Quote:According to Sporting Charts, Cecil is tied for the lead in terms of "dropped" passes this season, with 7. He's "dropping" 7.7% of the balls tossed his way, and catching just 52.7% of all balls tossed to him. He's been targeted the 8th most of all receivers (including tight ends and halfbacks) in the NFL with 91 targets, of which he's caught 48. Of the receivers in the NFL who rank in the top 30 for most targets this year, only 3 catch a lower percentage of balls thrown their way than Cecil;

1. VJax who has "dropped" 4 passes in 102 targets, but only catches 45.1% of balls thrown to him, for a total of 46 receptions, while "dropping" 3.9%,

2. Torrey Smith who has "dropped" 2 passes in 83 attempts, catching 49.4% of balls thrown to him, for a total of 41 receptions, while "dropping" 2.4%, and

3. Stevie Johnson who has "dropped" 5 passes in 79 targets, catching 51.9% of balls thrown to him, for a total of 41 receptions, while "dropping" 6.3%.

 

Source: http://www.sportingcharts.com/nfl/stats/drops/2013/

 

Note: I put quotations around drops, because as has been discussed on this board many times before its tough to subjectively define "drops." However, that said, I think Cecil's inability to catch balls thrown to him consistently, something he struggled with last year as well, speaks just as loudly to the type of play Cecil's been providing even if you want to completely ignore the "drops" due to subjectivity issues.

 

I'm not entirely sure what Cecil's issue is. Its not like he's been putting up the numbers to back up these types of demands for the ball. Catch the ball and it'll get thrown to you.  :confused:

 

7.7% drop rate isn't bad at all.  It's tied with Wes Welker for percentage, who has Peyton Manning throwing to him.  Welker has just seen less targets, but has had 6 drops.  Eric Decker has fewer attempts, but also has 7 drops.

 

You also have to consider that 'targets' doesn't mean the ball is catchable.  

 

Even the website says there are other factors to take into consideration with drops -- and that it's not always on the WR.

---