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Our new Receiving Corps

DaveThePanther2008

By DaveThePanther2008,
in Carolina Panthers

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DaveThePanther2008 Grand Master

DaveThePanther2008

Posted
Posted

Many have said their peace on these signing and some have bitched and moaned.

 

Here's my two cents.

 

Think about some of the biggest plays (or lack there of) last season.   Dropped passes seem to liter my memory, including Smitty.   Yeah Cam had a few under and overthrows but damn those drops hurt even more. It seemed every time he threw the ball to LaFell I had my fingers crossed. 

 

For now, I don't feel this way.

 

Gettleman doesn't just bring in Veterans.  He has brought in some of the surest hands in the league.  Guys that make a living out of catching the ball first before running.   If they get their hands on it, they catch it.    I think this is going to be huge for us.  I think they will get open and if they do Cam will find them and get the ball to them.  Best part.  They'll catch it.  

 

I think they will mentor the young ones and teach them the art of concentration.  And it is an Art.   Too many of the players nowadays are ready to make that big move to score before they secure the ball.  Our new Vets will help teach the rooks and the other green receivers the importance of catching first.   They will set the Example.  They will teach.  A drop is not acceptable.

 

So while our receiving corps (not counting Olsen) has collectively ZERO catches from Cam.   I am going to predict Cam's completion percentage will be higher in 2014 than 2013.

 

Less drops more catches = higher percentage.

 

Go Panthers

 

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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I agree that the hands have improved, and when I am sifting through the stock of WRs to be drafted, if I read, "had inconsistent hands" I do not want the WR.  That is like a QB being inaccurate or a linebacker "tends to miss tackles."

 

So much emphasis is placed on speed, but it is overrated.  Sure, it is important, but speed out of breaks is more important than straight-line speed. Nothing is more important than hands.

 

Glad you mentioned Cam, because he too is at fault.  I hope he spent the offseason working on his footwork.  Some of that is his fault, some of it is the OLs.  However, his problems are footwork and weight distribution-he needs to be balanced and step into the throw.  Imagine a baseball pitcher who was so gifted with arm strength he could throw 90 without stepping toward the plate.  People seem to forget that this offense averaged 12 points a game vs. teams with winning records in 2013 and Cam had a string of bad first halves before he settled down.   Cotchery, Avant, and maybe Underwood have better hands, more size, and we have not compromised anything in the speed area, considering Smitty was old and Lafell was Laslow. 

 

To me, the best news about 2013 is that there are plenty of areas to grow.  Were we a legit 12-4 team?  Probably not, but we have a GM who is going to see that we are in the hunt every year--even under Marty's shadow of stupidity. 

 

 

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DaveThePanther2008 Grand Master

DaveThePanther2008

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I agree that the hands have improved, and when I am sifting through the stock of WRs to be drafted, if I read, "had inconsistent hands" I do not want the WR.  That is like a QB being inaccurate or a linebacker "tends to miss tackles."

 

So much emphasis is placed on speed, but it is overrated.  Sure, it is important, but speed out of breaks is more important than straight-line speed. Nothing is more important than hands.

 

Glad you mentioned Cam, because he too is at fault.  I hope he spent the offseason working on his footwork.  Some of that is his fault, some of it is the OLs.  However, his problems are footwork and weight distribution-he needs to be balanced and step into the throw.  Imagine a baseball pitcher who was so gifted with arm strength he could throw 90 without stepping toward the plate.  People seem to forget that this offense averaged 12 points a game vs. teams with winning records in 2013 and Cam had a string of bad first halves before he settled down.   Cotchery, Avant, and maybe Underwood have better hands, more size, and we have not compromised anything in the speed area, considering Smitty was old and Lafell was Laslow. 

 

To me, the best news about 2013 is that there are plenty of areas to grow.  Were we a legit 12-4 team?  Probably not, but we have a GM who is going to see that we are in the hunt every year--even under Marty's shadow of stupidity. 

 

Of course,  Cam cannot be left out of the equation.  He can't just receive the credit for completions.  He had his overthrows.  And the line didn't help much either but when a receiver gets his hands on the ball.  To me.   Inexcusable for dropping it.  They get paid millions to catch the damn ball.  I don't expect drops.  I cannot remember how many drives stalled because of drops.

 

I am like you on the catching the ball over speed.  Classic example was Drew Carter.  Could run his ass off but couldn't catch a freaking cold.   He was a prime example.

 

I liked LaFell and he has some decent catches during his career but some of those drops were drive killers.   UNACCEPTABLE!!!!!!

 

I think this was in the forefront of Gettleman's mind.   I want VETS who I can rely on to catch the ball.   Consistently.

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UpstatePanther Newbie

UpstatePanther

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[Gettleman] has brought in some of the surest hands in the league.  

 

i was unsure at first but ive also come to this conclusion. its for this reason that i am much more confident in the moves Gman is making than most Panther fans seem to be. 

 

sure hands + good QB + adequate OL = improved production in almost every situation. we have the sure hands and the good QB. i look for Gettleman to do his hog mollie thing in the draft, but on the OL. in Gettleman i STILL trust...

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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.  I can say this--the OL sucked last year (LG, RG, RT) and we went 12-4.  If we can narrow the weakness to 1 position, we can help with TEs and RBs.  So maybe the thought is to allow Bell to play LT (they know what he brings to LT already) and focus on strengthening everything else.  With Chandler improving, Bond stepping up, Kugbila a 2014 draft pick, Williams a veteran who is returning, etc. and a draft pick or 2, the  OL may not be as big a need as everyone thinks it is.  Matsko is very underrated--the job he did last year was incredible. I have faith in what is going on.

 

Curse you, Gross.  You had one more year in you!!   Big Sissy.

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firstdayfan Enthusiast

firstdayfan

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One of the things I'm most looking forward to seeing is how Cam reacts to not having Smitty to rely on/force the ball to.  Will he distribute the rock better and scan the field for open receivers?  There were times last season that Lafell was open but the ball went somewhere else.  Now it will be important for Cam to look for the open receiver and deliver the football.  So much more emphasis is put on him in this situation and I think he's up to the task.

 

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SCP Enthusiast

SCP

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Our new (old) w/r's learning a new offense not sure if you can count on them educating the young guys.

It's a Shula offense though. Not very much for a WR to learn. His play book is written in crayon on an Applebee's kids menu.

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j2sgam Collaborator

j2sgam

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I agree that the hands have improved, and when I am sifting through the stock of WRs to be drafted, if I read, "had inconsistent hands" I do not want the WR.  That is like a QB being inaccurate or a linebacker "tends to miss tackles."

 

So much emphasis is placed on speed, but it is overrated.  Sure, it is important, but speed out of breaks is more important than straight-line speed. Nothing is more important than hands.

 

Glad you mentioned Cam, because he too is at fault.  I hope he spent the offseason working on his footwork.  Some of that is his fault, some of it is the OLs.  However, his problems are footwork and weight distribution-he needs to be balanced and step into the throw.  Imagine a baseball pitcher who was so gifted with arm strength he could throw 90 without stepping toward the plate.  People seem to forget that this offense averaged 12 points a game vs. teams with winning records in 2013 and Cam had a string of bad first halves before he settled down.   Cotchery, Avant, and maybe Underwood have better hands, more size, and we have not compromised anything in the speed area, considering Smitty was old and Lafell was Laslow. 

 

To me, the best news about 2013 is that there are plenty of areas to grow.  Were we a legit 12-4 team?  Probably not, but we have a GM who is going to see that we are in the hunt every year--even under Marty's shadow of stupidity. 

 

Some call it working on your footwork, some call it ankle surgery....

 

All kidding aside, I agree with you & the OP. Nobody we signed will be a 'primary receiver', but they all can catch... Anybody want to wager that it wont be Olsen leading the teams receiving this season? If I had pick, I think its going to be Avant, but I dont really care who it is, get them Ws.... 

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