Depth and Talent of WR Group

http://www.cougarfan.com/article.asp?ArtID=82829&URL=http://www.heraldextra.com/sports/college/byu/football/article_806bff94-ffdc-11e2-992b-001a4bcf887a.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

After Spring Ball, I was somewhat puzzled to see Apo listed behind S. Ridley. After hearing about Hill refer to him as Mr. Reliable, Bronco revealing that NFL scout who came to view Hoffman, were impressed by Ridley's crisp, precise route running, I am wondering if our talent at WR is one of the strongest positions on the team. We have stallwarts: Hoffman, Falslev and Apo...but now Mitch Matthews, S. Ridley, Thornton, et. al. I believe that new receivers coach Guy Holliday is doing a great job motivating and instructing the WRs to go all out on every play. With the long TDs caught by a variety of players on Day 4, sounds like BYU can once again pull out the deep ball from their arsenal of plays as they have the WR talent and QBs to do the job.

To me there's Hoffman and there's a whole bunch of ????



We have a guy whose effort is no where near his talent level (Apo), another guy whose talent is very limited (Falslev), and everybody else is pretty much unproven.



I hope it works out well for us, but I don't view our WR corps as a potent weapon as of yet.

Hoffman is THE proven talent in the WR's. Faslev has proven reliable in the slot but is limited to that role. Ridley and Apo haven't proven anything to make me feel like they are a lock to be great. RB group is the same. After Williams you have lots of unproven/injury riddled players.

This is the same year in and out and its what separates the mid majors and the big dogs. Proven depth.

I like our starters vs others starters though!!!

stgeorgefan wrote:
Hoffman is THE proven talent in the WR's. Faslev has proven reliable in the slot but is limited to that role. Ridley and Apo haven't proven anything to make me feel like they are a lock to be great. RB group is the same. After Williams you have lots of unproven/injury riddled players.

This is the same year in and out and its what separates the mid majors and the big dogs. Proven depth.

I like our starters vs others starters though!!!

Agreed. I love all of the positive news so far, but I hesitate to get too excited until I see some production. Lots of positive talk, but I just want to see it on the field.

When's the last time anyone remembers more than one long ball thrown for completion, let alone TD in Fall Practice. It has been awhile. While we haven't played a game yet, the fact that we are not afraid to throw down field and make a play is refreshing. Context to this would be who was playing defense at corner or safety during these completions.

Byucougar is right on! Yes, contextualize who was at DB. But this is a very strong WR group that of course has to prove itself on the field, just like any other group except outside LB.

But this year, there are also QBs who can, IN FACT, make every throw.

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=26360650&nid=498&s_cid=rss-extlink" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Article sums up most of which we have said - great depth compared to previous years but let's evaluate greatness at year's end.



What I like seeing is:



1. Skyler Ridley is now on scholarship

2. We have some talent to fill in the departures of Hoffman, Falslev and Ridley.



Like the fact that we have good QBs in our pipeline for the next several years. After all, if you can't get them the ball, you hit a wall.

byucougar1 wrote:
When's the last time anyone remembers more than one long ball thrown for completion, let alone TD in Fall Practice. It has been awhile. While we haven't played a game yet, the fact that we are not afraid to throw down field and make a play is refreshing. Context to this would be who was playing defense at corner or safety during these completions.

Last year I recall hearing about Hoffman and Apo climbing trees and being unstoppable. Hoff was. Apo - not so much.



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That was a reference for picking apples not catching footballs.

Receiving corps certainly is getting the most positive pub at this point. Lets see how they do once we get some pads on.

I'm not buying the WR hype. At least Apo has had a good season before. MM and Ridley are still nobodies.

Difference this year's hype vs other years.



NFL scouts who came to scout Hoffman came away from practice saying they were impressed by Ridley's ability to run precise routes, get open and catch anything thrown to him. Reminds them of Wes Welker. C'mon, that's some very good praise for a guy who was under the radar last year. BYU has always needed a Mr. Reliable and it appears they have one.



As far as Apo's progress...his workout partner, T. Hill, says that he is in the best shape he has ever been...and he is not injured (like he was all of last year). Look at his muscle tone in the videos, he is built quite solidly. This means he may return to the form when Heaps was throwing to him - i.e. 9 TDs.

byucougar1 wrote:
Difference this year's hype vs other years.



NFL scouts who came to scout Hoffman came away from practice saying they were impressed by Ridley's ability to run precise routes, get open and catch anything thrown to him. Reminds them of Wes Welker. C'mon, that's some very good praise for a guy who was under the radar last year. BYU has always needed a Mr. Reliable and it appears they have one.



As far as Apo's progress...his workout partner, T. Hill, says that he is in the best shape he has ever been...and he is not injured (like he was all of last year). Look at his muscle tone in the videos, he is built quite solidly. This means he may return to the form when Heaps was throwing to him - i.e. 9 TDs.

Hipefully he has gotten over the mental injuries Jake Heaps caused him by hanging him out to dry over the middle - 2 concussions iirc. Apo was damaged goods after that. Very tentative about going after the ball or even running routes.



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I believe that was true previously but after hearing how he has been laying out for catches Ii.e. 40 yard diving catch, etc.), it seems that he has become more courageous and aggressive in going after the ball. If he develops the attitude of Cody Hoffman, he will be a much better player than what we have seen in prior seasons. One other thought for his marked improvement, Coach GUY HOLLIDAY. He has instilled a new attitude in the WRs, and he has a proven track record of placing WRs in the NFL.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-weH2xJL5o" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Played injured last year - didn't have much strength - disappointed with last year's performance. Feels 100% healthy this year, wants to go up and grab anything thrown his way. New lease on life. This is why WR group will be better.

He said he was benching 135 last year but this year did 12 reps with 225 and 1 at 280! If he improved his speed that much it gonna be fun.

nuk13 wrote:
He said he was benching 135 last year but this year did 12 reps with 225 and 1 at 280! If he improved his speed that much it gonna be fun.

135? WTF!? Was this because of injury?

Yes - shoulder injury that required surgery.