, although I do think he's a very good TE. The Giants wouldn't make the list anymore.

[SyCo]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

I guess the question is would each individual excel on other teams. Looking at other teams on the list.. When Vick was with the falcons, the running game was explosive. Every player named Vick could run over any given defense, but the passing game was garbage.

If you put Eli on the Browns, is he top ten, or has he been benched and traded already? Does Foster come out swinging if he doesnt have a Schaub there to back up the defense? No one knows I guess..

I'm on the fence about Ryan and the falcons, I think each individual excels with other teams, but they don't have as much success as they find together. As far as explosive goes.. they werent going for explosive, they were controlling the clock, and holding the ball. It's difficult to rack up 30 points when each drive takes 11 minutes off the clock

[atljbo]

Let me start this off with... We was 5th in points per game so its not like we was slouches... The problem is... When your offenses is heavily controlled on ball control... Your stats is not going to be awesome because you are running so many plays and cutting the clock down so much (thatswhy we are in the middle of the pact in some offensive categories)... But if you get behind by 2+ TD's.. Its all most like your done because you are so much off your gameplan...

Like Jimmy Johnson said... during the season we will easily win 10 games and make it to the playoffs.. But in the playoffs its all about explosiveness.

In come Julio Jones.... I honestly think TD and the Coaches plan on changing that... Our stats should be better... With the Julio Jones and that trade...The offense should change some.. I think that would help Turner also...

[Dem Birds]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

There's that word "We" again....

[Mid-Nite-Toker]

The ATL offense only missed the electrifing burst of Norwood the last 2 seasons. Even in 09 when we missed Ryan and Turner for some games the "O" did not go entirely to peices. I can't say the same for the "D" when BWill went out in 09-10 and 10-11.

Mularkey's style is adequate to keep us a float but his player utilization skills and adjustments are suspect. A solid season from our big 3 and contributions from JJ and Quizz could move ATL into the elite category when it comes to "O"...in spite of the Mularkey.

[falconwannabe]

I guess the question is would each individual excel on other teams. Looking at other teams on the list.. When Vick was with the falcons, the running game was explosive. Every player named Vick could run over any given defense, but the passing game was garbage.

If you put Eli on the Browns, is he top ten, or has he been benched and traded already? Does Foster come out swinging if he doesnt have a Schaub there to back up the defense? No one knows I guess..

I'm on the fence about Ryan and the falcons, I think each individual excels with other teams, but they don't have as much success as they find together. As far as explosive goes.. they werent going for explosive, they were controlling the clock, and holding the ball. It's difficult to rack up 30 points when each drive takes 11 minutes off the clock

I agree and I would much rather take 11 minutes off the clock and score than to be explosive and give the opposing team the ball back with time on the clock.

[Quarterback]

Because we have a plodding, by-the-numbers offense.

Take up your question with Mike Mularkey.

LOL! You hit the...

[Karst41]

Our only weakness on Offense is LT and OC.

Should we have a Full Training Camp and Season Baker and Mularkey

both need to show improvement.

Ryan also needs to improve on his audibles, and I believe that our

new QB's Coach will make his mark quickly.

But with each passing day of the lock out we lose a day of film study between the

Brat and his QB's.

But there is no doubt that with time lost Brat will have condensed his notebook

to maximize Film study.

[The Dirty Bird]

If they were going to include Eli, Bradshaw, and Nicks I wonder why they wouldn't include:

Steelers

QB: Roethlisberger (Top 5)

RB: Mendenhall (Top 10 and improving)

WR: Mike Wallace (Top 15 and improving)

Chiefs

QB: Cassell (solid Top 15)

RB: Charles (Top 5)

WR: Bowe (Top 10)

Packers

QB: Rodgers (Top 5)

RB: Grant (Top 15 when healthy)

WR: Jennings (Top 10, could be argued into Top 5)

(the ones below are ones to look out for in the future, not in this list)

Saints

QB: Brees (Top 5)

RB: Ingram (going to be good)

WR: Colston (Top 15, would be higher if the Saints didn't spread the ball so much)

Chargers

QB: Rivers (Top 5)

RB: Matthews (should be good and into Top 15)

WR: V. Jackson (Top 10)

Lions

QB: Stafford (if healthy, Top 15)

RB: Best (if healthy, Top 15)

WR: C. Johnson (Top 5)

Titants (Locker, CJ, Britt), Bucs (Freeman, Blount, Williams/Benn), and Cowboys (Romo, Jones/Murray, Austin/Bryant) are all teams who could vie for this as well but those depend on development (Locker/Britt, all of the Bucs, and Jones/Murray/Bryant -- respectively) for these team to enter this group. The other 3 futures listed are based more on players staying healthy.

[FalconFanSince1970]

Because we have a plodding, by-the-numbers offense.

Take up your question with Mike Mularkey.

Or take up the question with Matt Ryan and TonyG. In 2008 Mularkey's offense was:

2nd - 40+ yard rushes

5th - 20+ yard rushes

10th - 40+ yard receptions

10th - 20+ yard receptions

When TonyG came on the scene the attack was shortened and less explosive.

[paulitik]

Or take up the question with Matt Ryan and TonyG. In 2008 Mularkey's offense was:

2nd - 40+ yard rushes

5th - 20+ yard rushes

10th - 40+ yard receptions

10th - 20+ yard receptions

When TonyG came on the scene the attack was shortened and less explosive.

I think Julio is going to alleviate that problem.

[Guest Spot on Dtan8]

HAHA. Ryan and Fat*** Turner Elite? Give me a break.

Roddy, despite his idiocy, is the only "elite" player of the three.

[FalconFanSince1970]

I think Julio is going to alleviate that problem.

Not if Roddy and TonyG keep getting the majority of the snaps. Ryan needs to add another 30+ receiver without losing one. The best way is to give Julio some of Roddy and TonyG's snaps.

Right now he has four 30+ receivers with Roddy, TonyG, Jenkins and Snelling. He has added one each year and is now one of the top 10 QBs in that category. He could get to the top 8 with Julio and maybe to the elite 3 with Julio and either HD or Quizz. He'll need to add four 30+ receivers to get on Brees' level.

[atljbo]

Or take up the question with Matt Ryan and TonyG. In 2008 Mularkey's offense was:

2nd - 40+ yard rushes

5th - 20+ yard rushes

10th - 40+ yard receptions

10th - 20+ yard receptions

When TonyG came on the scene the attack was shortened and less explosive.

I dont think Mularkey is as bad as some think but i still think thats on Mularkey play calling... I dont see us running seam routes... HD had some great catches in the seam (against Chicago in 08)... In 09 Marty Booker caught a couple of important balls running a seam route.

I'm not buying that when Tony G got here stuff... It has zero to do with him... Its about play calling/short routes (Mularkey) .. Looking at those 08 games... We just took more chances... Its just the ball control offense period.... I think the whole coaching Staff knows that has to be tweaked (offense) .

Not if Roddy and TonyG keep getting the majority of the snaps. Ryan needs to add another 30+ receiver without losing one. The best way is to give Julio some of Roddy and TonyG's snaps.

Right now he has four 30+ receivers with Roddy, TonyG, Jenkins and Snelling. He has added one each year and is now one of the top 10 QBs in that category. He could get to the top 8 with Julio and maybe to the elite 3 with Julio and either HD or Quizz. He'll need to add four 30+ receivers to get on Brees' level.

I see Julio Jones becoming more of our #2 target .

I see HD getting 30+ receptions also

[raysnill1]

Or take up the question with Matt Ryan and TonyG. In 2008 Mularkey's offense was:

2nd - 40+ yard rushes

5th - 20+ yard rushes

10th - 40+ yard receptions

10th - 20+ yard receptions

When TonyG came on the scene the attack was shortened and less explosive.

don't try to put that on Tony G. Mularkey offenses always drop off by year three. just look at his history. I get criticized a lot because I think we have one of the most talented teams in the league because of what our players are able to accomplish in spite of having one of the most predictable offenses ever. with the addition of JJ & Quizz, Harry being 100% and having Meier return, we should have a very explosive team and if we're not lighting defenses up then that's on Mularkey because he has the weapons to do damamge now.

[FalconFanSince1970]

don't try to put that on Tony G. Mularkey offenses always drop off by year three....

What? In 2010 Mularkey's offense was:

1st - fourth down conversion%

2nd - time of possession

3rd - third down conversion%

3rd - fewest sacks allowed

3rd - fewest giveaways

4th - total first downs

4th - fewest INTs

5th - points scored

8th - passing TDs

9th - rushing TDs

9th - rushing first downs

9th - passing first downs

Big drop off in year three? OK.

As for TonyG changing the offensive scheme to a shorter passing game, you need only pull up all the complaints on this message board about Ryan locking onto TonyG, forcing passes into TonyG when he was double and triple teamed, and an overall lack of explosiveness by TonyG.

Add to that the fact that Ryan also locked onto Roddy more in 2009 and 2010 and threw much shorter passes to Roddy than in 2008, then missed on several deep balls to Jenkins and HD in 2010.

Yeah you can blame Mularkey all you want but dude can't run out on the field and block, throw or catch. And to paraphrase him in an 11Alive interview in 2009, 'there are several options in our passing game, including deep options'.

[falconidae]

HAHA. Ryan and Fat*** Turner Elite? Give me a break.

Roddy, despite his idiocy, is the only "elite" player of the three.

Ryan has 33 wins, 10,000 yards and 66 TDs in his first 3 years.

Turne averaged 13 TDs a year the last three year.

Most people would consider those good numbers, who has better numbers the last 3 years?

OH, even when you are Spot on Dtan1125899907000000, he's still never coming back.

[raysnill1]

What? In 2010 Mularkey's offense was:

1st - fourth down conversion%

2nd - time of possession

3rd - third down conversion%

3rd - fewest sacks allowed

3rd - fewest giveaways

4th - total first downs

4th - fewest INTs

5th - points scored

8th - passing TDs

9th - rushing TDs

9th - rushing first downs

9th - passing first downs

Big drop off in year three? OK.

As for TonyG changing the offensive scheme to a shorter passing game, you need only pull up all the complaints on this message board about Ryan locking onto TonyG, forcing passes into TonyG when he was double and triple teamed, and an overall lack of explosiveness by TonyG.

Add to that the fact that Ryan also locked onto Roddy more in 2009 and 2010 and threw much shorter passes to Roddy than in 2008, then missed on several deep balls to Jenkins and HD in 2010.

Yeah you can blame Mularkey all you want but dude can't run out on the field and block, throw or catch. And to paraphrase him in an 11Alive interview in 2009, 'there are several options in our passing game, including deep options'.

I get criticized a lot because I think we have one of the most talented teams in the league because of what our players are able to accomplish in spite of having one of the most predictable offenses ever.

you could also use those stats to show that our Oline is just fine.

+1 for sticking to your story though

Edited June 13, 2011 by raysnill1

[chitowndirtybird]

So how can we have top talent at three offensive skills positions and not be explosive? We are also in the middle of the pack when it comes to offensive yards.

I would blame conservative play calling on that. Not exclusively but as the main contributing factor. Plus the fact that football is a true team sport, I think this proves that notion.

[chitowndirtybird]

HAHA. Ryan and Fat*** Turner Elite? Give me a break.

Roddy, despite his idiocy, is the only "elite" player of the three.

Clearly not a fan of the team, what exactly would satisfy you? Are you gonna hate on every player this team has till the team wins THEN hang on their nuts? Or is a SB win not even enough for you...