And to those thinking Boykin & others are just camp bodies

[top dawg]

J. Jones' latest article will hopefully give you a smarter perspective regarding what some of us already know.  Rivera and Gettleman are focusing on players that they believe can upgrade our special teams now, but who may also offer something bigger, now!  Rivera used Mike Mitchell as an example.  Though I don't believe Mitchell is the best example, I know where Rivera is coming from. People can say what they want about Mitchell, he was one of the ones signed, while others were allowed to go elsewhere (if not outright cut).

 

“Here was a guy that had played sparingly at Oakland, was a very good special teams player, but we thought was on the cusp,” Rivera said. “Lo and behold, he was. Fortunately for Mike, he got a chance to prove it and then move on – unfortunately for us.”

 

 

Moreover, I don't think that it's a coincidence that Rivera specifically made references to Jarrett Boykin for no reason.  It's like I have tried to tell some others, Boykin has the ability to be better than most people probably expect given what he has done in the past with limited opportunities.  

 

Rivera said he’s interested to see what Boykin can do with a fresh start. Rivera said the addition of Boykin has had an effect on the Panthers’ pursuit of Greg Jennings, a more established, free agent receiver.

 

“We’ll see how things unfold right now. We’re not in a hurry to make any decisions,” Rivera said. “I think adding Boykin to the mix has really taken a lot of pressure off of having to go out and find another guy. I think Boykin can do a good job for us. Here’s a guy who had success when he was in Green Bay.”

 

 

No one is talking about expensive top-shelf prospects here, but Gettleman and Rivera are about the business of making this team better with guys who they consider more than camp bodies.  Of course these players may not be here if they could not upgrade special teams, but Gettleman and Rivera seriously view them as possible (and some maybe even imminent) upgrades for what we already have at certain positions as well (especially Boykin in my opinion).

 

Think it's coach speak if you want to, you have really seen it (perhaps to a lesser, or different, degree) during the last two previous off-seasons.

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article17023568.html

 

 

[Chief_Chokeaho]

Boykin is very average. Relying on these types of guys when you have the ability and means to sign someone better is why we are mediocre. It is an insult to Cam. Disagree if you want.

[Jackofalltrades]

Boykin is very average. Relying on these types of guys when you have the ability and means to sign someone better is why we are mediocre. It is an insult to Cam. Disagree if you want.

You, very obviously, missed the entire point.

[EMSMedic79]

I see where your coming from, and somewhat agree..... But I seem to remember the same kind of speech about Underwood.

[TheRed]

After having guys like McNutt, King, Legedu, and Underwood doing next to nothing here, I'm taking all this with a grain of salt.

Even the guy who came in with a decent resume the year before in Cotchery ended up being unreliable too often.

I'm ready to see what we can come away with in the draft.

[LUUUUUKE]

I'm just ready for the draft, OTAs, camp, preseason, and the final cuts.

I'm ready for the dust to settle and see what we really have. I'm intrigued most by what we'll have as our final copy on the line and at WR.

WR is going to be the best group to watch at camp. Boykin and Stephen Hill can* both both really become legitimate WRs in this League. I'm just wantin to see it now. Fan life

[top dawg]

You, very obviously, missed the entire point.

 

Didn't he, though?  This one, and all the other points about building primarily through the draft, having limited funds in general, and having to take the future signings into account, most notably Cam Newton.  SMH.

[Chief_Chokeaho]

You, very obviously, missed the entire point.

I don't think I did. This has been a familiar trend the last few seasons. Signing no names (I am aware Boykin is a good Special Teamer) and hoping they turn the corner into something else is not a good strategy. It's worked for a couple players but that is the minority.

I understand giving Boykin a chance at WR but he was brought in here for ST. Keep overlooking the glaring weakness that our offense is. It's time to give Cam legitimate weapons.

[MHS831]

Free agency= fix the special teams without mortgaging the future while creating depth and competition. 

 

Here is what we have done before the draft:

 

Improved/upgraded the OL (Oher, Martin added to Remmers and Chandler give us an upgrade at OT heading into the Draft.  Expect a T or 2 in the draft).  Throw in the fact that Norwell and Turner will no longer be rookies, the OL is much improved.

 

Improved WR ( we are better at WR.  Benjamin is no longer a rookie, neither is Brown.  Now we have Ginn and Boykin.  Cotchery and Bersin are probably out, since they do not have special teams skills.  Oh, and we brought in another Brown too.  Better now than last year, and expect a rookie early in the draft. 

 

Improved RB (Stewart, Todman, and Whittaker)  Not much better yet, but all we need is a RB in the draft.  Expect it.  Personally, I think Todman is the Mitchell of free agency.  Remember, the OL will improve the RB position).

 

We will probably add three early to mid round picks on the three positions listed above.  I love what we are doing.  It is healthy.

[rdog157h]

I don't think I did. This has been a familiar trend the last few seasons. Signing no names (I am aware Boykin is a good Special Teamer) and hoping they turn the corner into something else is not a good strategy. It's worked for a couple players but that is the minority.

I understand giving Boykin a chance at WR but he was brought in here for ST. Keep overlooking the glaring weakness that our offense is. It's time to give Cam legitimate weapons.

 

 

 

Dave Gettleman likes to fill holes in free agency and draft studs. He has this under control! If we draft all QB's then start worrying! Dave will get Cam help!

[top dawg]

I don't think I did. This has been a familiar trend the last few seasons. Signing no names (I am aware Boykin is a good Special Teamer) and hoping they turn the corner into something else is not a good strategy. It's worked for a couple players but that is the minority.

I understand giving Boykin a chance at WR but he was brought in here for ST. Keep overlooking the glaring weakness that our offense is. It's time to give Cam legitimate weapons.

 

This thread, though about Boykin, is not just about Boykin. It's about trying to upgrade the team (with limited resources, as you should already know). But for argument's sake, my reply is going to focus on Boykin.

 

I don't necessarily think that Boykin was brought here to be one of our main guys, but let's say that for some very odd reason we don't draft any receivers or add any more receivers before the season starts---meaning that our receiving corps today is the one that we end up with during 2015---I can make an argument that Jarrett Boykin is the second best receiver on the squad right now. Granted, others might not be able to see it, but I can.  That being said, let's get back to the real world.

 

In the real world, Boykin has the possibility to be a pretty significant upgrade from the WR3 spot on down, and anyone should consider that a good thing.  As for another higher grade of weapon, we will have to rely on the draft and/or hope that Greg Jennings or some other FA (between now and September) with those credentials or upside is signed by the team.

[Chief_Chokeaho]

This thread, though about Boykin, is not just about Boykin. It's about trying to upgrade the team (with limited resources, as you should already know). But for argument's sake, my reply is going to focus on Boykin.

I don't necessarily think that Boykin was brought here to be one of our main guys, but let's say that for some very odd reason we don't draft any receivers or add any more receivers before the season starts---meaning that our receiving corps today is the one that we end up with during 2015---I can make an argument that Jarrett Boykin is the second best receiver on the squad right now. Granted, others might not be able to see it, but I can. That being said, let's get back to the real world.

In the real world, Boykin has the possibility to be a pretty significant upgrade from the WR3 spot on down, and anyone should consider that a good thing. As for another higher grade of weapon, we will have to rely on the draft and/or hope that Greg Jennings or some other FA (between now and September) with those credentials or upside is signed by the team.

If Greg Jennings signs with the Panthers, disregard anything I've said on the matter. I may have interpreted what Rivera said differently. I just want us to get a reliable (and CONSISTENT) threat. I believe we have the means and capacity to do that. Appreciate the response and your explanation of the quotes though.

[gettlemanjack]

WR is going to be the best group to watch at camp.

gonna be a battle royal. Last year only five made the 53 (Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, Brenton Bersin, Philly Brown)

1. KB*

2. Cotchery*

3. Ginn

4. Philly*

5. Bersin*

6. Hill

7. Boykin

8. Draft Pick

*made Panthers 53-man roster last year

[LUUUUUKE]

This thread, though is about Boykin

No it's not, it's about you reading the huddle and regurgitating what many posters have already expressed. Then you go, and add your own twist to it.