Just Wondering...

[TheHornetReport]

Hey Hornet Family. I was just wondering if you like or are secure in the receiving core that we play or if you have any opinions on it whatsoever? Do you know about it or do you not care or do you think Washington is the only receiver we need in order to win... Anything! Thanks guys.

 

[Hammerhead Dad]

Hey Hornet Family. I was just wondering if you like or are secure in the receiving core that we play or if you have any opinions on it whatsoever? Do you know about it or do you not care or do you think Washington is the only receiver we need in order to win... Anything! Thanks guys.

I think Sperbeck has the best guys playing. I don't think lining up with just Washington as a receiver would mean we'd win. Hill, Lane and Deadder are doing a pretty good job, but Washington is a talent. I have one request though. I wish we'd throw to our tight ends down the seam a bit more.

 

[Hornet Homer]

HHD - I'm glad you spoke about the Tight end. Teams at all levels seem to sparingly use the Tight End. Look at what the TE for NAU did to us. Plays to the TE are always sucessfull off of play action. As a balanced team with run and throw, the Hornets TE could take pressure off of Washington, Hill, Lane, Deadder, and the rest of the corp.

 

[Hammerhead Dad]

HHD - I'm glad you spoke about the Tight end. Teams at all levels seem to sparingly use the Tight End. Look at what the TE for NAU did to us. Plays to the TE are always sucessfull off of play action. As a balanced team with run and throw, the Hornets TE could take pressure off of Washington, Hill, Lane, Deadder, and the rest of the corp.

We do have a possible reason we don't throw much to our tight ends though. They have no speed and I really don't know how well they catch the ball. But I do believe tight ends are generally underutilized. Chris Kelly was an amazing weapon. I'll never forget him catching four TDs against Montana.

 

[TheHornetReport]

Hey Hornet Family. I was just wondering if you like or are secure in the receiving core that we play or if you have any opinions on it whatsoever? Do you know about it or do you not care or do you think Washington is the only receiver we need in order to win... Anything! Thanks guys.

I think Sperbeck has the best guys playing. I don't think lining up with just Washington as a receiver would mean we'd win. Hill, Lane and Deadder are doing a pretty good job, but Washington is a talent. I have one request though. I wish we'd throw to our tight ends down the seam a bit more.

I agree that more use of the tight end would definitely add more vitality to our offense; no question. However, other than Washington, I'm going to say that through careful analysis, I actually don't think that Sperbeck IS playing the best players at this position. I'm sure DePrato chooses the starters, but "The Old Ball Coach" (Not Spurrier; the Head Coach) usually has the final say. But IMO, I don't think that Hill, Lane, or Deadder are better than Paige after what I've seen at the scrimmage and the practices I went to a couple weeks ago. Paige is CRISP in his route running and was always beating his man on short routes and deep routes and makes AMAZING catches even when the ball was thrown inaccurately. He could work on his blocking, but I don't think he does any worse than the starters. To his credit, Deadder has good size and speed, but he has had a number of drops. Something else I noticed as well is that he, Hill and Lane seemed to have trouble getting off the line when getting jammed. One could say that Hill has been solid, but his route running and play is kind of sloppy and out of control. Don't get me wrong; he has made a couple of big catches this season, but I truly think he's just a product of his environment. I would even go as far as to say that Blea (red-shirt junior) is better than all 3 of them as he is also making plays in practice due to his great size, speed and hands. I shutter to think of what our offense could be with the speedy Washington along with not as much, but the speed and size (they are both 6'4) of Paige and Blea.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

Paige is good in practice and horrible in game action. Sorry THR, but I have seen enough of him that he is woefully unproductive during a game. He drops way too many passes or runs the wrong routes.

 

[TheHornetReport]

Paige is good in practice and horrible in game action. Sorry THR, but I have seen enough of him that he is woefully unproductive during a game. He drops way too many passes or runs the wrong routes.

Come on... "Horrible in game action"? "Woefully unproductive"? With respect to your point, SHA, I don't think you have enough evidence or backing to come to such a conclusion. He barely touched the field this season (unfortunately) so there isn't enough proof or propaganda for that assessment. Dropped passes? This is wrong as well. I've listened or watched every game this year and the very few times he was put in and the ball was thrown to him, he always found a way to bring it in. That 20-yard reception a couple of weeks ago was big in one of the few scoring drives we had against NAU. If we're grading receivers on dropped passes, then as GOOD as he is, we CANNOT praise Washington as he has dropped MANY big time passes this season. Speed kills, no question, but if you can't bring in the ball then nothing else matters. As for running the wrong routes, unless it's ridiculously obvious, I don't know how anyone can know this unless they are calling the plays. Hill, as the other starter, is only averaging 47 yds per game. Deadder; 23 yds and Lane only averages 15 yds. They only have 3 TD receptions combined, while Washington is averaging 116 and has 5 TDs. Washington has been holding his own very well, but like HammerHead said, we can't win with just him in the line up. I'm sorry, but there just isn't any spectacular or remotely threatening about these guys. I'm sure they don't strike fear in any defense and the stats show it. I honestly feel that if any team can hold Tony then we are screwed in every game unless Hilliard and Croxdale rush for 200 yds. As much as they play (especially Hill), they should have more yds receiving.

Again, I respect your opinion SHA, and it seems that you are one of the very few people on the forum who actually goes to not only the games, but the PRACTICES and SCRIMMAGES as well. You've seen how all of them play. Can you (or anyone else who would like to add, but please don't just use the games to back up your point) yo honestly say that Hill, Lane and Deadder should be in front of Paige? And what are your thoughts on Blea? Thanks SHA.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

In regards to Paige, I think he turned off a lot of the staff early when he put up that thing on his myspace page that he was all that and then came out flat last year. Remember, attitude is key. Besides, there is something the coaches see in Hill, Lane, Deadder that Paige is not showing them. Regardless, you need your best players to help win the game. Also, the RB's have also caught passes out of the backfield too. Their stats are equally important, especially on the play action or a busted play. You are trying to use that stat of strict yardage...but stats don't always tell the story.

Remember the hit Hill took against Weber and then got back up. That kind of resiliency shows the coaches that he will do anything to help this team win. I don't see that in Paige. Yes has the fundamental skills, probably taught by his dad, but I have not seen Paige as a team player. I hope that changes, for the team's sake and his, because at this rate, Paige will not play on Sunday's and in the real world, he'll have to learn to work as part of a team in the workplace.

 

[HornetMaster22]

Well I may not attend as many practices and scrimmages as SHA I do know a few things about the recieving as I do have a very good friend that plays on the team, granite not a WR but so far he has fed me good info. With regards to Paige, the guy is a good player, with good speed and size and very good hands. The only thing that sets him back from being a starter is his attitude. I have seen him in scrimmages and I have seen some amazing catches he makes, but apparently he just has a bad attitude about not playing so much which I can see why. He should be playing a little more plus it ads size to our already small recieving core. With respects to lane he is not a threat, more of a possesion man who is almost 100% sure handed. Although he only averages 15yds a game he doesnt drop the ball, but mark my words Lane will have a coming out party this week or next, anyone remeber his first start last year against Portland? He had 7 catches with zero drops. As for Hill, this guy is going to be great once he learns the fundamental side. If you ever watch the game you will notice that receivers blocking is huge in Sac's offense, with all the motions and stuff like that. Hill tends to miss a few if not most, plus the guy will go over the middle with no fear and make a catch.

For the TE situation, my buddy tells me that there trying to get Deadder over at TE for the speed and the mismatches on Safeties and LB's. The only problem is is he's having a little trouble picking up the blocking assignments. Against PSU he had 2 catches as a TE for like 50yds. I agree that the TE should be used more but as Hammerhead said they have no speed right now at the position with Heath and Lavey thats why they dont throw to them.

 

[TheHornetReport]

In regards to Paige, I think he turned off a lot of the staff early when he put up that thing on his myspace page that he was all that and then came out flat last year. Remember, attitude is key. Besides, there is something the coaches see in Hill, Lane, Deadder that Paige is not showing them. Regardless, you need your best players to help win the game. Also, the RB's have also caught passes out of the backfield too. Their stats are equally important, especially on the play action or a busted play. You are trying to use that stat of strict yardage...but stats don't always tell the story.

Remember the hit Hill took against Weber and then got back up. That kind of resiliency shows the coaches that he will do anything to help this team win. I don't see that in Paige. Yes has the fundamental skills, probably taught by his dad, but I have not seen Paige as a team player. I hope that changes, for the team's sake and his, because at this rate, Paige will not play on Sunday's and in the real world, he'll have to learn to work as part of a team in the workplace.

Wow, I think you're perceiving him to be TO or Pacman. Lol... In any case, I wasn't around for the MySpace page, but if it was in the past, that has to be left behind. If you or the coaches are sour over something that happened a couple years ago or even last year, we will always be a losing team because we never look forward. Let's talk about right now. At practice, Hill, Lane and Deadder are SLIGHTLY ABOVE mediocre. Out of all of them, Dylan is the best as he brings the ball in almost always (to make up for his lack of speed and route running) and doesn't carry an attitude with him. Hill, on the other hand, was unsportsmanlike last week. I saw him on a couple of occasions talking back to DePrato and Sperbeck during practice. However, whenever Paige made a play or scored (which seemed like all the time. I just wish you guys would just find the time to go to 1 practice so you can see that I'm not blowing smoke or selling wolf tickets), he just jogged off to the sideline. It seems that cocky attitude you said he had (and he probably did for all I know) has been humbled.

Now the hit...to his credit, it shows heart to get up after getting blown up like that. However, this IS football. You are going to get hit. If you think that you will not be able to get up after a hit then you shouldn't play. As far as I'm concerened, he had a choice: Either stay down and risk not touching the field again just because you got the wind knocked out of you (and that's all that happened. I mean he didn't pop or tear anything) or you can get up, shake it off, and continue to play Of course everyone will choose the latter unless they have been hurt so bad that it's not possible. I didn't mention it, but after he went to the sideline, Sperbeck told him to sit out for a while and not to go in the next play. Hill talked back to Sperbeck again and took ANOTHER PLAYER'S helmet and went in the game to miss the catch on the horribly ran post route. So, as "heroic" (and I use that term very loosely) as it may have seen that Saturday, that was almost a month ago and he hasn't really been impressive since then. The quarterback has to throw to the RBs on hot routes, passes under pressure and as bail outs when the receivers don't get open and that's probably why our RBs have about half of the receiving yards that Hill has. And you're right, stats don't always tell the story, but sometimes they do. It may seem like I'm really on this guy, but I always believe that the best player should play and I feel we ALL are being cheated by not seeing more of Paige in the line up.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

I personally don't have anything against Paige. Hopefully he has learned, and he makes the catches in practice...but remember, this time of year, he is making catches against the scout team in practice for most of the week. Very rarely do we see the first team offense versus our first team defense to see how they would react in game situations.

As far as his myspace stuff, that was only last year. It wasn't that long ago. I agree the best player should always be in. I disagree with you that Paige is the best receiver we have.

 

[superhornet]

I have ALWAYS been of the opinion that offenses should make EXTENSIVE use of the Y. Of course, that comes from years of TRYING to play QB with a tiny frame and a weak arm; the Y is generally a large, close target, which should not be all that easy to miss. I continually bemoan the disappearance of the pop pass and the Y screen. I forget the level, but I do recall someone hitting a pop pass for a huge gain this weekend, probably because they used it to beat a blitz. Given the sudden resurgence of the unbalanced line, especially in the form of the single wing as adapted by the Fish and a couple of other teams, other "anachronisms" such as a pop pass SHOULD be enjoying a similar revival, but that seems not to be the case.

That REALLY disappoints me, as the Y should be a viable receiver, particularly in the role of blitz-beater.

 

[TheHornetReport]

I personally don't have anything against Paige. Hopefully he has learned, and he makes the catches in practice...but remember, this time of year, he is making catches against the scout team in practice for most of the week. Very rarely do we see the first team offense versus our first team defense to see how they would react in game situations.

As far as his myspace stuff, that was only last year. It wasn't that long ago. I agree the best player should always be in. I disagree with you that Paige is the best receiver we have.

Well I'm sure that if he's not the best receiver on the team, he is definitely better than Hill Deadder and Lane combined. And if the best players should be in, we should see more of him and not hold something as meticulous as a MySpace page that was made last year. Everyone deserves a chance. I would even go as far to say that he has a better chance of playing on Sundays than anyone on the team. Mulitalo included.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

I would even go as far to say that he has a better chance of playing on Sundays than anyone on the team. Mulitalo included.

Now this I have to disagree with. If Paige is this great player, then we will see it. I guess only time will tell.

 

[TheHornetReport]

I would even go as far to say that he has a better chance of playing on Sundays than anyone on the team. Mulitalo included.

Now this I have to disagree with. If Paige is this great player, then we will see it. I guess only time will tell.

Lol... I like taking risks! But we can agree on one thing. Only time will tell.

 

[jmb]

Well I'm sure that if he's not the best receiver on the team, he is definitely better than Hill Deadder and Lane combined. And if the best players should be in, we should see more of him and not hold something as meticulous as a MySpace page that was made last year. Everyone deserves a chance. I would even go as far to say that he has a better chance of playing on Sundays than anyone on the team. Mulitalo included.[/quote]

I can't see why a 2nd year coach would risk his long term job security by choosing not to play a truly superior player. It seems like you have a personal stake in Paige that is leading you to believe that he is better than he really is. This is not a player who came out of high school with unlimited options.

 

[TheHornetReport]

I can't see why a 2nd year coach would risk his long term job security by choosing not to play a truly superior player. It seems like you have a personal stake in Paige that is leading you to believe that he is better than he really is. This is not a player who came out of high school with unlimited options.

I can't see why either, but if you go to a practice and see how the guy plays then you would see why I'm coming to these (IMO) justifiable conclusions. That play made by Paige a couple of weeks ago when it was 3rd and long is a teaser of what this guy can do. I have take a liking to Paige and his play or I wouldn't spend all day arguing in his favor. If "options" are what make a player, then we definitely shouldn't be playing HIll, Deadder or Lane because they didn't have that many either. The difference between you, myself, many on this forum and everyone else in the sports world is that you TRUST that the coaches are playing the best people in the positions and in truth, there are times where there is nothing wrong with that. Although Sperbeck has played a significant role in the growth of the program in a short time; however, I think this is one of those times where Paige is being overlooked or neglected. For what reason, I have no idea. If you think that I'm making him out to be MIchael Crabtree, then I apologize because that is not my intention. I'm merely saying that he could definitely be a play-maker on the team if he could some playing time to prove that what is done in practice can be done in the game as well.

 

[Kadeezy]

I personally don't have anything against Paige. Hopefully he has learned, and he makes the catches in practice...but remember, this time of year, he is making catches against the scout team in practice for most of the week. Very rarely do we see the first team offense versus our first team defense to see how they would react in game situations.

As far as his myspace stuff, that was only last year. It wasn't that long ago. I agree the best player should always be in. I disagree with you that Paige is the best receiver we have.

Well I'm sure that if he's not the best receiver on the team, he is definitely better than Hill Deadder and Lane combined. And if the best players should be in, we should see more of him and not hold something as meticulous as a MySpace page that was made last year. Everyone deserves a chance. I would even go as far to say that he has a better chance of playing on Sundays than anyone on the team. Mulitalo included.

Are you SERIOUS? How can you expect people to take you seriously with statements like that!?

I've only seen maybe 2 or 3 practices in the last two years, and maybe parts of a couple dozen or so (I used to watch for 15-20 minutes before a class in Tahoe Hall. Paige is definately athletically giften, but seems to have some of the same problems as his brother Stephon. Dedication questions, durability issues, and "football" character issues. Maybe he should try track? I guess the best way I could put it is this... He's a Mooshagian guy to me, not a Sperbeck guy.

I find your position that Paige has the best chance of anyone on the team to play on Sundays laughable. The truth is that maybe 2-3 guys on this roster right now will even get a chance to sign as an UDFA with an NFL team in the future. Maybe one (Cyrus) stands a chance at getting drafted. Off the top of my head here are some guys on our roster who stand a better chance of getting a shot in the NFL...

Cyrus Mulitalo
Mike Brannon
Bryan Hilliard
Juan Gamboa
Oscar Dealba
Mike Hickman
McCleod Bethel Thompson
Tony Washington
Bill Sherman
Peter Lenz
Clint Lessard
Ray Navar
Christian Clark
Zack Nash

 

[HornetMaster22]

How can you say that MBT has a chance to get drafted when he can't even start for this team. The only reason he has ever played was because every other QB in front of him got hurt here and UCLA. He will probably transfer after the year anyways to some DII school so he can play his last 2 seasons.

 

[Hornet Homer]

Let the Coaches decide who plays. Obviously Paige can play. He gets reps in games. The more big plays or crucial catches he makes the more he'll play. I frankly like all the receivers that have been mentioned in this thread. Break down each one of them and there's something positive they can do to help us win. Sperbeck and company get paid for these decisions, I'm sure they're doing their best to put the right combo on the field. If that becomes to much for them, it'll be NEXT! Just a side note, the passing game always works better when there's time to throw and the QB makes the right check offs and reads. Also, if used deceptively, large, slower, (TE's or Y's) are effective.