What irkes me is that when these so caled NFL ANALYSTS talk about Lav-Coles as a "possession" reciever. When we drafted him, I didstinctly remember him being one of the fastest recievers in the league. As a matter of fact at FSU he was track start turned RB turned WR. In a sports illustrated article about 3 years ago there was a page dedicaed to some of the fastest players, he was on it, along with Santana Moss and I beleve Champ Bailey among others. I guess my point is where has this conception of Coles NOT being an explosive WR come from? He hasn't seemed to have lost a step to me, its mind-boggling.
It's because he's never had a quarterback that could deliver the long ball consistently, so everyone just assumes he isn't fast or a deep threat. Although I do think he is a better short-pass reciever anyway due to his tendencies to think and run like a running back once he has the ball in his hands.
I think it's a little annoying with the classifications that are assigned to players like Coles who play as an all-around player, and I blame NFL analysts for trying to dumb the subject of football down for the layman. It's nice to be able to get a handle on a player's attributes, but i don't personally consider Coles to be a possession receiver either, although he is not as fast as originally advertised on grass wearing pads. He's got great concentration and hands, and I think that's why they give him that label, even though it's not really correct (IMO.)
Do you guys just make this stuff up as we go along????? IIRC correctly, Coles was drafted in 2000? Who under center in 2000, and 2001 ???? Or does Vinny have a noodle arm as well? Coles is just not that fast (comparatively) , nor is he particularly elusive.
Maybe Coles has slowed down since he ran the 40 at the combine but if he ran a 4.2 he is fast comparatively.
coles ran an official 4.47 at the combine. the fastest guy 99-07 was jerome mathis who ran a 4.28. its not even possible to run a 4.0 or even a 4.1.
Coles had 91 rec in 2006-07..his best year as a pro..LC is a big time NFL receiver..straight line speed is overrated..lets state the facts. 1. Does he play with pain...yes 2. Does he make clutch plays...yes 3. Does he catch the ball in traffic..yes..hel yes 4. Does he block downfield..yes (very well indeed) 5. Is he a threat after the catch..yes..you bet 6. team player..yes 7. great speed..who gives a crap!
I wish NFL defenses thought of him as only a possession receiver. That way they would always put a LB on him and only expect his number to be called on 3rd down.
2000? Yea, Vinnie was QB, but Coles wasn't a major part of the offense by any means. 2001? OK, you got me there, he didn't get deep very often, and yes, his quarterback had a good arm (and a very shitty year). Other than that, who has he had throw to him? Ramsey had a strong arm, but is just God-awfule. And then arguably the two weakest armed quarterbacks in the league, Mark Brunell and Chad Pennington (ok ok, Brad Johnson probably has them both beat) Maybe I did go a little overboard, but like I said, can't really count 2000, and he has played a large portion of his career with Chad and Brunell. While the other part was filled in with Ramsey. Don't really know what my point is, but if he had played with a good quarterback he'd be much more of a deep threat and would have much better numbers.
Coles may have lost a step in recent years due to injuries and what not but he was really fast. Coming out of college, he was actually known for his speed more than anything. The following is taken from an article from ProFootballWeekly: "According to the coaches, Coles had the fastest 40-time they ever recorded (4.19; most scouts had him around 4.3), and his time was even better than that of former Seminole Deion Sanders" I specifically remember a play in 2002 against the Dolphins when he got a 40 yard catch by just purely out running Patrick Surtain in a straight line. Plus, I haven't had Madden in a while, but I believe he was a 97 speed or something on it =D. And not elusive? Please watch his touchdown against the Pats in week 2 of last season. Everyone raves about the Cotchery TD but I think the Coles one impressed me even more. It seemed like he schooled the entire team.
Yes. as an incoming Freshman at FSU. But he ran a 4.47 at the Combine, which while fast, is not NFL Blazing fast. Don't get me wrong thats not a knock on Coles, I love the guy, and no one can really single cover him, but by NFL Standards he's not really a burner.
This is what I meant about Coles not coming as fast as advertised on grass in pads. Don't get me wrong, I happen to be one of the people that thinks he is pretty fast and elusive when given the opportunity, but the legendary FSU 4.19 40 was under optimum conditions on an extremely fast track probably wearing shorts and track shoes and the event has never amounted to more than hearsay, so there was never an actual official recording of the time. I'm not saying it didn't happen, but this LC is not the same LC who ran that 40 time. A lot of water under the bridge, a lot of football-related injuries (including the toe) and there's always the age factor.
You could add a #8. Elusiveness after the catch....F yes! I love LC and anyone who has played the game has had a Coles on their team , no hit too hard , no route too difficult , no coverage that can't be beat, never give up play to the whistle. Hes a footballer players footballer.
Wow, I never realized that Bo Jackson ran a sub 4.2 40. The guy truly was an athletic phenom. Too bad his career had to end so early. I remember reading that Justin Gatlin (the olympic sprinter who was banned for steroid use) did a workout for the Houston Texans and ran something like a 3.8 for his 40.
