Does Jacobson have what it takes to play the slot?

I went golfing with a former player a few weeks ago and we were talking about the upcoming season. When I asked him his thoughts on McKay playing in the slot I was a bit surprised with his response on the matter. He stated that in order to go over the middle as a receiver you've got to have some serious "brass." He didn't feel McKay had what it took to consistently play in this capacity however. (please note that McKay was a freshman when these two played together)



I have nothing but respect for McKay and the big moments he's had as a cougar. However, in watching him last night I paid specific attention to his routes across the middle/sideline with a safety coming over the top. In two instances it appeared he had his eyes on the safety looking to hit him rather than watching the ball. One pass sailed high and was nearly intercepted, the other was one of those dropped balls that were so frustrating last night.



I don't mean to disparage McKay or his role on the team, but our 3rd down conversion rate over the last several years was largely due to a strong and reliable precense over the middle with the likes of Harline, Coats, Meikle, Mauhika, Pitta, George, etc. We obviously struggled last night on 3rd downs and of couse dropped balls didn't help, but it made me wonder if McKay has what it takes to be more than a burner running finesse routes. Is Jacobson capable of becoming a Wes Welker-like assett in the slot? What adjustments will be made to improve the 3rd down conversion rate? If McKay isn't the solution, who is?



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The play up the seam for McKay was a terribly thrown ball. Unless McKay was 12', he wasn't getting that one.



As a freshman, McKay made some big, physical plays. Last year he played hurt. Only had one game this year. I think we can wait and see what he can do.



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He was pretty much invisible except for his drop on Heaps' beautiful pass in between the corner and safety. I had hopes that McKay would be our new Collie but I think we're back to good ol' BYU sling the ball to any receiver you can find days. Man, we need a TE to step up soon and become a force.

There were a couple of good tosses to him up the middle which he hauled in and I was impressed with his speed. He looks quicker this season and seems to be able to "explode" a bit more. Last season it took him a few yards before he got up to full speed and could make any separation.



Unfortunately, I think he fell victim to some poor passes. One he definitely should of had as it was right through his hands, another was just thrown bad.



Part of me would like to see Chambers in the slot, but typically there's more contact on the receiver running through the middle and Chambers has a propensity to try and do something fancy which makes him prone to losing the football (how many attempted spin moves did he try yesterday? Just about every time he touched the ball). As far as I can recall, Jacobson hasn't fumbled. He protects and holds onto the ball, which is critical for any receiver but especially the guy in the slot.



I kind of like all the different receivers getting touches. It doesn't produce a star player, but I'd much rather go with the philosophy of throwing it to the open man rather than threading it through a needle to the NFL draft prospect/bro. in law.