Cotchery's Situation

[juliosantos]

hes gone 

[juliosantos]

Don't count on Funchess starting right away.  Benjamin was the #1 receiver by default last year.  Funchess doesn't have to get rushed on the field - Panthers have other options.  But all depends how he looks in training camp.  Definitely a possibility Cotchery starts the year at #2 and they work Funchess in as the year progresses.

bro hes starting right away with no doubt about it lol 

[juliosantos]

at this point im going with 

kb

funchess

philly 

ginn

boykin

cotchery 

hill .

 

hill can shock us in camp and preseason but im not buying the hype just yet.

[jtm]

Cotch will start at the beginning of the season and his role will decrease as Funchess gets comfortable with offense

[davos]

One thing I forgot to mention that I haven't seen is that Funchess can play it all from what we've heard. 

 

It makes me think there are situations where we have KB/Cotchery outside, Devin in the slot.  May not need the speedy guys in goal line situations.  So maybe we move back and forth with the best suitable counterparts depending on where Funchess is and when.

[Thorrez]

Cotch's main job is not even to catch passes, it is to be acounted on to do every route in the play book exactly as planned, so that the defense has to honor it, and so open up things for kb and Olsen.

That's why he will start while Funchess learns the job.

Worst case Funchess does not learn fast enough and is only used situational, meaning Cotch is needed, best case we can keep him on the 53 but not dress him by mid season as an injury insurance/mentor.

To cut him just to keep bersin on the 53 is not nearly the same value (especially as the risk of anyone signing him off our ps is minimal).

[rodeo]

It sucks but Rivera loves to have vets around who suck but know the system. We've been doing this poo since legadu goddamn nanee

[csx]

Cotchery is a lousy WR, so the sooner he's off the team the better. I've seen him quit on routes, drop critical passes that hit him right in the hands, and be covered like glue by a defensive end all the way down the field, then quit at the end of that route with the DE still on his hip. Who wants a quitter I can outrun on this team? No thanks, and we finally have enough decent WRs to have the luxury of dumping dead weight. I couldn't care less if he's wise. Let Ricky spread the wisdom.

I doubt you could outrun me much less a professional athlete.

[KSpan]

at this point im going with

kb

funchess

philly

ginn

boykin

cotchery

hill .

hill can shock us in camp and preseason but im not buying the hype just yet.

Almost zero chance this team carries 7 receivers. 6 could even be a stretch.

[AceBoogie]

Stephen Hill sucks.

He's done more in his career than Bersin and Brown

[WOW!!]

If Cotchery doesn't make the team than we truly know talent won out..

[MHS831]

I am doubting that they keep Cotchery to do anything except produce as a player, but his leadership is something they value.  Developing Funchess will be left to the coaches for the most part.

 

Here are some statements that are sure to ruffle some feathers:

 

Cotchery will make the team and will participate in the offense.  Proehl can teach a slowing vet how to remain effective.  Cotchery came here from Pittsburgh, where the QB-WR chemistry was strong.  He really didn't have time to develop it last year due to Cam's injury.

 

Bersin probably won't make the roster, but he is not as bad as everyone here thinks.  He has some good hands and runs good routes.  I think he needs confidence more than anything.  If you are judging him based on his punt returns last year, stop.  That is not what he is and he will never be that again.  I see him with as good a shot of making the team as Boykin or Hill.

 

I am not certain our WRs will always be 1, 2, 3, etc.  I think we will have different groups based on the situation.  For example, at #3 and #4, imagine we brought in Hill and Ginn to stretch the defense deep. In another situation, like goal line, imagine Funchess, Benjamin, Hill, and Bersin--all over 6'3" to go along with Olsen.  You could have the fast set, with Funchess at #1, Ginn at #2, and Brown at #3.   I think that is what we are looking to do this year--present matchup problems on defense and on offense.

[MHS831]

He's done more in his career than Bersin and Brown

 

Good point.  His situation in NY was terrible for a WR, but he was simply not ready for the NFL.  Proehl says he has been working hard, so anyone who pretends to know how good he is right now is lying.  I get the feeling Proehl is like a rookie poker player, giggling at his cards a bit.  He seems to have taken Hill on as his project.  I see the tools--he just needs some confidence and technique work (hands) to become not only a WR in the league, but a dangerous offensive weapon,.

[caatfan]

His situation is similar to the rest of the players. He'll compete for a position and the staff will decide to keep him or cut him. You can rate and rank the players all you want and it doesn't change that. He was credited with 48 catches and one drop last season, so if he looks good in camp I think he'll be hard to bump off the roster. If he plays well and still gets cut, I guess that means we're in good shape at the WR position.