Biggest Surprise through the first Quarter of the Season

[Carolina Cajun]

We've definitely had some guys really step up in positions that they really weren't expected to, and I figured this would be a great conversation for everyone.  I broke it down into 6 guys, 3 Offense and 3 defense, and I kept it limited to guys who are playing above or well above expectations.  IMO the biggest surprise has been Ted Ginn, dude has become a go to target for cam and is really starting to open up our offense.  On Defense, I feel AJ Klein has given us depth at a position we never hoped to have to need it, and he barely made the roster.  All of these guys have been incredible so far, but who do you think is the biggest surprise?

[KillerKat]

Oher. Seems like he has resurrected his career here. Ten times better than Bell. 

[motocross_cat]

Out of those to chose from i gotta go oher.

So far he has shown...

He CAN play LT.

And do it well.

[Red Zone]

Voted Oher. Very pleased. Almost went with Ginn. He has stepped up. Go Panthers!

[tondi]

I wouldn't say Oher has been a tremendously positive surprise or anything but he's definitely put my mind at ease that he is a serviceable LT who isn't going to get Cam killed, unlike his predecessor.

[KSpan]

Oher, as a proxy for the pass protection as a whole.  Run blocking is still lagging, but that's nothing new for early-season Carolina teams.

[PanthersClinic]

The biggest surprise is Cam.  People crowned him early but the first four this year he stepped up and earned that crown. He is reading the field way better than he ever has and his pocket presence is drastically better this year. His passes are more accurate and his footwork is improved.

People always like the most improved and surprises to be a cinderella story but sometimes it's one of the big names on the team who show up even better than they were before.

[JJman Returns]

Kurt Coleman and Kyle Love. Can't say I expected much of anything from them this season and they've both played great 

[KillaCamNewton]

Norman. I knew he was good, but what hes done so far this year is insane. Not another corner playing at his level right now

[Khaki Lackey]

You should put Shula on the list. He's been the Oher of coaching. Serviceable and better than expected.

[Carolina Cajun]

Kurt Coleman and Kyle Love. Can't say I expected much of anything from them this season and they've both played great 

I'm glad you said Kyle Love, I felt the same way.  He filled in for 2 games where Star played and played at an extremely high level.  Atleast Coleman was brought in in the offseason and projected to do something, Love got cut last year and randomly ended up on our squad.  His play is what made Cole expendable.  As for Coleman, I think I was in the minority, but I expected this, I saw his old tape with Philly and he looked like a Mike Mitchell type.  He wouldn't take over a game, but if given the right system, he could be great, and he has been.

[the butch]

How is Josh Norman not the answer to this question?  Hell, last year he didn't earn a starting spot until halfway through the season.  Now he's come out elite.  He is by far and away the biggest surprise of the season so far.

[KB_fan]

I voted for AJ.  Really pleased at the way he stepped up.  I expected him to be so-so filling in for Luke, but he's really been solid.  Huge kudos to him.

But Oher, Remmers, Ginn, Love, Delaire,  J-No, Olsen... there are a lot of players who really stepped up and shone the past 4 games.  These really have been TEAM wins.

[Carolina Cajun]

How is Josh Norman not the answer to this question?  Hell, last year he didn't earn a starting spot until halfway through the season.  Now he's come out elite.  He is by far and away the biggest surprise of the season so far.

You are welcome to say Norman, but honestly, Norman was supposed to start, and the list is comprised of guys who have started who weren't expected to (Aside from Oher who was expected to, but expected to be awful).  While he's been a superstar and elite player, we thought he could be a legit #1 CB, but no one thought that Ted Ginn could be a serviceable #1 receiver, or that Michael Oher could be a serviceable LT.  There will be plenty of talk about how great Norman is, or how Superman wears Cam Newton Pajamas, I'm just giving a place for the guys who are stepping up big time right now and surprising everyone.