Top Dawg's annual If-Smitty-Goes-Down-We're-Fugged Post (with a twist)

[top dawg]

Another
Another

I feel like I am in the Twilight Zone for real. I keep seeing the same thing year after year, and Smitty ain't doing anything but getting older, which, of course, increases his likelihood of getting hurt (even if only nominally). The thing is is that just like I am reading the same script, it seems like you have the same supporting cast coming in, beating around the bush, and essentially skirting the issue and not directly answering the question. I mean, really think about it: What are we going to do if 89 goes down for any appreciable amount of time? Are we going to rely on the Disappearing Man, Brandon LaFell, who will be the Invisible Man as defenses key on him as the WR1? Can Domenik Hixon and Ted Ginn, one a journeyman and another a wannabe starter who has only displayed prowess at returning punts, become more than they have been after years in the NFL? Will David Gettis make more than just a few Alfred Hitchcock type cameo appearances this year on the field? Will practically unknown LaMont Bryant become Galvatron (the recreated Megatron for those that don't know)? Can all these dudes rise to the occasion if Smitty goes down? Can a re-commitment to the run game mask our need for another legitimate home-run threat in the passing game? Maybe all our hopes will rest upon 89-1---in other words, 88, aka Greg Olsen. Perhaps Olsen, our only other half-way consistent threat at wide-out command the double teams and keep defenses honest enough to allow all the other cast of characters to do their thing. Can Adams, Pilares, or Edwards collectively, much less individually fill the gap in the event that Smitty is out?

Many, many questions in regards to what happens if Steve Smith goes down, but unlike the past couple of years, my answer is "maybe" (and there is your twist). Even though history and reality tells me that we're going to end up at this same place next year, I am going to give G-man and the coaches the benefit of the doubt. Even though the Panthers worked out so many WRs pre-draft, just like they were on a search and rescue mission, I choose to believe that they know something that my lying eyes can't see. Surely they wouldn't go into this season---seemingly one with first impressions to make, and jobs on the line---unprepared. The answer has to be on our roster. Right?

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Don't even talk about this poo

[chknwing]

watch the bobcats?

[h0llywood]

Well if this is the third year that you are posting the same thing and it has yet to happen, give it a rest because I will blame you if it does happen :-)

[therealmjl]

Really?

[CRA]

we aren't as screwed as we once where....b/c Smith isnt the best player anymore.

[Frank Hollywood]

I think they looked at DT prospects and WR prospects and liked what they saw at DT much better.

Without a doubt, we will take a WR early in next years draft. Hopefully one of the two big names fall to us, even if we have to trade up.

[CRA]

I think they looked at DT prospects and WR prospects and liked what they saw at DT much better.

Without a doubt, we will take a WR early in next years draft. Hopefully one of the two big names fall to us, even if we have to trade up.

or maybe Rivera/Cam have a one yr audition for the old school new GM....therefore he doesn't want to gamble his picks on an offense that might not exist the next year. Instead using his resources for talent that fits what he believes in.

[Vagrant]

Quarterbacks make wideouts, not the other way around. It takes a generational talent to have that principal work in reverse. Cam is evolving into the kind of quarterback that will be able to make due with a stable of replacement level players at the WR position. Sure, you'd love to see him get some more weapons but the truth is that when Cam is running hot the only thing that can stop him are dropped passes. We have a compliment of WR that are good enough to get the job done, we just have to keep him upright behind this offensive line.

[Jackofalltrades]

It would force Cam to depend on his other targets more for sure.

It would be a loss, but at this juncture I don't know how much of a loss. In ways, it could be a good thing,

[Frank Hollywood]

or maybe Rivera/Cam have a one yr audition for the old school new GM....therefore he doesn't want to gamble his picks on an offense that might not exist the next year. Instead using his resources for talent that fits what he believes in.

Cam's not going anywhere.

Rivera remains to be seen.

[CRA]

Quarterbacks make wideouts, not the other way around. It takes a generational talent to have that principal work in reverse. Cam is evolving into the kind of quarterback that will be able to make due with a stable of replacement level players at the WR position. Sure, you'd love to see him get some more weapons but the truth is that when Cam is running hot the only thing that can stop him are dropped passes. We have a compliment of WR that are good enough to get the job done, we just have to keep him upright behind this offensive line.

NE's scheme makes Wes Welker. QBs don't make the great ones IMO

[jungleking]

It would force Cam to depend on his other targets more for sure.

It would be a loss, but at this juncture I don't know how much of a loss. In ways, it could be a good thing,

In order for that to be true, you have to know for sure that Cam targets Smith too much as a matter of some dependency, and not because Smith just makes plays. I don't buy it. Nothing about losing the team's best receiving option is good.

[panthers55]

or maybe Rivera/Cam have a one yr audition for the old school new GM....therefore he doesn't want to gamble his picks on an offense that might not exist the next year. Instead using his resources for talent that fits what he believes in.

So how pissed will you be when Rivera is here next year because we had a winning year. If we had a better middle of the defense and didn't have all the injuries we would have had it last year as well.