Tight Ends

[SIGCHI222]

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[Navy_football]

Brandon Williams is the best athlete Carolina has ever had at the TE position. If his work ethic is as good as everyone says, he could be the best TE on this team. As much as I love Olsen, Williams' measurables are off the charts. I saw a few blocks last night where he actually moved his man, not just shielding him, but moved a guy out of the hole. Most receiving TEs can't do that.

 

Don't forget, he hasn't played football in what 2 years? He's still rusty.

[Jmac]

You can't teach athletic ability....Williams has it in spades.

[bleys]

Which is...? Vernon Davis had been considered a disappointment until recently.

Considering what Rivera said about Brandon last night, he's making the final 53. No doubts about it. He's our second best TE already. Hartstock drops (which leaves Brockel the odd man out unless White Mike is done for the year).

 

can't say I agree, but perhaps you have seen him play more games...  from what I've seen and heard from hardcore 9er fans is he was asked to block quite a bit more than the average pass catching TE (exceptionally more so actually) and is one of the best pass blocking TEs in the league...   Without watching him as often as they, I would contribute that towards a homer perspective, but the few 9er fans I have as friends are a rational crew...

 

This year I hear he's expected to even play at WR to take advantage of his size/speed.. 

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I think the Panthers really want 2 play making and pass catching TEs. Therefore he makes the team. Hartstock will make the team and only be used as an extra blocker on run downs

[bleys]

When Vernon was lighting defenses up in Maryland, who didn't want him? He was the prototypical mold for these new era TEs. Big, extremely fast and agile, great hands, outrageous athleticism, stellar blocking, versatile, etc. I wanted him on The Panthers so badly but there were some things we fans missed when he was drafted. I remember his first three seasons very vividly. Davis lacked focus, dedication and maturity when he first arrived along with questionable route-running. Other aspects might have contributed to Vernon appearing like a disappointment (no legit QB; subpar coaching) but he played his part.

 

I hear ya..  But I'm not referring to the guy who came out of college...  Nor the guy who was bitched out on the sideline by Singletary...  Actually, he said himself that was an awakening....  Today he has become the prototypical TE where SF has asked him to stand in line and protect... block..  and he has been a very successful "John Fox" type TE..  god-forbid he actually be that guy knowing his obvious talents...  All I'm saying is he's been asked to be that type of blocker who has succeeded and yet still posses the WR ability we all know he can provide...

 

What happens this year is up for discussion, but if anyone were to ask me which complete TE (with a team first mentality) you would instantaneously take in second...  I don't have another answer other than Davis...

[FootballMaestro]

Willams looks good, but he still needs a lot of work.  He should go to the PS, and get promoted next year when Heartstock leaves.  It makes more sense to save the roster spot with Brockel

 

being a backup FB/TE.

 

Huh?

 

1) He hasn't played football in 2 years. If he's making this type of impression now, whadda you think will happen with more practice, reps, and then games?

 

2) Why would he go to the practice squad, when he's already better (all things considered), then what the Panthers have now after Olsen. And this doesn't include his potential. 

 

3) Williams would not last on the practice squad, past the first week of the season. 

 

4) Brockel, will be the full back, and back up to Tolbert. Hartsock, may lose his position first in this equation. Williams size, athleticism, observable skills, and upside, are [already] to big to ignore. 

 

5) There's a new sheriff in town (Gettlemania). And all talented young players (regardless of experience), are expected to play/contribute, as with the Giants, as needed. 

 

The biggest risk with Williams, is health (big, crunching hit, in/on his back or neck). And hopefully, that won't be an issue. Come to think of it. Anybody would be at risk with those type of hits. So let's just say, a "Big Hit". Lol

 

 

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Cam singled out Brandon in his press conference noting that Brandon had constantly been asking him questions.

Cam said that besides that catch, he did a great job blocking and on that pass interference call on James Anderson against Olsen, Williams actually drew two defenders (safety, linebacker) which put Olsen in one-on-one coverage with Anderson.

[Rhell]

Huh?

 

1) He hasn't played football in 2 years. If he's making this type of impression now, whadda you think will happen with more practice, reps, and then games?

 

2) Why would he go to the practice squad, when he's already better (all things considered), then what the Panthers have now after Olsen. And this doesn't include his potential. 

 

3) Williams would not last on the practice squad, past the first week of the season. 

 

4) Brockel, will be the full back, and back up to Tolbert. Harstock, may lose his position first in this equation. Williams size, athleticism, observable skills, and upside, are [already] to big to ignore. 

 

5) There's a new sheriff in town (Gettlemania). And all talented young players (regardless of experience), are expected to play/contribute, as with the Giants, as needed. 

 

The biggest risk with Williams, is health (big, crunching hit, in/on his back or neck). And hopefully, that won't be an issue. Come to think of it. Anybody would be at risk with those type of hits. So let's just say, a "Big Hit". Lol

 

 

He has not played in 2 years and never at this level, so lets just throw him into the mix and release our vet players right?  I think this is a case of huddlers getting a boner for a guy with high upside, but I don't think he is ready yet.  He might not make it to our PS, but I don't think we should start cutting our vets just based on upside.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

He has not played in 2 years and never at this level, so lets just throw him into the mix and release our vet players right? I think this is a case of huddlers getting a boner for a guy with high upside, but I don't think he is ready yet. He might not make it to our PS, but I don't think we should start cutting our vets just based on upside.

By vet, I'm assuming you're talking about Hartsock who has one touchdown catch in his career.

Hartsock doesn't do anything Williams can't do.

Just to reiterate Cam's opinion on Brandon...

Cam singled out Brandon in his press conference noting that Brandon had constantly been asking him questions during practice.

Cam said that besides that catch, he did a great job blocking and on that pass interference call on James Anderson against Olsen, Williams actually drew two defenders (safety, linebacker) which put Olsen in one-on-one coverage with Anderson.

Cam also said that Brandon has earned the right to be a Carolina Panther.

I will take our head coaches and starting quarterbacks opinion any day over someone posting on a message board.

I also don't understand where this idea that we will only carry two tight ends is coming from. If you only have two tight ends and one gets hurt then you are forced to go out and sign another one. No one wants to be in that position.

Finally, unless you have a really solid veteran (i.e. Jeremy Shockey like a few years ago) then you are going to go with the younger player that has more upside, not a player who would be just another guy on everyone else's roster.

[La Pantera]

He has not played in 2 years and never at this level, so lets just throw him into the mix and release our vet players right? I think this is a case of huddlers getting a boner for a guy with high upside, but I don't think he is ready yet. He might not make it to our PS, but I don't think we should start cutting our vets just based on upside.

Who would be released??? As has been stated a 1000 times. We've kept 3 TEs AND Brockel over the last 2 seasons. We WILL keep 1) Olsen 2) Hartstock 3) Williams and Brockel as the 4th TE/FB. Williams will be on this team this season.

[FootballMaestro]

He has not played in 2 years and never at this level, so lets just throw him into the mix and release our vet players right?  I think this is a case of huddlers getting a boner for a guy with high upside, but I don't think he is ready yet.  He might not make it to our PS, but I don't think we should start cutting our vets just based on upside.

 

Because based off what we [and the HC, coaches and QB] see, he's that much more impressive than Hartsock, obviously. Lol

 

That's what you don't get. This is not about, we want/think, only. They've been impressed, which means they must see/Williams must be doing something. 

 

As far as choosing him over Hartsock (despite the fact, the team, would keep 3 TE's, and Brockel anyway); what has Hartsock showed in the NFL so far? And even if fans, were wishing for Williams. Why not!? The Panthers need a suitable replacement for Shockey, and Hartsock is probably not it. So why not think, dream Williams can be? It's not like Hartsock has ever done anything to place him instead in our minds. Nonetheless, I respect your opinions and perspective. Maybe you're right?

 

Bottom line: Williams just has much more upside than Hartsock, while being serviceable already.  

[Cj72]

Williams will make the team and if we are lucky will turn out to be our poor man's Jimmy Graham or better.

I don't know about this. I don't see Williams falling down like he was shot because a cb puts his hand on him...

[Jmac]

No way they risk putting him anywhere he can get snatched up on waivers.....develop the kid and safe our future draft picks on picking much needed offensive lineman etc. If he wasn't injured and had played full-time in college he would have been a high draft pick. Put him on the roster and wean him along. A diamond in the rough I believe.