"You have to have sustained success in this league.." - DG

[d-dave]

I've been thinking about the idea of success in the NFL, which is ever changing, trendy, and hard to predict.

 

A couple of weeks ago I read how the roster churn and bargain FAs were part of the reason that Seattle has started to get so hot while so young.  So now as I think of our dear Panthers, and the maneuvering with Smitty, I think we're in that same game, roster churn.

 

Frankly, no one can feel too secure unless they are year in, year out, one of the best in the league.  Otherwise they are replaceable.  Like if you have a true franchise QB(Cam), Pass Rusher (Hardy & Johnson - total luxury), LT (well...), the rest are replaceable pretty easily.  I will immediately contradict that by adding Luke Keuckly to our list of irreplaceable players.  Look at how we handled our secondary last year?  I think WR will end up a lot like that this year.

 

When you think about it, with all the numbers at the combine, the difference between a 4.5 40 yard dash and a 5.0 is so small.  It's about hunger as much as talent.  About finding good deals in the draft and FA, but mostly for guys that fit your team.  They don't have to be the most talented, but they need to be good enough to excel in your system.

 

Maybe that's the route Gettleman is going.  Instead of worrying about the names on jerseys, its about the players on the field executing the game plan.  I do hate the "sky is falling" that's going on around here.  Instead, we need to trust in the G-man (heck, if lose, then he's going to get axed) and Rivera.  I think they are going to keep us competitive, but the choices won't always make the fans happy.

 

Then again, if we have a great 2014, no one will cared what happened in March.

[SgtJoo]

I have an Olsen jersey that I wear on game days. BUT - he is not a WR. He had a few big drops LY IIRC. 

 

Drops will happen but according to slightly older stats he's 8th best amongst TEs at not dropping passes.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/22/signature-stats-drop-rate-tight-ends/

 

Overall he's pretty surehanded, he just lacks evasiveness and bursts of speed.

[4Corners]

Drops will happen but according to slightly older stats he's 8th best amongst TEs at not dropping passes.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/01/22/signature-stats-drop-rate-tight-ends/

 

Overall he's pretty surehanded, he just lacks evasiveness and bursts of speed.

 

right I'm not arguing that he isn't an asset. He's the best TE we've ever had IMHO. They need speed though. Olsen can only do so much.