Kelvin Benjamin Still Looks Boom or Bust

[ed bell]

Descriptive words get used when discussing the type, potential and success of these rookies. Considering how dire our WR1 future has been for obvious reasons, I really don't care how he does it. I'm hoping for production in TD's and yards. So far my expectations have been exceeded. I do know what bust means, and it's pretty obvious this kid isn't doing that.

[cbully]

 

Don’t get me wrong, Benjamin is certainly valuable and has done a nice job in his first five games as a pro. But his skillset as a wide receiver is still limited.

 

what the heck does he expect him to do other than run routes and catch the ball?

 

 

[Sapper]

Julio had a mediocre year for what the Falcons gave for him.

Where's that article?

[Fiz]

Might want to start dropping the "bust" possibility too. 6 games in, 400 yards, 4 TD and 21 First downs. He has effectively assumed the #1WR role.

don't look up keary colbert's rookie year stats

[d-dave]

I love how the "I need it now" culture is trying to push out some type of judgement...

 

KB, like any rookie is going to have highs and lows.  He's had some spectacular plays both ways this season.  We won't have a really good feel for how KB's doing until year 3 or so.  WRs take time to get good because the NFL game is far more complex.

 

I'm happy thus far.  Hopefully he can turn some of those negative plays into positive plays by the seasons' end.

[MadHatter]

There actually is some validity and accuracy to what the article said:

 

KB does have some weaknesses in his game....his lack of elite speed and long stride will limit some things that he can do.  He does not posess the speed to get a lot of separation in the NFL (like Megatron, Julio Jones, etc do). 

 

With his size, strenght, and hand size....he has the ability to become a fantastic posession receiver.  But, to really get the most out of him, he needs to be paired with a WR corps that has some speed on the outside (let them stretch the field and open up the middle and sidelines more for KB).  If we do that, I really see him as an Anquan Boldin kind of player (but maybe even better).

 

Here is to hoping that the Panthers add that weapon in the WR corps to truly maximize what they have in KB.

[CRA]

Yes he has better numbers than other rookies.....that doesn't mean he has shown the all around potential flashes other now current elites have. He does need to show more diversity before he is inked in as the next great.

Claiming we shouldn't chaulk him in already as the next Megatron isn't calling him a bust.

[top dawg]

KB is not the same type of WR as Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones or Dez Bryant, but he is effective all the same.  He could eventually outdo either one them provided he gets the proper help surrounding him, as well as the right play calling to maximize his effectiveness.  Being only a rookie in this decidedly conservative-minded offense, he is doing very well.

[top dawg]

How anyone could refer to Benjamin as a bust is unimaginable, though. 

 

It's almost hateful.

[Tub of Goo]

I just wish we had a YAC threat.

[CRA]

I just wish we had a YAC threat.

Need a YAC guy and would be nice if he was all the vertical threat to. Maybe Philly can become it.

[Panthers8969]

Kelvin needs to show some sort of YAC IMO ability before anyone is gonna jump on the potential elite bandwagon

Maybe it is the offense though. I mean the YAC for everyone from 89 to Olsen has been odd under Shula

I think it's shula( the routes etc.) and just the fact that KB is pretty slow. Not really a yac guy.

[Servant of Cthululelei]

Kelvin needs to show some sort of YAC IMO ability before anyone is gonna jump on the potential elite bandwagon

Maybe it is the offense though. I mean the YAC for everyone from 89 to Olsen has been odd under Shula

 

The offense isn't really designed to facilitate YAC.  It's a downfield passing attack where each receiver is supposed to be a viable option to get just enough space to fit in a completion.  And that completion will usually be 10-20 yards.  Lots of other offenses use short underneath crossing routes etc. where some receivers are running routes just to clear out space for a speedy guy to make a play after the catch.  That's not in our offense.  The only way our guys will get many yards after catch is if they break the tackle of the defender who's already on their nuts when they catch the ball.

 

I was honestly shocked to see us run a few WR bubble screens to Avant yesterday.  IIRC, only one of them worked.  Maybe Shula is starting to put in a few wrinkles now that the offense is clicking a little bit.  But he's definitely not gonna change our MO.

[dos poptarts]

There actually is some validity and accuracy to what the article said:

 

KB does have some weaknesses in his game....his lack of elite speed and long stride will limit some things that he can do.  He does not posess the speed to get a lot of separation in the NFL (like Megatron, Julio Jones, etc do). 

 

With his size, strenght, and hand size....he has the ability to become a fantastic posession receiver.  But, to really get the most out of him, he needs to be paired with a WR corps that has some speed on the outside (let them stretch the field and open up the middle and sidelines more for KB).  If we do that, I really see him as an Anquan Boldin kind of player (but maybe even better).

 

Here is to hoping that the Panthers add that weapon in the WR corps to truly maximize what they have in KB.

 

I think Boldin is the best example to Benji. But as long as Cam and Benji stay healthy, Benji will have better stats. Boldin was stuck in Arizona's QB/online mess for years and still put up good numbers.