Early Cut list, or Please Get Off My Team

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Well, as for results, McMullen has done fine against scrubs in preseason. Unlike Mix, however, McMullen has had opportunities to start in the regular season and has failed at his previous stops. Additionally, his previous failures were on receiver hungry teams - Philadelphia and Minnesota - so it's not like he was the victim of a numbers game. Finally, his success in Zorn's offense up to this point is due in part to the fact that he is familiar with the WCO (even he admits this). Based on all this, I think McMullen will have to do more than "play well" against second teamers to impress. For him, that has to be the bare minimum. Given his history, McMullen needs to play well against starters and dominate the second teamers.

As for Mix, I think the buzz is gone for him. It doesn't seem that he has impressed the coaching staff too much. Unlike McMullen who has a history of failure and needed to overcome it, Mix has no history. As such, at this point in his career, Mix has needed to step up, show that he has finally made the adjustment to the pro game, and "play well" against the scrubs. He hasn't done that. I am thinking his hype was just the latest warpath man crush.

Right now, I wouldn't be surprised if neither made the final cut.

McMullen can't choose which tier of players he lines up against. If he's facing only the scrubs, then that's by the design of his coaches, and all he can do is perform the best that he can despite the level of competition from the opposition.

The more I hear, it looks as though there will be six receivers -- and if the roster cut-down were today, I don't see any other wideout that's ahead of him.

[Beemnseven]

I know this all sounds like I have a man-crush on McMullen -- I don't, for the record. I just can't identify another receiver who has out performed him.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

I know this all sounds like I have a man-crush on McMullen -- I don't, for the record. I just can't identify another receiver who has out performed him.

I agree. If we're going by performance only right now McMullen has to be the obvious choice.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Beemnseven

McMullen can't choose which tier of players he lines up against. If he's facing only the scrubs, then that's by the design of his coaches, and all he can do is perform the best that he can despite the level of competition from the opposition.

I agree that he can't choose his competition. Given his inability to choose his competition, however, he must perform in a manner that reflects his experience. He simply has failed to do so. How well do you think Randle-El or Thrash would be doing against the guys McMullen has been playing against? That's the standard he has to match, I would suggest that, while good, he has not dominated against these guys. That's what he needs to do and that's what he hasn't done.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

I agree that he can't choose his competition. Given his inability to choose his competition, however, he must perform in a manner that reflects his experience. He simply has failed to do so. How well do you think Randle-El or Thrash would be doing against the guys McMullen has been playing against? That's the standard he has to match, I would suggest that, while good, he has not dominated against these guys. That's what he needs to do and that's what he hasn't done.

The point I'm trying to make is that of the wideouts McMullen has competed against for a roster spot, nobody so far has outplayed him. I'm not saying he's a top-tier guy by any means, we're just trying to see who's most likely to win the sixth WR position -- if there is one.