JOHN TURNER
The Journal Pioneer

Rarely do rookie wide receivers make an impact in the NFL, but this year there have been a number playing major roles.
Generally, it takes receivers at least two or three years to develop because the corners in the NFL are bigger, technically sound and faster than what they face in college.
Furthermore, having only speed doesn’t mean success for most young receivers — they need to learn how to run precise and polished routes.
In college, speed alone can get you open. But in the big league, you better have the full package, especially if you’re getting paid to get open.
If you go back to the 2009 NFL draft, the following wide receivers were first-rounders: Percy Harvin (Vikings, 22nd), Hakeem Nicks (Giants, 28th), Kenny Britt (Titans, 26th), Jeremy Maklin (Eagles, 19th), Mike Crabtree (49ers, 10th) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (Raiders, seventh).
All these players have put up some very impressive numbers, with the most dangerous of the bunch being Harvin with over 500 yards and four touchdowns, along with two more on special teams.
Nicks has 472 yards, four touchdowns and made a huge third-down catch in overtime last week that may have saved the Giants’ season. Maklin has 477 yards and four touchdowns, and Britt is starting to shine with a touchdown on Monday night to go along with his 393 yards.
Crabtree sat out five games due to a contract holdout, but has shown his talent with one touchdown and 292 yards in only five games.
The only bust looks to be the Raiders’ Heyward-Bey, who has only seven catches for 103 yards and no touchdowns. He was a huge surprise pick at seventh overall. At least the Raiders are consistent as they continue to draft poor players in the first round, and local fans like Leard and Chad must be shaking their heads.
Bottom line is these teams need these receivers to continue producing down the stretch if they want to make some noise.
There still will be rookie mistakes, but the quarterbacks on these respective teams hope they’re few and far between as they continue to develop.
Nonetheless, there might not be a Jerry Rice or Randy Moss in the bunch, but most of them should have solid NFL careers.

The sure thing
The Chargers are playing great on both sides of the ball and look like the team The Freak picked at the beginning of the year to go to the Super Bowl. K.C. has won two in a row, but is running into a hot team at home. Bolts win!
Atlanta needs to run the table to have a chance at the playoffs, and it begins against the Bucs. Coach Morris has taken on the play-calling on defence in hopes of energizing his D. Falcons are tough at home and will keep their playoff hopes alive.
Both the Bengals and Browns self destructed late in the fourth quarter last week against bad teams, Raiders and Lions. The chances of Cincinnati blowing up at home this week are very slim, while the Browns do it on a regular basis. Bengals rebound while Cleveland proves it is still the same-old Browns.
Imagine Bears’ fans like EI, Ryan and Jamie thinking they were going to be the class of the NFC with the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler. Watching Cutler make bad decisions and missing wide-open receivers has become laughable. This spells big trouble for Chicago, which visits Minny to face the Vikings 9-1 (won-lost). The Vikes are rolling and, after this game, Cutler will wish he was still in Denver. Vikes win.

Don’t mortgage the house picks
Washington’s running-back situation looks bleak with Rock Cartwright now in charge. The Eagles need a win to keep pace with the Cowboys in the NFC East. An Eagles-Redskins’ game is always a physical battle, but this battle ends with Philly on top.
This should be a great Monday night game between the Pats and Saints. Both teams have great quarterbacks, solid coaching and secondaries that are both struggling, so what will give in this game? Saints quarterback Drew Brees has a few more weapons at wide receiver than Tom Brady does, and this will most likely be the difference. This game will come down to who has the ball last. In the end, the Saints march to their 11th straight win.
Baltimore is .500 and Pittsburgh has lost two in a row. Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is one hit away from the hospital and the Steelers are 1-4 without safety Troy Polamalu, who is questionable this Sunday. The Ravens’ D showed flashes of its old self in November. Ravens win on a last-second field goal.

Upset special
Remember Denny Green’s comments in his press conference in Arizona after the Cardinals blew a big lead to the Bears on Monday night?
“They’re what we thought they were,” said Green.
Well, that could be said of the San Francisco 49ers, who are 4-6 (won-lost) on the season but are a surprising 4 1/2-point favourite at home over the AFC’s fifth-seeded Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4).
How can that be if you have watched both the 49ers and Jags the last few weeks?
The Freak will do Dennis Green proud and take the Jags, who play in a small market, play boring football and have a star player known as MJD. But the Jags win football games.
“The 49ers are what we think they are — not a favourite. Take the underdog Jags.”
Last week: 6-for-8
Season: 56-for-83

John Turner is a Summerside
schoolteacher. His column appears every Saturday during the NFL
season. Feel free to e-mail questions and comments to the
footballfreak84@yahoo.ca.