ADVERTISEMENT

Q Henderson to Steelers

There is very little room on NFL rosters for only kick return specialists. He's best chance of collecting any football related checks may be in Canada.
One interesting comment I heard while watching ESPN draft coverage from Chris Mortenson, whether it was a slip of the tongue or pure BS, or does he know something, I don't know, but he said, "Return specialists will have little value WHEN the NFL eliminates kickoffs NEXT YEAR.
 
One interesting comment I heard while watching ESPN draft coverage from Chris Mortenson, whether it was a slip of the tongue or pure BS, or does he know something, I don't know, but he said, " specialists will have little value WHEN the NFL eliminates kickoffs NEXT YEAR.
True
But he’s gotz to be being looked at for special O plays and PR , no??
 
He either got really bad advice or made an uninformed emotional decision. He never had a chance at getting drafted and should have spent another year working to become at least a serviceable receiver. He gained nothing by leaving.
 
Does anyone think that maybe somebody told him that in 2019, there was a real possibility kickoffs would be completely eliminated? For the record I think him leaving was a mistake, but no matter what he'd be mostly looked at as a return guy. A dying breed is still better than an extinct breed.

I don't think this would've been the best way to make a decision either, but I also don't understand why you would leave unless you're graded as at least a mid-round pick. And who knows, Steelers have tried to give AB a rest and not use him to return punts, but nobody else has worked out really.
 
Steelers have tried to give AB a rest and not use him to return punts, but nobody else has worked out really.

I didn't really think about this, but it is correct, perhaps if Q works his tail off and becomes an all-around specials teamer there is hope.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Pittx9
Who knows what was going on with Q last year? He seemed like his head was in full NFL preservation mode but what do I know. You can't fake what he showed in his first 1-plus years. The kid is pure excitement. If there isn't a place for his game in the NFL, that's just one more reason why that league sucks.
 
A degree and a chance to put his name in the college record books, in the return game, along with a good season bumping him to a possible 6th or 7th rounder is worth more than a camp shot and a short career in the CFL. He could have had a better shot at the NFL career and another year wouldn't have hurt him for the CFL. Plus he could have gotten a degree for free which now he is going to have to pay 25k for. Pretty sure the NFL pays for the degree if you are drafted or make a team but not for UDFA.
The NFL does not pay for your degree if you are drafted. The 6th and 7th rounders have as much of a camp shot as UDFAs. A lot of times the priority UDFAs get more bonus money and if they are successful they have much, much more earning power in the 3rd and 4th years. Just unbelievably more. For Henderson, he had almost no shot either way, but he can start earning money a year earlier. As the game is phasing out the return game and that is the only possible way Henderson can make a team, it made sense for him to give it a shot. Maybe if he had great workout numbers he could have fooled some team into a late 4th round or early 5th pick, if they were short on 6th/7th picks. However, he had really bad workout numbers and is completely one dimensional. This is essentially a charity case by the Steelers.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chaos
True
But he’s gotz to be being looked at for special O plays and PR , no??
No. NFL teams have a number of players they want to get the ball in the offense, who are much, much better than Henderson. There are essentially no PR chances and he isn't a sure catcher in that role.
 
Who knows what was going on with Q last year? He seemed like his head was in full NFL preservation mode but what do I know. You can't fake what he showed in his first 1-plus years. The kid is pure excitement. If there isn't a place for his game in the NFL, that's just one more reason why that league sucks.

Eh... Maybe on the NFL preservation mode thing. But he certainly didn't help himself with his NFL chances if that is what he was doing so shame on him if true.

I disagree with your last comment. He simply isn't a very good WR and while he is obviously really athletic, so is 90% of the players in the NFL. WR Sweeps, motion sweeps, etc.. don't really work when you have 11 big time athletes on the other side of the ball chasing you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireballZ
Kickoff returns are effectively dead already, and nobody is keeping a guy on a roster purely as a return guy anymore.

Guess that's why I think he should have returned and tried to catch some passes as a senior, while finishing his degree. If he didn't improve as a WR he'd be in the same position in the 2019 draft, but with a degree in hand.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Chaos
No. NFL teams have a number of players they want to get the ball in the offense, who are much, much better than Henderson. There are essentially no PR chances and he isn't a sure catcher in that role.
The Steelers didn’t give him a chance just to return punts & kickoffs only.
He’s going to get tried at some flash plays you can bet dat ...

He was not good this year but was in 2016 against some
Kickoff returns are effectively dead already, and nobody is keeping a guy on a roster purely as a return guy anymore.

Guess that's why I think he should have returned and tried to catch some passes as a senior, while finishing his degree. If he didn't improve as a WR he'd be in the same position in the 2019 draft, but with a degree in hand.
thats s bingo
 
if he couldn't be a wr up until now, why all of a sudden do you guys think he'd have become one in his last year? Guy wanted no parts of Watson's offense, cant say I blame him really. You really think our bone head OC would have all of a sudden used him in a role that would have developed these "hidden" WR skills? you really believe this?

Guy has a small chance to parlay his KR skills into some money and that chance is now. another year at pitt does nothing but hurts him.. as far as finishing his degree, maybe he goes online at Univ of Phoenix like larry fitz. it's not expensive..
People always act like guys will "improve their stock" by coming back for a senior year. Other than QBs, it is very rare for guys to actually do this. 9 times out of 10 a guy hasn't improved his stock, he's just the same guy but a year older, so, his stock went down. If you haven't figured out how to run a route by your junior year, you probably aren't gonna learn your senior year.

If you're saying he should have stayed to get his degree, then fine. But don't act like he, or Whitehead for that matter, would have been flying up the draft boards by playing one more year in college.
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireballZ
The Steelers didn’t give him a chance just to return punts & kickoffs only.
He’s going to get tried at some flash plays you can bet dat ...

He was not good this year but was in 2016 against some

thats s bingo
I will "bet dat" he doesn't make the roster. The Steelers would be insane to ever give him the ball when they have Bell, Brown, Juju, and now James Washington. If Henderson ever touches the ball on offense, over any of those 4, the OC should be fired instantly.

Heck, add Eli Rogers to the list, if he is on the roster. He is much faster and quicker than Henderson and a much better WR.
 
Last edited:
I will "bet dat" he doesn't make the roster. The Steelers would be insane to ever give him the ball when they have Bell, Brown, Juju, and now James Washington. If Henderson ever touches the ball on offense, over any of those 4, the OC should be fired instantly.

Right...his odds are long to make this roster. I can't see how he makes it considering how little the Return game means anymore in the NFL.

Would love to be wrong but just don't see it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DiehardPanther
I will "bet dat" he doesn't make the roster. The Steelers would be insane to ever give him the ball when they have Bell, Brown, Juju, and now James Washington. If Henderson ever touches the ball on offense, over any of those 4, the OC should be fired instantly.

Heck, add Eli Rogers to the list, if he is on the roster. He is much faster and quicker than Henderson and a much better WR.
No he won’t
 
One thing that needs adjusted is the NFL's grading system for guys coming out early. The info they are giving these guys is just flat out wrong most of the time. I read that Q henderson was given a 6th or 7th round grade from the NFL before going into the draft. Anyone with a brain knew he wasn't getting drafted so why is he being given info that says 6th or 7th. I understand that info is given before the combine and things change but it seems to me there are far to many guys being given grades where there aren't enough spots. For example they might give 60 guys a 3rd or 4th round grade and there are only 64 spots, many of which will go to seniors.
The NFL gives grades of Round 1, Round 2 or neither which is basically a recommendation to stay in school. They stopped giving guys like this for a few years now.
People around him or maybe private scouts have him a 6th/7th rating but certainly not the league.
 
the nfl is changing the rules of the kickoff which could take effect in '18. wonder what the heck that could be?

Maybe the high school rule where if it crosses the goal line it's an automatic touch back. either that or keep moving it up another 5 yards? not sure, these kickers are going to be kicking it in the 6th row if you move it up any further..
 
the nfl is changing the rules of the kickoff which could take effect in '18. wonder what the heck that could be?

Maybe the high school rule where if it crosses the goal line it's an automatic touch back. either that or keep moving it up another 5 yards? not sure, these kickers are going to be kicking it in the 6th row if you move it up any further..

Dont know exactly what they are changing but I did hear they are not outright eliminating the kickoff.

But as you said, these kickers basically kick it into the 10th row today making the Kick Returner the most meaningless position on the team. Take a knee an the touchback and move on.
 
Dont know exactly what they are changing but I did hear they are not outright eliminating the kickoff.

But as you said, these kickers basically kick it into the 10th row today making the Kick Returner the most meaningless position on the team. Take a knee an the touchback and move on.
all these rules are doing is adding incentive for coaches to have their kickers kick it high and short, which is exactly what you don't want. Think about it, these kickers can easily do that high and short kicks, giving their players time to get down there.

Yes, the receiver can fair catch a kick but it doesn't happen often and do you really want your "up man" fair catching a kickoff at their 25 yard line?
 
  • Like
Reactions: FireballZ
Who knows what was going on with Q last year? You can't fake what he showed in his first 1-plus years. The kid is pure excitement.

Yes!!!!

Goodness... it's almost like some people here are forgetting how dangerously good he once was when he had a very good QB throwing or pitching it to him and a better OL and FB blocking for him and an OC who brilliantly called so many plays for him that beautifully utilized his talents.

I'll tell you what would be going on in my head if I were Q. "Hmm... I was an all American the previous year and then this new OC comes in who isn't getting the ball to me nearly as much and when he does he isn't using me in the best way and then the coaches are allowing questionable QB play to continue with QBs who couldn't throw the ball accurately all season, instead of just moving on to one who might actually have made a difference in the season... and then we lost a key blocker at FB. Do I have fairh that it will get any better for me next year... and if it doesn't - it will be two years I will have been removed from my All-American performance... I think I'll bet on my abilities and try for the NFL instead of allowing for a chance to have my talents buried again next season."

I think Whitehead left because he too didn't have enough faith in the coaches doing any more to improve his stock. If you are very talented on a team that is underperforming, it is hard to blame a guy for sticking around for another year- it is on the coaches to prove to the players that they are putting the players in a position to succeed. Maybe this coming season will be better... but there have been too many questionable decisions by the coaching staff across the board last year to make any very talented player who currently looks to have a shot at making an NFL team want to stick around and risk closing that door by sticking around another season and possibly not be given the proper opportunities to shine.
 
Last edited:
Yes!!!!

Goodness... it's almost like some people here are forgetting how dangerously good he once was when he had a very good QB throwing or pitching it to him and a better OL and FB blocking for him and an OC who brilliantly called so many plays for him that beautifully utilized his talents.

I'll tell you what would be going on in my head if I were Q. "Hmm... I was an all American the previous year and then this new OC comes in who isn't getting the ball to me early as much and when he does he isn't using me in the best way and the coaches allowed questionable QB play to go... WBs who couldn't throw the ball accurately all season instead of just moving on to a the one QB who might actually have made a difference in the season and then we lost a key blocker at FB. Do I have fairh that it will get any better for me next year... and if it doesn't - it will be two years I will have been removed from my The all-American performance... I think I'll bet on my abilities and try for the NFL instead of allowing for a chance to have my talents buried again next season."

I think Whitehead left too, because he too didn't have enough faith in the coaches doing any more for him. If you are very talented on a team that is underperforming, it is hard to blame a guy for sticking around for another year- it is on the coaches to prove to the players that thy are putting them in a position to win. Maybe next year will be better... but there have been too many auesrionable decisions by the coaching staff across the board last year to make any very talented player who currently looks to have a shot at making an NFL team want to stick around and risk closing that door by sticking around another season and possibly not be given the proper opportunities to shine.
well I like this post and it's a no - brainer that Watson was the biggest reason for him bolting, I mean we all know that, he said as much yet for some reason that gets glossed over here..

He wasn't a WR under Canada (26 catches all year) just like he wasn't a wr under Watson (17 catches all year) but at least Canada knew other ways to utilize him. Watson, not so much.
 
well I like this post and it's a no - brainer that Watson was the biggest reason for him bolting, I mean we all know that, he said as much yet for some reason that gets glossed over here..

He wasn't a WR under Canada (26 catches all year) just like he wasn't a wr under Watson (17 catches all year) but at least Canada knew other ways to utilize him. Watson, not so much.


Exactly.

Hence... "Bye-bye Pitt."
 
all these rules are doing is adding incentive for coaches to have their kickers kick it high and short, which is exactly what you don't want. Think about it, these kickers can easily do that high and short kicks, giving their players time to get down there.

Yes, the receiver can fair catch a kick but it doesn't happen often and do you really want your "up man" fair catching a kickoff at their 25 yard line?

Agree.. I think New England started doing this towards the end of the year.
 
I tend to agree with your first paragraph, but is he 'getting paid'? Don't you have to make the practice squad, at least, first?

He will have to be out Eli Rodgers, right? I think that is do-able. I am wrong about that? Not sure of Eli's contract status, and all that is. But now-a-days, if you are as good as the incumbent, and make less, then you have a really good shot.
 
He will have to be out Eli Rodgers, right? I think that is do-able. I am wrong about that? Not sure of Eli's contract status, and all that is. But now-a-days, if you are as good as the incumbent, and make less, then you have a really good shot.
Eli Rogers had over 2000 yards receiving in college, 176 receptions in college. QH has 45 catches, not even 500 yards receiving. you are lowballing Eli bigtime with this comparison..
 
Eli Rogers had over 2000 yards receiving in college, 176 receptions in college. QH has 45 catches, not even 500 yards receiving. you are lowballing Eli bigtime with this comparison..

Im not. I dont think Q is anywhere near as good as a receiver now as he is. I just think Q could nail down the returner, and if Washington pans out, and we have AB, Wash and JuJu, then Eli's foot hold would be more insecure if it comes down to money.
 
Eli is a free agent I believe and still has not signed with anyone. He's better than Q and nobody wants him.

The best possible outcome for Q is practice squad.
 
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT