49ers Wide Receivers: How Does Dominique Zeigler Fit In?
by David Fucillo on Aug 23, 2011 6:00 AM PDT
in 49ers Roster
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PrintYesterday's news that Dominique Zeigler was activated from the PUP list was quickly overshadowed by tailgating changes at Candlestick Park and the 49ers decision to trade Taylor Mays to the Bengals. While those were particularly pertinent stories, the 49ers decision to activate Dominique Zeigler at the halfway point of the preseason is an interesting one given the healthy competition at the wide receiver position.
The 49ers have 12 wide receivers in camp or on the PUP list:
Braylon Edwards
Michael Crabtree (PUP list)
Josh Morgan
Kyle Williams
Ted Ginn Jr.
Ronald Johnson
Dominique Zeigler
Lance Long
Kevin Jurovich
Tyler Beiler
Joe Hastings
Chris Hogan
We can cross Hogan, Hastings, Jurovich and Long off at this point without thinking too hard. It sounds like Long has had a solid camp, but in reality, the numbers game will likely never allow these particular four receivers to have a shot at a roster spot. It's entirely possible the 49ers coaching staff is on a different wave length than I am with regards to one of those four, particularly Long.
Nonetheless, it seems like the final spot or two amongst the wide receivers will be a dogfight between Ginn, Johnson, Zeigler, and too a lesser extent, Long. Ginn and Johnson would seem to bring the most to the table. Ginn was an excellent punt returner last year, while Johnson was a sixth round pick by the current FO/coaching staff regime.
Zeigler is in arguably the toughest position of the entire group. He was not brought in by the current regime and more importantly he hasn't been able to show his stuff through the first 3+ weeks of training camp. The coaching staff put a lot into the first couple weeks of camp, which hurts him. Moreover, he is likely looking at second half reps on Saturday against the Texans, which means even a solid performance could be reduced in the eyes of the coaching staff.
These next two weeks are critical for Dominique Zeigler. I really think he's going to need to seriously wow the coaching staff if he's going to make the 49ers 53-man roster. I've been plenty wrong before, but I can't see this working out any other way.
Is there disagreement out there on this?
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This really is one of the most interesting position battles this season
Edwards, Crabtree, Morgan and Williams are locks. I’ve only heard good things about Ginn this offseason, so you could say he’s a lock. That’s already 5 receivers.
For a team that will also keep 3 TEs and will rely heavily on them, 6 WRs might be too much. But then again, Ronald Johnson was picked this year by this FO, so they must see something in him. However, he hasn’t done anything of note during the 2 preseason games, apart from seemingly tackling Kyle Williams on a long YAC run.
I haven’t even mentioned Zeigler yet, who in my opinion, should be on the roster, but again, I’m not a coach. Zeigler is the only other receiver on the roster over 6-1 (the other one being Braylon Edwards). Height is a big advantage and having at least two tall wide-receivers can’t hurt. Last preseason Zeigler made some noise, building great chemistry with QB Alex Smith and showcasing great hands. During the season he also made some catches, and he just seemed to really be loved by Alex.
So basically, firstly we need to decide if the team will go with 5 or 6 wide receivers. I have a feeling they’ll go with 5, so that leaves 1 spot for Ginn, RoJo and Zeigler. I have no idea who they’ll go with, really. I’m thinking maybe Alex could get the final say, and that may mean that Zeigler gets the nod.
Braylon, Crabtree, Williams and Morgan are locks
(although I’d like to see more from Morgan). The 49ers will probably carry 6 WR’s, right?
Which means Ginn, Rojo and Ziegler will fight for 2 spots. I don’t think Ziegler will make the roster.
One advantage Zeigler has
Is good rapport with Alex. He was really Alex’s go-to-guy last preseason and I could see Alex asking Harbaugh to hold onto Ziegler. Zeigler has good hands+great height.
Yeah I wouldn't call him injury prone just yet
I mean he was injured one season, but so was Kyle Williams and we’re not calling him injury prone.
What I will say though, is Zeigler is extremely skinny for his height and that might pose as a problem while going over the middle for passes.
Yep....
Very light for a guy that tall. ZIggy should never be going across the middle unless he’s already behind the safeties and LBs.
by 9thevolution on Aug 23, 2011 7:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, I don't see Ziggy making it.....
James will be eternally crushed and I’m sure we’ll hear about it in the Nuggets for years to come……
It really is too bad because aside from Crabtree, if he gets his hands to start working consistently, Ziggy is our best pure receiver. The guy catches everything that’s within arm reach, and some things outside of that. And with no more eligibility for the PS, Ziggy will be out of the league or on another team.
I really doubt the FO lets RoJo walk since they used a pick on him, so Ziggy’s only shot is if we keep 6 WR and he can really blow Ginn out right now. I’m sure he can do that, but I’m still skeptical that we keep 6 WR, so here’s farewell to Ziggy.
Injuries
I love Ziggy — both Zieglar, and Ziggy Marley too. The difference is Ziegler has been prone to a lot of injuries. And that one factor might make the difference and see him get cut.
RoJo could go to the PSquad. I don’t think he’s shown anything so amazing that another team automatically scoops him up. So mnay young WRs with potential ad raw talent will get cut on the last cut of the season, it’s not like RoJo is going to stand out. Same with Long. Every team has those types of guys at WR hanging around the bubble. Each team’s bubble WRs know the offensive system, and are therefore more valuable to that team than some other team’s bubble WR or PSquad WR. That’s my thinking, and the way it’s seemed over the years.
So I say: BE, Crabs, Morgan, Williams, Ginn. Just the 5. That’s all we’ll need. If one gets injured during the year we’ll need some PS guy to step up. Hopefully RoJo will be there for us if/when the time comes. And next year he’ll start to blossom and push Ginn for his spot.
Zeiglar — being injury prone, sadly, puts him as the odd man out.
If it's about the WR position
Zeigs makes the cut. If it’s about numbers and “FO” he won’t. Truth is, while Ginn may look great in camp, and does a good job in the punt game; he has done nothing as a WR this preseason or in the past 5 years or so he’s been in the league. He ducks contact, runs crappy routes, and has suspect hands – all the things that Dominique Zeigler excels at. Kyle Williams if healthy can give us the same thing Ginn can. Not to mention – I’m already willing to count Crabtree as a bust. Zeigs showed if we get the ball out, he’s open and will make plays.
My only wish is for a reciever who can catch balls
Ginn might be a great punt returner, but if he can’t catch the ball then I think he should be cut.
Not sure about Adams
He did have a punt return TD last preseason, and a fairly good gain last saturday too.
But he just looks slow for some reason. Some guys you see them accelerate and go “wow! he’s fast!” (Leon Washington in SEA, for example)
Adams looks slow, but he sometimes manages good gains, which I guess is more about vision.
one of his ankles faces sideways now
tough injury to overcome for someone who will need to return punts to make the roster
RoJo was used at times in the return game at SC
great size, speed and open field runner, so to have Ginn and RoJo as part of a 6 spot WR/ returners is not far fetched as they fit Harb’s multi position thinking
Hmph
If we have the roster spot, I’d rather keep a “specialist” returner rather than risk a guy who might be important on offense or defense. Ginn is better than any of our other punt returners and he can play WR if needed, but it wouldn’t be a loss to the offense (aside from PR obviously) if he went down. I’d hate to see K. Williams get hurt during PR because I suspect he’ll be valuable to the offense this season.
Kaep may become our Staubach, but Alex is our Craig Morton...
Ninjames on Anthony Dixon's Tweeting:
"He’s going for the ‘T’ key, he should probably turn to it, but he stops and checks out the ‘R’ key first, then doubles back for a look at the ‘Y’ key, then by the time he decides to go back to ‘T’ to get some words typed, he’s brought down for a two-yard loss, ending up with the ‘G’ key."
I think just the opposite
I think the specialist is going to have to do something else to make the roster. With Ginn the question becomes is he that much better of a punt returners than anyone else? If the answer is no he’s cooked.
The other guy to keep an eye on
Dontavia Bogan, went down with a knee injury but is a very very talented receiver.
Well we won't get a chance to keep an eye on him this season
He’s out for the season. I can’t see the 49ers holding a roster spot for him.
When I did my roster a few days ago it was
Edwards-Crabtree-Morgan-Williams-Ginn
Johnson, Jurovich and Beiler on the PS
Zeigler and Long cut, but probably both kept on the speed-dial incase Crabtree goes on PuP or Edwards gets suspended for an elongated period of time.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 23, 2011 7:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
late rouner, they've used him sparingly in the pre-season
tells me they’re getting ready to sneak him onto the PS. Don’t see many teams waiver claiming him for their 16 game 53 man roster, so he should be safe.
team could see a good deal of WR turnover next year, so I think they’ll be a few WRs on the PS.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 23, 2011 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Yep
I find your logic compelling, good sir.
:D
Kaep may become our Staubach, but Alex is our Craig Morton...
Ninjames on Anthony Dixon's Tweeting:
"He’s going for the ‘T’ key, he should probably turn to it, but he stops and checks out the ‘R’ key first, then doubles back for a look at the ‘Y’ key, then by the time he decides to go back to ‘T’ to get some words typed, he’s brought down for a two-yard loss, ending up with the ‘G’ key."
I forgot about Edward's suspension
That could definitely open the door for Zeigler, who is the only other receiver over 6-1 we have.
I don't know that height matters much in this offense
If Zeigler makes it it will be because they think that the 5th receiver in the offense will be getting playing time on offense, or they they keep 6 WRs
If 5th spot is special team guy, then it won’t be Zeigler.
by whistlingmountain on Aug 23, 2011 7:51 AM PDT up reply actions
There is one person that knows Ziggy enough in that FO.........Trent Baalke
Unfortuately he is NOT the coach!! But if ziggy has a strong enough performance in camp, plus the backing of Baalke, he might make the cut. I’m sure they didn’t keep him on the PUP list all that time if they didn’t think he had something worth looking at because they could have cut him already.
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
I have a feeling that due to his injury
Ziggy is out. He just hasn’t had a chance to showcase himself to the new coaching staff. Not that there’s anything technically wrong with him, but I think it’s just lack of familiarity. I’d like to see one of the young bucks make it, though – I’m a Jurovich fan, but any one of them would be OK with me.
Kaep may become our Staubach, but Alex is our Craig Morton...
Ninjames on Anthony Dixon's Tweeting:
"He’s going for the ‘T’ key, he should probably turn to it, but he stops and checks out the ‘R’ key first, then doubles back for a look at the ‘Y’ key, then by the time he decides to go back to ‘T’ to get some words typed, he’s brought down for a two-yard loss, ending up with the ‘G’ key."
Off Topic: For all you KORY SHEETS IS OUR FUTURE LOVERS!!
http://www.thephinsider.com/2011/8/23/2379274/dolphins-sign-running-back-larry-johnson#comments
Dolphins Sign Running Back Larry Johnson
via Miami Dolphins Official Twitter.
The also officially announcing the release of Sheets and that Johnson will wear #23.
Niners,Nets,Reds & USC!!!
The Most Interesting Man In The World---->Mikhail Prokhorov!!!
Man
I was really hoping Sheets would make their team. Obviously he would subsequently take the league by storm.
by Virginia9er on Aug 23, 2011 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Now that Taylor Mays has been traded, how about trading Ted Ginn? For whatever we can get.
by 49erFanSince1950 on Aug 23, 2011 8:30 AM PDT reply actions
Rely on a rookie PR then? I’d pass….
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
+1
We got him for a 5th, doubt we’d get more than that in return even if we did have a better PR waiting in the wings.
Kaep may become our Staubach, but Alex is our Craig Morton...
Ninjames on Anthony Dixon's Tweeting:
"He’s going for the ‘T’ key, he should probably turn to it, but he stops and checks out the ‘R’ key first, then doubles back for a look at the ‘Y’ key, then by the time he decides to go back to ‘T’ to get some words typed, he’s brought down for a two-yard loss, ending up with the ‘G’ key."
We have Phillip Adams and Kyle Williams both in their second year and both capable.
Ginn is expendable.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
We could probably get at least a 5th for him back...
Who knows, maybe even a 4th.
Check out my site!!
The Hometown Fan
right on drew
Ginn is only good for punt returns. now if he could cover kickoffs too then I would keep him, but we all know he is shy of contact. a wr has to catch the ball and run correct routes, ziggy does those things, ginn not so much. people need to look past the punt returns and see who is the better player.
by texasniner06 on Aug 23, 2011 3:04 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Ziggy is good for the PS.
Pre Snap reads, if Smith doesn't get better at it, we made a HUGE mistake!!!
Special Teams
It’s not just about the return game, kick/punt coverage will come into play.
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