The Beauty of Bobby Engram
by Matt Conner on Mar 3, 2009 11:41 AM CST
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PrintSometimes I feel like people will complain about anything. The news leaks that Bobby Engram is in town and the overwhelming response is his age. Social security jokes are thrown around. And all the while, the primary point is being missed.
There are a few guys in the veteran receiver mold who could fit the bill. But Engram stands as good and ready as any. He's just one season removed from the remarkable 2007 season where he had 94 receptions, 1100+ yards and 6 TDs. Let me state that again:
94 Receptions. 1100+ yards. 6 TDs.
Last year, the numbers fell. But if you remember the black hole known as the Seattle WR position and injuries to absolutely everyone with a last name beginning with A through Z, then you know it's not Engram's age or ability that took him away from those numbers.
The need here in KC is obvious at WR, yet the offense proved itself potent enough last season that it's hard to stomach the Chiefs not addressing the pass rush with its first pick. Some could make a case for Michael Crabtree - I know I have - but it seems most hope the Chiefs address receiver late in the draft.
Except we've already done that. Kevin Robinson and Will Franklin were the last two. Jeff Webb before that. We continue to pull late in the draft hoping for our own Colston-esque story. And one great way to enable that is not to push young receivers too quickly and then call them a bust, but instead let them learn the routes, playbook and earn some time on special teams and in practice.
Engram is a fantastic possession receiver with a knack for getting open in short-to-mid yardage situations. Working with Tony Gonzalez underneath, Cassel would have some fantastic options right in front of him. And it would allow Franklin to still find his own place on the team in the meantime, while giving the Chiefs a chance to address bigger issues on the defensive side of the ball.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Arrowhead Pride's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Arrowhead Pride writers or editors.
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I'm getting closer to Social Security everyday
it wouldn’t bother me to be called old……AGAIN! :)
"But what do I know, I'm AP's new assclown and I’m like an empty room with a large ECHO"
Good post
and good point-of-view. It’s refreshing to read a positive post.
"I can only imagine what it is going to be like in that town if we are fortunate to build a winner. You win there, you can sense that it would be something really special." - Todd Haley
I like Engram
I was excited because he can be a Welker like player for us. Though Bowe is no Randy Moss we have TG and Bradley as well… With Engram on the receiving core that part of our offense is pretty much complete. I still hope for Devery Henderson to give us a deep threat.
Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.
I agree
We have two primary targets in Bowe and Gonzalez. Everyone else is secondary reads. Bradley, Franklin, Webb, and Engram if we get him will be complementary guys. JCharles and LJ will also be in the passing game. With all the WR we will have I bet we run the spead formation a lot.
Engram was good
Like a thousand years ago. He is on the decline he might have some plays left in him but why not try for someone that is going to last more than a few games without breaking a hip. I dont think they allow hoverounds on the field.
Come on.
He was 34 in 2007 when he had 94 catches. I bet no one expected that for him. Give him a chance.
Then he got hurt
missed half the year and the other half was crappy. He’s done.
Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are more pliable. Mark Twain
I can see a D. Edwards type of acquisition here...the second time Edwards came to KC.
Bill Parcell’s: "You are what your record says you are."
"My job is not to collect talent, but to build a team. Individuals make the Pro Bowl. Teams win championships. That is our goal."—Chiefs GM Scott Pioli.
Ok
I dont think they want him to be the top guy. Just an addition to our WR corp. He still has some juice left.
Here's one example from Seattle
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/stevekelley/2008048559_kelley13.html
Engram doesn’t possess the wow factor. All he does is catch third-down passes. All he does is catch balls in traffic. All he does is take a beating and pop back into the huddle. He plays through pain from August and into January. He tutors the younger receivers such as Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent.
Every team should have 50 Bobby Engrams. While extending his contract probably isn’t the most prudent economic move, it would have been the right thing to do.
yeah but he was in his prime when that article was written.
by Grand Master A on Mar 3, 2009 1:29 PM CST up reply actions
So
does getting older equate to a drop in work ethic or attitude? If so, I guess Mike Vrabel won’t be a leader in the locker room or on the field…
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
oops
=)
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
Players don't age well
the drop off is huge, when it happens it happens, it’s happening to Engram right now, we need players on the upswing, not the down side.
by Your_Moms_Boyfriend on Mar 3, 2009 1:22 PM CST reply actions
I would imagine
it’s Pioli’s call as to whether Engram is “dropping off”
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
If Cheap
Fine pick him up, but I’d rather see us get a WR in the middle rounds of the draft… maybe Barden in the 3rd if he makes it there.
If TG goes then a veteran like Engram would be nice, but otherwise I’d rather go with someone in the draft
I’ve seen us getting the WR from Arizona in a mock (I know that means nothing, just had me look for info on him) but he seems to be a slightly larger version of a Dante Hall with better pure receiving skills
not a big downside
He’s at the end of his career, but he’s a phenomenal athlete, a respected guy, and has a fantastic work ethic-you don’t last 15 years in the league as a WR any other way. What’s the worst that can happen? He’s cut in August? Every other WR on the team is in his early to mid 20s-give them the experience of training with a hard working WR with a wealth of knowledge for the entire run of training camp. It’s something the Chiefs have not had since… Eddie Kennison? Johnnie Morton? Stephone Paige?
It’s the Chiefs equivalent of the Pat’s pickup of Fred Taylor. Use him well and he’ll be great.
Personally Love Fred Taylor
I think he is one of the most underrated RBs in the NFL, and was a solid pick up for them to pair with Maroney
Another possession receiver...
Dwayne Bowe’s backup? I think he’s too good to be a backup. Perhaps we might stick with the spread after all? Use some 4-wide out sets?
What about this???
Question, Who Does Seattle, Cleveland, or Cinncinati Have that we would want? pick 4,5,6…….. at think we could get a player, and move down to 6……because i think Cinncinati would want Crabtree…. since TJ is gone, and Chad …well ya know!!!
Cleveland would want him also…since they trade Winslow…. So play Cleveland and Cinncinati against each other.
At 6 i think we could still get curry….maybe….. plus get another player.
I think Curry would be there at 6
Marley will be walking soon...she could probably play Linebacker better than some of the guys we had.
Even more so
I dont necessarily think he will be there at #3. If Detroit had gotten Cassel, I can assure you, they definitely would have snagged Curry with the first pick. They might anyway.
by Chiefsfan1970 on Mar 3, 2009 9:28 PM CST up reply actions
Yeah, I Know Some Would Like To Minimize This
But he’s 36 years old. For a wide receiver that’s not a little long in the tooth…that’s ancient. Aside from Jerry Rice (who was a freak of nature) you’re not going to find many receivers who were effective at this age.
Also, he’s played a full season once in the last five years. And his excellent 2007 season was also his only notable season in quite awhile. He hasn’t posted 800 yards receiving in any other year since 1999. His yards per reception have been pretty unimpressive throughout his career (and were downright Webb-ish last year). He’s broken the 50 reception mark only twice in the last five years. This is a player in decline who’s banking off one atypical season two years ago. Frankly, I’d rather the Chiefs gave the reps to Webb, or Darling, or Franklin.
Predictions for 2009
1. Todd Haley's going to struggle with managing his staff in his rookie year as head coach.
if he's cheap
then do it, but like was said earlier, i’d prefer a guy like franklin to get the reps
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