The hawks clearly don’t want to sign a veteran WR. I think the strongest evidence is that we didn’t go after Isaac Bruce. Bruce is coming off a solid year, Glenn is not and has big question marks surrounding his knees.

With Engram and Burleson starting and Branch due back at some point, we WANT to get some of these younger guys on the field. We also have a TE and pass catchers in the backfield.

The problem isn’t experience (both starters are veterans, as is Branch). Many teams are younger at the position. The problem is that Branch was viewed as the #1 and we don’t really have a true #1 or #2 right now. Engram did well last year but was that an aberration? Burleson was alright last year also but not spectacular.

I hear the reasoning for bringing in a Chad Johnson – type player. I do not think brining in a player who is (at best) as good as Burleson and Engram is smart though. We will get Branch back. We will sign Carlson. We will throw to Weaver, Morris, and Jones. Beyond that I would rather give reps to the younger guys because one or two might really emerge into something special. Or, one or two might get as good as Burleson or Engram (ie very playable if not a star) and be very cheap at the same time.