Raiders Darrius Heyward-Bey: I've been very solid

November 4, 4:47 PMOakland Raiders ExaminerPatrick Patterson

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Darrius Heyward-Bey has been the subject of controversy since the Raiders selected him with the seventh pick in April's draft. By hauling in only five  receptions, he has done little so far in his rookie season to silence his doubters.  He is ranked fourth out of the top ten wide receivers selected in the draft despite playing in more games than all but two.

(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

Despite the criticism, Heyward-Bey told local reporters today that he was doing solid. "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."

He did concede that there is room for improvement among the receiving corps, "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."

Wide receivers as a position group have caught 28 passes in eight games. Heyward-Bey has five of them and fellow rookie Louis Murphy has 16. Todd Watkins also has five, and last year's leading wide receiver Johnnie Lee Higgins has two. Perhaps Heyward-Bey's solid grades come from grading on a curve since he is tied for second in his position group in catches.

He does see improvement in himself on film between now and the opener. "Looking at the first game on film, just studying myself now I've improved." That improvement has manifested in three catches in his last two games compared to two catches in his first five. "I'm happy with what I see now. I see improvement."

His biggest frustration lies not with lack of catches, but with the 2-6 record. "It's just frustrating when we lose. Point blank, end of story." He didn't have his eyes on any specific receiving goals, just wins. "I don't come in thinking no crazy numbers or anything. I just want to help this team win. We've only won two so I'm not helping."

FIRST TEN RECEIVERS SELECTED 2009

The chart above shows that Heyward-Bey has been out played by all but three of the first ten receivers selected in the draft. Not included on this list is the man who leads all receivers in cathes Austin Collie who was a fourth round pick. Overall, DHB is in a four-way tie for 22nd most catches by a rookie. Murphy, on the other hand, in is a tie for 11th most catches by a rookie.

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You can also find Patrick Patterson on Thoughts from the Dark Side.