DJK Gets The Boot In Canada

[hawkdrummer1]

So if by "talent" you mean physical ability? Yes. But many would argue that true "talent" is more multi-dimensional.

And comparing stats is always tricky business...as there are so many other variables in play. A true, controlled, comparison is almost never available. (which is precisely why stats can be misleading)

[schatz247]

lets put it this way...djk had more catches and yds in a season and career than tim dwight. tim had a solid career in the nfl. so obviously djk had the talent. something else caused him not to make it. i dont see kf as a person that would block someone from the nfl. i just believe that he didnt say anything about him and that told the nfl people more than they needed.

The better stats argument is is totally flawed...don't even know where to start.

[Foval21]

ok lets compare the two players...both played 4 yrs at wr...both were converted wrs (djk - qb in hs, tim - rb)...both were return men with homerun abilities...djk was bigger, tim was faster...both were arguably the best wr of their era in iowa football...one made in the nfl, one never got started.

there are differences and similarities. but if you look at their development arcs the glaring difference is their work ethic and off field issues. so by that i take it as those things are the reason djk didnt make it. not to mention he played in a more pass happy time where having an abundance of wrs on an nfl team is the norm. with tim that wasnt the case because he played in a more run oriented nfl.

djk was 6 ft tall and ran between a 4.5 and 4.6 40. these are pretty standard in the nfl. of you watched him play you know he had good enough hands. was his route running bad...no it was good enough to get looks. i used the stats because they had similar arcs of development but different work ethics.

[tm3308]

So if by "talent" you mean physical ability? Yes. But many would argue that true "talent" is more multi-dimensional.

And comparing stats is always tricky business...as their are so many other variables in play. A true, controlled, comparison is almost never available. (which is precisely why stats can be misleading)

Physical ability and the mental side of the game (reading defenses, etc.) are typically what define "talent". DJK had enough football talent to make it in the NFL, but his character issues off the field kept that from happening. Character has nothing to do with talent. Barry Bonds was one of the most talented players in MLB, even before he started juicing. Doesn't mean he didn't have character issues/flaws.

DJK is a guy who had enough talent to make it to the NFL (or at least get a shot), but instead threw it away by way of his attitude. I see it all the time in the high school ranks with kids I coach. Plenty of them have the tools, but not all of them have the drive to succeed or even realize the potential they have.

[rhoffs8]

So he can't make it in Canada, can't make it in the AFL, where does he go from here? Mommy and daddy's basement?

[Section136]

So he can't make it in Canada, can't make it in the AFL, where does he go from here? Mommy and daddy's basement?

Im sure Ferentz has an assistant coaching position waiting for him if he wants it.

[Section136]

lets put it this way...djk had more catches and yds in a season and career than tim dwight. tim had a solid career in the nfl. so obviously djk had the talent.

Apples to oranges.

Dwight was also a much better kick/punt returner than DJK, which is a huge reason why he stuck around in the NFL for so long.

[Foval21]

i would agree with the returning comment but returning is a completely different game anymore in the nfl. you dont need a great return man anymore. kickoffs are touchbacks and the hang time and directional kicks take most punt returns out of the game. i think many also undervalue djk as a kick returner (he wasnt as good as tim but he was really good). so if you are looking at todays game i think tim has a little bit of a leg up because of returning but not as much as he would have had when he played in the nfl. and as wrs they are comparable.

[kameltoez102]

Good point...and DJK never had any of those things

One play can sum up the difference between Dwight and DJK and why Dwight made it in the NFL. I cannot remember the year but it was while Dwight was still with the Chargers. One of his teammates caught the ball (Tomlinson maybe?)and was running down field. Dwight ran past 5 or 6 guys on the field all while making great blocks to extend the play. This was how Dwight played every down. DJK never had a play like that and in my opinion do not think he was capable of one. Physical talent was there for him but he didn't have the little extra.

[latrans]

I would guess that Ferentz either said nothing about djk or gave them his honest opinion on the guy. Either way I wouldn't fault Ferentz for that. DJK had attitude/personality issues which you can get away with in the NFL if you are good enough - DJK wasn't good enough.

[ihawkeye]

Guys like him are a dime a dozen.

[GhostofBTT]

So he can't make it in Canada, can't make it in the AFL, where does he go from here? Mommy and daddy's basement?

I'll bet Kert blacklisted him there too.

[cmhawks99]

One play can sum up the difference between Dwight and DJK and why Dwight made it in the NFL. I cannot remember the year but it was while Dwight was still with the Chargers. One of his teammates caught the ball (Tomlinson maybe?)and was running down field. Dwight ran past 5 or 6 guys on the field all while making great blocks to extend the play. This was how Dwight played every down. DJK never had a play like that and in my opinion do not think he was capable of one. Physical talent was there for him but he didn't have the little extra.

You nailed it right here....was thinking the same thing while reading. Furthermore DJK was not even in the same strotosphere as Timmy D as a return man. Not even close....

[oroko]

"Physical talent was there".

I think that one's been answered in the negative.

[MikeyJoe]

I've never said otherwise. All I've said is that IF he didn't have the character/dedication issues, he would have found a place in the NFL.

The fact that you think I'm saying he's still a viable NFL prospect is mind-blowing. I never said he's going to make it to the league (he won't). It's not been a question of physical ability, which is all I've said from the start.

It absolutely is a question of physical ability.