Are the Panthers receivers just average?

[PizzaTheHutt]

Ricky Prohel makes average receivers into superstars. Undrafted free agents, Teddy Freakin' Ginn, we overachieve. 

Toss in Cam and Olsen, a healthy KB, a nasty ground game....we don't have to have the #1 WR group in order to have the #1 offense in the NFL.  The total package, baby. 

[csx]

I know this sounds cliche but rankings are completely useless. The team was 17-2 and was the highest scoring offense 

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

Just now, csx said:

I know this sounds cliche but rankings are completely useless. The team was 17-2 and was the highest scoring offense 

yep.  also if you disagree with this notion you're essentially arguing "but they're not top ten on paper"

who fuging cares

[LinvilleGorge]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Can you have the #1 offense in the NFL with no above average receivers? 

Yes, when you have the MVP QB, an elite TE, and an elite RB.  No one can even begin to formulate an argument that we fielded an above average NFL WR last season. 

[tondi]

Great QBs make their WRs, not the other way around, and Cam was unquestionably great for most of last season.

[csx]

15 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yes, when you have the MVP QB, an elite TE, and an elite RB.  No one can even begin to formulate an argument that we fielded an above average NFL WR last season. 

Ginn was by every definition above average last year. Does the average NFL receiver have more yards or tds than him? I'm using the literal definition of average because it's the only definition. Does the average receiver cause more match up issues than Ginn or make more big plays? That would make for a fantastic league if the average guy produced like that. Yes, he dropped a lot but he still broke open games for us despite that.

[TheNewStandard]

From what I'm hearing, Funchess has added some serious muscle to his frame and is looking legitimately to improve from last season.

Adding a #1 draft pick and KB to the mix plus a more seasoned Brown and an even steadier Ginn, plus Olsen and I think we're looking pretty good compared to anyone, as far as WR corps go. 

You just have to add Olsen to that bunch regardless of what the pundits say. We're looking like we could repeat as the #1 offense and the pundits have been downplaying our WRs regardless of their production.

ill go on record and say we'll have the best red zone offense and #1 defense to boot. Gonna be a lot of blowouts this year.

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

10 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Yes, when you have the MVP QB, an elite TE, and an elite RB.  No one can even begin to formulate an argument that we fielded an above average NFL WR last season. 

"above average" how?  talent wise, based on stats?  yeah no way the 2015 corps was above average in those terms.

functionally though what's the difference if your front office's ability to scout for scheme fit is above average and you have above average position coaches.  i mean hell yes i'd like to have julio jones and aj green as our number 1 and 2 wideouts but, as you pointed out, we have multiple strengths in other areas.  if you can lean on a top tight end and MVP quarterback to elevate a guy like ted ginn whose abilities play right in to what we like to do then is it a bad thing?

[KB_fan]

36 minutes ago, TheNewStandard said:

ill go on record and say we'll have the best red zone offense and #1 defense to boot. Gonna be a lot of blowouts this year.

We were pretty close to that in 2015.

Counting post-season we had best red-zone scoring % (TD) [just barely 2nd in regular season behind Detroit]

We were 6th overall on D both in points & yards; but led in many categories (total takeaways, interceptions); and were 2nd in Net Yards / Passing attempt allowed...

So it wouldn't take too much to see your prediction happen.  Hope it does!

[KillerKat]

The answer is all in the drops

[caatfan]

4 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Panthers receivers corps rank 14th overall in the NFL according to PFF. 

http://www.carolinahuddle.com/2016/07/16/carolina-panthers-receivers-rank-nfl/

Too high? Too low? Just right? What say you?

Apparently KB being available to catch passes brings the WR crew up from the worst in the league to the middle of the pack. 

If you have a great QB I don't think you need great WR's. I don't care where they rank our guys. I'm not worried about this position. 

[csx]

4 minutes ago, caatfan said:

Apparently KB being available to catch passes brings the WR crew up from the worst in the league to the middle of the pack. 

If you have a great QB I don't think you need great WR's. I don't care where they rank our guys. I'm not worried about this position. 

It's also the realization that Ginn can give you 10 tds and Funchess improved significantly during the season.

[Mojo]

It's a fair ranking.  There are some really incredible groups out there.  14 out of 32 would be a bit better than average and as it stands now that's okay with me.  

[top dawg]

4 hours ago, CPantherKing said:

KB is above average. The rest are below average.

Luckily Cam can make them all look good.

If you look at their wide receiver efficiency rating, Ginn and Funchess were some of the most efficient receivers in the league. 

Obviously Ginn drops too many, but when he catches it, he does a lot with it. That being said, a receiver's job is to catch the ball.

Funchess ended the season very well. There is every reason to believe that with more snaps, he will be above average. In fact, he could be our most productive receiver this year, especially when you consider that the opposition will likely look to double Benjamin more (at least until they realize that Funchess is a big problem). Moreover, our unit as a whole will likely be greater than its individual parts because the opposition won't be able to take out everyone. 

I think that it's a bit presumptuous to disregard Funchess for sure, and I don't believe it's particularly smart to presume that the other unknown quantities aren't going to efficiently fulfill their roles. At this point it is too early to really judge anyone, much less the unit as a whole. 

I think it's expected (and simply a part of the job) for media pundits, talking heads and organizations that deal with advanced stats to make all kinds of irrelevant rankings pre-season, but it's not like they have a good idea how largely unknown players will succeed solo, much less in a unit as is the case with the Panthers. Most NFL fans even have less of a handle on what's going on, so to speak on it with any authority in July is basically disingenuous.