The Decade in Review: NFL Wide Receiver Busts of 2000

And we're back after a two-week delay! Apologies to all followers and viewers.

For the rest of the month, we're going to dedicate blog posts to the entire 2000 decade. Yup, the best in sports for the entire 2000 decade. And by best, tSS means the worst. Today, we begin with the Top 10 Wide Receiver Draft Busts of the 2000 Decade.

Remember these glorious names during the drafts? Rod Gardner, Koren Robinson, Sylvester Morris, R. Jay Soward, Matt Jones. Drafting a wide receiver in the 2000's was so risky that in the 2008 Draft, no wide receivers were drafted in the first time. It is the only time in NFL Draft history that a wide receiver had not been taken in the first round. So, let's go back in time and recap the Top 10 wide receiver draft busts of the 2000's.


10. Freddie Mitchell [2001 Draft: Round 1, Pick 25 (UCLA)] - 90 rec, 1,263 yds, 5 TDs

4th and 26. Everyone know who you're referring to if you ever say 4th and 26. It's the play that immortalized "The People's Champ". Oh, and all of his trash talking and big mouth of his. Freddie Mitchell always wanted the spotlight, even when he faked being "dumb" on a Jay Leno segment just for publicity. A Philadelphia team desperate for a receiver took him and passed on Pro-Bowlers Reggie Wayne and Chad Ochocinco. After controversies with the team during the Super Bowl run, the Eagles cut him. Nobody's heard of him since.


9. Darrius Heyward-Bey [2009 Draft: Round 1, Pick 7 (Maryland)] - 9 rec, 124 yds, TD

Yes, I'm going to say it already. DHB is a bust. Many will disagree with me, but let me explain the logic here. Some people will say you can't judge a guy off of his first year, but his fellow rookie teammate, Louis Murphy, is having a better season than him (19 rec, 283 yds, 2 TD). Given, Oakland doesn't have a threat of a passing attack, but this way supposed to be Al Davis' polished trophy that he boldly took over Michael Crabtree. While DHB drops passes, Crabtree is already having a better season (22 rec, 292 yds, TD) despite holding out for a portion of the season. In fact, in Crabtree's first game he exceeded the amount of catches DHB had for the entire season (at that point). But, Al Davis still believes in the motto "speed kills". Well, so does stone hands.


8. Travis Taylor [2000 Draft: Round 1, Pick 10 (Florida)] - 312 rec, 4,017 yds, 22 TD

Just a terrible year for wide receivers in general, but Travis Taylor was expected to be an offensive spark plug that the Ravens were missing at receiver. Well, he certainly was offensive as he went to a Goodwill charity event as Kobe Bryant and his wife as the alleged rape victim. Then, after being released by the Ravens, he was apart of the Minnesota Boat Party Scandal. But, as a receiver, his better days were in his junior year with the Ravens. However, while his career wasn't marvelous, it wasn't absolutely terrible. He just never lived up to being a Top 10 pick however.


7. Ted Ginn Jr. [2007 Draft: Round 1, Pick 9 (Ohio St.)]- 113 rec, 1460 yds, 5 TDs

"You're going to be thrilled every time you watch him as a punt returner, because he's going to be a great returner for us." "Ted Ginn is someone that you're going to be proud of." "Ted Ginn and his family will give us everything they have, I promise you that."

Umm, thanks Cam Cameron. I think the Dolphins were more thrilled when you were fired after that abysmal 1-15 season. When the only thing you can say about your top drafted wide receiver is how great of a punt returner he will be and that his family will give the team everything, you know you screwed up. They've been proud of his ability to drop the football. They were supposed to take Brady Quinn, but even looking at wide receivers, there's Dwayne Bowe, Steve Smith, Sidney Rice, and even his Buckeye teammate Anthony Gonzalez. The more embarrassing thing is that Dolphin teammate, 2008 undrafted wide out Davone Bess, is a better receiver than him. Well, at least he'll be living out Cameron's blessing and will probably be a decent returner all his life. What a waste of a Top 10 pick.


6. Michael Clayton [2004 Draft: Round 1, Pick 15 (LSU)] - 219 rec, 2,910 yds, 9 TDs

After his rookie campaign, it seemed as if Michael Clayton would develop into one of the best receivers in the NFL and the steal of the 2004 NFL Draft after an 80-1200-7 season. If you took his statistics and play from the rest of his career, his rookie season still looks better. Instead of being a legitimate receiver, he continue to drop passes, be ineffective, and get injured. But, like Clayton says, "Regardless of what they say, the check is in the bank. That's not changing." True. But, that's why you're #6 because you're being paid far more than what you're worth.


5. David Terrell [2001 Draft: Round 1, Pick 8 (Michigan)] - 128 rec, 1,602 yds, 9 TDs

The Bears were dearly in need of a wide receiver... wait, they're always in need of a wide receiver. They tried to solve the problem with David Terrell, the huge, physical 6'3" 220 from Michigan who was highly-touted. Instead, they got a huge dud. Never really amounted to anything in the NFL and had an abysmal 1,600 yard career. Really difficult to overlook considering that he was the first receiver taken with Santana Moss, Reggie Wayne, Chad Ochocinco, and Chris Chambers. The Bears still lack that #1 receiver.


4. Troy Williamson [2005 Draft: Round 1, Pick 7 (South Carolina)] - 84 rec, 1,097 yds, 4 TDs

See the ball. Drop the ball. Well, there's even question as to if he could see the ball considering that he claimed to have bad vision. That sums up Troy Williamson. And most notably, he would drop wide open passes. Couldn't judge the ball and would even be seen getting clonked on the head with the ball from time to time. Just a terrible, terrible choice as the second wide receiver available when there's the beast from USC Mike Williams available. Oh, wait...



3. Charles Rogers [2003 Draft: Round 1, Pick 2 (MSU)] - 36 rec, 440 yds, 4 TDs

Syke. We're going to Charles Rogers at 3. No worries though, Mike Williams is on this list. The highly coveted receiver from Michigan State was supposed to be the next Randy Moss. Made huge headlines when he ran a lightning fast 4.2-40 to go with his 6'3" frame. He looked great in his first five games: 22 rec, 243 yards, 3 TDs. It seemed as if Rogers was the right pick... until injuries, drug abuse, and personal issues would cut his career short. Charles would finish his career with more children (5) than TDs (4). Oh, and he was only drafted right before Andre Johnson. Great call there, Lions.


2. Mike Williams [2005 Draft: Round 1, Pick 10 (USC)] - 44 rec, 539 yds, 2 TDs

So, the Lions learned their lesson and... drafted another highly-coveted wide receiver with their first pick. Ugh. Mike Williams was a huge hit at USC. Pac-10 Freshmen of the Year, CBS' Player of the Year in '03, a Biletnikoff Finalist in both of his years, and 30 TDs in his two year stay at USC. 6'5", 240... you just have to draft him. However, he made a mistake and pulled a Maurice Clarett and made himself ineligible for one more year at USC. (Pssssst. This should have been a sign, Detroit.) However, he still entered the draft and the Lions took him at 10. And, of course, Williams finished as a dud as he kept dropping pass after pass. Finished with more teams played for (Detroit, Oakland, Tennessee) than TDs (2).


So, with the two big name Lions' receivers up here, I bet you're wondering who in God's name could be #1. Well, the selection may surprise and could be argued as not the biggest bust, but considering his accomplishments in college and the hype around him, there's no doubt in my mind that the #1 wide receiver bust of the 2000 decade is...


1. Peter Warrick [2001 Draft: Round 1, Pick 4 (FSU)] - 275 rec, 2,991 yds, 18 TDs

Two-time Biletnikoff finalist, Two-Time Concensus All-American, Three-Time All-ACC, MVP of the Sugar Bowl. He was the dream receiver and an electrifying player than everyone loved. While he had moderate success with Cincinnati, he never achieved the level of greatness expected of him. Never had a 1,000-yard season, never scored 10 TDs in a season, never had an 80 reception season. While it seemed as if he was finally breaking out in 2003, he suffered an injury in 2004 that pretty much ended his NFL career. He tried out for the Seahawks and was primarily a kick-returner for the Super Bowl team, but after that year, he never played for another NFL team. Considered one of the best college players of all-time (a Top 25 on some lists), Peter Warrick never acheived great NFL success and is now long forgotten.

theSportsSyndrome Will Be Back Tomorrow!

With a few delays on some special things, theSportsSyndrome has not been able to feed you. However, tSS will satisfy your crave tomorrow with huge updates on the week in sports. Stay tuned!

What You Definitely Missed: Chris Chambers Is A Chief?

Yeah, don't get used to the above image anymore. Chris Chambers is no longer in blue and yellow. The former Charger was released by the team as his role diminished and was picked up by Kansas City on Tuesday, November 3rd. Not only was he picked up, but he quickly went to work as he was active for their 24-21 loss against Jacksonville, scoring 2 TDs which included a 50+ yard bomb from Matt Cassel.

Sure, Daphne Blake may have just been cut and is the big news out of Cowtown, but did anyone even know this huge acquisition was made or even that the Chargers released him to begin with? Kansas City should begin rejoicing. They are now rid of their trouble maker and have Dwayne Bowe and Chris Chambers lined up at wide out. If the Chiefs can find their running game, can the Chiefs possibly become a resurgent offensive explosion as they were back in 2003 by next year with their current weapons? Time will tell. But Chris Chambers is what you definitely missed this weekend.

Follow theSportsSyndrome on Facebook!

theSportsSyndrome is making a huge push and is now on Facebook! Hop aboard the train now and get down with the sickness and learn about updates the minute they happen. Follow tSS on Facebook today!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/theSportsSyndrome/184684972000

More updates and what not to come!

- R. Mitchel

The Yankees Win, Girardi Is A Saint, And Lincecum Joins MLB's List Of Drug Users

In what could be Godzilla's last game in pinstripes, Hideki Matsui took over New York City and terrorized the Phillies as he crushed all of Philadelphia's hope with a monster home run in the 2nd and 6 RBIs taking home MVP honors. Should it be his last, domo arigatou Matsui-san. And just like that, The Battle For The Heart Of New Jersey came to an end and the Philly Phanatics have been put to rest (and thank God, because replacing all of your "f's" with "ph's" is just obnoxious). And how fitting could it have been that Pedro Martinez was the losing pitcher in Yankee Stadium. New or old, it's still your daddy Pedro.

Even as the Yankees parade through The City, Girardi still managed to find his way in the new before hand. However, it had nothing to with the Yankees. On November 5th, hours after the Series, Joe Girardi saw a car slammed against a wall and went to go assist the woman inside of it. In doing so, he ran through traffic going at speeds of 60-80 MPH where he could have easily been 100 points (a bonus 100 for hitting a Series champion manager!) and helped this woman. The woman had no clue who he was at the time, but the officer who arrived at the scene identified him. Now given, if this were an average, every day person, this wouldn't be a story, but there is just something surreal about a guy, who just came hours away from winning a championship, to go and help an average citizen while putting his own life at risk. That's ballsy. theSportsSyndrome applauds Girardi.

Speaking of stories that shouldn't be a story, MLB news today ends with a pitcher who wasn't even in the post-season. Tim Lincecum, the San Francisco Giants' ace, is facing charges of marijuana possession for carrying 3.3 grams and could face a fine of a grand total of...

...wait for it...

...

$622.

Yeah. Pretty sure his remarkably low salary of $650,000 (could you imagine how funnier this fine would look if this were Sabathia's salary?) will take a hit as he goes home and takes some hits. I'm not a pot smoker, but this is one of the American things I can't stand. Why is it necessary for marijuana to be illegal when it is proven to be less dangerous than alcohol, which we legally allow it to be sold here? Now, the guy has a stigma and a fine against him because he had was carrying a little grass on him? It's not like this is steroids or any sort of performance enhancement or something that could be harmful to him.

Let me put it this way. If I were to take a shot glass and fill it with bleach and drink it out in the open, is there a fine for me for drinking a shot of bleach (which could potentially kill me)? No? Well, what if I were carrying around bleach with the intention of having a party and drinking bleach. Do the cops pull me over and stop me for that and fine me $600? No? So then why is Lincecum (or anyone else for that matter) being fined for only carrying something far less lethal?

Power Rankings Are Inevitably Useless

All stats are based upon ESPN NBA, NFL, and NHL Power Rankings.

Last week, the Colts were the best team in the NFL. This week, the Saints are the best team in the NFL. Remember when the Giants were #1? The Vikings and Broncos sit at #3 and #4, yet the Ravens, who almost beat the Vikings and demolished the Broncos, are #10. In the beginning of the NBA season, the Denver sits 4th in the Power Rankings as an undefeated team, yet undefeated #10 Phoenix and #11 Miami sit behind 2-2 #9 Portland. Even the NHL can't get it right with the Blue Jackets at #24 with a record of 7-5-1 behind the Islanders at #20 despite a 4-4-5 record.

Why? Why use or even follow power rankings? In the end, they never really tell you where a team is. It's all on paper. How are the Patriots seated at #5 after derailing two 0-and-whatever teams, one of whom have a depleted secondary? During the season, they barely beat the Bills (and I mean, barely) and were shut down by the Jets and Broncos. If the Patriots were 4-3 (in that game against the Bills) instead of 5-2, would they be as low as the other 4-3 teams? And what about the Ravens? They just competed against #3 and #4 of the Power Rankings and ended up defeating #4 convincingly and coming a FG short of beating #3, so why are they at #10? Also, when was the last time a #1 team went all the way and won?

How can an undefeated team in the NBA thus far not be in the Top Ten of the Power Rankings? If the argument is that the undefeated teams have beaten up on weak teams, the Cavs haven't beat anyone of note for them to be at #7 (Minnesota and Charlotte) and were beaten by #1 Boston and #20 Detroit. Oh, but we base them on what they "potentially" are on paper. The Thunder are at #19 with a 2-1 record, yet there are teams with losing records that haven't looked as good as they are above them? If anyone caught the L.A./OKC game last night, it's obvious that the Thunder are a better team than they're being given credit for. Denver at #4? They're the second sharpest looking team in the NBA right now (next to Boston, who is rightfully at one).

Power rankings are absolutely useless. Regardless of how you try to rank teams, they'll never tell you how good or bad a team truly is because everything in sports is based on match-ups and how you play on that day. It's the reason why a #8 Golden State can topple the NBA's best record team Dallas Mavericks in 2007. It's why 18-0 can result in 18-1. It's how both #1 seeds in the NHL playoffs lose in either the opening or 2nd round of the Playoffs. It's why the BCS is such a mess (because, essentially, the BCS is just Power Rankings). If at the end of the day, we're judging teams based on what they win/accomplish at the end of the season, why do we bother with Power Rankings and worry about where a team is in term of this system?

The Curious Case of the Buccaneers: The Guide To Going 0-16

With the Rams snapping their 17-game losing streak against the former 0-16 Lions and Vince Young picking up a victory for the Titans, the Bucs are the only team still ready to continue their streak to perfection. No, not imperfection. That insists that there is a flaw in their plans and the only flaw in this situation is a win. The '07 Dolphins reached imperfection when they decided they didn't want to try to lose a game against the Ravens and slack off in the quest to perfection. Much like the 07' Patriots will be remembered as "Eighteen and ONE" and choke artists in their quest perfection, the Dolphins are remembered are "ONE and Fifteen".

However, there is a method to all of the madness on the road to 0-16 and I've got the formula that the Buccaneers must follow in order to follow the Lions of last year and take their place in history:


Have No Clue Who Your Quarterback Is

This is the first step to the dream. Looking back at the Detroit Lions and the Miami Dolphins (as they were on their quest), they both had early severe injuries to their starters (Jon Kitna and Trent Green) which then sent them into a frenzy in trying to figure out who is their quarterback. Neither of their backups were truly capable of being NFL starters, so they just tried different quarterbacks throughout the season. The Dolphins went through first-round pick John Beck and Cleo Lemon. However, the Lions not only went through Dan Orvlosky and Drew Stanton, they also went out, became desperate, and signed Daunte Culpepper, who came out of retirement to play. This is why the Rams were able to win on Sunday and why they don't fit the equation: they know that Marc Bulger is their quarterback and that he is their answer.

The Bucs are already ahead of the game because they didn't know who their quarterback was from Week One. No injuries to report, yet they're ready to start their third quarterback already, first-round pick Josh Freeman, after going through journey Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson. They've gotten desperate enough to even let wide receiver Michael Clayton throw a pass. I suppose that is more productive than letting them play receiver since he drops so many passes. Hell, it goes beyond just their quarterback. They can't even settle on a kicker. They've started with Mike Nugent, who was ineffective. They then got rid of him and turned to Shane Andrus. Now, they've released him and turned to Connor Barth. I can't wait to see them start having their wide receivers start trying out for kicking duties.


Must Have One Player Who Plays At A Level Above Everyone Else

For the Dolphins, during their 0-13 run, it was Ronnie Brown. Ronnie Brown was having a phenomenal season and no one else on that team (except perhaps Chris Chambers, who the Dolphins then traded that season) was playing at the level he was. Unfortunately, the team's leading rushing for the season (and, at the time, leading receiver) was knocked out for the season by Week 7. For the Lions, it was Calvin Johnson. He was in the Top 5 of quite a number of major receiving statistics and earned the name Megatron. No one else had what he had. Had he been on any other team than the 0-16 Lions, he would have been a Pro-Bowler. But going 0-16 is not an individual effort. It is a team effort and that is why they got there together.

Now, if the Rams hadn't blown it against the Lions last week, the answer would easily be Steven Jackson for them. I can't even name any of their receivers (remember back in the day when Rams' receivers were feared?) or 75% of their roster if I were asked. But, we do have the Bucs to work with and their player has to Aqib Talib, their phenomenal cornerback. In the one game that they could have won this year, he tried to ruin the perfect season by picking off Redskins' QB Jason Campbell three times and put the Bucs in a position to win. When the Patriots were kicking them into the dirt, Talib put his foot down and went out and made plays against the Pats. However, the rest of the team in the Redskins' game got their act together and did nothing in the Second Half as Nugent missed field goals, the offense committed turnovers, and even Aqib Talib got on the same page and let Santana Moss blow right by him for the TD that sealed the game.


Must Trade A Huge Name During The Season

This is what cements it. This is how you know you're on the track to a 0-16 season. When the Dolphins were rolling down that path, they traded their rising receiver Chris Chambers to the Chargers before their departure to England for their game against the Giants. For the Lions, it was Roy Williams who was traded to Dallas.

The Buccaneers took a different route and traded former first-round pick and defensive end Gaines Adams to the Bears for their 2010 second-round pick. Of course, the trade has not solved any of their problems and their woes continues. Looking at the rest of their schedule, there doesn't seem like there is a game they might win. Their best chances come in consecutive weeks (@ Carolina, vs. Jets, @ Seattle), but according to this formula, they don't have a chance.


- R. Mitchel

What You Definitely Missed: Brandon Jennings

So, while you were too busy either tracking the World Series, out trick or treating, or just watching basketball that is more relevant than it is in Milwaukee, you definitely missed Brandon Jennings' near triple-double against the Sixers in his debut game in Philadelphia. Jennings put up a remarkable 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists in his first game almost becoming the second player to ever post a triple-double in his rookie debut.

And I'm not even done. He comes to the home arena in Milwaukee and scores 21 of his 24 points in the Second Half of the Pistons game to lift the Bucks to their first win of the season. So much for college, right? So much talk about Blake Griffin's knee, Terrance Williams hype, DeJuan Blair as a steal and yet here is the shining star of the rookie class thus far. Brandon Jennings is off to a hot start and it's time to start paying attention to the player versus the internet videos with him talking to Joe Budden and ripping the Knicks and Rubio (which everyone does anyway).

Thus far, Jennings looks like a legit point guard and will be a star instantly. It is going to be fun to watch him and Derrick Rose go at for years to come in the NBA's Central Division. Hopefully, Brandon Jennings will no longer be what you definitely missed.

The War For The Heart Of The Garden State: Yankees-Phillies World Series

New York vs. Philly. The City of Brotherly Love vs. The City that Never Sleeps. The Statue of Liberty vs. The Liberty Bell. But no one really talks about what is at the heart of all of this: New Jersey. The state of New Jersey is currently in riot over the World Series as they are sandwiched between the two World Series cities. There is North Jersey primarily with Yankees fans because they're close to The City (no, not Philadelphia) and South Jersey with primarily "Phillies Phans". And with both teams in the World Series, the state has gone to war with each other.

Allow me to summarize. You have Yankees fans and Phillies fans. They are very concentrated in Central Jersey, which is awkward if you're a Yankees fan because the Phillies are celebrated all throughout Central Jersey. The "Philly Phantics" are very hostile toward any Yankees fans more so than Mets fans, who they just laugh at. Speaking of Mets fans, it is amazing how many Mets' fans are Phillies supporters (*cough*Yankeehaters*cough*) considering how miserable they have made made them in the past three years. Showing love for the rival city and not even your own? Then there are the bitter Red Sox fans in Jersey, the fans that like the Red Sox because they hate the Yankees. They're going Philly all the way. And then, there are just the fans that hate both teams and are miserable because the World Series is on FOX while their favorite show is on. Who will win over the heart of New Jersey when it's time to celebrate in the state of New Jersey? We'll know soon enough, but let's dig into the facts of the World Series thus far:

Chase Utley's Nasty Haircut Owns CC's Nasty Pitching

Really, Chase Utley has some bad natural hair. But, he has dominated Sabathia in this World Series. Three solo shots off of CC and close to four (off the wall early in the top of the 1st of Game 4). It has to be that killer hair sending shivers down Sabathia's spine every time he comes to bat. He is responsible for four of five runs batted in against Sabathia.

Ryan Howard Is OK-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K-K

Talk about K-razy. Ryan Howard had a batting average of .375% (6-for-16), 6 RBI, 3 R, 4 K in the NLDS against the Rockies in four games. Then, in the NLCS against the Dodgers, he posts a .333% (5-for-15), 8 RBI (2 HR), 5 R, 4 K in five games. Very productive and only 8 K in nine games. In the four games of the World Series alone, Ryan Howard is an abysmal .176% (3-for-17) with only 1 RBI and 1o K. This only means one thing...

...Ryan Howard is on pace to break the glorious record of most World Series strikeouts. He's only two away from tying Willie Wilson's record from the 1980 World Series with the Kansas City Royals. (Fun fact about Willie Wilson: he had 13 Inside-the-Park Home Run in his career, the most of any MLB player since 1950.) With the way Ryan Howard has been swinging at pitches, I wouldn't be surprised if it happened in Game 5 against the man who struck him out three times in Game 2, A.J. Burnett (his fourth K came against Mariano Rivera). And he wants it, bad. I saw him strike out swinging on a ball that was in the dirt before it got to the plate. Now, that's determination.

Andy Pettitte Is Hotter Than Cole Hamels

Sorry Philly Phemales, your heartthrob is just not hotter than Pettitte. You can scowl all you want Cole, you know it's true. Their Game Two match-up cleared it all up. Pettitte came out hot in his six innings, striking out 7 batters and collecting his MLB-record 17th post-season victory. He was even hotter than Hamels at the plate as he hit an RBI single to bring in Nick Swisher and ever scored a run which eventually got Cole Hamels the hook. It is without a doubt in my mind that as of now Pettitte is the hotter pitcher.

What, you thought I meant looks? Sorry, I don't swing that way. (Get it? Swing? Baseball?)

The Yankees Are 27 Outs Away from #27

And with as clutch as the Yankees have been in the late innings, including tonight's crazy double-steal by Damon and A-Rod's double into deep left, it should only take 27 innings. No extra inning shenanigans in this World Series as the Yankees lead 3-1 in The War For The Heart Of The Garden State.

- R. Mitchel

Follow TSS on Twitter!

theSportsSyndrome is now up on Twitter. For updates on the site, quick one-liners, and news all around the sports world, follow at http://twitter.com/sportssyndrome. Updates on the World Series to come later tonight!

- R. Mitchel