Close Call #7: DeSean Jackson vs Anthony Gonzalez

[Miller]

If you need a refresher on the rules for the series or a run down of previous match-ups? Here is the rules and history thread:
"Close Calls 2009" - A Sports Outlaw Exclusive
Remember, this is based on re-draft leagues and non ppr scoring.

Today's Match-up:

DeSean Jackson vs Anthony Gonzalez

Last Year's Stats:
DeSean Jackson - 16 gms - 62 rec - 912 rec yds - 2 rec TD - 96 ru yds - 1 TD
Anthony Gonzalez - 16 gms - 57 rec - 664 yds - 4 rec TD's

Today's Match-up is between two rising stars at WR. Jackson exploded on to the scene last year showing his explosiveness and big play ability. Can he transform into a consistent threat week in and week out? Did they get him enough help in rookie Jeremy Maclin to take some of the pressure off of him on the outside? Gonzalez came into the league in the big shadows of Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Last season Gonzelez shined as the WR3 and will now be asked to step into Harrison's role in the offense, can he step up? Is the Indy offense still explosive enough to provide two threats at WR? These are just some of the questions you will need to answer in today's close call.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Oooh boy. This is my favorite Close Call yet.

DeSean seems to be the more explosive with greater upside but I'm not sure. I won't deny that he is a freak of an athlete, and incredible explosive, but the Philly offense spreads it around so well, and with Maclin in town now, DeSean might not be the most explosive WR anymore.

As far as Gonzo, I LOVE this kid. He's ready to step up and be a 80+ reception guy, I can just feel it. Defenders will drape Wayne and Clark and Gonzo will be moving the chains. Plus he's got Peyton. Nuff said!

 

[Remote Controller]

DeSean in a walk for me.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Here's the stats from last year:

4 Indy receivers caught 57+ passes. 1 of them (Harrison) is now gone.

Only 2 Philly receivers were in this range. 1 of them was Westy.

The other Philly WRs all get a small piece with the way McNugget spreads it around. There were 7 WRs who got between 19-33 receptions.

I prefer Gonzo for the situation he is in. He has a much higher chance of having a high reception/high yardage year to DeSean.

Gonzo has 1 less WR to deal with since Marvin is gone. DeSean has another playmaker added to the group with Maclin.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

Indy's decline is approaching so I would go with the gamble that DJax is not going to be a 1 year wonder and continue to produce.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Indy's decline is approaching so I would go with the gamble that DJax is not going to be a 1 year wonder and continue to produce.

I don't even think he's that much of a gamble personally. He should be their leading receiver. He lead the team as a rookie, I just don't know if the numbers have the potential to be that substantial.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

I don't even think he's that much of a gamble personally. He should be their leading receiver. He lead the team as a rookie, I just don't know if the numbers have the potential to be that substantial.

Small/light WRs are always a gamble - for every Steve Smith there are how many that we never hear from again?

He will have more opportunities than last year being the established star. Curtis will likely drop to 3rd (WR - Westie will finish ahead of him as will at least 1 TE) Mac will help balance the attack so D's won't just focus on him (like that is possible w/ Westie on the field)

 

[RZR]

The gamble is trusting that McNubby can stay healthy for 2 years in a row. Last year he managed the feat but also got benched by Reid like a kid in Pop Warner. Regardless, Philly is hopeful that their O will dominate and DJax is sure to be force to be reckoned with.

Peyton however has a more consistent game which helps AG, not to mention Peyton likes to throw and will be dishing Harrison's balls around to the highest bidder. If AG can establish as connection with Peyton and earn his trust this offseason, he has a real chance of bumping his mediocre 2008 - 664 yards into a 2009 - 1000+ season. Just my opinion but Indy won't decline just yet and Peyton doesn't and won't go down without a fight.

AG for me.

 

[bodey24]

I like Gonzo this year. Desean is good but with the addition of Maclin I don't think he will out produce Gonzo.

 

[Cooley Cadets]

The gamble is trusting that McNubby can stay healthy for 2 years in a row. Last year he managed the feat but also got benched by Reid like a kid in Pop Warner. Regardless, Philly is hopeful that their O will dominate and DJax is sure to be force to be reckoned with.

If McNabb goes down Kolb is a dropoff but should still be competent enough to keep Jackson productive. Holding the benching against him seems a little extreme since the team obviously does not since they upped his salary pretty nicely.

Peyton however has a more consistent game which helps AG, not to mention Peyton likes to throw and will be dishing Harrison's balls around to the highest bidder. If AG can establish as connection with Peyton and earn his trust this offseason, he has a real chance of bumping his mediocre 2008 - 664 yards into a 2009 - 1000+ season. Just my opinion but Indy won't decline just yet and Peyton doesn't and won't go down without a fight.

Peytie is more consistent which is why I would opt for Donny-van. McNabb has done more with less and still tends to have much fewer interceptions than Manning.

Not dis'ing Mannings production and he won't suddenly suffer a complete collapse but the decline has begun and I expect with all the changes in Indy that he will regress to his initial seasons where he tried to hard and will pay a price - like he did then.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Not dis'ing Mannings production and he won't suddenly suffer a complete collapse but the decline has begun and I expect with all the changes in Indy that he will regress to his initial seasons where he tried to hard and will pay a price - like he did then.

I think Manning would need to be much worse than the few years when he threw over 19 INTs for the WRs to really struggle from a fantasy perspective.

 

[WesDawg]

Gonzo here for me, but it's close.

Both have elite talented QB's in predominantly passing offenses. Both have starting jobs locked up. The deciding factor for me is that DeSean's not taking anyone by surprise this year, and he is one of many mouths to feed. Gonzo2's workload is actually increasing with the aforementioned departure of Marv with nobody really brought in to swipe looks at WR.

Plus, don't forget the omnipresent "year 3" WR stigma with Gonzalez.

 

[Miller]

Great discussion here everyone, keep it up, I'll weigh in tomorrow when I have some more time.

 

[derringer007]

With Maclin in Philly and will most certainly get some passes thrown his way, i had to go with Gonzalez

 

[eaglechick]

i love both of these guys, but i have to go with gonzo for fantasy stats. i think indy is going to be better this year with peyton healthier to start the season, and as has been stated there are too many mouths to feed in philly.

of course, if special teams yards were counted, i might have to change my vote :grin:

 

[Cooley Cadets]

I think Manning would need to be much worse than the few years when he threw over 19 INTs for the WRs to really struggle from a fantasy perspective.

Who said the WRs are going to struggle? You are the only one mentioning that as a possibility.

Manning is not the only decline on the team to negatively impact the WRs. Manning has shown signs of a decline the past 2-3 years and with the changes on the field and sidelines there is no reason to expect that to change.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Who said the WRs are going to struggle? You are the only one mentioning that as a possibility.

If Manning was to struggle, would that equal his WRs struggling?

 

[Cooley Cadets]

If Manning was to struggle, would that equal his WRs struggling?

Manning reverting to his early seasons were still pretty _ _ _ _ productive - if you want to consider that struggling go for it.

 

[Sgt John]

Going with Jackson. More opportunities to score.

 

[ExperiencedRookie]

Manning reverting to his early seasons were still pretty _ _ _ _ productive - if you want to consider that struggling go for it.

I'm so confused now.

First you say that Indy and Peyton are in decline. You talk about how Peyton could revert to his earlier days when he struggled.

Then you come back with how productive he was even when he struggled early in his career.

I'm lost on this thread.

Getting back on track. Go Gonzo!