SB Nation Tight End Rankings (Panthers #22)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

NFC South Rankings

1. New Orleans Saints** (2nd)

2. Atlanta Falcons (14th)

3. Carolina Panthers (22nd)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28th)

22. Carolina Panthers

I expected more from Greg Olsen last season with a rookie quarterback and offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. This could be a much better year with Jeremy Shockey, who caught 37 passes on 59 targets, out of the picture and Cam Newton vowing to put more burden on his teammates in the red zone. Gary Barnidge could emerge as a pass catcher as well. Ben Harstock is their blocker.

I'm not sure what the author means by more, the Panthers have to spread the ball around to keep the defense honest. I for one think that this will be Olsen's breakout season.

[Ivan The Awesome]

No respect for Olsen.

[furbaloffear]

No respect for Olsen.

Why? I feel like Olsen played well when we asked him to but Shockey was our #1 TE target. With Shockey gone I really do expect Olsen to step up and have a breakout year.

[ReadyorNot]

No respect for Olsen.

Olsen cannot take hits, I honestly believe he is a WR trapped in a TE's body. He has never massed over 700 yards in a season, and sucks at blocking.

[iamhubby1]

If Barney does not step up, Olsen may have to have a break-out year. Or, Barney steps up, and takes the heat off Olsen. I like the latter better. But that could just be the homer in me?

Just a added thought. Is this Barney's last year? What if he does not show up this year? Bye bye Barney. He really is in a good spot. Show up, and the position is yours. Not many of those floating around NFL camps.

[Panthercougar68]

This is what puzzles me. We had two good tight ends last year that would rotate in and out if we were not running two TE sets. So why do people think Olsen under preformed when we also had Shockey to throw to? I know the article mentions it but many other media sources act like Olsen was our only TE last year and had a awful year number wise but it's kinda hard to get 800 yards when your splitting time.