Mullen & Wide Receivers

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

We're almost at our TR vs. DP thread threshold. I've got a better question for the board.

Can Mullen develop a traditional WR?

I think we would all agree that our wide receiver play has been inconsistent at best in his tenure. The element that seemed to be missing from our passing game is that big, fast WR that could take the top off the defense. I really don't remember Mullen ever coaching a WR like that. His best two pass-catching players at Florida were Harvin & Hernandez. Both of those guys are hybrid type players. Harvin was a RB/WR & Hernandez was a cross between a TE, WR, & H-Back.

Is this by design? Or do traditional big, fast wideouts just not like our system? Or have we just swung and missed in recruiting this type of player? Or is it just a there's-not-many-of-those-guys type of of thing?

 

[Coach34]

The element that seemed to be missing from our passing game is that big, fast WR that could take the top off the defense. I really don't remember Mullen ever coaching a WR like that. His best two pass-catching players at Florida were Harvin & Hernandez. Both of those guys are hybrid type players. Harvin was a RB/WR & Hernandez was a cross between a TE, WR, & H-Back.

Do you even watch football besides Miss State?

Louis Murphy
Andre Caldwell
Riley Cooper

All are in the NFL

 

[Railin Jemmye]

I think it's just lack of talent. Bumphis was the only one we had, and he could usually only get open long vs. the lesser teams. Funny enough, he was the only 4* guy with serious offers that we had. I don't know if that problem is getting better either. Only candidates I see to really be an effective receiver for us is Corey Smith, Robert Johnson and maybe Morrow. Possibly Austin the freshman.

 

[Coach 57]

Tyler doesn't have alot of arm strength either. There were plenty of times Malcolm running a seam Vs. cover 2 WIDE OPEN! Or Morrow on a "go" route 40yds down field open. We have talent guys, probably not at much as most SEC schools but we do have talent.

 

[Irondawg]

My gut says our route combinations were part of the problem, but the issue for all of us is we don't really have an idea of actual play design, nor often get a good view of the coverage the defense is in. So we are all left guessing.

I continue to be a big Tubby fan and think he can be a very effective slot guy for us. ROJO looks to at least be sec average and Malcomn Johnson has the best hands on the team. Then if at least one of the JUCO guys is legit that gives you 4 decent weapons in the passing game, not counting Perkins who is a good receiver.

Then we hear good things about Fred Brown and maybe Morrow develops. I don't think we're devoid of talent at the WR near as much as some people make out.

 

[InaccuratePredictionsDawg]

Well, the typical MSU WR used to be a butter-fingered...

...embarrassment. Meaning, up until this year, it had been years since a MSU WR could actually catch the ball without instantly dropping it. I will give Mullen credit for coaching up MSU WR's to where they can actually catch the ball. The problem is after the 7-0 start, Mullen started to run into defenses that had the talent to neutralize his WR's. And no counter adjustments were made by Mullen. That's why our WR's disappeared in the big games. So my conclusion is Mullen can coach up WR's because this year he proved it. But in order to keep his WR's involved in games against an equal or superior opponent, Mullen has to get more sneaky & creative with his routes.

 

[Railin Jemmye]

That, or recruit better talent at receiver. Which, at this point, I'm starting to give up hope that MSU can ever do this. Justin Jenkins, Terrell Grindle, Eric Moulds, Kelvin Love, Larry Huntington, Shaston Coleman.....before the Mullen Era, you could just about count MSU's serviceable WRs in the modern game on one hand. May be missing a few. Most probably were JUCO guys.

Whatever happened to O'Neal Wilder? He may have been the track guy. Remember him making some catches for us in 2009. I guess you may add Tony Banks in there as a decent WR.

 

[Railin Jemmye]

Not devoid, but very average at this point. Like I said, look at the guys we've recruited and it tells the tale, Bumphis is the best we got and he was heavily recruited. Look at the guys making plays for Ole Miss, Moncrief and Sanders. Brassell last year. 4* types who had options. Those type guys open up holes for other average WRs. Look at Norwood over at Alabama.

 

[thf24]

Bumphis was the only one we had, and he could usually only get open long vs. the lesser teams.

The reason for that being he was our only receiver(who got significant targets) who the big boys were afraid of, so they would put extra help on him because they didn't have to worry too much about leaving anyone else we usually put on the field in single coverage. It would have helped a lot if we'd had two consistent threats instead of just one, which we should have this year.