Koon called Carlisle nothing, and nothing is less than terrible. Amir actually played a big part in that BC game. He led all receivers in receptions at 8, had 101 yards, and without his TD the Eagles win. Will was more or less shut down that game, Chris Brown and Carlisle both had more receptions and yards.
I would also argue that Carlisle had a critical play against Temple as well. Late in the 2nd quarter on our last drive, in the shadow of our own endzone, Kizer got blitzed and was able to dump the ball to Carlisle on a slip screen and he picked up 31 yards. We ended up throwing a pick at Temple's goal line, but had we not gotten out of Temple's territory and it led to an early punt or worse, the Owls would have had enough time to make a drive before halftime...and with very good field position.
Regardless, our point was he did more than nothing, he contributed to this team. Koon ragged on Carlisle's yards and TD numbers, but short receptions are important too. There would have been multiple times last season where a drop from Carlisle would have cost us a first down and ultimately a game. Those plays certainly were important, so to marginalize Amir's involvement is a slight.
TDs are just one bearing of a receiver's usefulness. Not every player is asked to be a TD machine. In 2005 the Steeler's Willie Parker was their starting back and had only 5 TDs on the ground despite 310+ carries. That's just 1 TD for every 62 carries, which is a ridiculously low number. The Bus had 12 TDs on just 150 carries. Was the Bus clearly the better back? My heart wants to say yes, but my head knows that Willie Parker was a work horse until Pittsburgh got into the redzone, then Cowher would pound the ball with Bettis.
You need players that fill a role like that. Receptions and yards are important. Amir had more receptions than Torii last year, slightly less yards, and just one less TD. Would you also say Torii was nothing? You probably would. However, if you were to take away that players production, or even switching some of their receptions to drops, you're talking about changing the outcome of important drives and games themselves.
