Kevin Norwood The Black & Blue Hope*

[SetfreexX]

 

Now many of us felt our hearts sink to the pits of our stomach as we all received the final word on Kelvin Benjamin’s season ending injury. For the first time in years we looked ‘’pretty damn good’’ at receiver, I mean seriously Benjamin, Olsen, Funchess, followed by role players in Cotchery, Ginn, and Brown. We finally had some quality depth.

 

 

 

Fast forward to the death of Corey “Oops My Bad” Drown, and Ted “Drop Da Touchdown” Ginn and we are left looking like one of the worst/if not worst receiving unit in the NFL with them as our starters. But in the works, behind the scenes aside from the development of the unknown Bunches of Funchess we have the ‘’Pisser of Excellence’’ Kevin “From Northwood” Norwood. Could he with the continued development of Funchess, Cothchery in doses with the occasional Ginn or Brown sighting be enough to raise us to a respectable status….? I think so here’s why….

 

 

 

Kevin Norwood – (courtesy of that thing called the internet & links)

 

 

 

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/kevin-norwood?id=2543689

 

 

 

STRENGTHS

 

 Solid build. Good hands and concentration -- extends outside his frame and makes the difficult catch. Fine route savvy -- sells his routes with stems and nods. Understands how to get open. Good sideline awareness -- dots the "i." Established rapport with the quarterback is noticeable (is the first receiver sought on broken plays) and keeps working to come free. Very solid personal and football character. Trustworthy, accountable and dependable.

 

 

 

WEAKNESSES

 

 Has short arms. Does not pop out of his breaks or create separation with burst and acceleration. Struggles some defeating the jam. Can show more urgency as a blocker in the run game. Breaks few tackles after the catch.

 

 

 

DRAFT PROJECTION

 

 Rounds 6-7

 

 

 

BOTTOM LINE

 

 Quicker-than-fast possession receiver with trusted hands a quarterback cherishes in critical situations. Could develop into a reliable, third-down option route runner. Is best with free releases in the slot.

 

 

 

 

 

I think what Norwood brings is somewhat of a combination of a Cotchery and Funchess love child, he’s got the high 4.4 speed of Funchess, but at the height of Cotchery 6’2. He possesses athleticism similar to Funchess with a 33 inch vertical, but seems to have the surer hands of Cotchery. When we begin to dig up the film on Norwood you begin to see the potential that was never realized given how deep Seattle believed themselves to be at receiver as he was behind Baldwin, Kearse, Lockett, and Matthews in a run dominant offense.

 

 

 

But courtesy of Dave ‘’Bup Bup Bup I Believe’’ Gettleman he may have added a player who can produce just enough to move Ginn and Brown into roles they can better succeed at as the third and fourth receivers where their match-ups would be more favorable. So let’s take a look at some of the plays we can hope to see Norwood make as it seems he’s primed for play this week, and hopefully beyond. http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-kevin-norwood-closer-to-debut/

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsNneHzV5p8

 

 

 

Now in this clip you’ll see the pocket break down, and the quarter back will roll out and begins to point down field, and as if it’s taken straight from his scouting report (Established rapport with the quarterback is noticeable (is the first receiver sought on broken plays) and keeps working to come free.) you can see Norwood is who the quarterback is looking to and just look at that end result. On display is the athleticism Funchess possesses, and the hands of Cotchery.

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMaAcvzSB1s

 

 

 

In this clip you see his ability to line up inside and run the seven route (corner/flag) from the slot 1 v 1 (as he’ll be learning all three positions here) and go up and win the battle at the highest point (extends outside his frame and makes the difficult catch.), again showing of his ability to high point catches, and maintain possession through contact. Something we need in the red zone which has been one of the weakest aspects of our offense for a couple years now.

 

 

 

 

 

These are just a few examples of what I hope and believe Norwood can bring to the table, and while I’m not looking for him to set the world on fire he seems to possess the ability to win some match-ups outside given his stature and ability to catch in traffic.

 

 

 

And if that allows he and Funchess to become the starters down the road, with Cotchery, Ginn and Brown playing more suitable roles from the 3^rd & 4^th spots along with a steady dose of Olsen (I’m looking at you Shula) and our talented backfield I think we have enough with Cam to be middle of the pack when it comes to the passing game.

 

 

 

So with that being said here’s to looking forward to the debut of our newest receiver and the re-birth of hope after a lack luster performance from our top two threats on the outside last week. 

 

Oh, and we could use some of this with Cam’s ability to throw down field…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlygLcdCoOU

 

Remind anyone of this play from a year ago…

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xgT1a_qxP6I

 

[juliosantos]

Hope we play him

[JJman Returns]

Lol you called him Corey Drown. I like it

[X-Clown on 1]

Trust me, every Huddler has already gone and googled his NFL Combine results the minute we heard we traded for him. 

[Cary Kollins]

Pie for the devotion to nicknames

[Pimpdaddy]

...Set 'Cut and Paste' Freex...

[SetfreexX]

...Set 'Cut and Paste' Freex...

 

You forgot the other 'X'

[JawnyBlaze]

I hope he plays a LOT this week.  It can't get much worse.  I hope our 3 main WRs are Cotchery (never thought I'd actually say that...), Funchess and Norwood.  Brown and Ginn can sit on the bench all game as far as I'm concerned.

[pantherj]

I think Norwood will be our eventual replacement for Cotchery when he retires. That 3 cone drill shows that Norwood has tremendous agility.

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

has anyone noticed that Kevin Norwood kinda looks like Deangelo Williams without the dreads?

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

NOBODY looks like DeAngelo Williams. That dude has a cartoon face. 

[pantherclaw]

I like the kids potential. 

I honestly don't care if he gets a snap, as long as we win.