69 replies to this topic

[Woodie]

LaFell was credited with 1 drop last year, and something like a 96% catch rate. So I wouldn't use hands as a negative. To be honest, much of the hand myth started in training camp his rookie year when he dropped a few, but he seems to have worked it out.

As for his potential, like many big possession receivers (ex. Moose) LaFell's game will not be predicated on speed and getting separation. It will be based on knowing how to find the soft spots of a defense, ability to shield the defender, and outmuscling DB's. And those are things he has shown the ability to do, not to mention his outstanding blocking ability. And as he gains more experience, he should get much better at these things. So I don't see any reason to think he can't/won't be a solid #2...however, I don't believe he'll ever be a true #1, though.

[jtnc]

They are talking about Braylon Edwards, good lord, read the thread before you freak out.

I'm pretty sure I read some posters defending AE.

[CRA]

not so much that LaFell couldn't beat out Legapoo.....Legapoo was on the field making sure all the players were lined up correctly and knew the play.

[mountainpantherfan]

I like what we currently have at WR. There are question marks but there is also a lot upside IMO.

This will be the year we find out if Gettis has what it takes to become a #1 ( which I think he can be). If not then next year I could see drafting a WR in the first to replace Smith as a starter. Gettis has the combination of size and speed that can really give defenses fits. And based on how quickly he saw playing time his first year I think he has a good football IQ as well.

LaFell is a solid #2 already IMO but he is strictly a possession receiver so it limits him being used in multiple packages. But just looking at him being used as a possession receiver he gives the offense a threat on the outside and in the endzone not to forget he one hell of a blocker in the running game.

Pilares is the most intriguing to me as he can be used as a flanker, in the slot or as mentioned earlier out of the backfield as a scat back. And to go along with the idea that the WRs need to have an additude ala Smitty, Pilares seems to have that swagger that Smitty and Cam have.

If these three can pan out it makes for a nice core of young WRs that could be kept around for a long time in the Cam era of the Panthers.

[CRA]

LaFell was credited with 1 drop last year, and something like a 96% catch rate. So I wouldn't use hands as a negative. To be honest, much of the hand myth started in training camp his rookie year when he dropped a few, but he seems to have worked it out.

As for his potential, like many big possession receivers (ex. Moose) LaFell's game will not be predicated on speed and getting separation. It will be based on knowing how to find the soft spots of a defense, ability to sheild the defender, and outmuscling DB's. And those are things he has shown the ability to do, not to mention his outstanding blocking ability. And as he gains more experience, he should get much better at these things. So I don't see any reason to think he can't/won't be a solid #2...however, I don't believe he'll ever be a true #1, though.

The iffy hands talk was based off his career at LSU. He showed that as a rookie.....would make a mind boggling catch and whiff on an easy one. That was always the knock on him.

LaFell did look more sure handed this year....he also had less opportunity vs. his rookie year. had close to 25 less targets this year.

I think he could be a Moose type WR though. Not as good but close. Definately an asset to a WR corp

[Humble Dew]

How dare you defy Lafell on this forum.

yeah really, it's been since October since we have heard such a thing.

[ClarkCam]

Well, I have been thoroughly reprimanded for saying Lafell had bad hands. I still don't see him as being as much of a beast as some of you say he is, but I can admit when I am wrong. However, I still don't see him being a real threat opposite Smith. I hope Lafell proves me wrong... Regardless, I still think an addition at WR in some shape or form would be for the best of the team. I understand we have Tolbert in the backfield this season, but I still think we should have tried to have some veteran insurance or some talent at WR in case one of our WR's gets hurt (which I'm almost positive one of them will be at one point in the season). We have nothing behind Smith, Gettis, Lafell. Braylon would be nice insurance and good in a system he knows. Quick I think is better than Lafell receiving, maybe not blocking. Then Kendall Wright is a great slot WR, and perfect potential replacement for Smith. That was my whole perspective... If we can trade a second round draft pick for Armanti, I think trading something for Wright makes perfect sense. LOL

[cbarrier90]

I'm pretty sure I read some posters defending AE.

There is a difference between "saying a player succeeded" and "wanting a player to succeed."

[Woodie]

The iffy hands talk was based off his career at LSU. He showed that as a rookie.....would make a mind boggling catch and whiff on an easy one. That was always the knock on him.

LaFell did look more sure handed this year....he also had less opportunity vs. his rookie year. had close to 25 less targets this year.

I think he could be a Moose type WR though. Not as good but close. Definately an asset to a WR corp

Yeah, the rep for his bad hands started at LSU, but here it was the preseason where he dropped a few that a lot of people began really harping on it. During the season he wasn't that bad, but the impression was already set. I don't know if he will be as good as Moose, but I do think he has the potential. He's about the same size, is also a very good blocker, but has better speed than Moose. The thing that will decide it is if he has the head to be as good as Moose. Moose knew how to best take advantage of his strengths and hide his weaknesses, something LaFell is still working on (year 3 was Moose's breakout year, so this should be a telling season for LaFell).

[DawgzLife]

It sure wouldn't hurt to have 1 more WR who could be a serious addition to the offense. Smith, LaFell & Gettis should all contribe a lot, but I would like to see us get a guy round 4 or after who can retunr punts & develop into a quality receiver. To do that, it would have to be a guy who produced in college, but for some reason drops 4th round or lower. I don't think this is a priority, but if the right guy is there, I hope they go for it.

[koolkatluke]

It sure wouldn't hurt to have 1 more WR who could be a serious addition to the offense. Smith, LaFell & Gettis should all contribe a lot, but I would like to see us get a guy round 4 or after who can retunr punts & develop into a quality receiver. To do that, it would have to be a guy who produced in college, but for some reason drops 4th round or lower. I don't think this is a priority, but if the right guy is there, I hope they go for it.

I agree. I say 5th or later but pretty much agree.

[Johnny Kilroy]

Why do/did people overreact to Lagedu's early struggles and just claim he sucks or is a garbage WR? People were so quick to judge. Not saying he deserved to start over LaFell but he wasn't as bad as people made him out to be.

As far as our WR corps, I wouldn't be upset if we didn't draft a WR. I think eventually need to start looking to add a WR to replace Smitty but it doesn't have to happen now.

I think with Cam as our QB, our WRs don't need to be world beaters.

[rodeo]

Lafell had the surest hands on our team.

He caught 64% of passes thrown to him.

Smith caught 61%

[koolkatluke]

Why do/did people overreact to Lagedu's early struggles and just claim he sucks or is a garbage WR? People were so quick to judge. Not saying he deserved to start over LaFell but he wasn't as bad as people made him out to be.

As far as our WR corps, I wouldn't be upset if we didn't draft a WR. I think eventually need to start looking to add a WR to replace Smitty but it doesn't have to happen now.

I think with Cam as our QB, our WRs don't need to be world beaters.

I don't agree with RK much but he was on point here. I don't know why so many people think it's a dire need to Draft a wr this year.

I think we're in a good spot this year to give Lafell, Gettis and Pilaris a chance to see who steps up and if they don't there will be some wr who come out next year.

[ClarkCam]

I think with Cam as our QB, our WRs don't need to be world beaters.

I strongly disagree with this statement. Just because a QB is good, does not mean you should not upgrade them. If Gettis and Lafell don't produce as they should next year, yet are still average and not "world beaters" I think you MUST upgrade them. Look at the Patriots. Tom Brady is a HOF quarterback, who granted won a superbowl with not so great receivers (but a kick ass defense). However, they continue to upgrade his weapons and receivers all the time.

Of course the season has not started yet, but I simply don't see Lafell as the answer. Gettis I think has serious potential. He was putting up decent numbers with Clausen and no Steve Smith. Lafell, he simply did not produce even when he got into the lineup when Naanee went down. As I said earlier, yes he can catch and I was more harping on two seasons ago and the preseason... BUT, if you watch the games, he simply does not put up great numbers. The last three games he put up 0, 100, and 27 receiving yards. The 100 yard game was mainly off a 91 yard TD catch that was busted coverage..... I simply don't have faith in his ability to get open.