Offer made on Chad (1st rd '08, conditional 3rd rd '09)

[Dirtbag59]

Originally Posted by SC Skins Fan

Wide Receivers are not running backs. Elite players do not fall off the face of the planet at 30 so I think this oft repeated argument is bogus. Let's examine.

WR production after 30 -

Jerry Rice:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 12.5
1,000 yard seasons - 8 (including best season - 1,848 yards, 15 tds in 1995 at the age of 32/33)
Jerry Rice

Chris Carter:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 7
1,000 yard seasons - 6 (including 1,274 yards, 9 tds in 2000 at age 34/35)
Cris Carter

Art Monk:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 8
1,000 yard seasons - 2 of the 5 he had in his career (including 1,049 yards, 8 tds in 1991 at age 33/34)
Art Monk

Tim Brown:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 9
1,000 yard seasons - 6 (including 1,344 yards, 6 tds in 1999 at age 33 - last 1,000 yard season came in 2001 at age 35)

Marvin Harrison:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 6 and counting
1,000 yard seasons - 5 and counting (including 1,386 yards, 12 tds in 2006 at age 34)

Terrell Owens:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 4 and counting
1,000 yard season - 3 and counting (would have been 4 if not for getting Keyshawned; included 1,355 yards, 15 tds in 2007 at age 33/34)

Randy Moss:
Seasons played after turning 30 - 1
1,000 yard seasons - 1 (including 1,493 yards, 23 tds in 2007 at age 30)

So let's not bring up the age argument when talking about Chad Johnson. It is a phantom argument with no basis in fact. If we use historical precedent as a guide it is likely more accurate to say Johnson has 5-8 good/great years left and that he is actually in the midst of his 'prime'.

Lol, All people arguing production problems over 30 have been PWNED!!! Personally I was still trying to sort out my feelings on this one but that settles it.

With that said lets look at the facts. An elite Reciever might get 8 catches a game on average. On top of that he's usually getting hit by corners and safetys (though we all know how hard some safteys can hit) but still it's not like carrying the ball 20-30 times a game against D-Lineman and Linebackers, that in general hit harder, and on more then one occasion gang tackle.

Now a drop off in speed might be a concern but as other recievers have proven time and time again, as long as you can catch and understand route running then you can be an elite reciever.

My concern with Chad Johnson isn't the production. It's a possible shift away from the running game that will stunt the running games growth, sort of like New England lasat year. I mean seriously we'll have Cooley, Johnson, ARE, and Moss competing for catches. Not to mention the desire to use Portis and Sellers in the passing game. As long as we stick to the running game and add an O-lineman or two through the draft then I'm fine with the trade.