(04-08-2022, 06:30 PM)DTWD4∞ Wrote:

(04-08-2022, 11:18 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote: Other than the fact he probably won't make any impact in 2022 due to coming off an ACL injury, I wouldn't hate that pick. When healthy, he's a very good WR. He's a classic possession WR from the slot, in the mold of a Robert Woods/Keenan Allen only faster. The problem is that Metchie is a slot receiver and we paid Kirk a lot of money. Kirk is basically useless anywhere but the slot position, so something would have to give.

Right or wrong, they didn’t sign Kirk to be a slot receiver imo. While he may play some slot, I think they want him on the outside. We shall see. I agree that Metchie would probably not have a lot of impact until late in the season if at all this year but next year I think he could push Kirk out of the slot if that is where He (Kirk) winds up spending most of his plays here   Then we could see Kirk have to prove his worth on the outside in that third year

I can't wait to see what Pederson/Taylor come up with for Kirk and the other receivers and TEs. 

If only for all of the consternation about Kirk's abilities (or lack thereof) to end. 
(Not directed at you - but there have been a handful of folks insistent he will struggle from anywhere but the slot and will limit opportunities for the TEs to thrive)

Personally, I do think Kirk will play lots of reps from the slot and I think that's a good thing. He's good at it. 
I also think it will be easy for him to be effective and not "useless" from the Z position on vertical routes down the seam and mid-to-deep crossers. Lots of ways to line these guys up and still utilize their skillsets without pounding a square peg into a round hole. Just gotta' be a little bit creative and know your players' strengths and weaknesses. 

I bet when Kirk does get reps at Z (or even X) it will happen with those positions stacked to one side or in a bunch formation making it easy to mitigate any potential issues he may have when playing "outside" -  and also allowing TEs to occupy the Y and F spots in a formation. I just don't see why I should assume Kirk can't run effective routes from such formations because he's "strictly a slot guy." 

I'd also assert that when facing zone coverage often in games (and about half of our scheduled '22 opponents favor it heavily) you could confidently line Kirk up anywhere you want and he'd get open. He has a good understanding of how to "sit down" in the soft spots of zone coverage - and there is tape of him doing it from the X and Z positions for anyone who wants to go watch it instead of relying on stats concerning his outside receiver play.

If Pederson and Taylor do what I think they'll do, the shot I'm calling is that this narrative on Kirk's limitations and hindrance to TEs is going to be proven incorrect.

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