Okay, bear with me, folks – I’m not usually a ‘hot take’ guy, but I have been told that my take on Rishard Matthews qualifies as a ‘hot take.’ Back during the height of free agency, the Titans fan base started bouncing around the idea of trading for Jarvis Landry when his name popped up as a possibility. They may have even been rumored to be in the hunt to actually trade for the guy – that I don’t really recall clearly.
But, when fans in one of the many Titans Facebook groups were acting, in my opinion, not right, I chimed in and said, “chill – we have Matthews, and that’s a much better option for this team.” I would take Matthews over his former teammate eight days a week.
People REAMED me for saying that. I was laughed at, called an idiot, among other things that make up for a routine Tuesday around here. But, while it’s not necessarily a hill I’m willing to die on yet, I make it a point to speak up when I see the opportunity. Since it’s June, and just the other day, I said it again, I thought, “hey, shit – there might be an article idea in here.” So, here we are.
Really, I should specify that I mean no disrespect to Landry, but based on the eye test and some digging into the stats, I feel like I have a pretty fair argument here.
On the surface, it looks like Landry is far and away the better receiver. 4,038 receiving yards and 22 touchdowns as the primary target in his four years with the Miami Dolphins. Meanwhile, Matthews has just 3,136 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns as a secondary, even tertiary at times, target in his six year career. Both players have 13 touchdowns over the last two seasons.
But, Matthews is averaging nearly half of the receptions that Landry has. There’s no denying that Landry has a knack for getting open and stockpiling receptions, averaging 6.3 receptions per game over the course of his career. But, I’m not sure Matthews couldn’t produce similar numbers, maybe even better, given that sort of opportunity.
When he signed with the Titans in 2016, he saw a sharp spike in production. Matthews went from 43 receptions, 662 yards, and four touchdowns in 2015 with Miami to 65 receptions, 945 yards, and nine touchdowns, all the while maintaining his ~60% catch percentage. So, what changed? Opportunity.
The Titans haven’t had a true #1 receiver in years. When Matthews arrived, that opportunity was there for him and he seized it. He went from averaging about 28 yards per game during his four years in Miami to averaging 58 yards per game in his two seasons with the Titans.
So, this argument isn’t necessarily based on what has happened, but more so what could happen. I know that can get you in trouble in football, and I’m aware arguing in hypotheticals isn’t a winning strategy. But, in my eyes, Matthews has the potential and the intangibles that you look for in a reliable receiver.
Targeting Rishard Matthews on screens generated a perfect passer rating in 2017! pic.twitter.com/BUMq85qhYs
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) June 27, 2018
Bottom line: Matthews has been completely underrated since joining the Titans in 2016. He has comparable production based on level of opportunity with the occasional ability to take over a game.
@ me.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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