Should Nate Jackson be moved to WR?

[footstepsfrom#27]

OK...I like to speculate about guys moving into other positions, hence my takes on Dumervil to SAM and Graham to H-Back/FB so with the injuries keeping Rod and B-Marsh out, plus the uncertainty of Stokley's situation...why not try this? I realize he's injury prone but maybe he'd be less so at WR where he wouldn't be going against linebackers all the time. If he makes it at TE will he even see the field? It seems like a move to WR might strengthen our depth there. Every year this guy looks great in TC and then dissapears...should we see if he can cut it at WR instead?

What say ye?

[CBF1]

An interesting idea. If he is not going to make the team, give him a shot.

[SoCalBronco]

I'd rather he stay at TE. He has worked hard the last few years to bulk up at the position and get used to the various routes and techniques at the position. Coach Shanahan went out of his way in one press conference to laud his improvement as a blocker and also his consistency at catching the football. It seems like it would be a waste after all this development to move him back. He's a good insurance policy (assuming he doesnt get hurt for the 90th time, which is not a good assumption to make) since Scheffler is our top pass catching tight end and IMO, Jackson would be No. 2 in that department (ahead of Graham). You can't go into the season with only 1 big time pass recieving tight end prospect like Scheff with the rest being blockers first recievers second. You need another one.

Im not sure there is room at WR for Nate either. Besides the transition costs we would incur in him drastically reducing his weight and getting completely reacquianted with the position, I figure Shanahan will keep 6 at most. The top 4 are locked in (Walker, Stokley, Marshall, Smith). Morgan will be kept due to his KR abilities and also cause he has come on at WR. I think the final spot is between Hixon and Kircus (Clark appears to be making a late charge to enter the discussion), edge to Hixon due to upside and speed. You dont squeeze a legit young WR prospect with upside out in favor of a reconverted WR who is perennially injury prone.

At the end of the day, it probably doesnt matter, Nate will probably end up on the IR again, so its a moot point.

[footstepsfrom#27]

I'd rather he stay at TE. He has worked hard the last few years to bulk up at the position and get used to the various routes and techniques at the position. Coach Shanahan went out of his way in one press conference to laud his improvement as a blocker and also his consistency at catching the football. It seems like it would be a waste after all this development to move him back. He's a good insurance policy (assuming he doesnt get hurt for the 90th time, which is not a good assumption to make) since Scheffler is our top pass catching tight end and IMO, Jackson would be No. 2 in that department (ahead of Graham). You can't go into the season with only 1 big time pass recieving tight end prospect like Scheff with the rest being blockers first recievers second. You need another one.

Im not sure there is room at WR for Nate either. Besides the transition costs we would incur in him drastically reducing his weight and getting completely reacquianted with the position, I figure Shanahan will keep 6 at most. The top 4 are locked in ...
How can Rod be a lock? We don't know for sure if he's going to even be back right now. Same with Stokley...don't his problems also present the possibility that he might be on the sidelines?

[serious hops]

Been there, done that. No thanks.

[SoCalBronco]

How can Rod be a lock? We don't know for sure if he's going to even be back right now. Same with Stokley...don't his problems also present the possibility that he might be on the sidelines?

With Rod, I would agree with the proposition that he could very well start out the season on the PUP (but not the IR and he wont be cut). That still will require (eventually, in week 6) a roster spot for him. He also has basically a month before that decision is even made. Quite honestly, once Marshall gets back and in the groove, no. 2 and no. 3, in one order or another, will likely be Marshall and Stokley. The vast majority of our passing yardage will come from Walker, Marshall, Stokley, Scheffler and Graham. Everyone beyond that point will probably be a bit player in the pass game. Stokley has been getting some practices off as part of his rehab, but he'll be there. At the very least, he'll be occupying one of the six spots on opening day, even if he isnt 100 percent back (or still requires occasional rest). The same with Marshall.


Even if those guys cant be relied on to stay consistently healthy, it still would not make sense to move Nate back. Frankly, if we continue to have major problems keeping a number of our top WRs healthy and Marshall/Smith and Stokley all cannot be relied on during the season, we are ****ed. There is nothing Nate Jackson and his 4 catches a year can do there. If we get to that point where he would have to be not only seriously considered for a position switch due to depth, but also logging significant snaps during regular season play, its basically over. He could do more damage against slower LBs and Ss anyway (especially now that he seems to be coming into his own at the position in this camp) rather than against faster and more athletic CBs. It's not like Nate is this freakish athlete with all this big time talent that needs to be unleashed. He can do alright against backers and such...he never was a big time WR prospect tho. After all, SF traded him to us for a conditional 7th and he never really made any strides at that position here.

[footstepsfrom#27]

With Rod, I would agree with the proposition that he could very well start out the season on the PUP (but not the IR and he wont be cut). That still will require (eventually, in week 6) a roster spot for him. He also has basically a month before that decision is even made. Quite honestly, once Marshall gets back and in the groove, no. 2 and no. 3, in one order or another, will likely be Marshall and Stokley. The vast majority of our passing yardage will come from Walker, Marshall, Stokley, Scheffler and Graham. Everyone beyond that point will probably be a bit player in the pass game. Stokley has been getting some practices off as part of his rehab, but he'll be there. At the very least, he'll be occupying one of the six spots on opening day, even if he isnt 100 percent back (or still requires occasional rest). The same with Marshall.


Even if those guys cant be relied on to stay consistently healthy, it still would not make sense to move Nate back. Frankly, if we continue to have major problems keeping a number of our top WRs healthy and Marshall/Smith and Stokley all cannot be relied on during the season, we are ****ed. There is nothing Nate Jackson and his 4 catches a year can do there. If we get to that point where he would have to be not only seriously considered for a position switch due to depth, but also logging significant snaps during regular season play, its basically over. He could do more damage against slower LBs and Ss anyway (especially now that he seems to be coming into his own at the position in this camp) rather than against faster and more athletic CBs. It's not like Nate is this freakish athlete with all this big time talent that needs to be unleashed. He can do alright against backers and such...he never was a big time WR prospect tho. After all, SF traded him to us for a conditional 7th and he never really made any strides at that position here.
Thanks...it seems like everything I've heard on this dude every year he's here is that he's catching everything in sight and lightin' it up. My impression's been that injuries are the only thing holding him back. If he's just a stiff TE with limited potential, I guess it's not a great idea. What's the deal then...can he play or not? Because I'm certainly not enamored with Alexander, whose best days are long gone IMO. One last thing though...do we feel comfortable Marshall's going to be there consistently? I ask because Jackson's about the same size and was thinking he might fill a similar role.

[FireFly]

He was a WR and the coaching staff moved him to TE. He was about as good at WR as he is at TE. I've always been a big supporter of his. He's got a lot of heart, goes out there and competes every year despite his not having huge natural talent. ALways seems willing to learn and do whatever is asked of him by the coaches.

[footstepsfrom#27]

He was a WR and the coaching staff moved him to TE. He was about as good at WR as he is at TE. I've always been a big supporter of his. He's got a lot of heart, goes out there and competes every year despite his not having huge natural talent. ALways seems willing to learn and do whatever is asked of him by the coaches.
I actually forgot the dude was a WR first...I guess you almost have to root for this guy just based on the fact that he keeps comin' back.

[DukeWoody]

I actually forgot the dude was a WR first...I guess you almost have to root for this guy just based on the fact that he keeps comin' back.

His stay with the Broncos has survived because of one thing,coaches pet,simple as that...At least this camp he's stayed healthy,and has been makeing a noticable push for a change...Maybe he makes this team on his own merit,it'll be a first if he does...

[SoCalBronco]

Your thoughts re: Graham at FB and Doom at SAM are intriguing, Footsteps. As to Graham, I suspect we will often see him at FB. Shanahan has a history with this. I remember back in 2003, we often utilized an I formation with the the TE (Sharpe) split out wide, with the FB being House. I remember this in more than a few games. It makes sense too. Anytime you have two talented TEs (albeit with different talents....its always about getting your best personnel groupings out there, our second TE, whomever it is, is more of a weapon than our first FB), you should play around with it and whip up something to your benefit. We can ofcourse use the norma two tight end two WR 1 back formation to feature Graham and Scheffler simultaneously, but Graham at FB is great also. Big Guy (aka Billy Clyde Puckett) reported from his observations at camp that he saw some formations where they indeed had Graham in the backfield with another back, so you are on the right track here, Shanny is on the same wavelength. You get a large beast like Graham, who is a great blocker, have him lead the way on Lead plays etc., its a better blocking matchup on the LB than KJ anyway, and you have your traditional pass catching TE (Scheff) in his traditional position so that he can scream down the field and split the safeties. Graham at FB also has him running shorter underneath routes, like flats, options, delays, check down type material that he is better at anyway. Its a good idea and I think it will be used often this season.

I think your idea on Doom is also intriguing, but IMO, should be more of a limited package than a base thing. I actually like the competitors at SAM right now, most notably Webster and Lewis, with my preference being Lewis, but either are fine. Doom in pass coverage, or trying to make a tackle in space, as is required of a traditional outside linebacker, is not a pretty thought. But the idea has great merit in a limited sense, as it would be a huge mismatch in the pass rush game. Doom against a RB is a great matchup, you have that DE there occupying that OT, get Doom on blitz downs as a LB standing up, get him on that back, they'll have to radically adjust to that. It might be something they whip up as a limited package if the youngsters drafted on the DL (esp. Moss) cant manufacture a pass rush and/or b) our normal backers continue to struggle as blitzers (I think they'll be better DD Lewis especially and DJ to some extent have looked better on blitzes in camp)

[DBroncos4life]

The team never really should have moved him from WR. He's done very little since the move and its pushed him back atleast 2 or 3 years. His progress would be much more by now at WR.

[CHANGSTER]

OK...I like to speculate about guys moving into other positions, hence my takes on Dumervil to SAM and Graham to H-Back/FB so with the injuries keeping Rod and B-Marsh out, plus the uncertainty of Stokley's situation...why not try this? I realize he's injury prone but maybe he'd be less so at WR where he wouldn't be going against linebackers all the time. If he makes it at TE will he even see the field? It seems like a move to WR might strengthen our depth there. Every year this guy looks great in TC and then dissapears...should we see if he can cut it at WR instead?

What say ye?

Oh you and your kooky get rich quick schemes:~ohyah!:

[footstepsfrom#27]

Your thoughts re: Graham at FB and Doom at SAM are intriguing, Footsteps. As to Graham, I suspect we will often see him at FB. Shanahan has a history with this. I remember back in 2003, we often utilized an I formation with the the TE (Sharpe) split out wide, with the FB being House. I remember this in more than a few games. It makes sense too. Anytime you have two talented TEs (albeit with different talents....its always about getting your best personnel groupings out there, our second TE, whomever it is, is more of a weapon than our first FB), you should play around with it and whip up something to your benefit. We can ofcourse use the norma two tight end two WR 1 back formation to feature Graham and Scheffler simultaneously, but Graham at FB is great also. Big Guy (aka Billy Clyde Puckett) reported from his observations at camp that he saw some formations where they indeed had Graham in the backfield with another back, so you are on the right track here, Shanny is on the same wavelength. You get a large beast like Graham, who is a great blocker, have him lead the way on Lead plays etc., its a better blocking matchup on the LB than K J anyway, and you have your traditional pass catching TE (Scheff) in his traditional position so that he can scream down the field and split the safeties. Graham at FB also has him running shorter underneath routes, like flats, options, delays, check down type material that he is better at anyway. Its a good idea and I think it will be used often this season.
Yeah, I'm thinking that having that big beast back there as a last line of defense agaisnt the likes of Merriman etc...and Scheffler over Johnson seems like the way to go. I got to think Travis is an ideal back in a 1 back system, but you can get the versitility of having a big time blocker used on both the line and in the backfield with this set up plus get Scheffler to stretch the field.
I think your idea on Doom is also intriguing, but IMO, should be more of a limited package than a base thing. I actually like the competitors at SAM right now, most notably Webster and Lewis, with my preference being Lewis, but either are fine. Doom in pass coverage, or trying to make a tackle in space, as is required of a traditional outside linebacker, is not a pretty thought. But the idea has great merit in a limited sense, as it would be a huge mismatch in the pass rush game. Doom against a RB is a great matchup, you have that DE there occupying that OT, get Doom on blitz downs as a LB standing up, get him on that back, they'll have to radically adjust to that. It might be something they whip up as a limited package if the youngsters drafted on the DL (esp. Moss) cant manufacture a pass rush and/or b) our normal backers continue to struggle as blitzers (I think they'll be better DD Lewis especially and DJ to some extent have looked better on blitzes in camp)
Interesting ideas...I think it might be worth experimenting with and perhaps down the road a year or so he might have fixed some of the deficiencies he has that would preclude a full time assignment there. For one thing...I'm thinking the long arms could advantage him in both pass coverage and keeping O-linemen off him while trying to find the ball. Originally I thought of him as a possible MLB...less coverage responsibilities...but if DJ emerges as they think, that problem's solved. I agree on getting the best guys on the field and I think he's one of the top 11.

[cmhargrove]

Remember, all NFL coaches these days are looking for mismatches. Jackson would never be more than a slow, average receiver (although he seems to have good hands). But, if he lines up in the slot (ALA Dallas Clark), there may be some good mismatches. And, he could block pretty well on a LB vs the run.

[philiptr2]

Move Jackson to Full Back. ;)

Seriously, I dont think it would be a good move. I do think that it helps Nate make the team knowing that he could fill in at WR if needed. With the injuries we've had so far this preseason, its not a far stretch to think that we could have 3 or 4 recievers go down this year.

[rugbythug]

There is no need. He can stay a TE and still split out wide.