Brandon Lafell - Ooh Wee Mayne

[jtnc]

Yeah, one effing highlight reel tells you everything you need to know about a player. Seeing how Cam doesn't throw random passes up for grabs anymore, how often as LaFell actually had to make an insane catch?

Lafell can't even make routine catches. Stop it.

[carolina-chuck]

Only a dumbass with a memory span of a gnat would put Jeffery on the level with the best right now. Also, Jeffery has 133 targets to LaFell's 81. Extrapolate LaFell's stats with the same number of targets and he'd have very similar numbers to Jeffery.

Lol wtf. It's getting too funny. Just quit. I have my share of laugh of already. Thank you.

P.S.

you on some good $hit.

[pantherclaw]

The problem is two of those hand picked plays play a huge factor in us being 10-4 still needing a win to get in the dance, and being 12-2 with the division locked up playing for home field throughout....

what about the game steve smith and the entire offense mailed it in, against buffalo?

i can cherry pick too.

[*FreeFua*]

I've gone on and on about LaFell and while doing so I try to look at the good and the bad.

LaFell is 27, fourth year in the league. I think we can all stop using the word "potential". What you see is what we are going to get. His main issue are his lapses in concentration, and his maturity. Someone said in this thread LaFell has a "know it all" attitude and that wouldn't surprise me if true. He's had the privilege of playing with 89 for all 4 years, he should be soaking up every little bit of info and knowledge Smitty is giving him.

Good blocking wide receivers are hard to find. In my LaFell thread I really went into detail with numbers, I'm not a huge numbers guy myself but I found it interesting that for the times LaFell has been targeted, he's on par with his numbers of receptions and yards. In a pass heavy offense I think LaFell's numbers would look alot different.

I think his drops keep getting brought up because he's dropped some balls on some big plays. Dallas and KC last year come to mind and Zona this year. The catch he made Sunday was awesome, I can't even think of a more proper word because it was that good. He knew he was going to get drilled and even lost control for a second but relocated the ball and grabbed it.

However my favorite play on Sunday from LaFell was his 3rd catch, he caught the ball on the sideline and turned and lowered his shoulder and fought for an extra 2 yards. LaFell has some size to me and I'd love to see him use it more. He is capable of making nice catches as well, lets not forget that great sideline/jump ball he caught against Green Bay in 2011. The talent is there, it's a shame his maturity is going to hold him back from being really good.

I'm sure you all are tired of reading my posts on LaFell, I just want to get excited about a receiver again (it's my fav position) and it's been sooooo long since we've had anyone to get excited over other than Smitty. If we don't address this need in the first round, I'm going to be really disappointed.

[CPF4LIFE]

Lafell on the same level as Jeffrey.....LMAO

[Razeyfingers]

LaFell has all the skills to be a starter in the NFL but he wont ascend if he keeps dropping wide open balls. Lets think back to Moose and compare skills. There are very similar targets and Moose had his share of the dropsies. The difference is that whenever it was 3rd or 4th down, Moose came down with the ball. He might drop a dumb one on 1st or 2nd down but very rarely did he do that on 3rd down. LaFell doesnt have a chip on his shoulder. He doesnt seem arrogant by any means. He's just more complacent than someone like Smitty.

 

Stop comparing stats with other receivers and compare their skill sets. You can claim LaFell doesnt get open all day if you want but you wont be to explain how he gets so many catches then would you? You can claim that he doesnt go up for the ball all day but you have no examples to show for. Just look at what is and what is not. LaFell drops gimmies too often for a starter. Does that mean he shouldnt be starting? No, because there are many under par 2's in the league that he's better than. Could he be better?. . . . yes, and thats the problem. Imho he is a below avg starter with one critical problem area. If he fixes that, he's a keeper, if not, well its a gamble.

[top dawg]

Just for some perspective - not using this to make an argument either way:

 

LaFell was the 52nd ranked wide receiver in yards/game and 60th in total receptions in 2012.

He's the 41st ranked wide receiver in yards/game and receptions this year.

The average #2 receiver would rank 48th.

 

According to ESPN, he is 69th in yards per game:

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/receiving/sort/receivingYardsPerGame/count/41

 

He is also 64th in receptions:

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/receiving/sort/receptions/count/41

 

 

 

 

Basically, I would like my WR2 to be more consistent, and have the ability to put up more than a couple of hundred yard games in four years. I believe that we can get that type of production from a rookie, and I hope to get the opportunity to see it, because I believe that LaFell's ceiling has already been reached.

[fjblair]

My only comment on that play besides "hell yeah" was "did you see that block?". It was a stellar job of down field blocking.

[KendrickPanther]

You are including Tight Ends and Running backs in that. We aren't trying to evaluate him as a tight end so why should they be held against him?

 

According to ESPN, he is 69th in yards per game:

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/receiving/sort/receivingYardsPerGame/count/41

 

He is also 64th in receptions:

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/receiving/sort/receptions/count/41

 

 

 

 

Basically, I would like my WR2 to be more consistent, and have the ability to put up more than a couple of hundred yard games in four years. I believe that we can get that type of production from a rookie, and I hope to get the opportunity to see it, because I believe that LaFell's ceiling has already been reached.

 

[top dawg]

You are including Tight Ends and Running backs in that. We aren't trying to evaluate him as a tight end so why should they be held against him?

 

Valid point, but these stats basically relate to receiving threats, and aren't really concerned with much else. 

 

 

 

Regardless of the stats (that never tell the whole story), I still want more. Consistency being the main thing.

[mr beauxjangles]

edit: nevermind...didn't see that the point had already been made

[grateflday]

...Apparently, Lafell knew he needed to redeem himself. Notice his role in the Deangelo Williams screen pass. Without Lafell's block on the 20 yard line Deangelo would not have had a touchdown. With the Panthers red zone scoring at a near season low, this was a crucial play that has gone overlooked.

 

 

What you cant see from any of the replays is Lafell started and was blocking even at least 20 yards prior to when you see him on the screen.  From where I sit you can see the whole field and right when D'Will caught the pass and we all saw Wharton locked up on his guy, I looked down field and Lafell at the same time was already engaged/blocking that guy.  Lafell blocked him all the way down the field also as D'Will was running from start to finish.  That entire play was sure nice see.  

[Razeyfingers]

So the question is, when he said he was the best blocking wr on the team. . does anyone doubt that? 89 will crush fools in the open field these days still but I dont know if he couldve pulled off what the Don did there.

[Evengelion]

Watching Lafell struggle as a big physical guy makes you wonder how those franchise caliber receivers do it week in and week out. What do they have that Lafell doesn't. Those players' been catching footballs since kids and probably catch thousands in the jug machine, but on game day they do everything but catch the football. Don't get it.