Thank Goodness We Kept DWill

[jtm]

I bring this up merely as a reminder that proven pro bowl players do not grow on trees as often as many here think. A couple of months ago most here wanted to let DWill go because Goodson could fill the void. Last year, people were ready to put the franchise on Matt Moore and Mike Goodson. I think it is easy to forget and underappreciate current players we have on the roster because you see them play each and every week.

I hope Goodson corrects his fumbling problem. If we didn't have DWill going into this season, I would be concerned about the running back position because we wouldn't have a proven number 2 back. This would be a crying shame for THIS team to be short on running backs.

Also, I know many believe that we overpaid DWill. I have no inside information, but I am convinced that he and JR had a hand shake deal that he would be taken care of for all of those years where he was an elite running back and being paid rookie money. He didn't hold out and put the team first and was rewarded with a big contract.

[chknwing]

Dwill kept us.

[panthers55]

I bring this up merely as a reminder that proven pro bowl players do not grow on trees as often as many here think. A couple of months ago most here wanted to let DWill go because Goodson could fill the void. Last year, people were ready to put the franchise on Matt Moore and Mike Goodson. I think it is easy to forget and underappreciate current players we have on the roster because you see them play each and every week.

I hope Goodson corrects his fumbling problem. If we didn't have DWill going into this season, I would be concerned about the running back position because we wouldn't have a proven number 2 back. This would be a crying shame for THIS team to be short on running backs.

Also, I know many believe that we overpaid DWill. I have no inside information, but I am convinced that he and JR had a hand shake deal that he would be taken care of for all of those years where he was an elite running back and being paid rookie money. He didn't hold out and put the team first and was rewarded with a big contract.

Hurney said it a week or so ago. He paid Williams big money because the practice has always been to draft well and retain your core group of guys. The message Hurney sent to all the guys on the team is to play well and you will be rewarded for your efforts when your rookie contract expires. By paying the money to our own draft picks instead of paying it for expensive free agents, you lets the players know they can be rewarded for being a life long Panther instead of needing to go elsewhere to get paid.

[TruCatzFan]

DeAngelo wasn't going anywhere... This came from his mouth directly to me. I told everybody this in April when everybody (almost) was convinced we could do without him...

As for Goodson. Coach Rivera told him that ^He is to walk around all day with the football, and sleep with it at all times. If anybody knocks it out of his hands, ^He will be doing laps. Now that's old school.

[jtm]

Hurney said it a week or so ago. He paid Williams big money because the practice has always been to draft well and retain your core group of guys. The message Hurney sent to all the guys on the team is to play well and you will be rewarded for your efforts when your rookie contract expires. By paying the money to our own draft picks instead of paying it for expensive free agents, you lets the players know they can be rewarded for being a life long Panther instead of needing to go elsewhere to get paid.

I know that is what Hurney said, but I still think there is a lot more to it. You don't see players, especially at the RB position, continue playing on rookie contracts when they have outperformed because they know they have such a short window to cash in. I have no problem with DW being taken care of; he certainly is a class act on and off the field.

[CRA]

I bring this up merely as a reminder that proven pro bowl players do not grow on trees as often as many here think. A couple of months ago most here wanted to let DWill go because Goodson could fill the void. Last year, people were ready to put the franchise on Matt Moore and Mike Goodson. I think it is easy to forget and underappreciate current players we have on the roster because you see them play each and every week.

.

I don't recall a post being made like that.

I think the comment was made people were willing to put the franchise no the human bowling ball Stewart if the Williams money could greatly improve us at a huge weakness.

[jtm]

I don't recall a post being made like that.

I think the comment was made people were willing to put the franchise no the human bowling ball Stewart if the Williams money could greatly improve us at a huge weakness.

There was thread after thread here about Goodson being able to replace DW after a couple games last year. Probably more threads about Moore being the next Dan Marino after the way he finished 2009. My point is, running backs don't grow on trees like many here think and just because a player has a couple good games doesn't mean he is proven.

My last soap box is you can't determine a players' fate after one year. I was flamed for saying this about Clausen and Edwards. Still a lot to be said as to whether or not these two are NFL caliber players, but they definitely deserve a 2nd year to prove their worth.

[chknwing]

Well while Clausen was on an extended trip to europe, Armanti was doing everything he could to get better. Even had Muhammad help him with routes. Its no surprise that Armanti looks better and Jimmy doesnt. Its all based on a desire to improve and do what it takes. I just dont see that self motivation from Jimmy.

[CRA]

There was thread after thread here about Goodson being able to replace DW after a couple games last year. Probably more threads about Moore being the next Dan Marino after the way he finished 2009. My point is, running backs don't grow on trees like many here think and just because a player has a couple good games doesn't mean he is proven.

My last soap box is you can't determine a players' fate after one year. I was flamed for saying this about Clausen and Edwards. Still a lot to be said as to whether or not these two are NFL caliber players, but they definitely deserve a 2nd year to prove their worth.

Stewart has always been in line to be the "replacement". If Williams left you don't have to maintain a "Double Trouble" workload and try to replace that guy.....You can go to more of a primary RB with Stewart.

in regards to the last paragraph....I agree to a degree.. But AE and Clausen shouldn't be talked about together. AE didn't see the field vs. Clausen who played the majority of the snaps. We have a good idea of what Clausen is about off last year......and had nothing to judge AE on. Clausen overall looks the same with slight improvement possibly in certain aspects.

[chknwing]

stewart cant be the only back. which is why Carolina has kept 2 backs. Stewart is, for lack of a better word, fragile.

[Panthro]

Dwill kept us.

:willy_nilly:

[jtm]

Stewart has always been in line to the "replacement". If Williams left you don't have to maintain a "Double Trouble" workload and try to replace that guy.....You can go to more of a primary RB with Stewart.

Perhaps, but most teams have gone to a 2 back rotation. There are only a couple teams in the NFL that run a traditional primary back (TN, Minn, Jax, maybe Baltimore).

My point is, without DW on this team, who would be our #2 back?

[CRA]

Well while Clausen was on an extended trip to europe, Armanti was doing everything he could to get better. Even had Muhammad help him with routes. Its no surprise that Armanti looks better and Jimmy doesnt. Its all based on a desire to improve and do what it takes. I just dont see that self motivation from Jimmy.

you can also tell the extensive time Edwards put in w/ Baker and learning the to field punts. AE isn't really improving but probably more learning new positions. The improvement will probably come later once the basics have been mentally/physically installed.....and it looks like a lot of that was one this offseason.

AE IMO has much more potential to be special than Clausen.

[CRA]

Perhaps, but most teams have gone to a 2 back rotation. There are only a couple teams in the NFL that run a traditional primary back (TN, Minn, Jax, maybe Baltimore).

My point is, without DW on this team, who would be our #2 back?

no team is building backfields w/ 1st round picks. None of those teams using a traditional primary RB would add a Stewart or Williams caliber RB to the roster......not worth the cost. They can easily find a RB to fit whatever role they are concerned about to aid the primary runner.