B/R NFL 1000

[KB_fan]

So, let's sum up where we're at so far.

QB:  Cam #4.  In 2014 he was #14  (and D.A. was #36)

RB: J Stew #11.  In 2014, Stew was #23 and DeAngelo was #46

FB: Mike Tolbert is #4.  In 2014 he was #13

LT:  Michael Oher ranks #11.  In 2014, Byron Bell ranked 34 out of 35.

LG:  Andrew Norwell ranks #7.  In 2014 (for ALL guards) Velasco was #48, Silatolu was #44, Trai Turner was #26, Norwell was ranked at #16

NT:  No Panthers ranked.  For 2014 (for ALL DTs): Star was #17, KK was #7

 

Pretty impressive moves up the rankings for Panthers in 5 of 6 position groups so far...  Wow.  Even if I'm not a big fan of B/R, just seeing the improvement in our players excites me as it speaks to the quality of coaching on our team.  And with the continuity we have for 2016 in coaching and playing, it's going to be hard to keep expectations in check.  All signs point to an opportunity for sustained excellence.  I REALLY want to see that come to pass.

[mbarbour21]

On February 17, 2016 at 8:39 AM, nctarheel0619 said:

Yeah, when I saw Cam below Palmer, I was a little dumbfounded.  But, Matt Miller has been called out a ton recently on how wrong he was about Cam.  

It's got a lot to do with the skills that they are ranking. Throw in anything to do with escapability or mobility and Cam is at least above Palmer. Without it, Cam is still a top 5 QB. With it, he is top 3.

[nctarheel0619]

2 hours ago, KB_fan said:

And from today:  the top 20 Nose Tackles:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2608301-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-20-nose-tackles-from-2015

No Panthers are ranked in the top 20, unless I've overlooked someone.

That's from 3-4 defenses anyway.  

[KB_fan]

44 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

That's from 3-4 defenses anyway.  

I figured that was the case...

[KB_fan]

Latest ranking is the top 80 WRs from 2015

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2608302-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-80-wide-receivers-from-2015

Doubt we'll see too many Panthers far up this list....

Philly Brown, #77

 

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77. Corey Brown, Carolina Panthers

74/99

Hands: 32/40; Route Running: 29/40; YAC: 4/10; Position Value: 9/9

Corey Brown (5'11", 185 lbs, two seasons) benefited greatly from having Cam Newton as his quarterback. With injuries for the Panthers at the receiving position, Brown had no choice but to step in. The Ohio State product tallied 31 receptions for 447 yards, and he added four touchdowns. Not known for his route running or for having a big body, Brown's best bet to get open is his straight-line speed. He has the body to be a slot-type receiver; now, he has to continue to develop by running crisp, clean routes.

 

 

Cotch #34

 

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Hands

37/40

Longtime journeyman Jerricho Cotchery (6'1", 205 lbs, 12 seasons) helped the Carolina Panthers fill a big void at receiver after Kelvin Benjamin suffered a season-ending injury in training camp. Cotchery caught 39 passes and dropped one in 2015. His hands have never been in question, as he has been known for his natural catching ability ever since he came into the league out of North Carolina State in 2004.

Route Running

30/40

At this stage in his career, Cotchery depends on his savvy route running to get open. He lacks elite speed, so he depends on reading zone defenses and knowing when to stop on a route to hang around and be productive. Having the NFL MVP as his quarterback was a big help in having such a productive season at this stage in his career.

Yards After Catch

8/10

Cotchery averaged 5.1 yards after the catch and graded out better in that category than most would expect. He is a strong runner with the ball in his hands and isn't afraid to take a hit in the open field.

Position Value

9/9

Overall

84/99

 

Unless I missed them, Ginn & Funchess are not on the list.   Funchess doesn't surprise me, but I thought Ginn would surely crack the top 80 with 10 TDs.

 

[KB_fan]

For WR comparisons:

Last year Philly was #80, Cotchery was #72.  Kelvin was only #62, which is pretty shocking...

[RelaxImaPro]

So Cotchery was (according to this list by far) our best receiver last season?  Lol riiiight.

[jdpanther5]

4 hours ago, KB_fan said:

For WR comparisons:

Last year Philly was #80, Cotchery was #72.  Kelvin was only #62, which is pretty shocking...

Miller has made it known that he wasn't impressed with Kelvin's rookie year, citing the drops and garbage-time production. He also said Cam "would never be a NFL QB" and gets all pissy when called on it, and he seems to be using traditional QB measures here (no other way is Cam below...anybody really).

I don't think he's anti-Panthers or anything, I know he's high on Luke and Kony in particular. Just very...uncompromising in his opinion on players. 

[RelaxImaPro]

1 hour ago, jdpanther5 said:

Miller has made it known that he wasn't impressed with Kelvin's rookie year, citing the drops and garbage-time production. He also said Cam "would never be a NFL QB" and gets all pissy when called on it, and he seems to be using traditional QB measures here (no other way is Cam below...anybody really).

I don't think he's anti-Panthers or anything, I know he's high on Luke and Kony in particular. Just very...uncompromising in his opinion on players. 

You should go look at his opinion of Luke pre draft.  Hilariously wrong.  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1031882-luke-kuechly-2012-nfl-draft-scouting-report

Calls him a good tackler - good but not great, average athleticism, below average in coverage, poor at blitzing, above average in the run game, can't get off blocks, above average instincts and reading/diagnosing plays.

Grades him as a 3rd rounder "on a good day".  Laughs at the notion of him being a top 15 draft pick, much less 1st rounder - despite everyone else in the country touting him as a surefire 1st rounder at the time and likely top 10 pick.  Say it "doesn't show up on film".  Like this asshat actually watches film - and if he does, actually understands what he's watching lmao.

Matt Miller is wrong more far more often than not.  He just changes his tune so quickly when it becomes obvious he's wrong in hopes it'll be forgotten while also being quite insufferable in the rare occasion that he's right and beating his own drum continuously.  All in attempts to give the illusion that he knows what he's talking about.

[KB_fan]

Next up - Right Guards.  Here are the top 35 Right Guards for 2015.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2608299-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-35-right-guards-from-2015

Trai Turner comes in at #3

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2608299-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-35-right-guards-from-2015/page/34

 

Quote

 

Pass Block

42/45

In just two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Trai Turner has quickly become a favorite of many offensive line evaluators. His game is the perfect example of prototypical guard play in a gap scheme. 

Turner employs an explosive pass set, working to the necessary set points to cover up wide or tight 3-technique defensive tackles while maintaining half-man leverage and even weight distribution. He's not always the most efficient with settling his feet once he gets to his spot in pass protection, but he has outstanding balance and body control, which allow him to recover and use his heavy hands to regain control and anchor.

Turner has excellent overall hand usage, good punch timing and strike-zone recognition in delivering a jolting punch. He's also active when replacing his hands to regain position and does an outstanding job of using his hands to create leverage, which consistently allows him to use his outstanding strength and mobility to anchor.

Still, Turner can get a little too aggressive at times and lunges with his two-hand strike against defenders who attack his edge, which actually shortens his edge and leaves him in situations where he has to quickly recover to widen defenders off the path of the quarterback. 

Run Block

42/45

In the run game, Turner plays like a bull in a china shop, running through anything that gets in his path.

He shows dynamic hip explosion out of his stance, allowing him to quickly engage and gain inside hand placement to lift and knock defenders off the ball. The lift he creates by uncoiling his hips allows him to get under defenders, and since he plays with an outstanding base that allows him to have tremendous square power, he is able to sustain and strain, driving defenders off the point of attack.

Once engaged and driving, Turner is able to re-leverage his hips and narrow his base to finish defenders who start to lose balance after he has overwhelmed them. When he is the post player on double-teams, he generates outstanding force in lifting defenders by stepping same-foot-same-shoulder and getting vertical movement.

Whether coming off a double-team or uncovered, Turner is under control and able to square up when climbing to the second level to execute blocks on linebackers. He's a bulldozer as a puller, too, whether it be blasting a gap open on a short trap, digging out a "wrong arm" defender or logging them on long kick-out blocks. Turner is even vicious pulling to the perimeter or out in space in general and can track and execute blocks on moving defenders with ease.

Position Value

7/7

Overall

91/97

 

 

#2 is Zack Martin of Dallas

#1 is Marshal Yanda of Baltimore

 

[KB_fan]

SO.... updating the summary of positions ranked to date.  The Panthers continue to rank highly

So, let's sum up where we're at so far.

QB: Top 50 -  Cam #4.  [In 2014 he was #14  (and D.A. was #36)]

RB: Top 80 -  J Stew #11.  [In 2014, Stew was #23 and DeAngelo was #46]

FB: Top 20 -  Mike Tolbert is #4.  [In 2014 he was #13]

LT: Top 35 -   Michael Oher ranks #11.  [In 2014, Byron Bell ranked 34 out of 35.]

LG: Top 35 -  Andrew Norwell ranks #7.  [In 2014 Norwell was ranked at #16 (among all guards).  Velasco was #48, Silatolu was #44, Trai Turner was #26,]

RG: Top 35 - Trai Turner ranks #3.   [In 2014 he was #26 (among all guards)]

WR: Top 80 -   Cotchery #34, Philly #77.   [in 2014 Philly was #80, Cotchery was #72.  Kelvin was #62]

NT: Top 20 -  No Panthers ranked (not applicable).  [For 2014 (for ALL DTs): Star was #17, KK was #7]

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So..... so far at every position ranked, except WR, our starters are #11 or higher.   We've also improved rankings at EVERY poisition, including WR.  Such an exciting time to be a Panthers fan.

[KB_fan]

Ok.  Now for the Tight Ends.  Greg had better be in the top 5!

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620057-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-75-tight-ends-from-2015

YES!  Greg comes in at #3.  Unless I missed it, Ed Dickson is not ranked.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2620057-br-nfl-1000-ranking-the-top-75-tight-ends-from-2015/page/54

 

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3. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers

 

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

Hands

33/35

2015 was a career year for Greg Olsen, and his role as the primary option in the Carolina Panthers passing game was a huge reason for their long playoff run. Including the postseason, Olsen saw 136 targets and caught 93 passes. On those attempts, he dropped just four passes and showed the toughness and concentration to be a reliable target on contested catches both over the middle and up the seam.

Olsen tracks the ball cleanly over either shoulder when in space, but he does his best work using his frame to work back to the ball.

Route Running

35/35

Olsen is among the best route-runners the NFL has at the tight end position. He’s equal parts big and long, with excellent power to drive off the line of scrimmage and get into his route. But he also has the agility and footwork to execute cuts and leave defenders in his transitions. Olsen is explosive enough to get up the field and run past linebackers, and he’s too physical to simply cover with a slot cornerback.

Blocking

13/20

The success of the Panthers run game is directly tied into Olsen’s ability as an outside blocker. He can line up next to the right tackle and get the push needed off the ball to open outside lanes, but he’s also capable of cracking down on ends and linebackers from a slot position. Olsen’s versatility and his production as a blocker make the offense go.

Position Value

8/8

Overall

89/98

#2 is Witten

#1 is Gronk.

 

Best trade ever for the Panthers.  Thanks again Chicago.

[KB_fan]

Last year, it looks like Greg was ranked #2 with a grade of 91 / 100.  Gronk was 1st, Witten was 3rd.

[KB_fan]

Here's the listing of all the rankings to date.  We are just missing Center & RT on offense. Ryan Kalil should be top 10.  Remmers might not be too high.  We'll see.

QB: Top 50 -  Cam #4. Grade = 94/100.   [In 2014 Cam was #14  (and D.A. was #36)]

RB: Top 80 -  J Stew #11.  Grade = 81/98.   [In 2014, Stew was #23 and DeAngelo was #46]

FB: Top 20 -  Mike Tolbert is #4.  Grade = 77/95.   [In 2014 Tolbert was #13]

LT: Top 35 -  Michael Oher ranks #11.  Grade = 83/99.  [In 2014 Byron Bell ranked 34 out of 35.]

LG: Top 35 -  Andrew Norwell ranks #7.  Grade = 84/97.   [In 2014 Norwell was ranked at #16 (among all guards).  Velasco was #48, Silatolu was #44, Trai Turner was #26,]

RG: Top 35 - Trai Turner ranks #3.  Grade = 91/97.   [In 2014 he was #26 (among all guards)]

WR: Top 80 -   Cotchery #34 (Grade 84/99), Philly #77 (Grade 74/99).   [in 2014 Philly was #80, Cotchery was #72.  Kelvin was #62.]

TE: Top 75 - Greg ranks #3.  Grade 89/98.  [In 2014, Greg ranked #2.]

 

WE HAVE A REALLY SOLID ROSTER!  Can't wait to see the defense rankings!