Randall Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Position Preview: Wide Receivers WIDE RECEIVERS (10) New: WR Jason Hill (Rookie), WR Darrell Jackson (8th year), WR Ashley Lelie (6th year), WR Dominique Zeigler (Rookie) Returners: WR Arnaz Battle (5th year), WR C.J. Brewer (1st year), WR Bryan Gilmore (7th year), WR Taylor Jacobs (5th year), WR Marcus Maxwell (2nd year), WR Brandon Williams (2nd year) Departed: WR Antonio Bryant Behind the tutelage of Senior Assistant/Wide Receivers Coach Jerry Sullivan, the 49ers are expecting big things out of a revamped receiving corp.The team also worked hard to upgrade the unit in the off-season to increase competition, bringing in two players via free agency in Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie, and one on the first day of the draft with the third round selection of Jason Hill. Sullivan returns a unit that featured WR Arnaz Battle. The Notre Dame product had a breakout season in 2006, setting career highs in nearly every major offensive category. Battle started 15 games and finished the year with 59 receptions for 686 receiving yards and three touchdowns. A physical player, Battle is a multi-purpose threat that can run, block and catch. A clutch performer, Battle finished tied for seventh in the NFC with 23 catches on third down. Battle and the other 49ers receivers downfield blocking was a key reason that Gore was able to break off long runs in 2006. Jackson, acquired on draft day from the Seattle Seahawks in a rare trade between division opponents, joins the team with impressive credentials. A seven-year veteran from the University of Florida, Jackson led Seattle in 2006 with 63 receptions for 956 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has been a thorn in the 49ers side in his career, accounting for 37 catches for 564 yards and five touchdowns in seven games against San Francisco. “Darrell is a productive receiver with experience in our division which I think is a plus.” Nolan said. “Scot McCloughan is familiar with Darrell from his time in Seattle and we are excited to have him with the 49ers.” In his career, Jackson has started 90 of 96 career games with 441 receptions for 6,445 yards and 47 touchdowns. He's exceeded 1,000 receiving yards three times in seven seasons with Seattle. The team also signed deep threat Ashley Lelie, another player Nolan hopes will add to competition at the position. “The signing of Ashley Lelie addresses a need for us at wide receiver,” Nolan said. “He gives us a playmaker and certainly strengthens us by giving our team a playmaker that has proven ability to stretch the field. He is excited about joining the 49ers organization.” A fifth-year veteran, Lelie previously played with the Atlanta Falcons this past season. Beginning his career with the Denver Broncos, Lelie emerged as one of the top big-play receivers in the NFL, leading the league in yards-per-reception average (17.5 avg.) since his rookie year in 2002. Lelie also owned the NFL's highest yards-per-reception average in 2005 (18.3) and 2004 (20.1). He eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in his career (1,084 yards) in 2004. Lelie also has 59 receptions over 20 yards and 20 receptions for over 40 yards. San Francisco drafted Jason Hill in the third round. The former Washington State star was a consistent big play threat and accounted for 32 of the team’s 68 touchdown receptions over his final three seasons. He also holds the school record with 2,704 receiving yards and was second in career receptions with 148. Veteran holdovers Bryan Gilmore, Taylor Jacobs, Brandon Williams and Marcus Maxwell add experience and playmaking ability at the receiver position as well. Gilmore, one of the team’s fastest players worked under the tutelage of Sullivan in Arizona and Miami. He has 72 games of experience under his belt, with 46 career receptions and 683 yards. Gilmore also took three reverses for over 20 yards each in 2006. His all around skills were displayed in the team’s season ending win at Denver, converting a key first-down and catching a pass that set up the game winning field goal. Jacobs acquired in a trade during training camp, returns with a full off-season program under his belt. Jacobs has played in 46 career games and totaled 34 receptions for 344 yards and one touchdown. Williams was used primarily as a returner as a rookie, but looks to make an impact at wide receiver in 2007. A dangerous player in the open field, Williams returned 16 kickoffs for 380 yards (23.8 avg.) and 22 punts for 147 yards. Maxwell was a key contributor in NFL Europa. He was a member of the Hamburg Sea Devils World Bowl Championship team and was a first-team All NFL Europa selection with a league leading seven touchdown receptions and finished with 32 catches for 499 yards (15.6-yard average). Free agents C.J. Brewer and Dominique Zeigler will compete for roster spots. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blips Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Are you saying these WR's are not a "threat" to VIck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wolf Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 (edited) Are you saying these WR's are not a "threat" to VIck? Stop, dude...I think if I read that name one more time I am gonna Thanks for the post Randall. With the revamping of the WR corps and Norv Turner leaving, it should make for an interesting season for Alex Smith. Edited July 20, 2007 by The Wolf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
General Itals Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 If Darrell Jackson's health issues aren't a thing of the past, that team is screwed. Ashley Lelie has his billioneth oppurtunity to show that he can do somethig in this league. He'll blow it, mainly because he sucks. Jason Hill has nice upside for a rookie, but throwing him into the mix as a #2 or even #3 WR is alot to ask of him this season. The rest of that group is total riff-raff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peepinmofo Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 If Darrell Jackson's health issues aren't a thing of the past, that team is screwed. Ashley Lelie has his billioneth oppurtunity to show that he can do somethig in this league. He'll blow it, mainly because he sucks. Jason Hill has nice upside for a rookie, but throwing him into the mix as a #2 or even #3 WR is alot to ask of him this season. The rest of that group is total riff-raff. I disagree. I think the 49ers show a major improvement in the passing game this year. I wont say Lelie will be an upgrade, but DJ should be decent and get the double teams if he is healthy, and thatll free up Battle a bit. I think Battle will be a bit of a sleeper this year. Teams will be targeting the running game a lot more this year, and if the OL can block for Smith, he should find a lot of open WRs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Stop, dude...I think if I read that name one more time I am gonna Thanks for the post Randall. With the revamping of the WR corps and Norv Turner leaving, it should make for an interesting season for Alex Smith. I agree. This team made some pretty bold moves this season and could improve greatly. Review-RB's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dutch Oven Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 This is a decent receiving corp, definitely an upgrade from last year. Throw in Vernon Davis and they've got some legit threats in the passing game, IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hat Trick Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 This is a decent receiving corp, definitely an upgrade from last year. Throw in Vernon Davis and they've got some legit threats in the passing game, IMO. Yup look what the Chiefs did for years with just Gonzo as a true #1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystykoekaki Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 Michael Vick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Michael Vick 6 of the top 9 threads (not counting this one) are about Vick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mystykoekaki Posted July 20, 2007 Share Posted July 20, 2007 6 of the top 9 threads (not counting this one) are about Vick. Of course, he is the most exciting player in the NFL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randall Posted July 20, 2007 Author Share Posted July 20, 2007 Of course, he is the most exciting player in the federal pen. Fixed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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