Getting Ryne Robinson was a good move on paper, but take out the last 2 weeks of the season, and he was flat-out awful. The Panthers return game as a whole is near the bottom of the league, again.
I know everyone is talking about QBs and #2 WRs and the defense, and rightfully so. Let's not let the obvious needs blind us from the less-than-obvious ones. Maybe a "#2" wideout with some return skills, so the team can kill 2 birds with 1 stone.
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Since: Oct 7, 2006 |
Posted on: October 23, 2008 8:30 pm
KICK RETURNER AGAINSo here we are about halfway through the 2008 season, going into week 8. Let's see how the Panthers are progressing with Mark Jones on punt returns and Jonathan Stewart and Jones are doing on kickoff returns... in 2006, the Panthers were easily DEAD LAST in PR average (4.6 yds) and DEAD LAST in KR average (19.4). Thank you Chris Gamble and DeAngelo Williams. I still love you guys at your regular positions, but using you as returners was a horrible fit. in 2007, the Panthers slightly below the NFL average on PR average (8.4) and NEXT to LAST in KR average (19.1). Slightly improved, but not by any leaps and bounds, prompting me to create this little blog about a need for quality returners. Ryne Robinson, bump you, you weren't the answer. The rest of the team was a mess most of last year, and you were just one part of it. in 2008, the Panthers ARE NOW 15th in the NFL in PR average (9.9) and slightly below the NFL middle in KR average (22.4). Not beating the world, but still MUCH improved. We all can see Jonathan Stewart is pretty good at the kicks. To watch Mark Jones run back a kick is by no means spectacular, but the numbers don't lie. He's better than what they've had for the past few years. Will he get better as the season progresses? I hope so. Will the blockers on return formation continue to gel and open good lanes. They're all pretty good and have upside indivually, so you would like to think they will. Of course, averages are averages and will fluctuate throughout the 2nd half of the NFL year, but here's to hoping the Cats can stay out of the bottom 3 in these categories this year. Stay afloat, fellas! and to the gentleman that suggested going back to Steve Smith at return: it would look good only on paper. we now know he is WAY too valuable at WR than trying to use him at returns. Keep in mindthe special teams coverage units are not only way bigger than him (even though he's not a big guy to begin with), but also they have been running at full speed for 40 yards when they lay the wood to him. Smitty is way too valuable to be put through that 40 times a year and risk injury. That being said for the long-term consideration, in the short term- he needs to at 100% for 1st downs, not still catching his breath after a 35-yard return. If something were to happen to Mark Jones, who would be an in-house or free-agent return guy the Panthers could use? Other thoughts? |
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Since: Mar 17, 2008 |
Posted on: May 4, 2008 8:02 pm
KICK RETURNER AGAIN What happened to letting Steve Smith return the ball. He could potentialy be the most explosive return man if they let him return again. There was also Pacman Jones as a possibilty if they actualy persued him.
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Since: Jul 27, 2007 |
Posted on: January 25, 2008 3:27 am
This comment has been removed.
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Since: Oct 7, 2006 |
Posted on: January 23, 2008 8:57 pm
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