For those of you who like to say I never admit I was wrong... Here's a special post for you.
Two readers sent notes to the mailbag that got me thinking:
Lyndon in Houston writes: Paul, I have been following you from the beginning at ESPN and I love what you do. I think this may be my 2nd or third comment/question I have ever had for you but this is the 2nd chat that I have seen you mention that Larry Fitzgerald is faster than Andre Johnson and it is just not accurate. I have absolutely no problem with anyone saying Fitzgerald is a better WR than Andre, what Larry did in the playoffs this past season was unbelievable. He also makes some of the most ridiculous catches I have ever seen. I am a Texan fan so I love Andre but Fitz is a monster. Having said that, if you follow the draft as closely as I have over the years you tend to know 40 numbers that these top prospects run and Andre was a high 4.3 guy (4.39) while Fitz was a high 4.4 guy (4.48). I would liken this argument to all the Texan fans who say Steve Slaton "plays" as fast as Chris Johnson who we all know ran that incredible sub 4.24 time. I love Steve as well but CJ is absolutely faster. Jerry Rice proved you could be an elite WR without elite speed and Fitz has very good speed and is arguably the best WR in the NFL but Andre Johnson is faster than him, no question. Anyway, keep up the good work, cannot wait until training camp arrives.
Ben in Houston writes: Did you really post in your last chat that Larry Fitzgerald is faster than Andre Johnson? Look, I understand that you hate to post anything about the Texans, especially anything positive. However, you should at the very least, educate yourself about players in the division that you cover. Andre Johnson was one of the fastest college track athletes in the country winning several championships in the 60 and 100 meters. He also recorded a full tenth better 40 time for the NFL compared to Fitzgerald. But whatever, you probably think that Kenny Britt and Courtney Roby are better receivers than him also so there's not a lot of legitimacy when it comes to your coverage of the Texans.
In last week's chat, I was wrong in an answer to a question about Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. I have the speed advantage to Fitzgerald there, and it should have gone to Johnson.
Forty times from five or six years ago don't seal the argument but are of interest. NFLDraftScout.com indicated neither player ran at the combine. My Mel Kiper and PFW draft book libraries don't go back that far.
A scout told me Fitzgerald ran a 4.64 on turf at his pro day and Johnson ran a 4.43 on grass.
There are a lot of different stopwatches at these things, and reports I found had Fitzgerald running a 4.47 and a 4.50 at his pro day and said Johnson had consistently broken 4.4.
I asked Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. to compare their speed, and then to compare and contrast the two.
"Pure speed? I think I would give that to Andre J. Fitz is faster than many realize, but speed is not his game. However, both can eat up a lot of yardage once they get to full speed and they play the game fast from a processing and competitiveness standpoint.
"No one in recent memory has the ball skills of Fitzgerald. Simply put, he catches everything. He contorts his body and times his jumps better than anyone in the league by a wide margin. His hands are big and soft and he obviously does not need to be in perfect position to come down with the ball. He is also very strong all throughout his body. He fights off and walls off defenders very well without ever losing concentration. I would also give Fitz the edge as a route runner, but Andre J is an incredible slant option.
"Johnson is more of a physical freak than Fitzgerald, but obviously both players are very fortunate with the abilities they were given. Their body control is amazing. Johnson is also extremely powerful, but is also more sudden and explosive in all his movements than Fitzgerald. His consistency catching the football isn't on par with Fitzgerald, but that is also really nit picking, as Johnson's highlight reel abilities are off the chart as well and you rarely see him drop passes he should reel in. I like Johnson's ability to simply blow by a defender better than Fitzgerald's though. Both are great after the catch, but I also slightly favor Andre J here as well. Both want to score and are unafraid of initiating contact every time they get the ball in their hands, but Johnson is able to pull away easier and gets to top speed quicker.
"I may be a smidge biased, as I was fortunate enough to spend a lot of time with Larry, but I think Fitz is the slightly superior player right now -- just so dependable and while both WRs make everyone around them much better, no one makes his QB look better than Fitzgerald. Watching him catch a fade route is just a thing of beauty.
"By the way, Calvin Johnson will be in this conversation real soon as well.
"One other thing about these two that you can't overlook is that Fitz has simply proven to be the better TD-producer. The guy is amazing near the goal line-and obviously shows that he raises his game when it matters most.
"Also, Larry is awesome downfield although he isn't as fast because of his ability to just go up and take the ball away from the defense.
"Fitz has been more durable. But, you could also argue that Fitz benefits more from Boldin more so than anyone that Andre J has around him. But still-Boldin is hurt a lot and it never slows Fitz down."
The primary reason Fitzgerald gets a slight nod over Johnson for most people is because he played a huge role in getting his team to the Super Bowl while Johnson hasn't yet sniffed the playoffs.
Back to Ben in Houston. You presented a crack in my argument that I have addressed and corrected here. As for your argument that I am reluctant to write anything positive about the Texans, I offer these links:
Red zone, turnovers may key Texans' fate
Texans' new DC promises no excuses
Titans, Texans fortunate to land speedy RBs in '08
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ABOUT THIS BLOG
Paul Kuharsky
Kuharsky joined ESPN.com in 2008 after 12 years covering the Oilers/Titans and the NFL for The (Nashville) Tennessean. The New Jersey native and Columbia graduate lives in Nashville with his wife and son.