Q & A with G-man, courtesy of Observer's Jones (edited with more commentary re: draft strategy)

[Kevin Greene]

It is a big issue.  FA's don't want to go to a team with a lame duck coach because they don't know who will be in charge the next year, or what system they will run.  Also, players on the team see it as the front office not having enough confidence in the coach to give him a long-term deal, so don't always buy in to what the coach is selling.  At the first sign of trouble, teams with lame duck coached may throw in the towel on the season.

 

These are just a few reasons I have heard players and executives give for why it is a huge problem to go into the season with your coach being on the last year of his contract.  And I imagine it would be especially hard for this team, coming of a division winning, playoff season.

 

 

I doubt w'ed be a huge player in FA anyway given our cap situation.

From mediocrity to one good year in 3 with Rivera.

I say keep the options open in case it falls apart.

If the Panthers are a juggernaut next year, lock Rivera up mid season.

[Man Strength]

U can't help but wonder if the problem with this team is more a the culture within the team or the need for better pieces. Is there a need to replace the WRs that this team has or are those players allowed to feel secure in their positions and in turn, the team getting the best out of them?

I hate to say this but many of the Panthers' fans seem very superficial in their observation of this team. A player isn't doing what he's suppose to do...get rid of him. Then they see that player going to another team and have way better success at the same position on another team, and either scorn the player and say he didn't want to be on the Panthers team anyway or, hate him and pray for his failure.

I think Gentleman, knows exactly what is ailing this team and it might not be what the Panthers fans believe based on shallow observation.

Very few panthers have left, then gone on to have stellar careers elsewhere. Sure peppers was ok for a bit but has quickly fallen off. Schwartz and bernadeau were good this year but you can't say they have found real success yet. A couple of corners have been mediocre elsewhere. I can't think of much else recently. The only really good example would be Mathis and he was extremely average here for some reason and that was a long time ago. Jovan Hoye?

[*FreeFua*]

I'm glad he said it. Cam doesn't get the credit he deserves.

"And I’m going to tell you this, he works his fanny off. He is in the facility more than you can imagine. He’s in there Monday nights, Tuesday mornings, Tuesday afternoons, Tuesday evenings. It’s important to him."

[MHS831]

Yep.  For the team to give them two very valuable roster spots when they could have just stashed them on the PS tells me they really like both players and see a future here for both of them.  Of course, that doesn't mean they expect either to be Smitty's replacement, but I think they do have plans for them.

 

Gettlemen is a straight shooter.  He doesn't say too much, but when you look back at his comments, he is true to his word. When we signed King, there was a bit of a disturbance in the force around Denver.  They saw something in him.  McNutt was a good college WR, I wanted us to draft him late, so I think they have what they want.

 

Everyone seems to be thinking that we are looking for a #2--I don't.  I think we are looking for a #1.  Smitty has not been up to a #1 WR standard lately, and probably never should have made that move.

 

If we were looking for a #1, we would find the role players who are cheap (rookie contracts--none cheaper than King and McNutt), keep Smitty for a slot WR, situational guy (from 2012 to 2013 he went from over 90% of the offensive plays to 75%, so he is transitioning to a situational player right now---as he should).   I am not sure that we offer Ginn a ton of cash, but he probably gets an offer for his special teams prowess and the deep threat on offense he creates.  There is one missing piece--a true #1.

 

Ginn, Smitty, McNutt, King,  rookie/free agent  --I can get excited about that, depending on the rookie/free agent.

 

I also think Proehl likes Bernsin.

 

McNutt is 24, almost 6'3" 215 lbs, and he ran a 4.48 at the combine.  It takes WRs a few years to develop, and he needs playing time.  More importantly, he is a tall WR with a wide wingspan.  Cam is not the most accurate passer, and when he misses, he misses high. He took Armanti Edwards' spot on the roster.  I think he was on Philly's PS.  He will earn about $500k in 2014 and be a RFA in 2015.

 

King is 23, 6'0" tall, 191 lbs. and ran a 4.47 at the combine. He has 33" arms, rather long for his size. He is a rookie. 

 

Brandon Lafell is 6'2" tall and wieghs about 215.  He ran a 4.54 at the combine.  They said that he is not a great route runner and has trouble with separation.  He also has small hands and lapses in concentration that lead to drops. He is a good blocker.  On a second contract, he would make more in 2014 that both McNutt and King combined.  I have not heard Gettlemen say one thing that leads me to believe Lafell will return.

 

[AceBoogie]

What Gettleman said: Life after Steve Smith may include some of the guys already on the sidelines if they show they can perform well in games.

What The Huddle read: No new receivers. Ever. Eat poo and die.

If they were good, they should have been on the field last year. We are tired of this wait and see poo. We were told to believe in Adams, Gettis, Pilares, Edwards, Lafell, and now King and McNutt. You can't coach talent, no matter how good you think you can coach a guy up, if he doesn't have the skills it doesn't matter.

We need young early round difference makers at the skill positions. There isn't a single WR on our roster that consistently beat coverage and take over a game. Steve Smith can do it here and there but not for an entire game.

[MHS831]

If they were good, they should have been on the field last year. We are tired of this wait and see poo. We were told to believe in Adams, Gettis, Pilares, Edwards, Lafell, and now King and McNutt. You can't coach talent, no matter how good you think you can coach a guy up, if he doesn't have the skills it doesn't matter.

We need young early round difference makers at the skill positions. There isn't a single WR on our roster that consistently beat coverage and take over a game. Steve Smith can do it here and there but not for an entire game.

 

I hear ya, Ace, but please take a few things into consideration.  It takes WRs about 2 years to come of age.  There are examples of rookie WRs like Allen this year, but it takes time.  We have a new guy evaluating talent this year.  The guys you mentioned are a legit point, but I think Marty kept his draft picks on the roster too long because he was afraid to look bad by cutting them.  However, the Huddle is bad about discussing the draft and saying, "he is a developmental prospect" and then wanting him gone if he didn't produce as a rookie.  Expect a WR in this draft.  Only a fool with question marks at the position would not grab one in the 2014 draft--it is loaded at WR.

 

I still think they bring in people to compete at every position.  He is grading film right now.  I think McNutt and King are going to be looked at as #3 and #4 WRs, but no guarantees.  This offseason is critical for both.  I get that it takes a while to develop a WR. I am not worried about it if we go after a #1 WR instead of, as in the past, a bunch of #2 or 3 WRs.  We do not have a true #1 on the roster.

[Creepster]

 

G-man believes that life after Smitty may include some young players that are already on the sidelines

 

 

GTFO

[AceBoogie]

I hear ya, Ace, but please take a few things into consideration. It takes WRs about 2 years to come of age. There are examples of rookie WRs like Allen this year, but it takes time. We have a new guy evaluating talent this year. The guys you mentioned are a legit point, but I think Marty kept his draft picks on the roster too long because he was afraid to look bad by cutting them. However, the Huddle is bad about discussing the draft and saying, "he is a developmental prospect" and then wanting him gone if he didn't produce as a rookie. Expect a WR in this draft. Only a fool with question marks at the position would not grab one in the 2014 draft--it is loaded at WR.

I still think they bring in people to compete at every position. He is grading film right now. I think McNutt and King are going to be looked at as #3 and #4 WRs, but no guarantees. This offseason is critical for both. I get that it takes a while to develop a WR. I am not worried about it if we go after a #1 WR instead of, as in the past, a bunch of #2 or 3 WRs. We do not have a true #1 on the roster.

I'll believe we draft a WR when I see it. Seems like he's already explaining himself for not taking one.

[BIGH2001]

So are fans of most teams.

Trueeeeeee

[MHS831]

I'll believe we draft a WR when I see it. Seems like he's already explaining himself for not taking one.

 

I think he might sign one in free agency AND draft one.  I really do not think he is sitting on King and McNutt and letting Lafell walk as his answer to the WR problem.  He has to make comments to keep his current roster working in the offseason.  They read these quotes too.  How motivating would it be to hear the GM is looking to the draft to fill the job you are hired to do?  If they work hard and he brings in a player or two, there is a competition. 

 

 

 

 

[AceBoogie]

I think he might sign one in free agency AND draft one. I really do not think he is sitting on King and McNutt and letting Lafell walk as his answer to the WR problem. He has to make comments to keep his current roster working in the offseason. They read these quotes too. How motivating would it be to hear the GM is looking to the draft to fill the job you are hired to do? If they work hard and he brings in a player or two, there is a competition.

How hard are they going to work knowing their jobs are safe and nobody is coming in to replace them?

[DaCityKats]

I hear ya, Ace, but please take a few things into consideration.  It takes WRs about 2 years to come of age.  There are examples of rookie WRs like Allen this year, but it takes time.  We have a new guy evaluating talent this year.  The guys you mentioned are a legit point, but I think Marty kept his draft picks on the roster too long because he was afraid to look bad by cutting them.  However, the Huddle is bad about discussing the draft and saying, "he is a developmental prospect" and then wanting him gone if he didn't produce as a rookie.  Expect a WR in this draft.  Only a fool with question marks at the position would not grab one in the 2014 draft--it is loaded at WR.

 

I still think they bring in people to compete at every position.  He is grading film right now.  I think McNutt and King are going to be looked at as #3 and #4 WRs, but no guarantees.  This offseason is critical for both.  I get that it takes a while to develop a WR. I am not worried about it if we go after a #1 WR instead of, as in the past, a bunch of #2 or 3 WRs.  We do not have a true #1 on the roster.

 

recent history has shown that rookie WRs can come in and contribute to a team and have success while developing. this is happening now at every position as well, remember some would use the development excuse for not taking a DT early as well. look how those 2 rookie DTs improved this defense. i know bpa will be the choice but that bpa list has to have several WRs included on it.

[DaCityKats]

We also ignored going for obvious talent at DT until last year.

 

true, but just like i was in previous years. i will wait and have my reservations until the team makes a move.

 

[MHS831]

recent history has shown that rookie WRs can come in and contribute to a team and have success while developing. this is happening now at every position as well, remember some would use the development excuse for not taking a DT early as well. look how those 2 rookie DTs improved this defense. i know bpa will be the choice but that bpa list has to have several WRs included on it.

 

But most don't and it could have everything to do with playing time--so we both could be right here.  The first rounders play because they have to, but you do not hear of fifth rounders (I think these guys were) taking the league by storm very often.  However, playing time is the only way to show the world you are developing and it is tough to develop without it.  Aaron Dobson is a good example--he was terrible at the beginning of the season in NE, but they had no choice but to play him.  By the end of the season, a different player. 

 

McNutt made a catch (out of bounds in the end zone) during the season and I remember thinking, "Why is he not in there more?"  We are really in the dark.