Hopkins: ‘I definitely think I’m the best toe-tap guy in the NFL’
Texans receiver makes getting both of his feet in an art form
The rainbow spiral from Texans quarterback Tom Savage looked dangerously out of reach for DeAndre Hopkins as the high, arcing throw teetered toward his orbit along the sideline.
Instead of the pass sailing away from him, though, Hopkins displayed why he’s emerged as the master of the art form of the toe-tap catch.
Adeptly navigating the sideline and maintaining his body control, the wide receiver leapt high into the air while separating inches behind Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson.
With precise concentration and athleticism, Hopkins tapped his left foot inbounds as he secured the football. One down, one to go. Then, Hopkins dragged his right foot to meet the NFL requirement of getting both feet inbounds for the 32-yard catch to count.
‘It’s not easy’
“It was yet another display of why Hopkins has the footwork of a dancer and is regarded as arguably the top performer in this difficult category. Hopkins somehow makes ultra-challenging plays look routine.
“You know, I thought about going to ballerina school before this year,” Hopkins said. “But, no, it’s not easy going out there and elevating, catching the ball, looking down where you are at the same time. I definitely think I’m the best toe-tap guy in the NFL.”
It would be practically impossible to argue otherwise.
Many wide receivers excel at the toe-tap maneuver. Few pull it off as gracefully, consistently and with such great effect as Hopkins.
Regardless of whether it’s Savage throwing him the football or, earlier this season, rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson before he suffered a season-ending knee injury, the sideline is friendly territory for Hopkins.
Sometimes, what looks out of reach for Hopkins is suddenly within his grasp. As accustomed as he is to watching Hopkins pull off this acrobatic high-wire act, Savage doesn’t stop marveling at the accomplishment.
“He’s the best that does it,” Savage said. “Just really going out there and just keeping it inbounds enough for him to go make a play. A lot of times, I know it looks like where I’m throwing it high over his head, but it’s really one of those throws where it’s my guy, no guy, and it’s usually my guy.
“At this point, I almost give him crap when he doesn’t, when two feet are out. I’m like, ‘What are you doing? You have to catch that.’ He is incredible. He is the best receiver in the league.”
One of the legendary wide receivers in the game, Arizona Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald made it a special point to share some words of respect for Hopkins following the Texans’ victory Sunday at NRG Stadium.
“You see how he’s one of the top guys in the game,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s a special, special talent, he’s got a knack for making those tough catches week in and week out. I really enjoy watching him, I have followed him since he was at Clemson. To see him continue to get better is great. Our league is in a wonderful position with the young talent we have at that position.”
Plenty of positives
The Texans are emphatic in their belief that Hopkins should own the title of being the best wide receiver in the game.
They signed the 25-yearold former first-round draft pick from Clemson to a long-awaited five-year, $81 million contract extension prior to this season that included $49 million guaranteed.
Whether it’s his deceptive acceleration, glue-like hands, polished route-running or physical style, Hopkins has a vast repertoire of skills.
“I think he does a lot of things really well,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said. “I think that he’s got great hands. I think he’s a very good route runner. I think he’s very, very competitive. I think he’s got a great ability to get both feet in bounds on the sideline.
“I think he knows our offense inside and out, so we can move him around and play him in all the different positions. He’s got a great feel for the game and he’s come up big for us a lot this year.”
Hopkins leads the NFL with nine touchdown catches among his 62 receptions for 879 yards and is averaging 14.2 yards per reception heading into a Monday night road game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium.
He’s supremely confident.
“I know I’m the best, so it doesn’t really mean anything to me but to keep working hard,” Hopkins said.
A year ago, Hopkins dealt with erratic quarterback play from $72 million free-agent bust Brock Osweiler. His statistics dipped to 78 catches for 954 yards and four touchdowns one year removed from a breakthrough season during which he had a career-high 111 catches for 1,521 yards and a franchise-record 11 touchdowns.
“Last year, people said he had an off year,” O’Brien said. “He didn’t have an off year. He made some huge catches for us last year to help us get to the playoffs. This year, he’s having another great year. In 2015, he had an All-Pro year. So, I think he’s doing a good job.”
With six games remaining in the regular season for the 4-6 Texans, Hopkins has caught a touchdown pass in five games in a row. He’s the only player in franchise history to do that and the only player in the NFL to do so this season.
Hopkins will face a physical matchup Monday night against aggressive Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith, who has similar size and mobility to him.
Hopkins is wellequipped, though, for these type of encounters.
“A star, one of the best, very top receivers in the National Football League,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said during a conference call. “Very tough cover, goto player. Very impressive.”