When asked about Corey Watson getting downfield more often, Michael O'Shea said he is very often kept in because he is an excellent blocker. When we drafted Fitzgerald it was in part because he has excellent hands. For the life of me I cannot understand why we don't put Fitzgerald into the lineup in situations other than double tights. It seems like coaches and coordinators get fixations in their head and have certain players slotted into certain roles… They don't seem to be able to think even slightly outside that fixation box.

Playing Fitzgerald in Watson's current role would free up Watson to be our best downfield receiver. It would even allow us one more starting Canadian on offense. In turn that would allow us to dress one more import on the defensive side of the ball.

We have seen so many Canadians step up and play beyond their recognized skill level, Bucknor being one example.

Am I the lone wolf in the wilderness cheering for Fitzgerald as a starter at slotback ... is there no good reason?

Anybody else have any good ideas (or bad) to improve our receiving core?

Watson does a lot of blocking.

Watson does a lot of blocking.

 

Yep, he ends up being the hot read guy a lot too though.  The Bombers aren't a team that always tries to match the blitz.  Watson did a lot more blocking when Lapolice was the coach...and he still produced as a receiver.

The problem is that Watson is declining though. He's a starting NI today, and even at that he'd be low on most teams list with everyone healthy. He can be a good player still, but it's going downhill quick, he's 30 with a huge injury history. I've seen the 2011-2012 Watson a few times this season, mostly in game 1 before he got injured again, but not enough to look at him as a guy I'd rely on moving forward. I don't think we can look at him as a top NI target anymore and if he is ours, we better have a lot of good imports or we are screwed anyways. We are basically in a spot where we need to replace him either way, with someone already on the roster or from somewhere else. If a desperate team wants to give us a shot at adding quality Canadian depth in probably the deepest draft we'll ever see with 9 teams picking, I wouldn't hesitate.

"The problem is that Watson is declining though" I disagree ... good as ever