Raiders need solid all-around year from young WR

By Anthony Carroll  |   Thursday, April 03, 2008  |  Comments( 3 )

Oakland Raiders
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Raiders need solid all-around year from young WR

Former third-round draft pick Johnnie Lee Higgins can certainly learn from his rookie campaign in 2007. Don’t do it again.

The 99th overall selection in the ’07 draft, Higgins capped off last season with just two fewer fumbles (4) than catches (6) and averaged just three receiving yards per game and 5.2 yards per punt return. Had it not been for a 54-yard return in Week 17, Higgins would have averaged a dismal 2.5 yards per fielded punt last season.

Now it seems Higgins will be relied on even more this season, particularly as a slot receiver and also as a return man.

With the recently-signed Javon Walker and 28-year-old Ronald Curry currently primed to take on the two starting wideout positions, Higgins, along with ex-Carolina Panthers pass catcher Drew Carter, will likely be the major factors in the slots.

Carter, 26, turned in a career year last season (38 catches, 517 yards and four TDs), and will likely be considered the No. 3 guy. Outside of the 6-foot-3, 200-pounder, however, Higgins appears to be the most viable backup remaining.

Last season’s primary slot option, veteran Tim Dwight, still remains unsigned, while the team’s other depth receivers -- Will Buchanon, Drisan James, Todd Watkins, Jonathan Holland and Chris McFoy -- have combined for just two career catches. As a third-round pick with six career grabs and 20 fielded punts, Higgins is an experienced veteran by comparison.

As a receiver for the UTEP Miners, the 5-foot-11, 180-punder hauled in 190 passes for 3,218 yards and 32 touchdowns. As a senior in 2006, Higgins put up career highs with 82 receptions, 1,319 yards and 13 TDs.

The speedster (4.48 40-yard dash) also was an above-average kickoff and punt returner with the Miners, which is something the Raiders will look to take full advantage of next season.

Oakland’s all-time kick returner, 24-year-old DB Chris Carr, was signed to an offer sheet last week for just under $2 million by the Titans, and appears all but ready to make the move to Tennessee. That leaves a gap to fill on special teams -- one that Higgins will certainly compete for this offseason.

As a senior, Higgins, along with his 12 fielded punt returns for 281 yards and two TDs, took back 18 kickoffs for 275 yards. In the two years prior, he also ran back another 34 kicks for 758 yards.

The only other players to field kick returns outside of Carr in 2007 were RB Dominic Rhodes (16 for 312 yards) and WR Tim Dwight (one for 30). Rhodes will be returning next season; as of now, Dwight won’t be.

Whether it be on special teams or as a receiver, the Raiders will likely look to Higgins next season to make the big plays he couldn’t in 2007.

The 24-year-old certainly has the speed and athleticism to make those plays, and he should have plenty of chances to demonstrate that in 2008.

Anthony Carroll can be contacted at
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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CommentsComments: 3  |  Sign Up  View all comments
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No.1
Al		11:16 PM
04/09/2008
Any chance the raiders put on the silver slippers and play the role of cinderellas this year maybe making it to the super bowl...
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No.2
02:45 PM
04/10/2008
JLH was a disappointment last year, no doubt about it, but he is not a bust, only a rookie, coaches shouldn't give up on him yet....
No.3
Double H		03:16 PM
04/10/2008
Jonnie Lee is going to be fine... WR is probably the second most Difficult position to learn going from College to the Pros (QB...
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