Positives to the KB trade

[vanilla B]

15 minutes ago, Borat said:

Panthers' best season came with Ted Ginn as the #1 receiver -- there's a non-zero chance that the offense will stay the same (or even pick up a bit) in KB's absence. Even if not, two picks for a player who clearly wasn't being re-signed isn't a bad haul at all. 

We had a #1 WR for the rest of this season on his rookie deal, could have at least tried trading him this off season and kept him for a hopeful playoff run.  We also don't have Ted Ginn anymore, and unless Curtis Samuel evolves better than the offensive scheme overnight, then we won't have a similar change in offense like in 2015.  Hope I'm wrong, but this is not a good looking move.

[luke nukem]

3 minutes ago, Murph said:

Yep. My bad. Star Norwell and Peppers may be back next year.

would be the only way Im satisfied with this move tbh. I take that back. our SB window might have just slammed shut thanks to marty friggin hurney.

[w280sax]

5 minutes ago, Murph said:

Yep. My bad. Star Norwell and Peppers may be back next year.

To me, this is the ONLY positive.

[CarolinaCat89]

1) We went 15-1 without him & to the SuperBowl. 

2) Allows for more speed to stretch the field, Samuel and/or Clay. 

3) Spend money elsewhere at the end of the season, his contract was coming up along with others, (Norwell/Lotulelei).

4) Funchess is younger, more athletic, and healthier. They went with youth here, hes going on 4 yrs younger than Kelvin. In my opionion hes just as good if not better than Kelvin. Funchess gets the nod here, due to age, health, production, and contract. 

5) Get something for Kelvin while you can, good timing. Kelvin was a late 1st rounder, 28, in 2014. 4 Years later, absolutely take a 3rd & 7th for him. Ideally, you'd like a 2nd, but that you know you're not getting a 1st for Kelvin. 

 

This is a BUSINESS move. If anything, this hurts feelings the most. 

R-E-L-A-X

[Chardee MacDennis]

Change is coming folks!!

The only reason you make this trade is because you are going to actually evolve the offense! Benjamin was not a necessary piece to the future or to a Super bowl run. Remember the year he sat out all season, and Cam couldn't just throw to his buddy in double coverage? Remember how Cam looked when he was forced to read progressions instead of forcing it to a "star" WR (Smitty included). His best games were without that top dog WR who he felt the need to force feed.

The only way to make Shula change the game plan is to take away his perceived (and incorrectly) best option. 

 

Panthers have enough tall slow dudes in Dixon, Olsen, Funchess....Now they can add Shepard and Samuel and CMC into the flow more. And free up some cap room. And add picks next year. All of those are good things.

Albeit, I truly don't think the Panthers will get to another Super bowl with Cam unless they go out and make major moves to clean up the areas of need.

But, this is a solid move for the future. Benji wasn't a part of the long term plan. He comes in overweight and out of shape every year, and is an injury risk.

[Pantha-kun]

33 minutes ago, sanjay_rajput said:

What if we get Nick Chubb instead would it be worth it?

@Jeremy Igo

@Hoenheim

@CRA

@KillerKat

 

@beastson

I'm all for getting Chubb,  Royce Freeman , or Bo Scarborough in the 2nd or 3rd honestly. There's some pretty good power back options for 2018 potentially. All depends on where the team is willing to go with Stewart after this season. 

[shulasmyhero]

33 minutes ago, beastson said:

I think its hilarious you're already talking draft

That's how bad this organization actually is, they've conditioned a large portion of the fanbase to look forward to next year, all while the championship window slams shut...

[MHS831]

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Bolt/The-problematic-item-about-Cam-Newton-and-Kelvin-Benjamin-49624479

This will piss  people off, but our offense has stalled when Benjamin is on the field.  Cam forces the ball to him.  He waits too  long for him to get open.  Benjamin does not get open often.  He is good at catching in traffic, but Benji drops most balls below his waist.

Sometimes a good player hurts the team because it becomes one-dimensional.   When KB is on the field, Cam does distribute the ball well. 

In 2015, the Panthers scored a lot of points with a #1 WR who was a special teamer everywhere else (Ted Ginn).  With Philly Brown, Brenton Bersin, Cotchery, and a young Funchess.  Now,  Funchess has improved, Samuel, Sheperd, etc.  are arguably better than the crew that went 15-1. 

I like the trade.  Yes, we lost a 1000 yard WR, but our offense has sucked this year.  We need game breakers.  We need speed.  We need WRs that can get open.

 

[MHS831]

Record with KB on active roster 18-21-1

Record without KB on active roster 15-1-0

Benji catches a bit more than 50% of balls thrown to him (this year, it was 62%, but before, it was 51% and 53%)  That number should be around 65% for a top #1 WR.