King, Rosario, Barnidge

[Snake]

King. While a good blocker he is not gonna surprise anyone in the passing game. The NFL has turned into a passing league so your gonna need a TE that can play WR at some points.

[Scrumtrilescent]

Kris Mangum, v. II.

[SorthNarolina]

Probably Barnidge, I think Rosario plays HB sometimes which I havent' seen Barnidge do, and Barnidge hasn't looked better than rosario even though he has potential to be better.

[Davidson Deac II]

Rosario is faster than King but that isn't saying much. Neither of them can get separation in the secondary and neither can run well after the catch. I put Rosario behind King because Rosario has made some gaffes on special team blocking, disappears for games at a time and doesn't fight for the ball. Honestly I would like us to upgrade the postion and get rid of both of them in the next year or two.

I remember Rosario getting separation several times. If memory serves, his first catch for the Panthers went for 54 yards when he got nice separation against the Seahawks and Moore hit him perfectly. Could be that he runs very few plays that give him a chance to get separation. Or it could be that we didn't have a Qb for most of last year who could find him when he did get separation.

I would like to see what all of them can do with a full year of Moore throwing the ball to them.

[God]

Barnidge has the most upside, so one of the other two.

[panthers55]

I remember Rosario getting separation several times. If memory serves, his first catch for the Panthers went for 54 yards when he got nice separation against the Seahawks and Moore hit him perfectly. Could be that he runs very few plays that give him a chance to get separation. Or it could be that we didn't have a Qb for most of last year who could find him when he did get separation.

I would like to see what all of them can do with a full year of Moore throwing the ball to them.

No it says that in 3 years as a pro we remember him getting separation once or twice a year and 1 huge catch against San Diego. If it was his first catch I bet the Seahawks were shocked we actually threw deep to the tight ends and were ignoring him. Barnidge got deep with separation more times last year alone than Rosario has in his career. Rosario long pass for the season last year was 26 yards. Barnidge's long pass last year was 55 yards and he averaged(20 yards a catch) almost as much per pass as Rosario's longest catch all year.

FWIW, Rosario caught 6 passes with Moore and 20 with Jake so no it wasn't Jake's fault. In fact he only caught 1 ball with Moore the last 3 games of the season. Barnidge only caught 2 balls in the last 5 weeks so I am not so sure that Moore is going to run up the numbers.

[magnus]

Barnidge can't block. He gets too high, he's taken the longest of the three to earn any playing time, and his only real advantage is height.

Since we're apparently going to finally spread more, note that the biggest dropoff with TEs was with Proehl earning a lot of 3rd down time. Up to now, we'd used 2 TE more than base two-back or anything else, and so that's naturally going to decline what we do behind that.

The only question is, in passing sets, whether we'd still use King or sub in either of the younger, speedier pair.

I honestly don't expect any of the three to go that soon. One of the backups might leave, to be replaced by a younger guy, but I fully anticipate King will sign a two or three year deal at a very, very modest price to stay. I can't imagine we'd put so much time into a blocker who does so much in the run game well, so that we would pursue a guy who does it all (which is unlikely, and despite fans' reactions, somewhat unnecessary), or let him give way to a bigger pass threat like the other two.

[panthers55]

Barnidge can't block. He gets too high, he's taken the longest of the three to earn any playing time, and his only real advantage is height.

Since we're apparently going to finally spread more, note that the biggest dropoff with TEs was with Proehl earning a lot of 3rd down time. Up to now, we'd used 2 TE more than base two-back or anything else, and so that's naturally going to decline what we do behind that.

The only question is, in passing sets, whether we'd still use King or sub in either of the younger, speedier pair.

I honestly don't expect any of the three to go that soon. One of the backups might leave, to be replaced by a younger guy, but I fully anticipate King will sign a two or three year deal at a very, very modest price to stay. I can't imagine we'd put so much time into a blocker who does so much in the run game well, so that we would pursue a guy who does it all (which is unlikely, and despite fans' reactions, somewhat unnecessary), or let him give way to a bigger pass threat like the other two.

Barnidge's blocking has improved but like most 6'5" guys it takes some adjustment. His advantages are speed and great hands. It has taken time to get him involved but it seems that it takes a year or two for any of our tight ends to break into the lineup for whatever reason.

What did King have his rookie year- 1 catch?? He would have had much fewer his second year if Carr could throw farther than 5 yards down the field while he was running around. After his breakout year of 46 catches in 2007 his production has been around 1 to 2 catches per game for 8 or 9 yards a catch. Barnidge in 12 catches last year in 7 games had more yards than King did with twice as many catches (25) starting 15 games.

If Barnidge hasn't learned to block in 2 seasons it is as much a testament to poor TE coaching as it is to Barnidge not catching on. Chryst may have good credentials but he hasn't done much here for our TEs.

I think you are right about signing him to a cheap contract. On the other hand with the rash of cuts to veterans, who knows if he won't be on the chopping block. If Fox is gone at the end of this year and we bring in a guy less wedded to the running game I can clearly see where King's role could become obselete given he really can't do much else but block.

[Jackofalltrades]

King, he's the most one dimensional of the trio.

[KillerKat]

I really believe Rosario should be starting. All of our TEs can catch, but Rosario and Barnidge have way more talent than King. If I had to choose, I'd cut King.

[Seamonk]

Rosario.

All the god's given talent can't account for mental ability. For example, Remember Barnidge's catch in the Minnesota game where he swimmed over late for the reception. I just don't see Rosario doing that. I see him watching the ball go into the defender's hands and going for a tackle after the interception.. Barnidge is the one with all the Potential. King is the proven Vet. Rosario is just.. the guy who could have been.

[brandon_87]

King, he drops passes, and fumbles, other then his blocking I cant stand him

[PantherPhann]

Three capable TE's.

Lets say you were forced to cut one, which one would it be?

This is a very good question... I'd have to go with King. Our passing game is opening up and Rosario and Barnidge are both faster and better receivers with potential to improve. King is King, old faithful and reliable, which isn't a bad thing, just nothing to build on. However I am a little hesitant b/c I don't want to hurt our running game, but I think that Barnidge and Rosario could handle it. I said it that way b/c I would start Barnidge.

[pantherclaw]

King drops passes? lol

He drops less than the others.

King is the best blocker, and catches almost everything withing reach. Is he a deep threat?

Nope. Would rather him be what a TE is support to be. A big target, and capable of blocking for our running backs.

Barnidge has the most upside without a doubt. He isn't the best blocker. Don't know if he ever will be.

Rosario, was suppose to be the Panthers version of Cooley. He has failed.

If I had to make a decision, it would be Rosario.

That being said, don't see any of them getting cut.