PFF verifying what we're seeing in Samuel.

[top dawg]

Pro Football Focus has pretty much affirmed the belief that Samuel can be a legit starter and play maker going forward, largely based upon his marked leap from year one to year two. Samuel's grade as an outside receiver ballooned 20 points. Samuel's play in 2018 bodes well for even more development the coming season.

PFF has confirmed what many saw from the beginning of preseason last year, and that is Samuel's ability to separate (seemingly almost immediately at times) and excel at route running.

 

"He is sudden at the line of scrimmage and can create immediate separation with his releases as a result. Also, leaning on his elite natural ability, Samuel honed an expanded route tree in 2018.

"After catching passes on just four different route concepts in 2017, Samuel split out his receiving production to 10 different route concepts in 2018. Most notably, his receiving production ballooned while running hitches, post routes and crossing routes.

"Samuel specifically thrived on passes of 10-plus air yards when running routes from an outside receiver alignment. He earned an impressive 88.2 receiving grade when targeted at such depths and ranked fifth in passer rating when targeted (134.1), as well."

 

The expanded route tree is something that many may have missed, but Samuel became much more versatile in his second year, and his third season will hopefully be an expansion upon his first two.

Norv and Rivera surely can't find any more excuses to hold Samuel back now, he's turning into a pro's pro right before our very eyes, and that's something that hasn't been so easily seen from a few of the guys that preceded him relatively recently.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/pro-panthers-curtis-samuel-developing-into-a-quality-option-at-outside-wide-receiver

[Black&BlueBubba]

After watching Samuel last year in preseason in person I was shocked how much faster and quicker he was than everyone else on the field.  It’s the quicker part that shocked me.  I knew he was fast. But he gets in and out of breaks so quick and created more separation than anyone else on the roster.  Maybe his threat of speed going deep assists that separation.  But it is so noticeable in person. But then the heart thing came.  If he is healthy, he should be deadly this year if Cam can hit him deep.

I have high hopes for him this year.  

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I don’t think he even played the full season last year.  I think barring any other hiccups he will “fill out” this year.  A lot of potential here and hoping he gets a chance to shine.  

[PootieNunu]

Hoping for no injuries for him this year, the kid has the tools and the work ethic to be a beast. As long as he keeps grinding and developing he can be a star in the league. I think we seen that last year in a limited amount.

[Ricky Spanish]

I have both him and moore stashed in a keeper fantasy league. Banking on at least one of them breaking out this year. 

[My Goodness My Guinness]

You'd have to be blind to not see just how freaking explosive this man is out of breaks. I'd like to see a stat on average separation per route run. Guarantee he was first on the team and probably top 15 in the league. 

[mc52beast]

When was the last time this team had so much offensive talent?

Samuel

Moore

CMC

Thomas

Olsen(?)

There was a time not to long ago when DC’s would double Olsen and stack the box.

[therealmjl]

Offseason fluff FTWWWW

[top dawg]

1 hour ago, mjligon said:

Offseason fluff FTWWWW

Fluff is not based upon stats and grades, so this is not your traditional, off-season  fluff piece. There is reason to believe that Samuel will be a legit weapon the coming season based upon limited work last season. We all saw it. The PFF piece just lends credence to what we already suspect.

[thefuzz]

Wonder if Ron is dumb enough to try to keep him off the field, and CMC in the backfield during passing downs?

 

 

The answer is yes.

[Go DJ that's my DJ]

I just hope we have a QB that can get him the ball. it was such a shame to see cam not hit those open deep passes(or even attempt them). A guy like Samuel on the 15 squad and we might have a Lombardi.

[trucpfan]

19 hours ago, thefuzz said:

Wonder if Ron is dumb enough to try to keep him off the field, and CMC in the backfield during passing downs?

 

 

The answer is yes.

Ron shouldn’t have any input on offensive game plans, if he sticks to the D we can truly flourish he’s gonna have a lot on his plate with the new 3-4. Leave Norv to do what he does best(O coordinator) and we’ll be good to go.

[trucpfan]

16 hours ago, Go DJ that's my DJ said:

I just hope we have a QB that can get him the ball. it was such a shame to see cam not hit those open deep passes(or even attempt them). A guy like Samuel on the 15 squad and we might have a Lombardi.

It was sickening seeing him three steps ahead of his man waiting on a flimsy throw to catch up it didn’t give him the chances he needs to dominate dbs