Receivers Wide Open

[Jeremy Igo]

Every off season we find that some of the positions on the field are set in stone.

 

We know the starting defensive line. We know the running back lineup. We know which linebackers we will see with the starting unit.

 

When it comes to receivers, however, the depth chart is far from cemented. I've seen Kelvin Benjamin and Marcus Lucas with the ones. I've seen Brenton Bersin and Jericho Cotchery take first string snaps. McNutt and King have played with the starters as well. Philly Brown and De'Andre Presley? Yep, them too.

 

Every single receiver at some point has gotten time with the starting unit

 

The message is clear from the coaches to the players: The receiver positions are wide open for competition.

 

David Gettleman has created a ragtag group of receivers who all are looking for a chance. Undrafted rookies like Philly Brown and Marcus Lucas want to prove he should have been drafted.  Other young players, like King, McNutt, and Presley, are looking for the chance to prove their worth in the NFL. Veterans like Tiquan Underwood and Jason Avant are wanting to prove they can become a more productive receiver with the right team.

 

The result? A group of hungry receivers who see real opportunity. Often times "camp competition" is just an illusion, something coaches say to motivate players. These receivers, however, know for certain that the competition this year is very real. There is no one in front of them. This is a chance they may not get again in the NFL.

 

In fact, There are only two factors that will decide if any of these players get a locker this season: Desire and Ability.

 

For any hungry NFL player, you can't ask for anything more. 

 

 

[PantherPhann89]

Finding the best fit for our scheme and production. I like...

[CCS]

I hope that they can come together and end up being decent like last years patchwork secondary, but I have serious doubts.

[RelaxImaPro]

GSOT2

[MeatSoda]

let's hope they're wide open in the regular season, too

[RoaringRiot]

Is it really considered playing with the ones until Cam is back? Or is it because they're going up against the starting D?

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[MFSSCOTT]

The only constant starting wide receiver I forsee is KB and hopefully that will be for a long time!

[Toundra]

Even if some players are perfoming very well during camps the starting Wrs will still be

Benjamin and Cotchery and Underwood should be the third.

 

[lola]

I like this. It keeps them hungry and motivated, which is always a positive. Everyone in the league is doubting them, so it's a kind of an 'us against the world' mentality. Sit back and watch them work! We might all be pleasantly surprised.

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[SpeedOFLight]

I like the open competition mindset. No one is feeling entitled and are working hard to make an impact on this team.

[RoaringRiot]

Even if some players are perfoming very well during camps the starting Wrs will still be

Benjamin and Cotchery and Underwood should be the third.

I definitely wouldn't count Avant out.

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[Jimmy]

Kelvin is all like....and the rest be like....

 

 

[panthers55]

Hopefully the competition brings out the best in all of them.  No matter what anyone says, making them all compete for a job will make all of them give maximum effort which has to be a good thing.  I actually expect this squad to outperform last year's bunch.

[AviationMX]

I really planned not post this summer as the Huddle tries, with all its might, to understand what happened this off season. Sure the OL is a concern but I was more concerned about the skill positions and to be honest, our WR core last year sucked, and sucked bad.

 

I am a fan of Smith but man what a head case, still fighting for respect on the field and in the locker room. I love his motor but not his leadership...

 

Newton and the running game deserves a a sure handed and young WR group, and that's what we have...with a cohesive leadership from JerCrot and willingness to listen to coaching and work with Newton.

 

Two games last year pissed me off, the Seahawks/49ers...we won the defensive game but couldn't score and that needs to improve...and I look forward to a group of guys that will CATCH the ball in traffic and have disciplined route running. Ricky will teach route running and Newton will know where these guys break off routes...and we have a pretty good TE core too.

 

GMAN/Riverboat football sounds good to me...We improved in the off season as far as a TEAM and that's what counts. So I'm not going to bitch about the tight cap or the off season FA's, I like the direction we are taking and look forward to beating the West with a balanced offensive attack and Tenacious D ...