Olsen is a pro's pro. What else can you say?

[top dawg]

While reading David Newton's latest article on the Panthers' new influx of prospective tight ends, I just came to the conclusion that Olsen is about as perfect a pro as one would ever want on his football team. Between him and Thomas Davis, the Panthers locker room is in good hands. But specifically, the tight end position needs that leadership right now, as the Panthers have obviously put securing---if not upgrading---the position on their to-do list. 

Olsen is mature enough to realize the realities of the NFL for aging veterans which unfortunately includes the natural passing of the baton to the next guy as he advances and you fade into the background. While that thought is apparently on his mind, he isn't going to make it easy for them to take his job---no no---he hopes to be in Charlotte for one more contract according to Newton, presumably until he hangs up his cleats.  In the meantime, Olsen will provide the Panthers with another three seasons of great service, as well as mentor the young bucks that make their way to the sideline on Sundays.

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“The reality is I’m not 25 anymore, but I’m also going to make it hard for these young guys to take time away from me. I don’t anticipate slowing down anytime soon.”

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“I understand what that was like to have an older guy not look at you as a threat, look at you as somebody that they can help bring along," Olsen said. “I welcome that opportunity. I’ll always do everything within my power to help them improve and be the best that they can be.

“And at the same time make it really hard for them to ever beat me out."

 

http://espn.go.com/blog/carolina-panthers/post/_/id/20879/greg-olsen-on-panthers-adding-five-tes-maybe-its-the-phase-out-of-greg-olsen

To be the man you have to beat the man, and one dude that hasn't come anywhere close is Ed Dickson.  In a way---although I know that the decision to bring so many tight ends has to do with finding Olsen's heir apparent in the long term---I think that the focused attention has more to do with phasing out Dickson, who unfortunately was one of he worst tight ends in football last year as graded by Pro Football Focus. But even if you don't put a lot of stock into PFF, the average fan should be able to see that Dickson just didn't do much of anything last season. At worst, there is certainly room for much needed improvement in providing Cam Newton another legitimate target, and of course complement Olsen. 

One thing is sure. If the Panthers choose whom they believe is a legitimate prospect to become the yin to Olsen's yang, Greg Olsen is going to be the consummate pro---in all respects---in helping the young man make the transition. You can't ask for anything more.

 

[Moorgan]

It will be interesting in camp to see how the TE battle shakes out. I think you're right, in that the Panthers are looking for the heir apparent...and it's not Dickson. While we will all argue over the WR camp battles and the CB battles will be interesting but most seem to have a spot locked up and it's just a question of depth chart, this TE battle could truly change the direction of the position group.

The bottom of the roster churn will always be interesting to those of us that pay way too much attention...but the 2nd string TE position battle will be in there on all 2 TE sets. That's a big impact for some as yet unknown player. Exciting stuff.

 

PS - clearly I'm back from my hiatus after the end of last season. It was a needed break but I'm glad to be back and comfortable in the Huddle again. Cheers boys and girls.

[shaqattaq]

30 minutes ago, top dawg said:

“I understand what that was like to have an older guy not look at you as a threat, look at you as somebody that they can help bring along," Olsen said. “I welcome that opportunity. I’ll always do everything within my power to help them improve and be the best that they can be.

I wonder if he's referring to Shockey here. That guy was a beast at TE, and I think huge in the development of both Olsen and Cam in 2011.

[j2sgam]

8 minutes ago, shaqattaq said:

I wonder if he's referring to Shockey here. That guy was a beast at TE, and I think huge in the development of both Olsen and Cam in 2011.

http://blackandbluereview.com/panthers-greg-olsen-wants-to-keep-playing/

In the meantime, he hopes to be like his "unbelievable mentor" Desmond Clark, who was at the top of Chicago's depth chart when the Bears took Olsen in the first round of the 2007 draft. Of course, it helps that as the Panthers look to improve their pass-catching options at tight end, it's in addition to and not at the expense of their current Pro Bowler.

"I understand what that was like to have an older guy not look at you as a threat and look at you as somebody that they can help bring along. So I welcome that opportunity," Olsen said.

[Panthers4real]

1 hour ago, shaqattaq said:

I wonder if he's referring to Shockey here. That guy was a beast at TE, and I think huge in the development of both Olsen and Cam in 2011.

I really liked Shockey and wished he could have spent more than one season with us.  I agree, I think he was a big factor in the development of Cam.  

[ladypanther]

If the Panthers could get back to having 2 good TE's (well...1 great and the other pretty good) watch out world.

[Khyber53]

Two touchdowns, most importantly that bullet he caught in Tennessee, 10 receptions for first downs. Blocked well when sent in. Dickson did okay for us, and better than most TE2s around the league.

The guy doesn't get many chances because, honestly, there haven't been many tight ends that have ever played the game better than Olsen. 

We can cheer for Olsen, and we really should, but man, Dickson went in and did what was asked of him. No reason to slam the guy.

[KB_fan]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

Two touchdowns, most importantly that bullet he caught in Tennessee, 10 receptions for first downs. Blocked well when sent in. Dickson did okay for us, and better than most TE2s around the league.

The guy doesn't get many chances because, honestly, there haven't been many tight ends that have ever played the game better than Olsen. 

We can cheer for Olsen, and we really should, but man, Dickson went in and did what was asked of him. No reason to slam the guy.

Nicely said.  Yes, that Dickson TD catch was just awesome.  One of the highlights of 2015.  (Cam's pass to get it to him was just beyond belief... but Dickson did an amazing job to catch it...)

Suggesting Dickson's place on the roster may not be very secure is (at least for me) no disrespect towards what he's done for the team.  He's not been flashy, but very dependable and he brought experience (including playoff & Super Bowl experience) when we needed it in 2014.  (Gettleman or Ron - forget which - at some point specifically mentioned wanting to bring in guys with more post-season experience following our terrible playoff loss to SF in 2013.  Dickson was one of those guys).

But this seems to be the season of being willing to get rid of some of the experienced vets.  (Cotch, Harper, Allen, Tillman, Dwan Edwards, J-No, Boykin.  [CJ for a few days] [and Tolbert could also have been out the door if he hadn't agreed to such a team friendly deal]). - Granted we didn't get rid of all these guys (e.g. Allen, Tillman, J-No) totally by choice. Retirement, Injury and salary demands played a role in losing those three.  But in any case, for whatever reason, our roster has gotten considerably younger.

Our whole returning roster now has solid play off experience, including super bowl experience.  The future belongs to the young guys, and Gettleman seems to be pushing the envelope on that a bit this season.

I think Dickson will quite probably start the season on the 53.  But with 6 guys competing for his spot... whether he stays on the roster the whole season is not a sure thing.

[tarheelfan23]

 thats my TE

[bleys]

To be real, Olsen doesn't have anything to worry about anyway...   From what I've heard of Shockey he is a good friend, although he does keep getting thrown into the media..  Maybe why he hasn't involved himself in certain businesses..