Expectations For Joe Adams

[Argus Plexus]

The last thing about Joe Adams that I'm worried about is his speed. He plays faster than 4.55. He will be a great returner once he learns that all that dancing doesn't work in the NFL the same way. NFL players tend to have better tackling than College STs scrubs.

[Gallagher]

I expect a 16 yard per return average like Rivera was saying. Nothing less.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

Speed debate? Look at the tape. He doesnt get caught and he looks plenty faster then Armanti Edwards.

[MadHatter]

He needs to latch himself on to Steve Smith and never let go. Similar type of player and we all know Smith is a great PR.

Adams has been blessed being drafted by this team and having a player like #89 to learn from.

This.

Smith can really help him understand how to be a small WR in the nfl.

[MadHatter]

The last thing about Joe Adams that I'm worried about is his speed. He plays faster than 4.55. He will be a great returner once he learns that all that dancing doesn't work in the NFL the same way. NFL players tend to have better tackling than College STs scrubs.

Expect to see the good and the bad this season with Adams at PR.

He will dazzle us at times and have returns for negative yards at time. He needs to learn to make a few moves and then go.

Several if the spectacular returns in his highlight video will be disastrous in the nfl. He retreated too often before escaping. The coverage and athletes in the nfl will turn those into 15yard losses in a heartbeat.

[Catalyst]

4.5 speed my ass. No way he's not faster than that based on the videos I've seen. But, even if he were, Josh Cribbs isn't the fastest guy either (not slow, granted, but not Hester fast) and he's a great return guy.

I think Adams' agility, change of direction, vision, and elusiveness will make him an outstanding return guy. Speed... he's fast enough. Faster than his 40 time. Some guys just run faster when they're being chased. Jerry Rice for example; his 40 time was one of the reasons he slipped to the 49ers in his draft and he played a lot faster on the field.

Beyond his return ability, he is raw as a receiver. Needs work as a route runner and could be a lot more physical. This is where I think having Ricky Proehl on the coaching staff will help a ton. Proehl was one of the best route runners in the game and can teach this kid how to run routes.

And of course, Smitty is the guy he needs to learn from. As someone said above, he should latch onto Smith and not let go. He is potentially a huge steal, though. Even if he never becomes as physical as Smith he can still be a Desean Jackson type. Jackson isn't physical either, though he is a lot faster.

Adams is so quick, though, his speed and physicality are almost secondary. He'll be able to get off the line just based on his quickness alone. He'll be tough for corners to get a hand on simply because he's so quick and agile.

[2jakefansinva]

I'm really excited about our drafting of Joe Adams. I think he's an instant upgrade at the Punt Return position but we need to establish realistic expectations for this guy.

Everyone is comparing him to Steve Smith. The way I see it there is very little similar about them. Joe is 2 inches taller and 6 lbs lighter. Steve came into this league .16 seconds faster in the 40. Most importantly of all the scouting report on Joe Adams is he needs to be more physical. Steve is one of the most physically dominating receivers in the league. To me, Steve Smith is a Hall of Fame talent that played under some unfortunate circumstances. To expect that from Joe isn't fair.

I think Joe's greatest asset is his ability to return punts. Find the channels, set up blocks, change directions, and make people miss. My concern is that 4.55 speed. Will he be able to break away from NFL special teams units? At the least I expect an 8 yard per return average. Can he get up to 12 ypr with 4.55 speed?

I think his career will be similar to Steve's in terms of starting on special teams and getting chances on offense later. The question is can he take that next step. We had Ryne Robinson a few years ago who could never live up to expectations.

The other thing Steve had that's impossible to replicate is a nasty chip on his shoulder. Steve is one of the most motivated players I've ever seen.

So I hope for the best but I'm going into this open minded.

Punter returners biggest assset is quickness and vision.

we'll be ok.

[chknwing]

My expectation for Joe Adams, on the opening drive of overtime in the Superbowl against the New England Patriots, return that bad boy for a touchdown.

[Cape Fear Cat]

I expect on opening day, before kickoff, a buc player tells him he aint in college anymore. And boom goes the dynamite.

I expect that in training camp, a Panther will light him up to deliver that message before a real opponent can. There will be a learning curve, sure, but I'm optimistic about Joe growing into the role.

[CatofWar]

I expect that in training camp, a Panther will light him up to deliver that message before a real opponent can. There will be a learning curve, sure, but I'm optimistic about Joe growing into the role.

'twas a reference to smittys first game but I yeah, I think he will be fine.

[OchoNueve]

My expectations are higher than Janoris Jenkins...

[vorbis]

This doesn't look like 4.55 speed to me.

just looking at the youtube time, 12 seconds from snap of the ball to him putting the ball on the ground in the other end zone, while slowing up. that's not going to win any sprints at a track meet, i guess, but that's pretty damn quick.

[gamecocks722]

This doesn't look like 4.55 speed to me.

The kid can fly! the "40" time is valuable but game speed is totally different. With the adrenaline the game brings the speed is brought to a whole nother level.

[iampantherman]

It's funny when people complain about Joe Adams' speed. If you really watch him play you see that his speed clocks as : "Fast as he needs to be." He's got speed to spare, but doesn't always turn it on unless he needs to.

His most exciting attribute to me, however, is his elusiveness. He finds space and separation. That is far more important than top-end speed in football period. Top-end speed can help "take the cap off" the defense with go routes, but if a receiver isn't able separate from defenders he really has little value. The NFL "hall of rejects" is filled with guys who were just burners. Adams creates gaps between he and defenders. That "separation" is where success as a receiver is found in the NFL. You have to get guys off you at this level. From what I've seen, I think Adams will be able to do this in the NFL.