The Art of Separation

[MNSpaniel]

I think the good receivers have a natural skill set or an "Art of Separation." It seems to me that Barker is blessed with this natural ability. I think we have a number of receivers who are faster than Barker but don't know how to create that space between them and the defender. I'm not sure if this can be taught or not. I sure hope Barker isn't laid up for long. We will miss him.

 

[fan of Ray Williams]

A quote from Nelson about Barker from Sid's column. "A.J. is a great receiver. He's very smart," Nelson said. "He does a lot of things to gain separation early. I've never seen a receiver be able to gain that much separation from a defender like [he does]."

 

[MNSpaniel]

A quote from Nelson about Barker from Sid's column. "A.J. is a great receiver. He's very smart," Nelson said. "He does a lot of things to gain separation early. I've never seen a receiver be able to gain that much separation from a defender like [he does]."


Interesting that should show up in Sid's column. I never read that. I just noticed that after Barker went out that none of the receivers seemed to get very open the rest of the game. They didn't seem to create that separation.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Not to take anything from the receivers but Purdue's secondary looked horrible yesterday. They were biting on moves left and right and seemed like there was a lot of miscommunication between the corners and the safetys.

That being said Barker certainly does have a knack for disguising things well and getting open. If we can find/develop a true #1 guy Barker is the kind that would make an awesome #2 receiver where he is a position that the defense can't focus on just him. Got to think having Gray back at receiver is going to help Barker a ton (assuming the ankle thing is not serious).