David Newton's latest, ft. Gil Brandt

[top dawg]

This is why I like David Newton.  He not only reports the basic news, he comes out with a little something more every now and then.  His latest piece gives Gil Brandt's impressions of Kelvin Benjamin and the Carolina Panthers.

 

As the Carolina Panthers wrapped up Tuesday's practice, long-time NFL talent evaluator Gil Brandt said in almost disbelief, "Did you see that catch he made over there?" 

 

 

Brandt was referring to the contorted catch that Kelvin Benjamin fetched out of the air over Thomas Dockery in today's practice.  Brandt's reaction kinda puts me in the mind of Ricky Proehl being in disbelief at the rookie mini-camp. 

 

"You get a guy like this that goes up and catches the ball the way he does, there are not many [defensive backs] who are going to knock it down,'' Brandt said during a visit to Carolina's training camp at Wofford College. 

 

"They've got a strong weapon.'' 

 

 

 

And Brandt didn't stop there. 

 

Benjamin was the fifth wide receiver selected behind Clemson's Sammy Watkins (4th, Buffalo), Texas A&M's Mike Evans (7th, Tampa Bay), LSU's Odell Beckham (12th, New York Giants) and Oregon State's Brandin Cooks (20th, New Orleans). 

 

Many of the draft experts said the gap between Watkins, who will face the Panthers on Friday night at Bank of America Stadium, and everybody else outside of Evans was big. 

 

Brandt disagreed, saying Benjamin is as good as any of them and better than others -- albeit he wouldn't say who. 

 

 

I remember Greg Cosell intimating this same opinion before the draft.

 

Anyway, Gil Brandt, purveyor of talent extraordinaire and long time NFL guy, seems to be drinking the Kool-Aid.  He basically said that our receiving corps is better than people think (which most of us know by now), and he gives love to the organization.

 

"I tell you this, the Panthers are in a good spot because everybody is saying they can't win 11 games, they can't do this and they can't do that," Brandt said. "As an organization and as a coaching staff, they do one heck of a job here."

 

 

 

[top dawg]

Well, what do ya know? Benjamin gets some love from someone outside the Panthers organization, AND David Newton was actually paying attention.

[bleys]

crazy poo...

[PantherWake]

Great Insight. Can't wait to prove the naysayers wrong this year!

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Thomas dockery should be cut for the lack of effort today if james dockery was guarding kb it would have been a pick

[PerCC]

Well, what do ya know? Benjamin gets some love from someone outside the Panthers organization, AND David Newton was actually paying attention.

 

If you could avoid posting this relevant nonsense, I'd really appreciate it. I prefer to view his play-by-play that everyone else at training camp is reporting.

 

But on a serious note, this kind of stuff has me excited to see KB take the field. I take my third part of the CPA exam on Friday, and I get to come home to beer, a cigar, a steak and Panthers football.

[WhoAmI?]

Brandt also said "Cam Newton looked magnificent, best I've seen him". I find that very exciting because it seems like not only is Newton's ankle progressively feeling better, but also that he is ahead of schedule in terms of chemistry and familiarity with his receivers.

[ickmule]

Anyone still questioning Gettleman now? I can't see this receiving corp being worse than last years.

Sent from my iPad using CarolinaHuddle

[FootballMaestro]

Well, what do ya know? Benjamin gets some love from someone outside the Panthers organization, AND David Newton was actually paying attention.

 

 

Benjamin, will be getting a lot of love when people actually come to see him play.

 

The problem with the Panthers is: Most people commenting on them (per the usual), have no idea who's on the team (mind you watched them   play). :phew:

[FootballMaestro]

??????

According to reports, Dockery had good coverage on Benjamin but there's nothing he could've done.

 

I saw the picture of the catch.

 

It was a great catch by Benjamin. It even looks like he fought for it/over him.

 

[Growl]

I am so ready to watch Benjamin dominate defensive backfields.

should we stash him until the regular season so teams dont realize so quick what they missed buying into the negative nonsense surrounding him?

[top dawg]

Benjamin, will be getting a lot of love when people actually come to see him play.

 

The problem with the Panthers is: Most people commenting on them (per the usual), have no idea who's on the team (mind you watched them   play). :phew:

 

Actually that statement, though easily applicable to all Benjamin haters, was meant for a specific "favorite" Huddler who shall rename nameless...

 

In any event,  it's kind of like the Borg: Resistance is futile.  Once Benjamin does what he does, all the lukewarm fans and national analysts will fall in line.  I am  just glad that a guy as knowledgeable and esteemed like Gil Brandt (not to mention Greg Cosell) didn't have any compunction about rating Benjamin fairly high during their evaluations all along.  So far Benjamin is making them appear to be the experts that they are.

[pstall]

this might be hyperbolic but Gil Brandt may be the greatest talent evaluator of ALL TIME( in my best Kayne voice).

 

Also I said this sometime last year about Gettlepants and how the Giants viewed WR's. They had a pretty good track record at nabbing them so I think that is a strength for now on Draft Day.

 

I still say KB will be used as a TE more often than a classic WR in the red zone due to the comfort level it gives Cam. He seems to like big targets.

 

It's still early for my annual bold but reasonable prediction thread but I say KB gets 7 td's this year.

[ed bell]

I can imagine seven TD's... Couple that with around 850 yards and we will be cooking with gas