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What can Josh McDaniels do for Donnie Avery?

The St. Louis Rams' new offensive coordinator has a knack for boosting the stock of wide receivers as well as quarterbacks. 

In Denver, WR Brandon Lloyd became a household name after being mostly forgotten for seven seasons with Josh McDaniels at the helm. Responding to a post from Mike Sando on Twitter today, I asked which Rams' receiver was most likely to have a career renaissance under the new offensive system. RamsHerd and Sando both predicted Donnie Avery

His sophomore season was a rough one in large part due to the Rams' overall struggles. Three quarterbacks, one of whom was Kyle Boller, woeful pass protection and an offense predicated on using only 10 yards of the field at a time, did some damage to Avery's numbers.  

Avery and Lloyd are exactly perfect comparisons in terms of playing style, though both have dealt with injuries with some frequency. Both players do work the outside part of the field well, and both are athletic guys. Getting his catch rate up to 50 percent made a big difference for Lloyd. Avery's catch rate last year was 49 percent and 52 percent the year in his rookie year. 

Will Avery see more targets in 2011? It would stand to reason that he would. McDaniels makes full use of his downfield threats, hence Lloyd's success this year, something that the West Coast offense didn't do very often. Lloyd was targeted 153 times this season; if Donnie Avery sees targets along those lines and maintains his 50 percent catch rate, he should easily have his best season to date. 

As a rookie, Avery was targets 104 times, caught 53 passes for 674 yards. Add 50 targets at that same catch rate, and he would have had 1,000 yards. Hopefully, with a better QB throwing passes his way in a system that values what it is that Avery does, not to mention another year of experience, it's not a stretch to imagine bigger things for Donnie Avery this year...if he can stay healthy. 

The possibility of Avery finally putting it all together also could impact the Rams offseason plans to find receiving help. Hmmm...

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Of course everyone feels we should draft a WR with our 14th pick.

But you raise a good point. The trick is, as you mentioned, for Avery to stay healthy. The same could be said about Denario Alexander. I watched DX play for Mizzou every year he was there and I know he can be a difference maker if he can just stay healthy. If they do both stay healthy can you just picture them on either side of the field along with Clayton and Amendola (or Gibson) playing in the slot positions in a four receiver set? That could be a terrific lineup and could really make for some great plays. I wonder if McDaniles is salivating at the mouth just thinking about possibilities?

Back to my subject line above…if all the good WR prospects are off the board by the time the Rams pick comes arouond, in light of the senario I mentioned, they could shoot for an top OLB and not ‘reach’ for a WR that is not worthy of the 14th pick.

Go Rams!

"We can't run. We can't pass. We can't stop the run. We can't stop the pass. We can't kick. Other than that, we're just not a very good football team right now." --- Bruce Coslett, New York Jets Head Coach circa 1990s

by Nbr1RamFan on Jan 21, 2011 1:39 PM CST reply actions  

Personally I think the RAMS need help on the defensive side of the Ball!

With Fred Robbins and James Hall both being 33 we need to look at the line, not to mention OLB. The draft is fairly deep this year with some quality WR being slated for the 2nd-3rd rounds. I love both of the kids out of Boise State, Titus Young and Austin Pettis would be great pickups in those rounds. Another area we could look at is DB. We could definitely use some better cover guys to open up that blitzing that Spags loves to do.

Go Rams!!!

by Ron Winkler on Jan 21, 2011 2:37 PM CST up reply actions  

I'm sensing a leaning to drafting defense with our first pick

We seem to have some raw talent at receiver so, unless we really feel we can draft a WR that is a can’t miss difference maker that is clearly offers the value associated with our pick position, I get the feeling we will address the needs on the defensive side of the ball with our first pick. I see the focus on filling our need for a number 1 WR being addressed via a trade or FA signing. I just think relying on the draft to fill our need for a playmaker at receiver seems like a bad idea. Now if we can draft a WR that can be a difference maker, well it never hurts to have two of those guys.

by Sggladden on Jan 21, 2011 4:59 PM CST up reply actions  

I agree on the db's

Rams gave up yards cuz of no bump “n” run

It was like pansies came to play.

by jlcdb70 on Jan 22, 2011 9:16 AM CST up reply actions  

That would be great, because IMO when Avery went down he seemed to be playing better, and then a coach that could help get him to Lloyd’s level last year would be awesome.

by gingerredboy on Jan 21, 2011 1:43 PM CST reply actions  

I've been saying that Avery could be a beast for a while now

but he has injury problems, so we still need to add another Wideout, I don’t think we need a first round wideout, just a solid wide out to play in the slot at times

There is no substitute for victory

by Brandon Birkhead on Jan 21, 2011 3:28 PM CST reply actions  

Here's an idea

what if we didn’t draft a WR and we got Plaxico Burress, he is older but he can still be a great help to our offense and we have the NY Giants connection. Personally I think this guy got screwed, two years for an illegal fire arm was just ridiculous, he should have just gotten probation. The question is how good of shape is he in? Vick wasn’t in great shape coming out of prison and Plax probably won’t either, but it is still something to think about.

There is no substitute for victory

by Brandon Birkhead on Jan 21, 2011 3:48 PM CST reply actions  

no

I don’t like the plaxico idea if dx can stay healthy he is the same player as plax but younger I like the idea of a receiver later n the draft avery is goin to get hurt again eventually I hope not

by Ew-Whip11 on Jan 21, 2011 3:58 PM CST via mobile reply actions  

the "if" is wrong

the question isn’t if he will get hurt, it’s when, DX is going to have another injury so he cannot be depended upon for the future.

There is no substitute for victory

by Brandon Birkhead on Jan 22, 2011 12:16 AM CST up reply actions  

Neither can Plax...

I don’t even want to try speculating how he’ll do, he’s not going to be good.

"I kind of stepped my swagger up. You look at the Madden game and the swagger's so low, maybe they'll bump me up. Before it was a meatball flex, so you've got to liven it up a little bit." - Animal Jr.

by douchiedude on Jan 22, 2011 12:20 AM CST up reply actions  

OLB

My pick is Ayers out of UCLA. I like the idea of not reaching for a receiver with #14

by Douglas M on Jan 21, 2011 4:02 PM CST reply actions  

that guy is going to be a total bust

mark my words

There is no substitute for victory

by Brandon Birkhead on Jan 22, 2011 12:17 AM CST up reply actions  

I agree

stick to the non-Pac Ten.

by jlcdb70 on Jan 22, 2011 9:17 AM CST up reply actions  

and it wouldn't be reaching if we got Jones

as he is projected to be picked higher

There is no substitute for victory

by Brandon Birkhead on Jan 22, 2011 12:26 AM CST up reply actions  

Avery actually reminds me alot of a different Bronco receiver

I notice similarities in his skill set to that of Eddie Royal. The only thing was that Royal didn’t have Bulger on his ass while he was running down field.

by CaliRamMan on Jan 21, 2011 5:09 PM CST reply actions  

It would be great

if all the receivers were healthy and were finally able to really play together after all they’ve been through…hope we don’t lose any of them.

Go Rams...go Sammy B!!!

by sb8ramsfan on Jan 21, 2011 5:39 PM CST reply actions  

For 2011 Draft

I personally think we shouldn’t draft a WR in the first round because most likely, Most of the Talented receivers will get picked first by other team in need in WR. There’s a lot of good receivers that can picked up in the Free Agency.

Rams are more in need of OLB, DT, and R DE. James Hall and Fred Robbins are 33, did have an amazing season but there age will start to catch up.

So I say go for BPA (Best Player Available) for Defense

by The Greatbambeaner on Jan 21, 2011 6:30 PM CST reply actions  

Should be worth mentioning that Lloyd blossomed in his SECOND year with the Broncos.

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 21, 2011 6:42 PM CST reply actions  

True, but Brandon had some trouble grasping the offense his 1st year...

…it was in his second that he really “got it”.

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 22, 2011 8:56 PM CST up reply actions  

If Anyone has payed attention to my comments the past couple months

You would know im probably the biggest Donnie Avery supporter on this site. If he’s still on the roster next season (which he SHOULD be) and stays 100% healthy, he’ll put up numbers like Desean Jackson i GUARANTEE.

by DekaJ on Jan 21, 2011 10:42 PM CST reply actions  

Draft a receiver

You guys cannot be serious. Did you watch the Seattle game? How many drops did our receivers have? Yeah, I know DX has a lot of upside, but you can’t bank on it. I think if Avery stays healthy, he will thrive in McDaniels offense, but we still desperately need help at receiver. Unless we pick up a bona fide number 1 in FA, we have to try to get Julio Jones at 14. If he is gone by then, than I say we get a OLB or D Line…maybe even pouncey to play Guard.

Bottom line, our receivers are a disappointment, whether they’re hurt, dropping passes, or just sucking in general, and we better get a no. 1 this offseason.

by ramsarenumber1 on Jan 21, 2011 11:07 PM CST reply actions  

How many drops did our receivers have?

I hate that. When Marshall was the Broncos he was always around the top of the league in drops and lowest in catch rate, I got seriously peeved seeing him drop easy balls and hope I don’t see Bradford plagued by that.

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 22, 2011 9:01 PM CST up reply actions  

no to jones

i love julio jones i watched so many games of him at bama he is a stud but if you look at last years draft plenty of good recievers were drafted late and made an impact not just this draft all drafts also in mcdaniels offense im not sure you need a bona fide number one resign clayton pray for dx knee watch avery take off see gibson continue to mature and i havent even mention our leader reciever this year white choclate d amendola also maybe gilyard gets a shot im not disagreing with u at all but i we risk our receiver we have try to get this years mike wallace or mike williams or colston late round reciever who r pretty good and draft position that we need more earlier im not going to b mad either way the rams r headed in the rite diredtion and i am stoked about it

by Ew-Whip11 on Jan 22, 2011 1:20 AM CST reply actions  

IMO, both McDaniels and Bradford would appreciate a Demaryius Thomas-type physical force.

Having a bonafide #1 makes spreading the ball around easier because it shifts coverages in his direction.

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 22, 2011 9:03 PM CST up reply actions  

avery first receive picked in draft

desean jackson and eddie royal were the next to i know for a fact has as much talent as a receiver as both of them maybe not the game breaking return game of jackson but as a receiver he does the only difference is they have had alot better qbs thrown them the ball than avery has mcnabb vick kolb cutlet orton all in my opion better that what bulger was at that time

by Ew-Whip11 on Jan 22, 2011 1:24 AM CST reply actions  

Plus they haven't been hurt constantly like Avery.

Being on the field while healthy is pretty valuable, don’t you think?

by andyhawk on Jan 22, 2011 11:18 AM CST up reply actions  

Royal's been pretty banged up recently.

Had a groin injury for most of ’10.

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 22, 2011 9:04 PM CST up reply actions  

Mark Ingram

Is a buy at BAP (@ 14). We have been needing someone (for a long time) to help out Jackson. And I think McDaniels would agree that you need more than one good RB to thrive in the NFL now a days.

by ZamRam on Jan 22, 2011 8:02 AM CST reply actions  

I would really consider him as a big bruiser complement to Jackson

Why hit big and small when you can hit big and bigger?

Still need an outside rb threat though.

by jlcdb70 on Jan 22, 2011 9:21 AM CST up reply actions  

Unless you have guards

who can block, no one can succeed running outside. We don’t have them.

by andyhawk on Jan 22, 2011 11:19 AM CST up reply actions  

+2

"When they should be throwing to the cutoff man, they are reading Men's Health for ab workout tips. When they should be sacrifice bunting, they are buying effeminate designer jeans. When they should be fouling off pitches, they are masturbating. Always, they are masturbating."

"God I'm excited for those two to fail miserably." - SBNation writer Andrew Sharp on Josh McDaniels and Tim Tebow.

by Tempestuous Binary on Jan 22, 2011 9:04 PM CST up reply actions  

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