Panthers Sign Avant to 1 Year Deal

[firefox1234]

Just because you have bodies at a position doesnt mean you don't have a need. If any one thinks we can compete with this current crop of receivers, you are sadly, hilariously, mistaken.

With the situation the panthers are in they could have done a lot worse. In my opinion management has done pretty well with the resources at their disposal.

[panthers55]

Not necessarily saying you said that, but assumed it was possibly being implied, as I've seen the argument tossed about before. We've had a run of bad luck with the position, we all know that. Much of it was simply poor drafting on the part of our previous GM, and it's up to Gettleman and our coaching staff to change that. This is all I'm saying. Yes I'm glad Cotchery, and Avant are good guys, but at the end of the day they have a job to do like any other player on the roster. All these guys should be stepping up, as one team. At the end of the day, we have coaches who are paid to coach.

If you ever were in a locker room in college or the pros you would know that coaches are not there all the time and much goes under the radar in the locker room.  Players who hold each other accountable and yet are accessible and care about each other on a personal level are invaluable in a locker room and make a huge difference.  Players are not going to coaches when they are struggling or have problems for fear that any problem or weakness will hurt their chances to make the team.Particularly when they are at risk of not making the roster or are struggling for playing time.  They go to leaders on the team like Thomas Davis who understand the fear and doubt and issues.

Coaches do their job but it is older players and vets who control the locker and determine the culture there.

 

And honestly it is hard to know how much to blame any one person for our poor drafting history with wide receivers. While I wouldn't blame Smitty for their failures, he also did little to help them.  I remember that for 1 camp I think Jarrett said that Smitty refused to talk to him until he made the final team.   It was Smitty's way.  For much of his career he was somewhat of a loner and didn't get that involved with other players let alone the rookies and bubble players.  

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

the goal is to acquire enough talent so we don't have to field players like Underwood. Avant is a number 3. Let him fulfill that role and hope for the best in the draft.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing Tiquan get some reps. The jet can be one the best routes in the NFL when the right guy is running it.

[csx]

Just because you have bodies at a position doesnt mean you don't have a need. If any one thinks we can compete with this current crop of receivers, you are sadly, hilariously, mistaken. 

 

We were able to compete with the same or less and we haven't even drafted yet.

[mbarbour21]

I like the move. If we add 1 WR & 1 TE in the draft our passing game should be better than last years. And double dip in OTs, with a CB in the first three rounds.

Keep Pounding!!!

[KillerKat]

Problem is this isn't some intern at some shitty company making shitty money. These are athletes, being paid very well, with numerous professional coaches who have been around the league for quite a long time with them there when they need them. There are also many many more players on the team, some of which have also been around the league for quite some time. Let's be real here. These players either want the money and the bright lights, or they want the game and to cement their place in it's history.

It's the same philosophy. You hang around your fellow players way more than the coaches. If you have a fellow teammate backing you up, it makes a big difference.

Bottom line, players have a higher probability of succeeding when they have another player who is ready to show them the ropes. That philosophy goes with anything anywhere you go. Environments influence people.

[TheRed]

If you ever were in a locker room in college or the pros you would know that coaches are not there all the time and much goes under the radar in the locker room. Players who hold each other accountable and yet are accessible and care about each other on a personal level are invaluable in a locker room and make a huge difference. Players are not going to coaches when they are struggling or have problems for fear that any problem or weakness will hurt their chances to make the team.Particularly when they are at risk of not making the roster or are struggling for playing time. They go to leaders on the team like Thomas Davis who understand the fear and doubt and issues.

Coaches do their job but it is older players and vets who control the locker and determine the culture there.

And honestly it is hard to know how much to blame any one person for our poor drafting history with wide receivers. While I wouldn't blame Smitty for their failures, he also did little to help them. I remember that for 1 camp I think Jarrett said that Smitty refused to talk to him until he made the final team. It was Smitty's way. For much of his career he was somewhat of a loner and didn't get that involved with other players let alone the rookies and bubble players.

Please forgive me if I'm not going to bring out the violin for Dwayne Jarrett.

[gamecockfanatic]

But wait, we are too far into free agency. You can't sign guys this late and win the super bowl...

[Frizzy350]

Avant is reportedly one of the most sure-handed receivers in the NFL, so that makes him better bet than LaFell in my book, notwithstanding that LaFell may have better YAC (though I am not sure).

 

Come on now, anyone who has been watching the Panthers the past 3 years knows all of LaFell's YAC are garbage stats.  Guy could only produce when his route happened to hit the soft spot in defenses, he didn't make people miss or consistently win battles against man coverage.

[panthers55]

Please forgive me if I'm not going to bring out the violin for Dwayne Jarrett.

Like usual you pick out some barely relevant detail and miss the whole point of the post.

[SgtJoo]

[Mr. Scot]

We sure don't have a sexy wide-out group but its already better than last year's.

 

Well, if you want sexy, the video for the annual Top Cat audition is up on the team site.

 

(also referred to as the annual "why don't I ever get to judge stuff like this?" event by many huddlers)

 

 

[csx]

With little money tied up in WRs we have an opportunity to really go after the position in these next two draft and get the guys we will see here for years to come.

 

 

[panthers55]

It's the same philosophy. You hang around your fellow players way more than the coaches. If you have a fellow teammate backing you up, it makes a big difference.

Bottom line, players have a higher probability of succeeding when they have another player who is ready to show them the ropes. That philosophy goes with anything anywhere you go. Environments influence people.

Exactly.  Most industries/franchise systems/companies use mentors so experienced guys help out the newbies.  Mentors show you what works and often don't have to parrot the company line.  Coaches on the other hand have to stay between the lines.