Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

With only 5 catches, Heyward-Bey disappoints

ALAMEDA — Darrius Heyward-Bey has done nothing in the first half of his rookie season to quiet the critics who questioned why the Oakland Raiders drafted him seventh overall ahead of many more accomplished college receivers.

Brought in for his breakaway speed that Oakland hoped would revive the vertical passing game, Heyward-Bey has only five catches for 74 yards and no TDs in his first eight games.

"I haven't made the plays I wanted to make, but I've definitely been solid just looking at my grades that come out of the game. ... I've been very solid. There's always room for improvement as a whole receiving corps. We've been all right. We've been all right."

Oakland's receivers have once again been one of the worst groups in the league, catching just 28 passes the entire first half.

But coach Tom Cable last week singled out Heyward-Bey's performance in the previous two games as one of the highlights of the first half. Heyward-Bey had three catches for 38 yards in those two games, hardly the production expected from a top-10 pick, but better than what he had done in the first six games.

The Raiders drafted him ahead of Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin in part because he was the fastest player at the NFL combine. The pick was criticized but the Raiders defended it, saying Heyward-Bey's experience in a pro-style offense at Maryland would make for an easier adjustment. But that has not been the case.

Heyward-Bey and quarterback JaMarcus Russell have not developed any chemistry, and already Crabtree and Maclin have far exceeded Heyward-Bey's production.

Maclin has caught 25 passes for 337 yards and three TDs for Philadelphia, while Crabtree has 14 catches for 167 yards despite missing the first five games.

Of Heyward-Bey's five catches, none have gone more than 21 yards in the air.

"I didn't come in thinking any crazy numbers or anything," Heyward-Bey said. "I just want to help this team win. We've only won two so I'm not helping."

The Raiders have started a pair of rookies at receiver all season, with fourth-round pick Louis Murphy lining up opposite Heyward-Bey. Murphy has better numbers with 16 catches for 232 yards and a TD, but he has dropped six passes.

The rookie receivers will get a boost this week with the return of Chaz Schilens from a broken foot that has sidelined him since training camp.