Ben Roethlisberger “excited” about addition of receiver Chase Claypool

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

That was informative. Thank you.

These particular techniques seem to rely on off the line quickness and body control rather than strength. I assume there are also ways for Claypool to use his strength on DBs who will most likely be smaller. He seems like he should be really good at defeating press man in this way so that DBs will want to give him
a cushion.

In watching some of his film I can see how we might want to use him like a TE sometimes. If he can master some of the concepts you’re talking about he really does look like a mismatch that will be difficult for teams to deal with. Especially since Ben will have other really good options.

Yes, like @pczach said, you use different technique vs different coverages. If a guy is off man you can stem him like this. If he plays man, you can use hands to defeat the jam and when he is running next to the WR, the WR stems with body again before the break.

If the CB plays "shaded" in the direction that the WR wants to cut then the WR needs to run at the DB and almost "step on his toes" to take away the shade and then make his break. Its all basic route running, but the footwork and knowing how to use your strengths against a defender and what his weakness is all part of the game.

I don't agree that Claypool should play TE. He is a WR and not somebody that should be trying to block OLB or DE's as a TE. If he can master how to get a DB's hips turned against the way he wants to cut, then he can get open to catch passes.

I want to see him run a 9 on Marlon Humphrey and Ben throw it outside shoulder for the catch, then 5 plays later run that same look, but catch the back shoulder throw with outstretched hands. Then have Dionte Johnson run a corner route from the slot and Claypool run a 7 yard in that he catches on the field numbers. Its a varying route tree that a big WR with good hands and decent route running skills creates a mismatch.

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

I’m not gonna pretend to be any kind of guru. I don’t really watch college football so I learn about guys during the draft process. But just going by your list, I really think
size, hands, and route running are a really great combination of traits coming into the pros. And to be clear, Claypool is still very fast and maybe has the potential to play even faster than he currently does as he’ll have a QB that he’ll have more confidence in.

A good route runner is usually someone who is smart and coachable. That’s really the key for Claypool.
There are no skills he lacks that can’t be learned if he’s capable at absorbing the lessons and applying them. What he also needs is heart. The ability to work through any difficulties he might face as a young player.

Yeah, Mims had some documented drops. Claypool sinks his hips and sticks a foot in the ground well like a basketball cut, while Mims is a little less efficient with his cuts IMO and a 230lb guy in a crowd is better than a 207lb guy IMO, especially if he has better hands.

Claypool had to put video on facebook to get noticed by college scouts. He had to go from Canadian highschool competition to D1 College competition and succeed. I don't think you do that without some ability to grind thru adversity and succeed. I like that.

[teegre]

So, here’s what I’m hearing...

Claypool has good hands.

Any flaws that he has can be corrected/coached up... such as: he doesn’t use his big body to its fullest capacity (which is something that our WR coach should be able to readily fix).

[HollywoodSteel]

The more I read, the better I feel about this pick. I hope he can contribute quickly.

It usually seems to take our rookie WRs at least a quarter of a season to start really getting it together.