The Slot Can Be "Big Money"
Gambling is a high-risk and high-reward game. Football mirrors this notion. Slot machines are a prime example of the dangers and rewards of a night in a casino. In the NFL, the slot receiver represents the slot machine. Everyone wants to go to the high roller’s tables to be the star, but as players like Terrell Owens and Randy Moss show us, sometimes the reward is not worth the risk. I’d much rather spend my money at the slots and I’d rather see my team’s passes thrown to the slot guy. If the Seattle Seahawks want to hit the “big money”, their best bet is to throw the ball to Bobby Engram.
No receiver in recent history has owned the slot position quite like Bobby Engram. Engram is the true key to Seattle’s playoff success this season. One could make an argument for Shaun Alexander or Matt Hasselbeck, but there really is no argument if you throw the ball to Engram. If Seattle wants to win on Sunday against the Bears, they need bet the max on their sure-handed receiver.
Few fans of the pigskin recall when Engram came into the league. Actually, there are probably not many football fans who can recall Engram at all, so we'll take a brief moment for a history lesson. Bobby Engram was a record setting receiver at Penn State. He was the first recipient of the Fred Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation’s top collegiate receiver) as a junior in 1994. He was drafted in the second round with the 52nd selection by the Chicago Bears. Some would say he was selected a little bit too high...however...a better term might be “steal.”
The 1996 draft class is infamous for the influx of talent it pumped into the NFL’s most flamboyant position. There were 9 wide receivers selected prior to Engram and only two did not have much of an impact in the NFL (Alex Van Dyke and Bryan Still). The other seven were Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eddie Kennison, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds, Amani Toomer, and Mushin Muhammad. Later in the draft, two more stud wide receivers found homes: Terrell Owens and Joe Horn. You would be hard pressed to find a greater collection of talent at one position in a single draft. All of these guys are still worthy of the starting positions they currently hold on their respective teams, but none have quite found a niche to call their own like Engram has.
After starting his career solidly, Engram had a breakout year in his 4th season. He finished 1999 7th in the entire NFL with 88 catches. Only 3 members of Engram's draft class finished with more catches that season: Harrison, Muhammad, and Johnson. It was beginning to look like the Bears had their own stud wide receiver, but in 2000 Bobby suffered a season-ending knee injury after only 3 games. After the season, Engram signed with Seattle as an unrestricted free agent. His first season was not great from a statistical perspective, but it allowed him to learn the offense and get back to full strength. He has since averaged close to 50 catches per season over the past 5 years in Seattle.
The biggest facet right now in Engram’s game is his ability to step up and lead his team in big games. Over 66% of the catches he has made in his career have resulted in first downs. In last year’s Super Bowl against the Steelers, Engram led the way with 6 receptions for 70 yards. Last week against the Cowboys, he again led the team with 4 receptions for 88 yards including a big 36 yard reception to setup the Seahawks first score of the game.
No receiver in recent history has owned the slot position quite like Bobby Engram. Engram is the true key to Seattle’s playoff success this season. One could make an argument for Shaun Alexander or Matt Hasselbeck, but there really is no argument if you throw the ball to Engram. If Seattle wants to win on Sunday against the Bears, they need bet the max on their sure-handed receiver.Few fans of the pigskin recall when Engram came into the league. Actually, there are probably not many football fans who can recall Engram at all, so we'll take a brief moment for a history lesson. Bobby Engram was a record setting receiver at Penn State. He was the first recipient of the Fred Biletnikoff Award (given to the nation’s top collegiate receiver) as a junior in 1994. He was drafted in the second round with the 52nd selection by the Chicago Bears. Some would say he was selected a little bit too high...however...a better term might be “steal.”
The 1996 draft class is infamous for the influx of talent it pumped into the NFL’s most flamboyant position. There were 9 wide receivers selected prior to Engram and only two did not have much of an impact in the NFL (Alex Van Dyke and Bryan Still). The other seven were Keyshawn Johnson, Terry Glenn, Eddie Kennison, Marvin Harrison, Eric Moulds, Amani Toomer, and Mushin Muhammad. Later in the draft, two more stud wide receivers found homes: Terrell Owens and Joe Horn. You would be hard pressed to find a greater collection of talent at one position in a single draft. All of these guys are still worthy of the starting positions they currently hold on their respective teams, but none have quite found a niche to call their own like Engram has.
After starting his career solidly, Engram had a breakout year in his 4th season. He finished 1999 7th in the entire NFL with 88 catches. Only 3 members of Engram's draft class finished with more catches that season: Harrison, Muhammad, and Johnson. It was beginning to look like the Bears had their own stud wide receiver, but in 2000 Bobby suffered a season-ending knee injury after only 3 games. After the season, Engram signed with Seattle as an unrestricted free agent. His first season was not great from a statistical perspective, but it allowed him to learn the offense and get back to full strength. He has since averaged close to 50 catches per season over the past 5 years in Seattle.
The biggest facet right now in Engram’s game is his ability to step up and lead his team in big games. Over 66% of the catches he has made in his career have resulted in first downs. In last year’s Super Bowl against the Steelers, Engram led the way with 6 receptions for 70 yards. Last week against the Cowboys, he again led the team with 4 receptions for 88 yards including a big 36 yard reception to setup the Seahawks first score of the game.
The beauty in all of this is that he does it while operating out of the slot. His great route running and exceptional hands give him a huge advantage against the nickel backs of other teams. He’s the go-to guy without being the go-to guy. Some claim that is because Darrell Jackson and Deion Branch are the top two guys, but Engram has made really the slot his home. He has filled in at times as the number 1 or 2 receiver when other players have been injured and has been as steady as they come. Yet, if he’s lined up in the slot, the odds of a clutch play for Seattle go up dramatically.
This Sunday, Engram should once again beat the house. The Bears let this guy get away years ago and this weekend he’s going to make them pay. You can bet that he’ll be laughing all the way to the NFC Championship game. If he does, I'll even let him keep the new nickname: "Big Money."
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