Angry Doug!

[c_hawkbob]

Doug Baldwin
Baldwin only caught 50 passes on run-heavy Seattle last year, but his highlight reel would be longer than a lot of receivers with larger stats. I compiled a little collage of some of his receiving highlights. I prefer a video, but the NFL frowns on such creations.



When Russell Wilson scrambles, Baldwin's the guy he likes to target, and he can make some incredible catches on the sideline with the body control to complete the play. He high-points the ball, like the touchdown in coverage against Minnesota. He tracks the ball very well. Baldwin's rate of over-the-shoulder catches (12.0 percent) is the highest among the 19 seasons studied. He made a one-handed touchdown (thrown by Tarvaris Jackson) against Jacksonville. This is a legit No. 1 receiver in the making.

Baldwin is a great example of DVOA's value. Yeah, he probably wasn't the second-best or second-most valuable wide receiver in the league in 2013, but he played at an exceptionally high level when the Seahawks threw him the ball. That's supported by the play-by-play metrics, and he passes the eye test with flying colors. If Baldwin was on a team like Denver, he probably would have 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns, but Seattle hasn't needed that from its receivers. In the Super Bowl, Denver's all-star receiving cast struggled to create separation and gain yards after the catch against the league's best defense. Seattle's unheralded group made a few great individual plays and enjoyed the rout. Baldwin should get even more chances to shine in 2014 with Golden Tate's departure to Detroit.

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-a ... -vs-dalton

[kalibane]

I don't know about legit #1. I don't ever see him drawing double teams as part of he opposing team's game plan. But he certainly isn't "pedestrian". Nice read.

[burrrton]

I don't know about legit #1. I don't ever see him drawing double teams as part of he opposing team's game plan.

They did say "in the making", right? Agreed, though.

[HumanCockroach]

It's what they all did, this team puts a premium on excelling in the opportunities given, and dismisses "bulk" stats like yardage, which for the most part is what fantasy football players seem so incredibly hung up on. Some people claim Wilson is a game manager based on that stupid argument as well. Shear yardage simply doesn't tell the whole story, and it doesn't matter how itis applied. SUCCESS in your opportunities DOES and Baldwin, Kearse ( and Tate) proved it week after week last season.

[NorthHawk]

He might not be appreciated by much of the rest of the league, but he is by us 12's.
Some of his catches last year were works of art, and the big play in the playoff game against the 49ers was him not going after the ball in the end zone when Lockette (edit: or was it Kearse) scored.
That was as intelligent and unselfish a play as I've seen.

[c_hawkbob]

Nobody tap-dances on the edge of the sideline like Dougy!

He's also one of the best blocking WR's in the league.

[savvyman]

Nobody tap-dances on the edge of the sideline like Dougy!

He's also one of the best blocking WR's in the league.

Agreed. 1st team all NFL in sideline toe tapping....

[Zorn76]

He's underrated, for sure.

The guy has talent and Fire, and I think he's the type to keep the chip on his shoulder mentality no matter how good he becomes.

[RiverDog]

Underrated? Without a doubt. Acrobatic catches, great body control, runs good routes, good hands. But I never see him being a true #1 receiver that draws the best CB's, that causes DC's to game plan against him, or that attracts double coverages. He's not Megatron, Dez Bryant, or Julio Jones. He's in a different category of receiver, like Wes Welker.

[NorthHawk]

I think his career will be defined as a guy who wasn't much noticed by the national media, but was respected by players and coaches around the league.
He's one of those guys who doesn't get enough chances to show off all of his abilities on a regular basis, but has the smarts, talent and work ethic to make a big play when the team needs it.

[HumanCockroach]

Underrated? Without a doubt. Acrobatic catches, great body control, runs good routes, good hands. But I never see him being a true #1 receiver that draws the best CB's, that causes DC's to game plan against him, or that attracts double coverages. He's not Megatron, Dez Bryant, or Julio Jones. He's in a different category of receiver, like Wes Welker.

Makes me think of Hines Ward honestly. Hard worker that gets the most out of his ability, and is a "football player" not simply a WR.

[RiverDog]

Underrated? Without a doubt. Acrobatic catches, great body control, runs good routes, good hands. But I never see him being a true #1 receiver that draws the best CB's, that causes DC's to game plan against him, or that attracts double coverages. He's not Megatron, Dez Bryant, or Julio Jones. He's in a different category of receiver, like Wes Welker.

Makes me think of Hines Ward honestly. Hard worker that gets the most out of his ability, and is a "football player" not simply a WR.

Yup. Another good comparison. Largent also comes to mind. Not real fast but great athletic ability and savvy football instincts, knows what to do when a play breaks down. I guess coming from Stanford must mean he has some smarts.