Do you think this is also telling that the 49ers may pursue a trade for Derek Anderson?

I hope we don't trade for Anderson. He'd be a slight improvement over Hill, sure, but I don't want to give up picks for him.

Question: Do you think this is also telling that the 49ers may pursue a trade for Derek Anderson?

My response: I wouldn't make that leap quite yet, but you never know. --Matt M.

matt, are ther any press conferences or chances to speak to coach singletary about the interviews ?
or is there "closed door" until we see white smoke ?

Isn't what's really telling the fact that Sing already said the new OC can hire the QB coach? Does this move mean that Chudz is a foregone conclusion to be the new OC? If so, why not announce it?

I agree w/ you. It's possible the 49ers have chosen, or maybe even ranked their candidates. Chud may have intimated he wanted to bring this guy w/ him, the 49ers indicated that the new OC would be able to bring in his own QB coach, this may very well be telling of what's to come. The suspense is torture.

They may not want to announce anything b/c they're not done inteviewing candidates, some of they're prospects may be coaching in the post season.

Well, Anderson's QB coach has interviewed for the job Singletary said the OC gets to pick, meaning Anderson's offensive coordinator is also more than likely hired. And Singletary has pretty much said they'd bring a QB in.

I think that leap has already been made.

Question: are ther any press conferences or chances to speak to coach singletary about the interviews ? or is there "closed door" until we see white smoke ?

My response: No press conferences, no interviews. The organization has gone under ground. --Matt M.

Meh. I hope this is just a follow up interview based on Chud, but not indicative of a hire. It's easy to blame all the problems last year with Cleveland on underperforming players and injuries, but the numbers are SO bad, the OC has to take some blame too, plain and simple.

I think we need to consider a risk assessment and recognize that Chud is relatively high in that respect, certainly compared to a Linehan for example.

I'd rather see Linehan or Dennison in here.

Matt -- Do you know if Jeremy Bates was retained by new Broncos coach Josh McDaniels? He was the other side of the Broncos 2-headed OC under Mike Shanahan. Before McDaniels was hired, it had been reported that Bolen wanted to keep him but the stories since McDaniels was introduced as the Broncos new coach noted he might not be retained afterall. From everything I've read, he's considered an up and coming coach. He would definitely be worth a look as the QB coach based on his work with Cutler.

Hey Matt, I'm hearing grumblings down here in So Cal that LT could be released this offseason. Being that LT used to run as the feature back, do you think he would accept a role (ala Shaun Alexander) to share a backfield with Gore?

I agree, I would like to see Linehan (1st) or Dennison (2nd) as OC.

As for the draft, we definetly need that pass rusher. What about JR Everette Brown from Florida St? He is a monster and now that we have a specialist coach for pass rushing he can bring an impact...
Check him out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXJJ14HL5EE

Later on the draft we go for RT (2), FS(3), QB(4) and FB(4) assuming we get at least a 4th rounder comp pick.

Chain Gailey in all likelihood just became available with the hiring of Pioli in KC.

It is likely that if Chudzinski interviewed and suggested Scherer as the guy he'd like to bring along, that Singletary would bring him in to get a feel for both men. I don't think it's a foregone conclusion yet, but you never know.

My thoughts are that Singletary is doing his due diligence:

- Coach Sing asked Chudzinski if he is looking to become a head coach in the near future as this is a concern for the Niner organization in the selection of the next OC

- Chudzinksi probably admitted that he wants to one day be a head coach, but even if he did, his QB coach, Rip Scherer, would be able to continue on as the next OC

- Coach Sing is interviewing Scherer to see how he would fit as the OC if Chudzinski left after a season or two

As Matt said, even entertaining Rip Scherer to interview for the QB position is quite telling: he is leaning toward Chudzinksi over Linehan.

Traj

Jack Acid - For a minute there I thought you were talking about Linehan and his three underwhelming years in St. Louis: "It's easy to blame all the problems last year with Cleveland (Insert Rams) on underperforming players and injuries, but the numbers are SO bad, the OC (insert Head Coach) has to take some blame too, plain and simple." Why do you give Linehan a free pass from the EXACT same excuses and not Coach Chud?

I'm drinking Chud's coolaid (and have been ever since MM talked about him in the event Nolan got fired). He is Gore's College OC and he turns TE's into a Monster.

I'm probably over-thinking this, but what the hell, I'm at work . . . this feels like a smokescreen to throw the rest of the league off Singletary's true target . . . who I think has not been interviewed yet.

This is really interesting to say the least. If Mike has said he will allow his OC to pick the QB coach maybe he truly has decided on the OC, or maybe he has asked everyone that has interviewed who they would want as the QB coach and he is going to now go through and interview those people. He might have decided to start with this guy.

Who would Sing's REAL target be that he isn't interviewing?????? This isn't the draft - you don't have to throw the other teams off when hiring an assistant coach. Obviously "Chud" is either close to being hired or being VERY seriously considered. Two years ago, Anderson threw for 29 TDs and last year the Cleveland offense absolutely stank (injuries and other things). This just goes to show that except for the occasional GREAT coach (Walsh for example, and even he wasn't a total exception to this), most NFL coaches are comparable. You get a decent coach and then it's the PLAYERS, baby. "You need the horses" quoth Mr. Ditka. Shanahan did as well as he could with Griese and Plummer, but couldn't do any better than their talent. Such is the case with almost every coach in the league. Shanahan lost his job because, like Shula for many years, he was a poor judge of defensive talent. Mangini lost his job because Favre, at 39 years old, couldn't last a whole season at top physical ability. Suddenly Bill Cowher could "win the big one"......all when Big Ben showed up. Ultimately IT'S THE PLAYERS. Looks like the 49ers will get a good offensive coordinator. Then they need to make sure they get a big time QB (and I don't know that Derek Anderson would be any better than Hill) and make sure their receiving corps is developed./

Coach Sing is not really taking his time, but biding his time. He is still holding out hope that Norvell will be let go very soon.

It's almost always a mistake to fire a winning coach (Gruden winning the SB an exception to the rule, when he replaced Dungy, who replaced Mora, and he eventually won too - but both guys took over "complete" teams). It didn't really work when the 49ers replaced Seifert with Mooch (George won TWO SBs, remember) and it obviously didn't work after Mooch was fired after a playoff season (and a win). The Chargers would be absolute idiots to get ANOTHER head coach now (and replace him with.....Shanahan? Why? Norv's team beat HIS team.) Norv did a good job last year. Why would he now be let go?

Why would you put up a smoke screen to mask who you want as offensive coordinator? What benefit would that have? If you want a guy to be your offensive coordinator just hire him, it's not like there's a coach draft.

I trust coach and his ability to judge people.

You will see a different team next year, will it be enough? Don't know, but it will be better than what we have had for the last six years!

You think Anderson would be an improvement over hill??? How? What was it that impressed you more, the 50% completion rate or the 1:1 TD to INT ratio? The guy is WILDLY inaccurate and this season, with Braylon and Winslow not playing out of their minds, you saw what type of QB they really have. Cleveland must be kicking themselves for giving this guy any money at all.

Check the stats this year... Hill played one fewer game than Anderson. Not exactly impressive numbers.

As Kezar keeps saying, you need the horses. Coaches can only do so much. Sing isn't looking for the most brilliant OC, he's looking for an OC who is on the same page with him - all the way. With Sing, it's TEAM - from management on down through the coaches and players. The most important asset the new OC will bring is total team commitment. Sing wants his team to beat your team, not outsmart it.

Matt, if Scherer is Chudzinski's probable QB coach, who would Linehan's and Dennison's probable QB coach selections be?

Note to Traj: If Chudzinski were offered a head coaching position, there would probably be nothing stopping him from bringing Scherer along as *his* OC...

Can I state the obvious? The 49ers were very impressed by Chudzinski's track record, especially with TEs, and if not for his probability of becoming a HC after one good season the 49ers probably would have hired him already.

However, like some fans and writers have brought up. with Chudzinski comes the real possibility of another one and done season. So, the 49ers have to look at Scherer to see if he is ready to become an OC (or nearly ready). It makes sense that if they are going to hire Chudzinski they have to look at his OC. They're already stated that if they hire someone who has a chance of leaving rather quickly that they would want that coach to have someone who could step in to fill the OC spot.

Just judging from Scherer's experience, he is not one year away from becoming an OC, but what do I know. All I have to say is if they are looking into this scenario, they better sign Scherer to a 5 year contract so when Chudzinski leaves he doesn't take Scherer with him.

I meant, as I wrote, a candidate who hasn't been interviewed YET . . . likely meaning a coach who is still coaching. Possibly Hue Jackson of Baltimore, Pat Shurmur or Philly, Ken Anderson of Pittsburgh , , , again . . . probably . . . not probably . . . totally over-thinking this issue.

dammit - "All-American safety Taylor Mays has decided to return to Southern California for his senior season rather than turn pro.".......everrett should be our number pick!!!

I would love to have the problem of our offense being so much better in 2009 than the Mike Martz version of 2008 that we risk loosing our OC. Common guys - think about it: If any OC puts up huge numbers and we become next years Cardinals (did I just say that?) they will become an instant HC candidate. Its the nature of the NFL. Norv was supposed to be the safe pick. Let's have a great 2009 season and offense before we worry about our OC leaving before we even hire the man. Remember when you all wanted JTO franchised and Mike Martz as our HC after 3 games this year? Yeah - things change...

I just saw the Taylor Mays news. Not good - I liked him a lot. We needed as many talented top 10 guys as possible in this draft to make our pick that much better.

Just an observation re a potential confluence of events:
1. Singletary names QB as one of 4 positions that needs upgrading.
2. 49ers Interview ex-Browns OC Chudzinski and now QB coach Scherer.
3. Brown's QB Anderson has a $5 million guaranteed bonus due in March, per January 9 ProFootball Talk, which means that the Browns either need to trade him before March 1, or keep him and eat the bonus.

I'm pretty impressed with all of the OC candidates so far... I can't say I'd be disappointed if he picked any one of these guys...

"3. Brown's QB Anderson has a $5 million guaranteed bonus due in March, per January 9 ProFootball Talk, which means that the Browns either need to trade him before March 1, or keep him and eat the bonus."

It looks like any team that trades for Anderson would be on the hook for that $5 Mil bonus. Cleveland would eat it if they keep or cut him, but he's going to get the money regardless. The Browns really screwed the pooch on that one. I DAMN sure don't want the niners to take that hit.

Taylor Mays probably wouldn't have been a top 10 (or even top 15) pick in this draft. At this point, he's too one-dimensional. His ultimate position will probably be strong safety, as he has shown the ability to hit but not to cover.

I think the Browns take the cap hit regardless, but yeah, you're right, Cleveland can get the financial relief by trading him.

I wouldn't worry about the 49ers taking the financial hit. there are no cap ramifications, and it's not your money. Additionally, it should bring the price of the trade (draft pick wise) down somewhat.

re: this interview, my guess is that Singletary is being thorough and making sure Chudzinski's pick for QB coach fits in with the rest of the coaching staff and matches with his offensive vision. After all, if this is supposed to be the OC in waiting, it's important Singletary know the QB coach melds with his offensive vision.

Wow, maybe I'm one of the only ones who didn't know this, but I just read that Joe Montana and Charlie Weis were roommates at Notre Dame. http://blogs.static.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/21634.html

Matt:

ESPN has Michael Crabtree falling to the Niner's spot in the draft. Would the Niners actually draft him?

Question: ESPN has Michael Crabtree falling to the Niner's spot in the draft. Would the Niners actually draft him?

My response: The 49ers believe you can get good receivers in the middle rounds. So if they took a receiver in the first round, he would have to be an elite talent who has a passion for the game and stands up to the background check off the field, too. Is Crabtree such a person? That's what the 49ers will seek to answer in the next couple months of study. --Matt M.

I'm hoping Coach Singletary waits for Pat Shurmur to be interviewed.

i believe crabtree is the best receiver in college football,hands down,deserves to be a top -10 pick,and i hope we pass if available. if coach sing wants a running game similar to the saints ,percy harvin would be a better fit.he would drive defenses crazy.because a creative oc can put him anywhere and he can take it to the house .a great return man as well.this must take the heat off gore . and give him bigger holes.not the best receiver,but certainly the most explosive and versatile.plus,we could drop down a few picks and get him.

You need to spend a little more time in the film room JB. Mays is the total package – SC is lucky to have him back.

Who needs Crabtree? I'd be more than comfortable with Morgan, Hill and Ziegler. Good young players who're only getting better. And since the offense will be centered on Gore they've got a chance to grow.

The elite OC we want is not needed. we don't need to be a top 5 offense to go deep in the playoffs. If we can be middle of the road, great. we need to build a dominant defense and a strong running attack. Look at who made the playoffs and are still in the hunt. Dominant defenses and teams that run, Top regular season defenses were Steelers, Eagkes and Ravens. Building a great defense and a average offense that can control the clock is the recipe for sucess in today's NFL.

Please no Crabtree. I agree Percy Harvin is the better pick IMO. Whenever I watched Crabtree he disappears for long spells & he regularly gets caught from behind. He's a super talented possession WR & a great RZone threat for sure. But I would rather have an explosive WR such as Harvin who has that legit take it to the house capability at ANY GIVEN PLAY.

With the power running game we're trying to establish & OK speed we have at WR we need a weapon like Harvin that when he catches a ball (or rushes on occasion) & sees an open path or is behind the secondary HE IS GONE & IN THE END ZONE!! How many times last year did we fail to score a TD when in the previous play our guys weren't able to reach the end zone after a long pass play or run? Plus Harvin I believe is a return man as well. Very versatile as already mentioned. (But I wouldn't count on him heavily on the run....just use him occasionally as a scat RB type role. We shouldn't wear him out.) Harvin is a stronger, more durable, capable of running inside Desean Jackson type with that sub 4.4 SPEED. Dynamic & explosive & I repeat can take it for 6 points ON ANY GIVEN PLAY....he's a legit game changer! Think along the lines of Darren Sproles but Harvin will get more opportunities to score because he will get passes thrown to him more in open space as a receiver where Sproles is mostly rushing or catching screens (which of course Harvin can also do.)

Interesting note about Dennison...he didn't call the plays last year in Denver. PFT reports that Jeremy bates did. So, either he never called the plays for Denver, or he did but was replaced by Bates. Not sure which it was, but surely either scenario is a red flag?

WR Kenny Britt from Rutgers is no slouch.
Big target and works in traffic.
He's worth a 3rd if he lasts that long.
He's already cracked the Top 64 and he's a Jr.

Re: Crabtree/Harvin...Harvin, please! Crabtree for a possession receiver just doesn't have Rice/Fitz/Cris Carter like hands, and while huge at the college level just will not be able to outmuscle NFL DB's. Harvin, on the other hand, would be a genuine NFL threat. With the changes in the pass coverage rules of a few years ago, smaller, speedier WR's will be making a resurgence in the NFL. The question is, if/when Harvin "wows 'em" at the combine with freak numbers, will his stock rise too high for us, in a similar fashion to Ginn? Ideally, a dominant RT or CB or pass rusher would be a good first pick, but the chance to add a massive new dimension to the O might also prove tempting. I know Coach wants a smash mouth running game, but one of the best ways to ensure some running room is to have a dangerous, deep threat at WR, a la Willie Gault. That'll keep the DB's from crowding the LoS.

Well, if Singletary is serious about upgrading the QB position, the first question that seems reasonable to ask is, specifically, what are his options. Would it be reasonable to expect the 49ers to upgrade the play of the 2009 QB play through the 2009 draft, I think the answer is a rather obvious no. So that leaves the option of either some sort of veteran acquisition, or improvement from the players already on the roster. Let's focus on the veteran acquisition option, who's potentially available on the veteran market that would A) be an upgrade, B) would cost less than the $5 million Anderson bonus, and throw in that he would probably cost a rather low draft pick. If we could lay those options on the table then we could make rational arguments, pro and con. It seems to me that a $5 million bonus, given the QB market, is a relatively cheap price to pay, compared with other options, if Anderson becomes a good QB with the 49ers; it's somewhat of an expensive proposition is he's simply going to sit on the bench.

Agreed Percy Percy Percy is the man to draft if he comes out and if he is there at 10 which I doubt.

Is Scherer the guy we'd want running the show if Chudzinski gets a HC gig in the next year or 2. I'd guess that's what Sing is trying to figure out. His age seems a little off from what you'd expect if he's in a succession plan. He's 56 and I've never heard of him and I'll bet many of the readers here have never heard of him.

On the draft, I'm not a huge Percy fan. He's a great college player. I'm not sure how his game translates to the NFL. With the 10th pick, I'd hope they'd go with a guy who can help as a safety or OL.

With all the other needs, it'd be pretty ridiculous to take a receiver first round. Unless they plan to use him as a [first and second year] Devin Hester, as a return specialist with game-changing ability, there are just too many other holes on the team. As for speed at receiver... Hill ran a 4.32 at the combine, has he really lost speed since then?

man, i hope we do NOT trade for anderson. that'd just be a waste of a draft pick. This talk about picking up a WR as the 10th pick is all fine and good, but is that really the biggest need? i don't think so. we have some talented young players in that position, and they may not be the next rice/carter/moss but they're good enough. we have other positions of need.

shootme - I really like Jason Hill. That 40 time at the combine must have been a one time deal. He probably trained his tail off to get that best time like training in the weight room to get your best max bench lift.

I don't see that 4.32/40 speed on the field at all. He's got decent speed when he PLAYS...not gamebreaking or regularly hitting the home run (or even a few times.) That legit low 4.3's is the FASTEST in the NFL. (Prime time Deion might have been a sub 4.3) Deshaun Jackson like, Devin Hester, maybe Sproles. Allan Rossum in his younger days or in his prime. Do you really see Jason Hill jumping out at you like that?? He's one of the examples I was talking about catching a long pass, got behind the D, & almost easily got caught from behind. Like I said I like Hill though & he has plenty of room to still grow as a receiver. We definitely don't have ANY legit consistent explosive players like that in our Offense period. An OC who could properly use & develop VD might get us closer in time. Same with Morgan. And Hill will only gain in production. I've been saying this for over a year....this team needs more EXPLOSIVENESS/SPEED/PLAYMAKERS on both sides of the ball. Fill the other major holes first & next year we should really be able to focus on that next step.

I agree WR is not the biggest need. I threw Percy as my last option for the #10 pick, just a possibility. Most juniors have made their decisions so my choices today for the #10 are....Oher (should be gone), Maualuga, EBrown, BJ Raji, Malcolm Jenkins (CB or FS), Jason Smith (if our OC/OL goes to a zone blocking scheme), & Percy Harvin.

In other words we probably don't have the LUXURY of getting a Harvin like gamechanger premium WR this year in the 1st round & will have to YET AGAIN "GET BY" WITH THE WR'S WE HAVE.

But like with most fans I like the improvement we've made with our core with the added new talent & youth movement.

Dude, come on. When is the last time you saw a 49ers receiver catch a deep ball in stride and at top speed? The fact is, we really don't know how fast most of our receivers play. They slow down and wait for a lot of deep balls. I like Shaun Hill. I think he is a good guy with great leadership and a ton of heart, but when he goes deep, I damn near wet myself. That 48 yard td to Morgan could have been caught by four different guys, not because he threw into a mess, but because the ball took so long to get there that eveyone caught up to it. Martz, who is prone to exageration, said that Hill (Jason) sped up his play late in the year once he felt confident in the system. He also said Hill can flat out fly.

I think the Michael Robinson experiment is over and Percy,Percy, Percy could spell Gore as well as make Rossum obsolete. Oh yeah he could do some receiving if so inclined.

Aaron in Seattle - easy answer: Josh Morgan's finger tip catch against Arizona on Monday night football. He ran a go route and went past everyone. He must of had at least 3 yards on everybody and he nearly trip before getting into the endzone.

I think all of the speculation on offensive prospects will probably need to wait until we know what is happening on offense. If we are staying with power running, we will need a big, nasty RT. If we convert to a zone scheme, we can pick up a couple of athletic linemen (like Smiley) in the late rounds, and use an early pick on a playmaker. I'm just getting impatient on the OC issue.

Great example, Mike deuce. I think Josh Morgan has decent speed in a big, athletic frame. I think he will develop into a good receiver. I also remember Shaun Hill out-throwing VD (who should have dove for it) on a pass that should have been a touchdown. I wasn't saying that Hill never throws nice deep balls, just that his inconsistency with them both worries me at times and limits the opportunities we have to get an accurate sense of our speed in the passing game. Morgan couldn't have been slow if he blew past the CB to get open, since corners usually have some decent jets. I guess I should have been more specific in my question, since Hill was the subject. I personally cannot remember seeing Jason Hill catch a deep ball at full speed, and it has been rare that any 49er receivers have had that opportunity.

You have a point about SHill's deep ball no doubt & it's obvious to everyone. There's been a number of plays where I've seen Hill catch a ball in open space but get caught from behind. Not from a deep ball where he has to wait for it but from a decent medium pass. I can't remember which games but there was 1 or 2 where Jason got tackled just short of the end zone when he had space to run it all the way in. He was sprinting for 20+ yards downfield after the catch in a foot race & got caught.

Point is I don't see enough gamebreaking in the short/interm. catches then running after the catch (YAC). Our WR's mostly get tackled soon after they catch the ball. Like I said you have a valid point about our receivers having to wait for Sean's deep ball but often times I still see our guys catch in open spaces & they haven't been able to to turn on an extra burst to turn it into a big play or take it all the way to the end zone. And our WR's rarely get behind the secondary. Again that brings up the lack of speed issue though I admit Martz rarely ever called for deep fly routes from our WR's. There might have been 1 or 2 deep routes all season from VD where he got behind the safety while the ball was still in the air. (But not thrown AFTER he got past the safety. Don't think Hill has enough arm strength for that on a deep route.)

That was a good one Mike. I remember JTO actually threw that one slightly short & Morgan had to slow down & adjust to it. A great catch BTW. Like Aaron pointed out we probably could get a better idea of our deep game with a QB who had a stronger arm. Still happy with Hill for now as we're filling our holes.

New experiment Michael Robinson at FS... Use those college QB/Special Team tackling skills in the secondary. He couldn't be much worse than Roman (aka toast)... LOL

I can't believe the posts supporting Harvin. NFL WRs need to be able to get off the line, run solid routes and catch the ball. Harvin may have the hands, but nothing else. He is Peter Warrick 15 years later. When will fans learn that college speed and trickery doesn't translate to the NFL. It is why Tim Tebow will not be a good NFL QB unless he changes.

Michael Crabtree has everything a WR should have.

And as for combine numbers, how are Andre Caldwell, Will Franklin and Dexter Jackson doing in the NFL? They were the #2, 3 and 4 fastest WRs at the combine last year. Or how about Armann Shields' 4.4 40, how'd he do this year? Or Earl Bennett 4.48, Brandon Breazell 4.47 or Pierre Garcon 4.48?

Go to YouTube and watch video of these guys, fast in college doesn't mean fast in the NFL, just ask Reggie "why can't I get around the corner" Bush.

I'm with you, Toby. Harvin will have trouble outrunning people in the NFL because the players don't get out of position that often. We know Ginn is fast, but how often has he broken one? The receivers that have high YAC are typically physical receivers with good (not necessarily great) speed. Steve Smith, TO... players who can break arm tackles and are shifty enough to make people miss. It's not often in the NFL where DBs are caught in a trailing position, particularly on speedy receivers.

"Do you really see Jason Hill jumping out at you like that?? " I live in CO with no Direct TV :( I haven't seen him at all. In watching the BCS champ game, I did notice that Harvin quite often didn't look that fast. It was only when Tebow overthrew him did he kick that next gear to pull away and get the ball. That's not going to happen with Hill.

MM - Have you gotten any sounds bites out of Gore about Coach Chud and their days together in Miami?

ha...i just read that mike nolan is the new DC in denver.
good luck with that, bronco fans!

Mike, thats why I hate the combine and try not to be influenced by it. If a guy hasn't produced at the college level, he is very unlikely to do it in the NFL. Most guys like Hill who climb because of a fast 40 time leave me cold.

I actually think Jason Hill is a good WR too, but not a real burner. Not on a football field anyway.

The thing about time in the 40 is this: how often do you see a football player run 40 yards in a STRAIGHT line?

Quickness and acceleration matter more than track speed. And ability to run while looking over your shoulder matters too. Jason is quick but not James Lofton fast.

All that being said, I'd still rather have Everette Brown, BJ Raji or another defensive stud in the first round this year.

Toby - forget the combine numbers. The scouting report 40 times & height/weight numbers are just a baseline reference to go by to weed through the masses. The real proof is on film & on the playing field. Is the guy elusive, explosive, plays FAST, & is he a playmaker that makes big plays? Is he a consistent receiver? The Niner fans have to be experts to never make that same mistake about being sucked in by combine stats. We've dissected the VD argument inside out....we want FOOTBALL PLAYERS FIRST.

I'm just hungry for a legit playmaking home run threat #1 WR. Legit meaning that knowing how to run routes & go after & catch the ball should be automatics he should have. The only time I saw Harvin play was at the BCS Championship game + reading his scouting report. Afterwards I pulled him up on youtube to check him out some more. Of course we shouldn't take a WR who doesn't have the basic solid skills that a WR should have. I hope our scouts are able to do a good job with the evaluations on the guys they’ve been pursuing.

What I would want from a #1 WR....
1) Good ball skills
2) Good route runner
3) Excellent speed & quickness to cause separation & the ability to take it all the way to the end zone when there's a clear path. Or be elusive enough to make players miss as he finds his way for extra yardage or goes all the way.

4) Good work habit & is coachable
5) From #4 he should be willing to block for his teammates
6) Good leaping ability

If Harvin isn't all that go to the next guy & so on. What about Maclin? BTW that's as far as I'd go for the RD 1 guys. Now it's time to shop at the mid-rounders. I would consider Heyward Bey only in RD 2 because he’s still so raw as a receiver but he’s blazing fast. I highly doubt we’re going WR in the 1st round anyways, this is all just interesting speculation.