The wide receiver position...

[jamos14]

There's also a QB willing to spread the ball around.

I think this is the key that helps the passing game this year. Our receivers might not be the best in the NFL, but in the past our #2 and #3 WRs were never given the opportunity (i.e passes thrown to them).

Moore showed last year that he can and will pass to the open man. Hell, Jarrett had a pretty damn good game against the Saints in week 17. If he can continue that performance along with Lafell and Moore producing a little we will be fine at the WR.

That does not count our TEs and hopefully more passes to our backfield.

[PantherProfessor]

It seems that LaFell has continued to improve throughout camp, which is all you can ask from a rookie WR.

the first few days he had some drops and whatnot, but now seems to be getting more consistent and comfortable. he has all the tools to succeed, and much more physical talent than either of our WR2 projects in recent years.

behind him is a pile of young talent, any of which can step up at sometime and prove themselves. in Fox's offense all we need is a good (not great) #2 WR. so to me with all the options, something has to stick, hopefully it is one of our high draft picks, but if not, who cares. put the best players on the field (read: kenny moore) if need be.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Unfortunately, at this point, Edwards seems like a waste of a draft pick. Still want him to succeed though.

Did you really expect a quarterback to shine as a wide receiver after just a week or so of camp?

The front office drafted Edwards based on his potential, not his ability to come in and contribute right away.

[Snake]

I think LaFell is our best shot at a solid #2 this year. I think Jarrett will still forget his routes and Moore is just not explosive enough. Also LaFell is a good blocker and that means alot in a Jon Fox system.

[Retemnav]

I think this is the key that helps the passing game this year. Our receivers might not be the best in the NFL, but in the past our #2 and #3 WRs were never given the opportunity (i.e passes thrown to them).

This is really an urban myth. Never, ever in all of Delhomme's years here did we ever lead the league in percentage of passes thrown to WR1. We never even got very close, finishing outside of the top 10 in every year except one (when Moose went to Chicago, I believe).

It was never that Jake was only throwing to Smith, it was always that no one besides Smith caught very many of those passes (because they generally sucked), and all those drops tend to fade away when looking back over the season, until you think "wow, Steve Smith is the only guy Delhomme's throwing to" because he's the only one with any catches worth remembering.

[jamos14]

Good point.

Moose did get his fair share of targets opposite of Steve.

But I still don't ever recall us having many passes thrown to a #3 receiver besides Ricky Proehl.

[panthers55]

First of all, 2007 and this year have little to nothing in common. Jake was having a career year until he got hurt and after that we had Carr and Vinny and eventually Moore. So if we have 4 quarterbacks start for us this year, we are in a world of hurt anyway. The only common thread was More played 3 games in 2007 and will start this year.

As for the current receivers versus Colbert and Carter, the only comparison could be made to Jarrett who like them is playing on the last year of their rookie contract and hadn't shown much. The other receivers this year are mostly rookies or projects which means while they may be inexperienced, they might have more potential.

Finally, Carter didn't have a bad 2007 season. He only started 7 games and caught 38 balls for 517 yards and 4 TDs. We didn't sign him in 2008 because he wanted too much money and we got Moose back, not because we didn't like him. In Moore's three games with him (Carter started all three) he had 6 catches for 91 yards. Compare that with the Green Bay game where he didn't start but had 5 catches for 132 yards and 1 TD with Vinny. I would think that the shuffling of quarterbacks in 2007 had a lot to do with Carter and Colbert struggling that year. Now before then or since are different matters.

[panthers55]

Good point.

Moose did get his fair share of targets opposite of Steve.

But I still don't ever recall us having many passes thrown to a #3 receiver besides Ricky Proehl.

in 1999- Moose had 96 catches for 1253 yards, Jeffers had 63 catches for 1082 yards and Walls had 63 catches for 822 yards.

in 1996- Walls caught 61 catches for 713 yards, Carrier caught 58 for 808 yards, and Greene caught 46 for 614 yards.

in 2004- Moose caught 93 for 1405 yards, Colbert caught 47 for 754 yards, and Goings caught 45 for 394, Proehl caught 34 for 497 yards, and Mangum caught 34 for 323.

So no I wouldn't agree that we have never thrown to a third receiver besides Proehl. In fact in 2004 he was tied for fourth place with Mangum based on catches and third based on yards.

[therealmjl]

I think we have better options this year...

[Montsta]

You still missing the point. I didn't say anything about receiving threat. I typed very clearly.

There isn't a team in the league that uses its tes to make up for a good consistent receiver tandom. Every team you brought up, have good receivers, that their tight end compliment.

Using tight ends as receivers is great. I never said not to. But you missed my point completely, and ya still do. Good te's don't replace a good consistent receiver (the position) other the steve smith.

Helps if ya can understand the conversation before flapping your gums.

San Francisco 49ers do. Vernon Davis caught 78 passes for 968 yards and 13 touchdowns. That is more than a receiving complement. That is legit #2. You'll see him and Crabtree as the 1-2 for SF for the next few years.

[Sword]

I'm hoping since Matt is a cool customer in the pocket he won't get happy feet when Steve is doubled and start slinging it around like you know who used to do. he will actually read progressions and stuff a QB is supposed to do. the 2nd and 3rd receivers may actually be a threat if things work out.

If Matt can trust his other guys to make a play in single coverage then things should be ok, I hope.

[pantherclaw]

San Francisco 49ers do. Vernon Davis caught 78 passes for 968 yards and 13 touchdowns. That is more than a receiving complement. That is legit #2. You'll see him and Crabtree as the 1-2 for SF for the next few years.

And every once in a great while, a te will lead their team with catches. That is not the point.

This thread is about the receiver position.

No matter how much our tight ends may contribute to the passing game, they won't replace the receiver position. We'll still need a receiver to step up, and take pressure off steve smith. If you think the answer is to throw more tight ends on the field, then you are just as mistaken as pantherdad.

Let's talk the colts. Manning passes the clark a lot. As far as catches, he is often 2nd on the team. That being said, he wouldn't be as productive if it weren't for the other receivers also drawing coverage.

[Montsta]

And every once in a great while, a te will lead their team with catches. That is not the point.

This thread is about the receiver position.

No matter how much our tight ends may contribute to the passing game, they won't replace the receiver position. We'll still need a receiver to step up, and take pressure off steve smith. If you think the answer is to throw more tight ends on the field, then you are just as mistaken as pantherdad.

Let's talk the colts. Manning passes the clark a lot. As far as catches, he is often 2nd on the team. That being said, he wouldn't be as productive if it weren't for the other receivers also drawing coverage.

I'm actually in agreement with your stance on receivers. I was just playing devils advocate and saying that in the right scheme with the right personnel, a TE can very much be used the same way WRs can. Vernon Davis is a perfect example of this.