NFL Football 2011

NFL 2011 - Receivers Making a Splash
Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis-Colts

Last season, Pro Bowl wide receivers DWAYNE BOWE of the Kansas City Chiefs, REGGIE WAYNE of the Indianapolis Colts and RODDY WHITE of the Atlanta Falcons reached historic milestones.

Bowe, who had a franchise-record 15 touchdown receptions in 2010, became the first Chief to lead the NFL in touchdown receptions in a season since OTIS TAYLOR in 1967 (tied for AFL lead). He also caught at least one touchdown pass in a team-record seven consecutive games.

"You go out there and you look at him, he is quick, he is fast, he is running around but at the same time, he is giving effort on every single play," says Chiefs quarterback MATT CASSEL. "I am excited about Dwayne and about him continuing to grow and make progress with the rest of us."

Wayne posted 111 receptions last year, the second-most in the NFL, and became the seventh player in NFL history to have three or more seasons with 100+ receptions.

"Reggie is a pure receiver as far as running routes and catching the ball," says Miami Dolphins All-Star wide receiver BRANDON MARSHALL. "He knows how to control his body. He is the definition of a wide receiver."

Receivers with three or more NFL seasons with 100+ receptions:

Player Seasons with 100+ Receptions
Source: NFL
Marvin Harrison4 (115, 102, 109, 143)
Jerry Rice4 (100, 112, 122,108)
Andre Johnson3 (103, 115, 101)
Brandon Marshall3 (102, 104, 101)
Herman Moore3 (123, 106, 104)
Reggie Wayne3 (104, 100, 111)
Wes Welker3 (112, 111, 123)

 

White hauled in an NFL-best and franchise record 115 receptions last season. A first-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft, White became the first Falcon ever to lead the league in receptions and joined TERANCE MATHIS (111 in 1994) and ERIC METCALF (104 in 1995) as the only players in club annals with 100 or more receptions in a season.

"Roddy is one of the strongest and most physical wide receivers that I have ever seen," says Atlanta head coach MIKE SMITH.

"The fans want to see a guy that comes out on every play and is going to be the very best that he can be. Those are the kind of guys that coaches want to coach and when you have guys like that, you are going to be successful."

On Target

NFL 2011 - Receivers Making a Splash
Roddy White

On each passing play, a quarterback goes through his progression of eligible receivers. Frequently, his first look is to his No. 1 receiver, the offense's biggest threat for a game-changing completion.

In 2010, Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowl wide receiver RODDY WHITE was targeted more than any other NFL receiver as 179 passes were thrown in his direction. White capitalized on his opportunities, finishing first in the league in catches (115) and first in the NFC in receiving yards (1,389).

White has been targeted 693 times over the past five seasons, the fourth-most among active players. Arizona Cardinals All-Pro wide receiver LARRY FITZGERALD has recorded the most targets (757) among active players during that stretch.

Moving the Chains

NFL 2011 - Receivers Making a Splash
Stevie Johnson

A precise route can be the difference between a game-changing play and an appearance by the punt team. On third down, the top-level receivers carefully gauge each step to ensure their routes finish beyond the first-down marker.

Atlanta Falcons All-Star wide receiver RODDY WHITE, who finished first in the league with 115 receptions and topped the NFC with 1,389 receiving yards in 2010, led all NFL receivers on third down with 29 first-down conversions and 497 receiving yards.

"I've always said that he's one of the best players in the league," says Falcons Pro Bowl quarterback MATT RYAN. "He certainly proved that."

The receivers with the most first-down receptions on third down in 2010:

Player Team 1st Downs Rec Yards TD
Source: NFL
Roddy WhiteAtlanta29364975
Stevie JohnsonBuffalo25304333
Calvin JohnsonDetroit23274163
Dwayne BoweKansas City22254195
Davone BessMiami21282992

 

NFL 2011 - Best Wide Receivers - Receivers Making a Splash