what they're saying about donald hayes

from The Providence Journal:


DONALD HAYES, wide receiver: Put it this way, if Hayes doesn’t become a big contributor, it will be a major disappointment. He’s 27, 6-foot-4, 220 pounds and caught 118 passes over the past two seasons for the rock-bottom Carolina Panthers. He is the lanky target the Patriots have been waiting on for better than half-a-decade, the guy Tony Simmons was supposed to turn into. He’s been a fixture at Foxboro since he signed. During June’s mini-camp, he and Tom Brady didn’t seem to be on the same wavelength during passing drills, but that’s what training camp’s for. It will be interesting to see how Hayes’s entrance affects the rotation at wide receiver — whether Troy Brown will move out of the slot more frequently and whether Hayes will start over David Patten.

 

>>During June’s mini-camp, he and Tom Brady didn’t seem to be on the same wavelength during passing drills, but that’s what training camp’s for

The biggest problem is that Donald doesn't seem to have been on the right page with anybody. He never seemed to grasp some of the things a receiver should have grasped by now.

 

As a receiver back in the day... - Hayes biggest problem is that he does not get off the ball well. And if he knows the play has not included him as part of the equation... well, hello new equation.

 

I've never seen that be the case.

I have, however, seen more than my share of Hayes
*jump for catchable balls, ranging from eye high to even waist high
*cut routes off, under-run routes, run the wrong route
*lose position and advantage far too easy

each of those things was occasionally overshadowed by a great play on the ball, but the problem is that making a play on the ball should be the DB's role. A receiver must run the right route, crisply and with awareness to the ball and the defender, and stay on feet/in stride whenever possible.

 

Yea, its tuff to see unless you are at the game... I only got to see him in about 6 home games... he pretty much had multiple plays where he could not break free of the line that well nor would he complete his routes. The first can usually be coached, providing he has the ability, which I think ability is there. The second is about dedication and attitude. He'll have to fix that.

 

I 'll agree with both sides of this

I have on more than one occassion seen Hayes run wrong or abbreriated routes. I mean a down and out doesn't mean up and in? He cuts too early and thus several balls were "over thrown" much to he QB's chagrin (sp) Also despite his size he has trouble getting seperation. Poor use of hands to achieve some seperation IMO.

 

My .02 cents after seeing 6 game last year and several previous seasons games is that Hayes' only productive route was the deep ball down the sidelines. Thats why he was productive in 99/00 when he was #3 and they could say "hey Donald, go deep." He just dosn't seem to get it when he has to run a pattern.

 

separation at the snap and getting off the line has nothing to do with what he does in the air. The end result is exactly what I've been saying - he has extreme skill to go up and get the ball but can't use the natural advantages he has been given by being the offensive player. Many a player has had trouble off the snap but that has never caused the problems Hayes has when he is going after the ball.

 

Another thing I rarely saw Hayes do is come back towards the QB when the play broke down (that never happened ) He would basically just slow down instead of come back? and I was at 10 of the games last year (not counting 2 preseason games)

 

Thats correct, but getting off the line quickly and completing a route has everything to do with his opportunities to catch the ball.