Number One Receiver vs Two Tight End Sets

[Mr. Scot]

Joe person speculates...

 

The Panthers have begun to replenish the wideout position, but the tight ends and running backs figure to be featured prominently in 2014 – as they were in Mike Shula’s first season as offensive coordinator.

Shula is said to want to use more “12” personnel this year – one back, two tight ends and two receivers.

Fourth-year quarterback Cam Newton seems most comfortable running two-tight end sets. During his rookie season, when he passed for 4,051 yards to break Peyton Manning’s rookie record (since broken by Andrew Luck), Newton had the luxury of throwing to two pass-catching tight ends in Olsen and Jeremy Shockey.

The past two seasons Olsen hasn’t had a wing man.

But the Panthers added a potential No. 2 tight end last week when they signed Ed Dickson, who caught 54 passes three seasons ago in Baltimore. They previously re-signed fullback/tight end Richie Brockel and acquired blocking tight end Mike McNeill.

And then there’s the tight end/basketball forward/bodybuilder whom Newton calls ‘Swole Bones’ – Brandon Williams, the former Oregon tight end and small-college basketball player who remains something of a project.

But all that tight end inventory and well-paid running back depth won’t matter much if the Panthers don’t have wideouts consistently catching passes and stretching the field vertically – as Williams noted on his NFL Network appearance.

 

 

Charlotte Observer: Pressure is on Olsen, Williams

 

It's pretty much universally accepted that the Panthers will use at least one high draft pick on a wide receiver.  Some have suggested that this is where the Panthers might "double dip" as they did at defensive tackle last season.

 

But what if the team believes one highly picked receiver is enough given the dual threats they now believe they have at TE?

 

Or suppose for a moment that one of the top three picks is actually not a wide receiver, but a top pass catching tight end instead?

 

Could this be part of the theory behind why the team downplays the need for a 'number one' type receiver?

 

Is it possible that after a high early pick on a receiver or a tight end, the team will focus on other positions like O-Line and secondary?

 

So the big question then: Do you believe that going back to having dual passing threats at TE with Olsen and Ed Dickson /B Williams / Draft Pick will allow Newton to return to his earlier form as a more prolific passer? 

 

Do you believe it enough that you think waiting till the later rounds for a receiver (in a deep receiver draft) is acceptable?

[beastson]

Who runs 2 TE sets anymore?

[NanceUSMC]

Don't be shocked when (if) the Panthers draft looks like 1-CB, 2-OT, 3-WR, 4-LB, 5-OL, 6-WR, 7-DB

[Mr. Scot]

Don't be shocked when (if) the Panthers draft looks like 1-CB, 2-OT, 3-WR, 4-LB, 5-OL, 6-WR, 7-DB

 

No tight ends?

 

[NanceUSMC]

No tight ends?

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE double TE sets...  I just think that unless Ebron falls, which ain't happening, we're gonna go into the season with what we have at TE, and could sincerely see us waiting a while to address WR...  Not saying I agree with it (really would just have to wait and see how the pieces fall on draft weekend), but drafting where we do, it's plausible to see us waiting to hit the WR position in the early-middle rounds...

[Mr. Scot]

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE double TE sets...  I just think that unless Ebron falls, which ain't happening, we're gonna go into the season with what we have at TE, and could sincerely see us waiting a while to address WR...  Not saying I agree with it (really would just have to wait and see how the pieces fall on draft weekend), but drafting where we do, it's plausible to see us waiting to hit the WR position in the early-middle rounds...

 

I have no trouble believing a scenario where the Draft does not at all play out like people expect it to is very possible.

 

And if it does happen, I'll probably be around to watch the resultant nuclear meltdown afterward :unsure:

 

[TN05]

I think signing Ed Dickson was a fantastic move by Gettleman, provided we use him properly. If he can give us 50 catces or so, that takes a big load off our receivers.

Now, I still think we need to draft a receiver or sign a #2 guy. I don't think Cotchery or Avant can be our one-two punch - we need another guy ahead of them.

[bleys]

2 TEs are going to stretch the field better than these high expectations on some WR in the draft providing real #1 potential right out of the gate..

 

but I don't see why having 2 TEs would delay drafting a WR in rounds 1 or 2, unless the BPA is that far off..  

 

 

 

[CarolinaNCSU]

Signing Dickson to go with Olsen, I doubt we draft a TE unless it's just great value. And if we do draft a TE, especially early, the Brandon Williams experiment is as good as done. 

[panthers55]

If Gettleman sticks to his BPA philosophy then I would think at least one top TE, WR, OL would be there when we pick. I think that we have set up free agency to cover the majority of needs with the exception of left tackle. So really if there is a run on wide receivers and there is more value at tight end I don't think we hesitate to pull the trigger. Still I think that we are going to go OL in the first if there is a projected tackle rated as high as our choices at other desired positions.  Simply because I think that Gettleman's BPA likely groups guys with similar value together and then we pick a guy from that group assuming that there isn't 1 player who is head and shoulders above the others.

Would I be happy with drafting a TE high in the draft?  I wanted Olsen when he was drafted although we never have drafted a TE that high.  So if there were a dominant guy out there I would love picking him.  I know we have a new regime, but I have never seen us go TE that high so it is hard to believe we would do it now.  But finding a Vernon Davis or a Gonzales would help Cam for the next 5-7 years and be easier to resign than a top WR.  SO yeah I am board.  

[Ace_Aladdin]

Who runs 2 TE sets anymore?

 

 

New England was running it successfully until Hernandez scandal and Gronk's injury. 

[Ace_Aladdin]

Uhhhh... Ebron isn't the holy grail of TEs. Guys like Seferian-Jenkins, Lyerla, and Fiedorowicz could do some damage in our system.

 

ASJ would be a perfect fit for our offense scheme, since he can run block and provide red-zone target.

[NanceUSMC]

What we need to remember, particularly as a fanbase, is that RARELY does a rookie come in (regardless of where they are selected or how high their expectation) and step in as a #1 receiver...  The absolute worst thing we as a fanbase can do is to set unrealistic expectations on a kid coming in, and pressure him to be Smith's replacement...  It's unlikely to happen in the first year, and if we collectively add unneeded pressure, the results on that kid's psyche could very well be more than he's able to overcome in the long run...  We have to remember to keep our expectations grounded, and give the kid time to grow into the NFL...  Let the kid drop a pass here and there...  Let the kid go 2 or 3 games with no catches while he adjusts...  Just let the kid be a rookie...  And, IMHO, THAT is why we brought in mentors and released Smith (who we know from experience is not a great mentor)...

[Mr. Scot]

Uhhhh... Ebron isn't the holy grail of TEs. Guys like Seferian-Jenkins, Lyerla, and Fiedorowicz could do some damage in our system too. Lyerla might be a long shot because of his baggage but he's just as impressive as Ebron as a weapon, and ASJ and Fiedorowicz are big boys who fight for extra yardage and block in the trenches.

 

Lyerla is kind of an idiot.