This "running game" everyone keeps bringing up

[panthers55]

fully expect? What KB did last year shouldn't be expected of any first round pick.  Let alone a 2nd rounder.   We saw abnormal production from guys last year.  It isn't the new norm/expectation. 

I buy the argument that going into the season are WR corp is just as good or better (bc KB was a rookie with rookie expectations) and now the 3/4 WR talent is better.   But it isn't better once you actually factor in what KB was

700 yards 4 TDs would be a good season for Funchess.   He isn't the physical mismatch KB is and that is basically what Kelvin relied on and us  

Benjamin wasnt the only rookie receiver that got a 1000 yards last year and they all weren't his size. Beckham got 1300, Evan 1100, Watkins got 977, and and Benjamin got 1010. So you dont have to be that big to excel.  With that said I doubt it will happen for Funchess anyway given that Benjamin was the target more times than not last year given our lack of quality receivers.  So if what you said it true and Funchess gets 700 yards and 4 TDs, that means Benjamin's production last year would be more than made up if both Ginn and Boykin also got 300 yards and 2 TDs  apiece.  Last year we have DE by committee to make up for Hardy and will have to do the same with receiver this year.  No one player can easily replace Benjamin this year but perhaps a couple of players can.

[Mr. Scot]

Benjamin also had a real QB in college,.something that makes a world of difference.

Don't try to correct him. He watches college football.

[Captain Morgan]

Benjamin also had a real QB in college,.something that makes a world of difference.

 

iirc, his qb just became the number one pick in the draft.

[AceBoogie]

Didn't have one at the start of last year.  How'd that turn out?  Someone stepped up.

my god this is another dumb ass way of thinking that just keeps getting passed around here and I'm sick of it. No we didn't have a WR "step up" last season. We had a bonified star in Kelvin Benjamin who just came out and played to his talent level. The only people screaming that KB stepped up last season are the ones who didn't want him drafted and didn't think he would be as good as he is. So to you he "stepped up" but to me he just went out there and played like I knew he could. The difference is that we don't have that type of talent stepping onto the field this year. So it's not about somebody "stepping up" it's about damn talent and we don't have it. 

[AceBoogie]

Benjamin also had a real QB in college,.something that makes a world of difference.

how'd he look without him?

[iamcline]

my god this is another dumb ass way of thinking that just keeps getting passed around here and I'm sick of it. No we didn't have a WR "step up" last season. We had a bonified star in Kelvin Benjamin who just came out and played to his talent level. The only people screaming that KB stepped up last season are the ones who didn't want him drafted and didn't think he would be as good as he is. So to you he "stepped up" but to me he just went out there and played like I knew he could. The difference is that we don't have that type of talent stepping onto the field this year. So it's not about somebody "stepping up" it's about damn talent and we don't have it. 

His production can be replaced.  Thinking otherwise is just pitiful.  1,008 yards?  Give me a break I'd bet the farm that either Brown or Funchess will wind up with that type of yardage.  Between Funchess and Olsen KB's touchdowns can be replicated.  What will be missed is the attention he would receive.

It's an important loss but not a season killer. 

Smitty was cut, people groaned about how this team didn't have a #1 receiver and then Benjamin had a solid rookie year.  Now KB is gone for a year and people freak out again.

[goodoleboy]

my god this is another dumb ass way of thinking that just keeps getting passed around here and I'm sick of it. No we didn't have a WR "step up" last season. We had a bonified star in Kelvin Benjamin who just came out and played to his talent level. The only people screaming that KB stepped up last season are the ones who didn't want him drafted and didn't think he would be as good as he is. So to you he "stepped up" but to me he just went out there and played like I knew he could. 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Benjamin had a good rookie year. He also came to OTAs overweight having to miss time for hamstring pulls. He then gets hurt in a non contact drill in camp. I can't call him a "bonafied star" yet.

[AceBoogie]

His production can be replaced.  Thinking otherwise is just pitiful.  1,008 yards?  Give me a break I'd bet the farm that either Brown or Funchess will wind up with that type of yardage.  Between Funchess and Olsen KB's touchdowns can be replicated.  What will be missed is the attention he would receive.

It's an important loss but not a season killer. 

Smitty was cut, people groaned about how this team didn't have a #1 receiver and then Benjamin had a solid rookie year.  Now KB is gone for a year and people freak out again.

because there isn't a KB on the roster! That's what you're missing. You just stated that what will be missed is the attention he received. Which means teams can stack the box and lock us down on the outside. You're just a delusional fan and that's ok. You want the best, so do I. But the reality is that this offense is going to struggle. 

[AceBoogie]

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Benjamin had a good rookie year. He also came to OTAs overweight having to miss time for hamstring pulls. He then gets hurt in a non contact drill in camp. I can't call him a "bonafied star" yet.

because he got hurt? 

[DaveThePanther2008]

Here is what everyone is forgetting.....Funchess.

Dude runs better routes and is way more fluid than KB.  He still has the size.  He is faster than KB.

Now, would I love to have him and KB on the field together?  Absolutely.

But, with him in a primary role, I fully expect numbers just as good as KB has last year.  Then throw in Ginn, Brown (non rookie), Bersin (more experience), etc.  and our WR corp iIS better than last year.

Didn't you it is impossible for a receiver to improve from one year to another.  We are stuck with receivers with less than 300 each.  That's it.  <sarcasm>

 

I said it earlier,  Funchess doesn't have to have 1000 yds for us to be successful  Ginn, Brown and Bersin should all have better years than last year.  Give us a combination of 5 or 6 hundred more yards from these three guys and 500 or so from Funchess and our totals from last year are met.   

Those that think these guys aren't NFL caliber WRs well they are the Debbie Downers.

I am hoping Funchess steps up and becomes the man.  If we can establish Brown or Ginn (or Both) as a constant threat teams may decide to leave the rookie 1 on 1.  That could play to our benefit and Funchess Benefit.

We'll see.

 

[goodoleboy]

because he got hurt? 

Because he didn't take care of himself properly in the off season. There is more to being a "bonafied star" than having natural talent. Just look at Steve Smith.

[General_Purr]

It depends who we play... 

 

Read Option vs JJ Watt? Cam is getting DDT'd

Vs the Falcons? Cam has 120 yards and 2 Tds on the ground. 

The offense makes me nervous on some matchups.. 3-4 teams with OLBs swimming all over our O line is a bad thought. Packers... Eagles.. I don't see our Offense doing much of nothing against that. 

[Jackofalltrades]

 

 

iirc, his qb just became the number one pick in the draft.

Compare that to the NFL prospects of Funchess' QB.

[davos]

I thought this thread would be about the run game always seeming to start slow under Rivera.  If the actual run game is still producing -1 to 3 yard clunks and the line still seems to struggle in run blocking, then it presents a ripple effect and problem for the entire offense.  So it again lies heavily on Ron and Shula to properly manage the players and situation we've been dealt. 

Our run blocking performance tonight is something I will definitely be watching.