Restart: WR Kelvin Benjamin's Sophomore Season Was A Dud - Why He'll Be Back As A WR1 This Year

[Saca312]

WR Kelvin Benjamin was expected to come back blazing from his ACL tear in 2015. Everyone expected the Panthers to have a juggernaut of an offense with the addition of WR Kelvin Benjamin to the mix of deadly weapons Cam would be able to utilize. Everyone expected us to be back in the game, and causing huge headaches for NFL teams everywhere.

Sadly, that was not the case.

Kelvin Benjamin came back, and appeared to have regressed from his amazing Rookie season. With questions concerning effort level, weak route running, and drops after drops, everyone was starting to wonder whether Kelvin Benjamin truly would be a number 1 receiver for the Panthers, and questioning his commitment to the game.

His total yardage and TDs have decreased from his rookie season overall, as Kelvin Benjamin had 63 total receptions for 941 yards and 7 touchdowns this season, averaging 14.9 yards per reception. Although it looks decent on paper, you could tell Kelvin Benjamin was leaving a ton of potential on the field, and didn't appear to show much throughout the whole season.

However, I truly believe the Kelvin Benjamin we saw most of the season isn't the Kelvin Benjamin we'll see at all next year. I believe there's simply more to the story than just simply regressing for whatever odd reason. After all, Kelvin Benjamin showed promise the first two games against the Broncos and 49ers, and showed up against the Falcons and Buccaneers for the last two games.

Could there truly be another issue that's been bothering Kelvin Benjamin from achieving that WR1 status this team desperately needs, and is it possible Kelvin Benjamin to bring about a Pro-Bowl level season next year?

Was There Anyone That Could've Predicted This Mess?

Kelvin Benjamin suffered a devastating ACL injury in 2015, effectively causing him to miss 2015 in whole. It was an injury sustained in training camp, and one that struck fear into the hearts of Panther fans everywhere. No one expected the team to do well without him, or even sniff the playoffs if at that with the WR group they had.

Against all odds, the Panthers made the Superbowl with a historic 15-1 run, but fell short as the Broncos exposed the Panthers offense.

Amid all this, everyone expected the Panthers to comeback and do well in 2016. With Kelvin Benjamin diagnosed as to being okay for the 2016 season, everyone expected to see the monster that Kelvin Benjamin was hyped up to be in 2016. 

That never came to fruition.

Nevertheless, there was one guy who predicted Kelvin Benjamin would regress. He predicted that Kelvin Benjamin won't be 100% until 2017, and that he would have a tough hill to climb in 2016.

That guy was Joe Kenn, strength coach of the Carolina Panthers.

The Root Of The Problem

Joe Kenn noticed something about the extent of Kelvin Benjamin's injury. He expected that Kelvin Benjamin probably won't be 100% fine until 2017, and that it would be a process. He made such information known to WR Coach Ricky Proehl, who was skeptical and weary that this would be a possibility.

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Former Carolina Panthers wide receivers coach Ricky Proehl was skeptical in August when strength coach Joe Kenn warned that Kelvin Benjamin, who tore his left ACL during training camp in 2015, probably wouldn't get back to his rookie form until 2017.

Sure, this was news that should be concerning to some. If your number 1 receiver isn't expected to return to rookie form until 2017, then of course there should be steps made to monitor the situation. However, Proehl just wouldn't buy that Kelvin Benjamin wouldn't be able to overcome the setback he faced in 2015.

After seeing Kelvin Benjamin's performance against the Broncos and 49ers, who wouldn't be skeptical of Joe Kenn's advice? Kelvin Benjamin amassed 13 catches for 199 yards and 3 touchdowns during that stretch, and absolutely dominated a deadly Broncos secondary in week one.

I mean, tell me, would you expect a regression after seeing Kelvin Benjamin do stuff like this?

Or this?

Or even this?

The first two games showed a Kelvin Benjamin everyone was familiar with. A big body receiver who makes some of the most insane catches and uses his body to his advantage. A huge disadvantage to any secondary or corner to try and take down.

This is the Kelvin Benjamin we all loved and hoped to see all year.

This wouldn't last long.

Later on in the season, Kelvin Benjamin would go through a very depressing stretch of games, beginning with his no-show against the Vikings. Against the Vikings, Kelvin Benjamin amassed zero yards total. 

Zero.

Not only that, he was only targeted once the whole game. When losing and struggling, you'd think the Panthers would look to their number 1 receiver as the answer, but that was never the case. Kelvin Benjamin came out of that game not contributing in anyway that would benefit the Panthers.

It got worse as the Panthers faced the Saints for a second time, beginning a 5 game stretch of amassing a disappointing combined 10 catches for 158 yards and one touchdown. Kelvin Benjamin began growing greatly distraught - even to the point where he was benched for a stretch of plays against Oakland.

This was not the type of season Panther fans expected from their returning #1 WR.

Soon, Ricky Proehl finally admitted that Kelvin Benjamin had regressed in 2016, and that Joe Kenn was right: Kelvin Benjamin wasn't physically ready yet for an NFL season.

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"Kelvin was limited in what he could do in training camp, so it affected his process as a receiver and coming back from his injury,"

"He hit a wall a little bit where his leg had a tremendous amount of soreness and swelling, and it affected him in practice to where he couldn't practice.

Armed with this information, it clarifies the root cause of Kelvin Benjamin's disappointing season. With the swelling that began to occur in his knee, Kelvin Benjamin was soon limited in his abilities and what he could do. The fact it affected his development in training camp, along with his ability to practice further explains his lazy route running and low effort that seemed to radiate from him.

With his leg still bothering him, Kelvin Benjamin just wasn't able to have the impact most would've liked to see from him. It appeared that Kelvin Benjamin may never truly become a dominant WR1 for the Panthers.

However, Kelvin Benjamin set to prove that idea wrong as he came upon the last two games of the season.

The Comeback

Kelvin Benjamin appeared to have a spark as the last two games came into fruition. He showcased glimpses of the powerful, huge WR we all know and love as he led a campaign against the Falcons and Buccaneers. 

Although both games ended up as a loss, you still can't deny the effort level Kelvin Benjamin presented in both games, and how he looked like an absolute monster on the field.

Against the Falcons, he would only have 4 catches in total, but with a total gain of 63 yards and 1 TD. On paper, this doesn't seem like much, but his impact on the field was huge.

Kelvin Benjamin would begin making nice grabs and plays for the Panthers. He seemed to look like his old self on the field, as he made an insane catch into the endzone for a touchdown.

Kelvin Benjamin would finish on a pretty strong note in that game. However, he wasn't done just yet.

Against the Buccaneers, he would come out with 6 receptions for 93 yards and another TD, with 3 catches during a crucial drive that may have helped the Panthers win the game if it weren't for Olsen saving us the 8th overall pick.

He would make some nice grabs and catches in that stretch, and finish it off with another one of his trademark touchdowns.

This is the Kelvin Benjamin we were all hoping to see all season, yet apparently only decided to show up in the last 2 games of the season. The dominant, huge WR we all hoped would comeback and show up finally did for the last two games of the season.

What triggered the release of this monster we all know and love? 

Simple. He got healthy.

Proehl soon noticed that Kelvin Benjamin was getting healthier towards the end of the year, and it showed.

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...It started feeling better at the end of the year, and you started seeing glimpses of the Kelvin of his rookie year."

Kelvin Benjamin's knee finally stopped acting up, and his performance shot up. He was no longer a wimp or a burden for the Panthers, but a solid contributor. When he got healthy, he began to show his talent and potential as a #1 receiver.

When healthy, Kelvin Benjamin produces like no other. His frame and body gives him a huge advantage against any corner, and his power allows him to win contested catches for positive gains. The first two games and last two games showcased the real Kelvin Benjamin, and what he really looks like.

So, beyond that, how does Kelvin Benjamin work to improve himself and ensure he reaches that goal of being our franchise WR?

The Desire To Improve And Get Better

Kelvin Benjamin knows he can be better, and he knows he has to work to get to that point. With that realization in mind, Kelvin Benjamin plans to work himself up to NFL shape and come prepared for the next season. 

Proehl mentioned that he believes Kelvin Benjamin plans to work hard throughout the offseason. He makes mention of some of Benjamin's plans to get better.

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"He realizes he has to lose some weight," Proehl said. "He'll come back in great shape and have a great year next year."

Weight is something a lot of Panthers have bashed Kelvin Benjamin about. Looking sluggish on the field, many assumed it was due to a lack of conditioning and too much weight that hindered Kelvin Benjamin.

Proehl also mentions he plans to personally work with Kelvin Benjamin and other receivers to get better this offseason.

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Proehl plans to help Benjamin get back to that standard at Proehlific Park, a training facility he began in Greensboro, North Carolina, after 17 years as a player.

Because he no longer falls under the league labor laws as an assistant coach, Proehl can work with Benjamin and other Carolina receivers during the dead period between now and offseason workouts that begin in April.

"I still want to be there for him and realize I can be a resource," Proehl said. "He can come down to the park and he can train and we can get him back to the form he knows he needs to get to."

Not only that, but Kelvin Benjamin plans to help turn himself more into a leader-role rather than a nuisance. He admitted that he wasn't ready for that role coming out of Training Camp. He mentioned that he plans to turn himself around, and become a leader-like presence in the locker room.

Proehl emphasizes Kelvin Benjamin's desire:

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Benjamin admitted late in the season he was trying to become more of a leader; a role he simply wasn't ready for coming out of training camp. 

[Proehl] says they are ready to step up as leaders as well as receivers.

"This was their first time fighting through adversity when things aren't going well," Proehl said. "When you don't have those leaders in the room you struggle with that.

"Now they know what it takes and what they're going to have to do to get back to where we were competing for a Super Bowl championship."

The Restart

With Kelvin Benjamin likely to finally be back fully healthy in 2017 - as predicted by Joe Kenn - Kelvin Benjamin will finally be able to fine-tune his technique during training camp, and not be limited in any role or way.

With his plans to improve himself physically and mentally this offseason, there's no doubt in my mind that Kelvin Benjamin will be back in form for the 2017 season. With glimpses of greatness shown in the last two games, there's already precedent to assume that Kelvin Benjamin will likely have a comeback season and assume the role as our #1 wide receiver.

This journey will not be easy. There's still a lot of hard work that Kelvin Benjamin must do during the offseason to achieve that goal.

But the potential and desire is there, and Kelvin Benjamin knows 2016 was not what he truly is as a receiver. With everyone rooting for his true return, Kelvin Benjamin will work hard and improve himself. 

In an effort to restart his career, and become the wide receiver Gettleman and the Panthers envisioned as they selected him in the first round of the 2014 draft.

[cardiackat88.]

Did you write this yourself, for free?

This is amazing and you should be making money off of your talent.

Not a joke.

[SOJA]

This was fantastic OP, well done

[Saca312]

Just now, cardiackat88. said:

Did you write this yourself, for free?

This is amazing and you should be making money off of your talent.

Not a joke.

I already have another career path, but I've always loved writing and football. 

I love doing it as a hobby.

[SOJA]

Also our strength and conditioning coach looks like a higher power sat down and drew up the prototypical strength and conditioning coach. 

[The Huddler]

Great Content!

 

 

I really feel like the system that facilitates and runs on vibe, momentum, and chemistry failed the players, not the other way around.

 

Losing the superbowl has can a pretty damn consistent effect on teams throughout the history of the NFL. I really truly do think it just wasnt hppening last season, and for some reason we like to single out players and put them into a vacuum and analize them off of a single season. gotta look at the whole picture. 

[*FreeFua*]

"Kelvin Benjamin was expected to come back blazing from his ACL tear in 2015"

Um...

No he wasn't.

[Saca312]

Just now, *FreeFua* said:

"Kelvin Benjamin was expected to come back blazing from his ACL tear in 2015"

Um...

No he wasn't.

Tell that to every media pundit and Panther fan that said our offense would be scary good with Kelvin Benjamin coming back in 2016. Everyone expected him to come back in high gear coming into the season.

[The Huddler]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

Tell that to every media pundit and Panther fan that said our offense would be scary good with Kelvin Benjamin coming back in 2016. Everyone expected him to come back in high gear coming into the season.

camon man

 

ignore the turd, or else you risk spreding it and itll kill your thread

[Ace_Aladdin]

Byrd is gonna bust out of the scene this year, I expect Ginn type of production.

KB  almost had the same production as his rookie year samething for Ginn, Olsen , Brown & J-Stew but Funchess was the only who was scrapping bottom of the barrel. 

[Smithers]

Great job OP.  I agree...KB is a #1 WR.  You don't have back to back near 1000 yard seasons in an overall weak and inept offense without having such ability. 

I expect a huge 2017 for KB as long as Shula doesn't screw things up.  If Cam has time to throw, and Shula calls plays designed to get the ball out quicker (more slants, screens, curls), than KB and this offense will click.

[The Huddler]

I dont like the Funchess hate

 

ilooking at a player in a vacuum durring a superbowl hangover will leave people extremly short sighted

[ThPantherFan]

14 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

I love doing it as a hobby.

I loved the read.  You need to make it more than a hobby.

[*FreeFua*]

9 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Tell that to every media pundit and Panther fan that said our offense would be scary good with Kelvin Benjamin coming back in 2016. Everyone expected him to come back in high gear coming into the season.

Let's recap the week that was for you:

- pied someone who said Bersin should return punts instead of Ginn

- Argued Eric Berry didn't feel a need because he plays "free safety" but in reality he plays strong

- Just today you said David Mayo reminds you of Clay freaking Matthews because of a preseason game or something? 

- Continued to mention Jonathon Cyprien in the same breath as Eric Berry every chance you got because PFF has them graded the same. You clearly don't understand how PFF works and how ones coverage assignments would impact a grade like that. 

- The whole Russell Shepard signing and the junk you posted about that. 

 

I mean jesus, I get it you're new to football and completely rely on crap like PFF, random Panthers fans apparently now and junk like that but pump the brakes and try to actually learn first. 

No one EVER expects a player to come back 100% the first season back from an ACL tear. EVER. Benjamin (ACL considered) had a great season. Anyone thinking Benjamin was going to see zero side effects coming off an ACL is a moron. Period.