Panthers signed CB Brian Witherspoon

[cookinbrak]

Witherspoon ranked #23 in KRs for returners with at least 20 returns. The highest average out of that bunch was Clifton Smith who returned 31 times for 29.1 average. Witherspoons average: 23.7 / Suttons average: 21.6

He ranks #9 in PRs for returners with at least 5 returns. The higheest average out of that bunch was Desaun Jackson with 28 returns for a 15.3 average. Witherspoons average: 11.1 / Munnerlyns average: 8.7

Also remember he was with the Lions, so both of those rankings could be better with us.

You have no clue what you are talking about.

Look, I'm glad your cousin got a job. But, he wasn't good enough to be the return man for Detroit. Are we below Detroit on the food chain?

[pantherdad]

and it'll look cool to see another panther player on the field with witherspoon on the back of his jersey...

[MrBubba]

Bottom line

He couldn't stick with the LIONS!!!

[Woodie]

Bottom line

He's better than anything we had.

At worst, he improves our return game, and at best, someone else comes in and beats him out, again improving our return game. Can't see the downside here.

[rayzor]

Bottom line

He's better than anything we had.

At worst, he improves our return game, and at best, someone else comes in and beats him out, again improving our return game. Can't see the downside here.

absolutely. i don't understand what everyone is getting pissy about. he's an upgrade over what we have. isn't that what people want?

is he the next devin hester or josh cribbs? probably not but he's a step in the right direction and has a lot of things that are coveted in a returner. if he works out, awesome. if he doesn't...wasn't really a lot of risk involved.

the big picture is the panthers are looking at improving STs and are being pretty active in doing it. they brought in good gunners, they brought in a decent KOS, and they brought in the first of what will likely be several return specialists.

STs have been incredibly weak for years. they moved on past that flaming turd we had as a ST coordinator and have brought in three skilled gunners to help with punt and kickoff coverage. we have addressed the kick off situation. we have now started trying to address the return game by bringing in someone with a ton of potential. what's not to like? STs are a priority finally.

[cookinbrak]

If those "skilled" players were so good, why were they cut? Wasn't for money, they're all league minimum guys.

[markbm62]

If those "skilled" players were so good, why were they cut? Wasn't for money, they're all league minimum guys.

Different team different situation might work might not but it does not cost the team much to find out.

[Guest silver82blade]

great ... he doesn't even know which way to run.

[brandon_87]

I pick up Kevin Robinson for this purpose, 99 return rating.

pick up justin miller, 99 rating and runs kicks back all day, I got to the point of fair catching so I could get stats on offense lol

[Cap'n]

Just a quick summary of the first 7 pages I speed read thru.

Pros: He's the best free agent pickup in Madden for returning kicks.

Its great to see another player with the last name Witherspoon on the Panthers

He's THE Brian Witherspoon

Almost made the coveted Lions special teams unit

Negs: He doesn't play wide out

He doesn't know which way to run (from the photo caption)

Who's Brian Witherspoon?

NO ONE breaks down free agents like we do in the huddle

[Yaboychris28]

atleast smitty cant compain about being the fastest player on the team anymore

[cookinbrak]

Just a quick summary of the first 7 pages I speed read thru.

Pros: He's the best free agent pickup in Madden for returning kicks.

Its great to see another player with the last name Witherspoon on the Panthers

He's THE Brian Witherspoon

Almost made the coveted Lions special teams unit

Negs: He doesn't play wide out

He doesn't know which way to run (from the photo caption)

Who's Brian Witherspoon?

NO ONE breaks down free agents like we do in the huddle

/thread

[rayzor]

Just a quick summary of the first 7 pages I speed read thru.

Pros: He's the best free agent pickup in Madden for returning kicks.

Its great to see another player with the last name Witherspoon on the Panthers

He's THE Brian Witherspoon

Almost made the coveted Lions special teams unit

Negs: He doesn't play wide out

He doesn't know which way to run (from the photo caption)

Who's Brian Witherspoon?

NO ONE breaks down free agents like we do in the huddle

you missed some stuff but whatever.....

[2jakefansinva]

Position: CB

School & Year/Status: Stillman College - Senior

Jersey Number: #8

Height & Weight: 5'10 - 164 lbs.

2008 NFL Draft Prospect Scouting Report:

person

Brian Witherspoon, CB, Stillman College

Witherspoon initially enrolled at Alabama State. He transferred to Stillman College in Alabama prior to the 2004 season. He went on to start five of the ten games he played in. In 2005 Witherspoon started all of the team's ten games at cornerback

. He recorded 15 tackles with three interceptions, broke up six pass attempts and was also utilized as a kick returner. Wheeler started the first three games of the 2006 campaign and was having a career year (three interceptions) before a broken left wrist ended his season. But, he came back to play in all of the school's eleven games during the 2007 campaign. He recorded 31 tackles with two interceptions and also broke up seven pass attempts.

A great athlete, Witherspoon also played baseball in college. As a track and field star he won the 2006 100 and 200 meters Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championships, so he has blazing speed (4.29-40). Wheeler is quick to react to the ball, with great recovery speed and smooth lateral and backpedaling movements. While he has good leaping ability, he is also extremely raw. His technique needs refinement and he is not physical enough (tending to shy away from contact). Wheeler needs to add bulk and strength. With his skills, Witherspoon should have dominated his level, but did not. Therefore, his level of competition and desire are huge question marks.

Speed and more speed is Witherspoon's only calling card if he wants to make an NFL roster. He is talented, but his unspectacular numbers in a league he should have dominated have raised red flags. Wheeler needs to add more strength and maturity, but there's a good chance he could stick on an NFL roster as a practice squad player. His draft status is questionable at this moment, so he will probably be a priority free agent.

Last Updated Apr-11-2008 by Raul Colon

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