Holt “surprised, frustrated” about his scaled-back role
Seven-time Pro Bowler Torry Holt is on pace for 59 receptions and 660 yards this season — just about half of his normal annual production over his 10-year career. The Rams are going more and more to young wide receivers Donnie Avery and Keenan Burton, and Holt expressed his unhappiness at the situation Friday. Here are some excerpts:
*Are you surprised that you’re not getting the ball more?
“Yeah, absolutely, I’m surprised. But I guess they feel that Donnie obviously has been stepping up and making some huge plays, and they want to continue to get him the football.”
*Are you frustrated?
“Absolutely. When you go from getting as many opportunities and touches that I’ve had in the past to not nearly as many, yeah, there’s definitely a sense of frustration.”
*Have you talked to the coaches about it?
“No, I don’t feel like I need to speak to anybody about that. My body of work speaks for itself. I’m not going to make a stink about it.”
*Are you still the same player?
“Yeah, I think so. I think I’m still getting open. I don’t think you can go from what I did last year and the years before and just be (lousy). I don’t think it happens that way, not with the way I work and how passionate I am about the game of football. Obviously, I’m getting doubled, but I’ve beaten double-teams plenty of times throughout the course of my career.”
*Do you feel like you’re being phased out?
“At times, I do. Who knows? We’ve still got eight more games left, and we’ll see how those eight games go. Once the season’s over with, then come back and ask me and we’ll see how I feel.”
*When you are getting the ball, it’s mostly short stuff. Isn’t that unusual for you?
“It’s obvious that I’m not doing the things in the passing game that I’ve done in the past. My game has always been, I’m a vertical guy, getting in and out of breaks, running deeper routes. I’ve been doing some of that, but not a great deal of it.”
You can read more on Holt’s comments from my colleague, Jim Thomas, in Saturday’s Post-Dispatch.
All for now . . .
Tory’s ego is damaged…Does anyone remember where “Big Game Holt” got his nickname?? Big Game Holt gave Big Game Holt his nickname…Anyone who has to give himself a nickname has got ego issues….Come on Big Game earn the nic!!!!!!!!!
Catch the ball, fall down. It is time to get someone in there who will actually run with the ball after catching it. Don’t pout Torry, produce! Carolina can’t wait I’m sure.
Get one thing strait guys Torry is still a lethal threat. The league knows this that’s why he is still getting doubled a lot. It is also a reason we’ve been so successful lately. Its a new three threat. Instead of Bruce, Marshall, Torry. Its Avery, Holt, Jackson. Teams cant move eight in the box every play (like Buffalo) cause of Avery’s speed is stretching the field. Teams cant play back on Avery because of Jackson’s running game Torry’s midfield rout running. And teams cant just play run, and double Avery because they are forced to double Torry. It would be great if we had a good tight end, McMicheal getting hurt breaks my heart. Still it will be on the defense this Sunday O-Fence SHOULD take care of business. However all this said Torry has had some really weird drops this year when we’ve needed those great hands most…. We shall see what happens when Sunday comes. LETS GO BOYS. OUR HOUSE, NO PRISONERS.
I would like to add that if Jackson does not play it will be very, VERY, hard to win. Without his running threat everything goes to hell. Plus I like all this talk about how Pittman had a great fill in for Jackson… HHHMMM… no he didn’t. Hes is garbage. Haslett next year get descent #2 back to complement SJ, and help have a remotely close chance of winning us if SJ gets injured. Also I would have loved to see Bruce still in the O-Fence this year. (so would have Bulger).
I think Holt will have changed his tune by the end of the season because teams will start putting a safety over top of Avery so Holt will get the ball on mid range routes 15-18 yard digs and comebacks.
The frustration stems from Torry expecting this high flying offense coming into town but in reality Al Saunders offense focuses on the run. Example: KC he had Priest Holmes and a nice, mobile offensive line. Redskins he had the same with Portis.
All of Saunders’ offensive teams did not focus on a single wide receiver so Torry falsely expected a Mike Martz (throw the ball 45 times a game offense) and got a set the pass up with the run style and spread the ball around the field to multiple positions style of offense.
This will be a non issue at the end of the regular season when the Rams are NFC WEST Champs!!!!
Bob-n-Weave, Torry Holt said eight games because each team plays 16 games and bye week. Total NFL games are 17 games without bye week
did not Kurt Warrner win us a super bowl !!!!!!!
To those haters out there, the man has earned what he expects. Just like anyone who’s been on the job for years he has seniority. He’s still one of the best wide receivers in the world. It’s about respect. Nuff said.
I watched 6 passing plays in the first half last Sunday. I kept my eye on Holt only, and not Bulger. Holt half heartedly ran his passing route. The cornerback backpeddled the whole time at half speed, with his arm reached out to keep Holt in front of him at all times, doing so with his eyes on Holt and Bulger. It wasent a running play, it was a PASSING play. Holt didnt even try to get open. He lolygagged down the field. His lack of hussle said if you’re not going to throw me the ball, I’m not going to try to get open. Playing QB on a team a few years back myself tells me that I have a WR that has quit. BENCH HIM. Bring in the kids.