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Whilst browsing through various articles pertaining to how the 2017 Redskins will perform, I run into a similar theme over-and-over.
There is an over-arching thought that Kirk Cousins and new wide receivers Terrelle Pryor and kind of new receiver Josh Doctson will need time to gel. This will cause a dramatic drop in offensive output in 2017. Kirk Cousins will be viewed as a trash QB. Jay Gruden will be fired. FedEx Field will crumble to ashes.
So, to scientifically test this hypothesis, I wiped Cheetoh dust on my shirt and hit the Google machine.
What I looked for is new wide receivers and how they performed in their first year with a new team and QB. This is to see if “chemistry” is really all it’s cracked up to be.
Santana Moss
2004 with New York Jets and Chad Pennington- 45 catches, 838 yards and 5 TDs
2005 with Washington Redskins and Mark Brunell- 84 catches, 1,483 yards and 9 TDs
Golden Tate
2013 with Seattle Seahawks and Russell Wilson- 64 catches, 898 yards and 5 TDs
2014 with Detroit Lions and Matt Stafford- 99 catches, 1,331 yards and 4 TDs
DeSean Jackson
2013 with Philadelphia Eagles and Nick Foles-82 catches, 1,332 yards and 9 TDs
2014 with Washington Redskins and Revolving Door-56 catches, 1,169 yards and 6 TDs
Plaxico Burress
2004 with Pittsburgh Steelers and Ben Roethlisberger- 35 catches, 698 yards and 5 TDs
2005 with New York Giants and Eli Manning- 76 catches, 1,214 yards and 7 TDs
Jeremy Maclin
2014 with Philadelphia Eagles and Foles/Sanchez- 85 catches, 1,318 yards and 10 TDs
2015 with KC Chiefs and Alex Smith- 87 catches, 1,088 yards and 8 TDs
Steve Smith
2013 with Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton- 64 catches, 745 yards and 4 TDs
2014 with Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco- 79 catches, 1,065 yards and 6 TDs
As you can see, this is airtight proof that Terrelle Pryor will probably be an All-Pro this season.
Now, there are examples of wide receivers going to new teams/QBs and not having success...BRANDON LLOYD.
So for all those worrying that our passing attack will suddenly look like the Rams of last season, simply because of “new chemistry” issues, I think your concerns are overblown.