I posted this on another thread but though it deserved it's own discussion. I just don't get the "Coles is average" arguements being thrown around here. Let's look at facts. Below are some receivers stats for receptions and yards over the past 4 years. You should also keep in mind that Coles last year in Washington was a horrible QB situation and his first year back with the Jets in 2005, he had Bollinger throwing him the ball with no offensive line while at the same time, guys like Harrison and Chad Johnson had very stable QB situations, but, no excuses. Here's a list of Coles versus some notable, what I'm sure you'd consider "far above average" receivers: Player: receptions, yards (2003-2006) C. Johnson: 369, 5430 M. Harrison: 357, 4897 L. Coles: 336, 4097 R. Wayne: 314, 4413 D. Driver: 314, 4345 T. Owens: 289, 4218 S. Smith: 280, 3899 Call me crazy, but Coles is certainly in the neighborhood from a production standpoint. Also, if you increase his 2005 numbers (to help offset what I call the "Bollinger Effect) to the average of his numbers in 2003, 2004 and 2006, he would be closer to the neighborhood of 350 catches and 4,440 yards. But perhaps receptions and yardage are poor measures of a receivers worth? Getting an 8 yard reception on 3rd and 6 a couple of times a game is worth less than a 40 yard reception every other game?
its amazing how the man does not make the pro bowl. His consistency should not be overlooked, as well as his toughness.. Show me a WR his size that consistently comes back on the field after being beaten up as much as him. Hines Ward comes to mind,, and hes not on that list- and thats saying something. Coles also won team MVP, so that says alot about what the team thinks of him. He may run his mouth once in a while but its worth it becuase his speed, ands and blocking skills are superb for a WR of his size. We should praise him more than we bash anything he does, because on sunday Coles works as hard as anybody and even harder than most.
ill make it clear right now, i always thought coles was a #1 reciever and i agree i dont know why everyone on this forum for the most part downs his abilities?!
Laveranues Coles is a clearly above average #1 receiver at the moment, and has been since 2002. He had a couple of slower seasons due to injury but he has maintained acceptable production even then. He's definitely not in the same category as Chad Johnson and Marvin Harrison and Torry Holt but he stacks up really well against just about anybody else over the last 5 years. My guess is that in a year or two Harrison falls off that list and Roy Williams (Det) replaces him as a top 3 receiver.
He is definitely underrated and underappreciated throughout the league. I don't even wanna think of what our offense would be without him. By far the most valuable member of this team.
Here's Hines Ward over the same 4 years: Catches: 318 Yards: 4117 So he has 18 fewer catches than Coles and 20 more receiving yards. They're virtually identical...
Remember that first game against the Patriots last year when Coles was bobbing and weaving, avoiding tackles, breaking tackles, and basically willing himself into the endzone? There are very few receivers in the NFL that can do that.
I have always liked Coles. He is a tough receiver. Not afraid to go over the middle, man did he take some hard shots last year. I hope he stays a Jet for the rest of his career, we should have never let him go the first time.
Ward and Coles are both fine #1 receivers, and you're right they are probably almost identical in terms of value to their teams.
Problem with Coles is that after 16 games of getting creamed because he has to wait on passes he is mincemeat by the end of the season. I love Coles in the respect that his arms do not shorten at the point of impact and he is a real team leader despite his diarhea of the mouth with the press. However Coles is going to have a limited shelf life if he keeps absorbing hits at this rate and severity. By limited shelf life, I mean, if he has another hit or two like the Z.Thomas hit, he will be done. That is what I think a legit concern about L Coles he backs down from nothing and that is going to get him killed. Back on topic when not concussed L. Coles is a definite #1 WR IMO.
Actually about 53% of the yards were with Washington. 2005 with Bollinger really hurt him from a stats standpoint: 2003 (WA): 82 receptions, 1204 yards 2004 (WA): 90, 950 2005 (NY): 73, 845 2006 (NY): 91, 1098
Good Post... Maybe I'm reading too much into it.. It's justified for Coles to have "sub-par" production in Washington with a "weak" qb, as well as the "Bollinger Effect" here in NY ... So what's the difference with the "Washed up" Mr. Moss for the Patriots? I'm talking from a production stand point .. I'm speaking in general with the popular opinion on this board that Mr. Moss is washed up and won't produce for "that team up North" .. Again, let me make the point from a production stand point, not a character issue..etc..
The reason Coles gets no love is because he doesn't rip off the 50-yard touchdown every two to three games (a la Steve Smith, Chad Johnson, Randy Moss in his prime, TO four or five years ago). By some, that's the criteria of a game-changing WR by which all WRs should be viewed. The reason I think Coles qualifies for upper echelon status (more than his toughness, which is amazing) is his ability to catch whatever is thrown his way. The man has unbelievable hand-eye coordination, but just as formidable, is the strength of his hands. I'd put Coles as the best receiver on this team in almost two decades (since Toon and Walker), but I'm sure some would say Chrebet was their guy.
Wow those stats are great... Good job... Coles isnt an average receiver he's that playmaking reciever that everyteam should have.
I agree.. He's a tough SOB.. Every time he catches the ball and runs I start to feel like Yankee fans feel when Big Papi comes to the plate.. I cringe..hmy:
hmm..you didn't hear me say he was washed up. I would have given anything for him to come to NY and reunite with Pennington where he had over 70 TDs in 3 years. ( I shouldn't say that. I know he had 29 as a fresman and I know he had 25 as a junior. I have no idea how many he had as a sophomore)
