several items from USA Today...Benji OROY so far

[Captain Morgan]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2014/09/30/awards-mvp-rookie-quarter-season-philip-rivers-demarco-murray/16465865/

 

 

At NFL season's quarter mark, who's MVP? Philip Rivers has our vote

 

 

and Smitty comes in 3rd.   3. Steve Smith: His ever-burning fire has lit one underneath the Ravens, who admitted needing a spark in 2013 after the departures of field generals Ray Lewis and Anquan Boldin. Smith's production (AFC-high 429 receiving yards) has also stabilized a team that easily could have been sunk by the Ray Rice fiasco.

 

 

 

 

Defensive player of the year

1. J.J. Watt: Stats will never truly illustrate his value since so many offensive game plans (and double team blocks) are geared to stop him. Yet his 80-yard pick six Sunday and demolition of the Redskins (sack, batted pass, blocked PAT) in Week 1 are huge reasons the Texans are 3-1.

2. Luke Kuechly: He won this award last year after Watt took it home in 2012. The Panthers D has taken a beating the past two weeks, but don't blame Kuechly. The league's leading tackler remains the NFL's top inside backer, and his opening day forced fumble in Tampa sealed Carolina's first win.

 

 

 

Offensive rookie of the year

1. Kelvin Benjamin: His 329 receiving yards and three TDs pace all rookies. Such output is even more impressive considering he stepped right into the No. 1 role vacated by Smith in Carolina despite pre-draft concerns about his polish and NFL readiness.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mr. Scot]

Good stuff.

[Cape Fear Cat]

You know, for all the weaknesses (real or perceived) that we have on our team, it's easy to forget just how much talent we have at key positions - and how lucky we are to have them. 

[Servant of Cthululelei]

You know, for all the weaknesses (real or perceived) that we have on our team, it's easy to forget just how much talent we have at key positions - and how lucky we are to have them. 

 

Seriously.  Potentially a 3rd Rookie of the Year in the past 4 seasons?  And our guy who didn't get a ROY was probably 3rd or 4th in his category....  We really are lucky with these 1st round picks.

 

No matter how this season turns out, we still have one of the best, young cores in the NFL.  Our future is bright, folks.

[philp]

Over half of the teams in the league are gonna regret not taking KB, if they don't already.

Couldn't be happier to have him in one of our jerseys.

[Paa Langfart]

Thats nice.  Would rather have beat Baltimores ass than read this.

[d-dave]

If we get things turned back around, and winning, then don't be surprised if Kuechly and KB are in the running at the end of the season.

 

I'm so thrilled that KB is playing so well at this point.  He's going to get better as the season progresses...scary right?

[Jangler]

Thats nice.  Would rather have beat Baltimores ass than read this.

 

and I wish Hayden was having my baby.

[Paa Langfart]

Just sayin all this Roy nonsense means squat to the Panthers unless they parlay those guys into a team to be reckoned with game in and out.  We got fuggin beat like a drum on Sunday.

[Servant of Cthululelei]

Just sayin all this Roy nonsense means squat to the Panthers unless they parlay those guys into a team to be reckoned with game in and out.  We got fuggin beat like a drum on Sunday.

 

That is very true, but if you take a moment and look at the rest of our roster, with few exceptions (Kalil, Olsen, Davis), it's a veritable who's who of UDFAs, Bargain-bin FA signings, and overpaid veterans past their prime.  The first problem will be fixed by the better drafting of Gettleman going forward, and the second and third will be fixed in tandem.  As our overpaid veterans get cut and/or have their contracts expire, we'll have more money to sign one or two key free agents per season.  Yes, even with Cam and Luke's contracts coming up.

 

 

If we're able to be a good team in the meantime, that's gravy.  I think we are capable of that, but these last couple weeks have definitely been a setback.  Injuries and loss of focus wreaking havoc.  But regardless, this team will keep improving over the next several years as our young stars continue to mature.

[Cary Kollins]

Kuechly at second for DPOY is laughable. 

[Panthers8969]

Yeah I'm so glad we released a player in the running for MVP! And payed him millions to do so! Anyone trying to spin smiths release as a positive is fuging stupid

[Luke Cage]

Kuechly at second for DPOY is laughable. 

 

The media.  Their omnipotence and mastery of skullduggery should be apparent after their recent attempt to complete the genocide of the once feared species Kraken Insanitus.

[CharlottePanther]

Yeah I'm so glad we released a player in the running for MVP! And payed him millions to do so! Anyone trying to spin smiths release as a positive is fuging stupid

He would have not played with the same fire this year like he is now. Why do people not understand this?! Why didnt Smitty play this hard last year?! He did not want to be here anymore period, it took him getting released for him to play at this level