The fans here don't like him, and I have complained about his drops (and wanted *him* dropped). But the staff is clearly very sold on him.

It's time we ask ourselves why and look at what positives Legadu Naanee brings to the table.


Pre-draft measureables
Height Weight 40 yd20 ss3-cone Vert BP
6'2" 226 lb 4.41. 4.20 6.73s[3] 40 in 19*[4]


1) Mentally capable player. When LA entered college he came in as a Quarterback. He likely understands the Xs and Os and coaches love that.

2) Naanee can offer versatility to create mismatches favored by this offense. "Norv Turner wanted to use Naanee as the Chargers' F-Back, like Delanie Walker and Michael Robinson were when Turner was the offensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers. The F-Back is much like the H-back in other offenses in the sense it is a hybrid position (WR/TE/FB) purposely versatile to take advantage of mismatches.... Regarding his versatility, head coach Norv Turner said, "We're going to continue to move him. He's going to be a guy who's versatile enough to move around. That's going to help him be put in position to make some plays." (Wikipedia)

3) He's got a reputation as a strong blocker. That helps in this offense on both runs and short passes designed for yards-after-the-catch. Given that our left side is our better run blocking side on the O-Line, we are likely to see bigger runs spring to the left if Naanee can block wide or upfield to the safety. For WCO passes, Naanee's blocking will help other receivers, RBs and TEs. On screens, flares to the running back, drags and crosses by the TE or WR on the opposite side, Naanee could block an upfield safety or pursuing LB to spring guys like Clay, Bess, Hartline, Bush and others for bigger yardage.

Don't underestimate how much blocking can play into a coach's assessment. "We like his size and his ability. He's a good target, whether it be on the outside running some in breaking routes or running slants or cross routes. … He adjusts pretty well to the football, and he has the ability to block in normal down and distance, he has shown an aptitude for that so he has good overall skill," head coach Joe Philbin said.

4) Be thankful our special teams don't suck anymore. We have actually rebuilt the special team into a decent unit, and LA is known as a good special teams player. The next time we aren't screwing up on special teams, let's appreciate the contribution we get from LA. Hey, it's still 1/3 of the game.

5) He does come off the line well, and is hard to press and jam, which is very helpful in a timing-offense like ours. Receivers who are fast but get held up for a second trying to beat the jam are not in the right spot at the right time and thus cannot be relied upon in this offense. The coaches would favor LAs ability to be unimpeded on his release on slants and other short routes.

6) While his hands have been unreliable, he is not the Ted Ginn type who Necessarily drops balls when in a crowd. LA may drop the ball due to lack of focus, or simply not having the best hands, but in general he is able to catch a ball in traffic, which is important if you hope for him to be of value in the compacted Red Zone area.

7) He can throw. Like I said, he was a high school QB, and threw a flea flicker to LaDanian. Tomlinson in San Diego. We may see it again here. Really interesting when you pair it with Tannehill, a QB who used to play WR. Could see that Naanee to Tannehill for a TD once this year, even if the reverse isn't true.

Overall, coaches could easily like the versatile, physicality of a receiver who appears to consistently get off the line,get to where he should, when he should, and can take a hit without dropping the ball. That said, his focus issues cause easy drops and lack of quickness in and out of cuts will mean minimal separation. Most of Naanee's catches, therefore, WILL be contested by a cornerback draped all over him as Naanee must make the catch with contact. Coaches will also love his blocking ability, coachability and understanding of the play book and Xs and Os.

There are issues with Naanee mainly because we have miscast him as a number one due to our own lack of receivers, but LA deserves credit for what he does bring to the table.

He's on our team. He has good things to offer. Let's hope for a good year of contributions from him.

 

We picked up Anthony Armstrong, who scares safeties the way Gates did... but with better routes and hands. Gaffney may be signed. Hartline has returned (somewhat) from injury and we'll see what he can do.

 

This is a great question, Stitches, because I keep hearing about how he's a Special Teams guy and good at it... but I cannot recall seeing him on coverage untis this preseason. MAYBE once, but I'm not sure.

So those reports of his Special Teams ability would not count in his favor if the staff is not playing him there. I'm hopeful they are.

 

There's a difference between agreeing, advocating and arguing on his behalf versus admitting and accepting that this staff likes him (regardless of what the fans say) and intend to start him. Because the latter is true, I decided to look at why this staff wants him, what they see in him, and what they think they can get from playing him.

 

Oh, I haven't convinced myself either. Were it up to me, I wouldn;t have Naanee on the team.

That said, I want to understand why he is.