RiotReport: Breaking Down Funchess, Samuel, And Byrd & Why A Flashy FA May Not Be Necessary

[Saca312]

Sometimes, the answer's already on the roster.

And, in this instance, this may be the case.

For what it's worth, Vincent does a fine job breaking down the Panthers three main wide receivers for your reading and viewing pleasure. He's a

https://theriotreport.com/caught-in-the-middle-the-panthers-receiver-conundrum/

I'll give a few text samples. Read the article for the film breakdown and a whole lot more.

Quote

Funchess:

Speaking to people who were around the team after the New Orleans playoff loss, it becomes clear that Funchess’ injury was worse than many seem to realize: “I’ve never seen somebody look as injured as he did. He couldn’t even lift his arm to button his shirt after the game,” said someone in the locker room at the Superdome; this was an injury he had been suffering from since the loss in New Orleans on December 3rd and while he managed to put up decent numbers during those last few weeks, including making a couple of crucial catches against Minnesota, there was a marked dropoff from his mid-season best. While this certainly wasn’t good for the Panthers playoff chances in 2017, it is important context when looking at how effective he could be in 2018.

In the three games between becoming the Panthers #1 receiver and getting hurt, Funchess managed 17 receptions on 25 targets for 286 yards and two touchdowns. Extrapolating those numbers over a whole season and you get something in the order of a 90-1,500-10 season with a catch percentage in the high sixties; these are numbers that, since data became available in 1992, have only been put up by Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, Steve Smith, Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Antonio Brown (via PFR).

That is very good company.

Of course, extrapolating a three-game sample over an entire season is strewn with issues, but this should give an idea of just how good Funchess was, and while he might not put up Hall of Fame numbers next season, if healthy, he looks to be a strong candidate to establish himself as a good #1 receiver. What is also encouraging is seeing how he was able to generate those numbers, using a combination of athleticism and technique that few receivers possess.

Quote

Curtis Samuel & Damiere Byrd

After Kelvin Benjamin was traded, both Byrd and Samuel played approximately two and a half games apiece before going down with injuries but in those combined five games, they managed 17 receptions for 161 yards and 2 touchdowns between them. Over a season, those numbers would be good for a combined 109 receptions for 1030 yards and 13 touchdowns. These numbers are good rather than great, but it should also be noted that they did this at an extremely high catch percentage and are still very young. With more experience and more targets, these numbers could get even better, and are still comparable with the NFL average for combined #2 and #3 receiver numbers.

That is not to say that the Panthers don’t have a need at receiver, they do, but maybe that need is not as big as some might think; the Panthers have the foundations for an excellent receiving corps already in place, they just need the finishing touches. Ron Rivera may agree.

“It would be kind of cool to be able to find a guy with kind of the background that Jericho Cotchery had for us in 2015, a guy that had been there and had that kind of success because again, I think that helps the young guys,” said Rivera at the Combine. “It is a pretty young room, so it would be nice to have a guy that’s got that kind of experience.”

This doesn’t reveal the exact blueprint for what can be expected of the Panthers’ wide receiver ambitions in free agency, but it does speak to a larger point about finding somebody who fits the Panthers existing receivers, not just the best player available. Given the youth of the Panthers’ receiving corps, an experienced veteran would make sense. Additionally, what the Panthers lack is not speed or big play ability, but rather an outside possession receiver who can help to move the chains on a consistent basis. Who that could be is still somewhat unclear, but is worth bearing in mind as free agency looms.

 

 

[LinvilleGorge]

If we go into next season with Funchess, Samuel, and Byrd as our top three WRs then Cam Newton should hold out and/or demand a trade. No joke. That would be fuging atrocious and you know it. You convinced yourself that Russell Shepard was going to be an answer this season too. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but sometimes you try a little too hard to convince yourself.

[Jangler]

The Panthers need an experienced receiver this season. We basically have roster full of rookies who get hurt, nothing new there.

[Shocker]

This opinion totally ignores the fact that neither Samual or Byrd have done much and both are coming off injury.  And Funchess is far from elite.  We need a top option IMO and this go with what you have mentality is old IMO.  I want to go get some weapons on the outside.

[GoobyPls]

Samuel played 5 games not 2, and only in Carolina is 1030 yards split between two receivers is considered "good". Way to reach for the stars 

 

When will this team ever learn it’s lesson when it comes to wide receivers 

 

[davos]

We can convince ourselves to feel okay about Samuel and Byrd all we want, but we need a damn proven WR.  

Our group has been sh*t for far too long.  

[Saca312]

47 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

If we go into next season with Funchess, Samuel, and Byrd as our top three WRs then Cam Newton should hold out and/or demand a trade. No joke. That would be fuging atrocious and you know it. You convinced yourself that Russell Shepard was going to be an answer this season too. I appreciate your enthusiasm, but sometimes you try a little too hard to convince yourself.

this isnt my article or opinion lol.

you already know i want us to get sammy watkins at the least.

[Saca312]

please dont act like everything i share is strictly my opinion, especially when it contradicts my sammy watkins propaganda

[The Lobo]

I have faith in Byrd and Samuel, the problem is, how are they progressing with their injuries? If they are coming in late in to TC or perhaps not even making TC and just show up wk 1, we need a FA WR to help. Plus, I also feel like Samuel and Byrd offer similar skill sets much like KB and Funch. Having both on the field could be problematic. Mike Wallace or Watkins would fit nicely. 

[pantherj]

If we don't improve the WR position then Cam needs to have a come to Jesus meeting with the coaching staff. Samuel might not even be ready when the season starts. Cam needs to make his voice heard if we start spending and drafting defensive players and ignore WR.

[Ace_Aladdin]

2 TE set !

[uncfan888]

Hurney said we need more speed at the skill positions. We aren't going into next year with what we currently have

[therealmjl]

Absolutely not

[Chardee MacDennis]

2 names to keep an eye on:

1. Dontrelle Inman- 29 years old. From Charleston. 6'3 with decent speed. Could be a bargain buy in the mold of Cotchery.

A common theme among Inman's coaches, teammates and Inman himself is his reliability, particularly his route-running.

“If you want one quality for a player, you want them to have dependability,” Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers told the San Diego Union-Tribune. “Dontrelle is a good player. He makes plays. He runs good routes. His main thing is he is dependable. You can count on him to run the right route, to play any position, to do his job every day."

Sounds a lot like what Cotchery brought to the team. And he would most likely take the #2 WR spot, be a good locker room vet, and help move the chains when needed. Allowing the young speedsters to get their PT too.

 

2. John Brown- will be 28 years old. Very speedy deep threat. But also injured often and could be done for his career. However, if he can come back and be 100% healthy on a bargain deal, he could be the Ted Ginn role.