26 replies to this topic

[La Pantera]

If you run 4 wide sets and have only 6 receivers on the team you better hope no one gets hurt. Since Adams and Pilares will return kickoffs and punts as well, I wouldn't be surprised if they keep 7 and stash a few on the practice squad.

I understand your logic, I just think we'll be keeping an extra D-lineman this season. I could be wrong though.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I think they will have 6 wrs active..very few 5 wr sets to justify 7 active on Sundays. Even with injury a 3 wr set is the usual look with 3 TEs possibly active.

I like most every move the last two seasons and the depth is and seems to be much improved.

Rivera has been a godsend in that he is not afraid to make changes and quickly move on.

Special Teams is so improved that I would think they will be one of the top 3 coverage units. If The KR/ PR game improves slightly it will be a major improvement.

The Defense just by probability should be improved from last season. I do not expect them to be Elite but just having a taller cb at no.2 to swat down passes on third down will make a huge difference.....along with much improved and aware safety play.

[panthers55]

I think they will have 6 wrs active..very few 5 wr sets to justify 7 active on Sundays. Even with injury a 3 wr set is the usual look with 3 TEs possibly active.

No one said we will have a 5 WR set but when Pilares and Adams are primarily returners first and receivers second you don't really have 6 receivers you have 4 receivers and 2 guys who can catch the ball but are not primary receivers. Adams may end up being a good receiver but that remains to be seen. Pilares is a returner for sure. So that gives you 4 primary receivers, 1 potentially good receiver and a guy who has made very few catches in his history. If we go with 6 active guys if will only be because Gettis is on the PUP list and doesn't count. When he comes back it isn't a guarantee we cut one of the other 6 guys.

[iamhubby1]

I like most every move the last two seasons and the depth is and seems to be much improved.

Rivera has been a godsend in that he is not afraid to make changes and quickly move on.

Special Teams is so improved that I would think they will be one of the top 3 coverage units. If The KR/ PR game improves slightly it will be a major improvement.

It is almost like Rivera had a plan, then stuck to it. He knows exactly what he is looking for. You have to admire a coach that stays the course.

I think adaptable when I think of Rivera. He learns from every experience, and is willing to try anything. Rivera is not your fathers' NFL Head Coach. He thrives at finding ways to best utilize his talent. He is the polar opposite of the old school that was Foxy.

If the D can force the punts, Adams will do his level best to do something special with them. Special Teams are now special in these parts. And that all happens because of depth and talent. Another asset of Rivera.

Question his decisions here and there. But there is no question we are a vastly improved team.

One last thought. Considering the train wreck that was the Panthers' two years ago... Rivera took that core and tweaked it into a legitimate contender. Well, that and drafting Cam.

[KendrickPanther]

I could see Ajiritutu making the team. Again, it's partly injuries but they seem to like him.

[panther4life]

I could see Ajiritutu making the team. Again, it's partly injuries but they seem to like him.

He did nothing but ride the pine last year. I would rather keep Armanti than him.

[KendrickPanther]

He played in 14 games last year....It might not be a sexy name but they used him a ton on special teams.

[iamhubby1]

He played in 14 games last year....It might not be a sexy name but they used him a ton on special teams.

Which would seem to say that he had better show up this year. If he needs to play STs, and we upgraded STs, he may have little to no wiggle room. He may need to show that he may/could finally be that guy we have been waiting to see at WR. Or, I could be grasping at straws?

He has experience, knows the system, and has proven to be an asset. Is that enough to keep him around? We shall see during the next month or so. Part of me is pulling for him.

[panther4life]

He played in 14 games last year....It might not be a sexy name but they used him a ton on special teams.

He played a whopping 48 snaps out of a possible 1074 offensive snaps. 27 of those came in week 17 when Naane was out. He was targeted twice with one reception for 4 yards.

We are loaded now with players who can play special teams and I can't recall him doing 1 good thing on special teams last year. There is absolutely no way we waste a roster spot on this guy.

[KendrickPanther]

He is the only Wide Receiver we have that plays the "Karl Hankton" position. We have two returners, two receivers and after that it's up in the air. There is no reason for you to quote his offensive snaps or give your memory about his special teams performance. You don't keep a 6th or 7th receiver to catch 30 balls. If you carry that many it's for special teams. We don't go 5 wide. We keep Olsen on the field and even Shockey in the past. This isn't Madden. You don't sign the guys with the highest overall rating. Everyone needs to fill a role.

[BigBeast52]

Rivera is just bringing in high character, and hard working guys. Hopefully it equates to some wins on the field

[panther4life]

He is the only Wide Receiver we have that plays the "Karl Hankton" position. We have two returners, two receivers and after that it's up in the air. There is no reason for you to quote his offensive snaps or give your memory about his special teams performance. You don't keep a 6th or 7th receiver to catch 30 balls. If you carry that many it's for special teams. We don't go 5 wide. We keep Olsen on the field and even Shockey in the past. This isn't Madden. You don't sign the guys with the highest overall rating. Everyone needs to fill a role.

Your reaching now. Hankton was a special team captain, tutu not so much. The only correlation between the 2 is they played wide receiver and did not contribute offensively. We have many guys that can play special teams on this roster and provide better depth whether it be at receiver or another position. We'll just have to agree to disagree on this one.