Do the Texans Need to Find a WR This Offseason, and If So, What kind?

[HPF Bob]

It's not that hard to figure, folks. WRs take less hits than RBs. I don't even know why you would compare the two. Hits lead to injuries and the WRs are out away from the scrum getting hit by the smallest guys on the field so they are going to be at their physical peak longer. If anything, age and complacency slow them down and reduce their effectiveness.

I expect AJ to probably have two more peak years and then begin to decline. He might still be around in his late 30s but I would not, as a GM, count on that. Yes, he will need to be replaced but it will come about the same time Foster needs to be replaced.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

It's not that hard to figure, folks. WRs take less hits than RBs. I don't even know why you would compare the two. Hits lead to injuries and the WRs are out away from the scrum getting hit by the smallest guys on the field so they are going to be at their physical peak longer. If anything, age and complacency slow them down and reduce their effectiveness.

Speed is typically viewed as vitally important to be a successful wide receiver as well. Other physical attributes in an ideal wide receiver are quickness, and burst (acceleration). These three physical attributes will decline after the player passes his physical peak. Scouts Inc. (2006), however, ranks twoother attributes as most important when rating wide receivers. Scouts Inc. evaluates wide receivers initially on the following criteria,
“Hands: How is their overall concentration on easy and tough catches? Do they have soft hands? Do they body catch too often? Can they snatch the ball when thrown outside their frame?”, and “Patterns: Are their cuts sharp and crisp? Do they show good body control or do they look awkward?” These two vital attributes in a wide receiver can be maintained longer than the purely physical aspects, so wide receivers should be able to maintain their peak for a longer period of time.
http://thesportdigest.com/archive/ar...player-get-old
I compared the two positions because long-speed or pure sprinting speed, quickness, and burst/acceleration are highly valued qualities for both positions. And as this article goes on to state, there is a distinct diminution of those physical abilities when players pass their "physical peak", often defined as 30 years of age. So fortunately for the Andre Johnsons of the NFL, there are other skills they can fall back on that running-backs cannot that will sustain their effectiveness, even though their innate physical skills have most likely declined to a reduced level after entering their 30s. OK ?
Oh BTW, "hits" or amount of physical contact is irrelevant in the context of this discussion.

[HPF Bob]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

Oh BTW, "hits" or amount of physical contact is irrelevant in the context of this discussion.

Shelf life for a player is related to the amount of punishment the body takes. That translates into injuries and most injuries come from getting hit so hits are relevant. It all boils down to physics. A body of mass propelled at another body is going to cause the second body to absorb force which is going to, over time, affect that body's ability to perform effectively. That's the whole point of boxing.

In short, do you want a 300-pounder running full steam into you or a 220-pounder? RBs and QBs get hit by 300-pounders. WRs get hit by 220-pounders. Over time, it makes a difference.

[barrett]

Bob is definitely right that the punishment is less at WR than RB and that plays into it, but I don't think that is the main reason for the longer career window. QBs get punished with hits they can't protect themselves from (and by 300 lb guys like Bob pointed out), and yet QBs play longer than almost any position.

Some positions rely on raw athletic ability to a greater degree and those positions have dramatic performance declines. At WR a veteran can make up for declining speed with superior route running, rapoire with QB, and hands. That is why Wayne (and Rice, Carter, Tim Brown, and pretty much every quality WR of recent times) was able to perform well into their 30s. Even Randy Moss is contributing on a playoff team at his age and he isn't the type to take care of himself and condition/train.

Andre will slow down but not in a way that keeps him from getting the best of a DB on a deep in (his best route these days). Unless injuries derail him he should perform close to this year's standard for years.

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by barrett

Bob is definitely right that the punishment is less at WR than RB and that plays into it, but I don't think that is the main reason for the longer career window.

Of course it's not, every position takes fewer hits, far fewer hits than the RB position does. Bob has of course offered up what's commonly known as a red herring.

Originally Posted by barrett

Andre will slow down but not in a way that keeps him from getting the best of a DB on a deep in (his best route these days). Unless injuries derail him he should perform close to this year's standard for years.

As impress athletically as the average NFL CB is, even say a 25-year-old NFL CB, chances are he's not as impressive athletically as a 31-year-old Andre Johnson. That's why Andre is a world-class athlete, because even at his age, on average he has a margin of athletic superiority over a younger competitor. But given the correlation between age and declining athleticism that margin always continues to recede, sometimes quickly, sometimes even at an exponential rate.

[Arky]

The Texan passing game as a whole was just a mess in the later stages of the year. Too many dropped balls from the dependable guys, poor pass protection and Schaub having probably his worst 6 game stretch of his career (playoffs included).

IMO, Devier Posey was looking terrific - looked like he belonged on an NFL field. Awesome TD catch against the Pats. Just really sad that he now has a major hurdle (injury) to overcome.

Keshawn Martin - I think the Texans thought he was going to be a DeSean Jackson type but he just didn't show me a whole lot. He did well on the end-arounds and OK on the punt returns - other times he looked like a too small, try-hard guy. Still, not giving up on him, yet.

Lestar Jean - 6 catches all year. Ummm, could we see more, please? Don't think it is his fault that the Texans/Schaub/Kubiak didn't target him more.

Kevin Walter - its popular to be down on him but I'm not there yet. I haven't seen enough film to conclude he "can't get separation" anymore. He has a history of running good routes and has good hands.

James Casey - Somes games he's a contributor, some games he's not. Seems like there were games where he had several catches in the first half and then nothing the rest of the game. Where'd he go? Averaged a tad over 2 catches/game.

Andre Johnson - no evaluation necessary.

"Underutilized" is common theme with many of our receivers. Hard to believe when Schaub is throwing for 4,000 yards but it is what it is.

"Do the Texans Need to Find a WR This Offseason, and If So, What kind?"

Well, it would be a waste to find a deep threat because apparently we don't throw deep anymore, in fact, we don't even it show it when it could help to loosen up a defense. So, any receiver receiver brought in would be something redundant of what we already have. Word coming out of Kirby according to McClain, is that they are happy with what they've got.