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Brenton Bersin continues to impress

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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Fact: Brenton Bersin has been one of the more impressive receivers again this offseason. 

Fact: Brenton Bersin appears to still be one of Cam Newton's favorite targets. 

Yet, fans are completely split on their excitement level over Bersin. Some recognize the work he has put in and admire the job he has done. Others believe he is the product of favoritism and doesn't deserve the first team reps he is receiving (and crushing, btw). 

Well, it is time to clear the air a bit. 

On the opinion that Bersin is on the team out of some sort of favoritism. 

While it is true that his Wofford and rumored Jerry Richardson connection may have played a role in his invitation to rookie camp years ago, every snap he has received since then has been earned. The Panthers have had plenty of "feel good" rookie camp invitations over the years. Bersin is the only one to have stuck. He did it by working hard and earning it. Not by his draft status, not by his 40 time, but by simply getting out there and catching passes. 

On the misconception that Bersin is not an adequate game day player. 

I will be the first to admit that Bersin may not be the best choice on punt returns. Heck, I think even Bersin would admit to that. But after being thrown into the punt return role last year (Bersin had no punt return reps in camp or preseason), his performance was at best unspectacular. The problem here is that is a position he should have been put in to begin with. But, to his credit, he did what he was asked and special teams turnovers decreased as a result. 

As a receiver, Bersin is a solid third down over the middle possession receiver and should be treated as such. At 6'3 he has the size to fight for the ball, as he did last season. Bersin had crucial first down catches last season, some fans seem to forget that. His short comings as a receiver occurred when he was not being used to this strengths (Bubble screen to Bersin? First read in the playoffs?). I find it difficult to fault him there. 

brenton-bersin.thumb.jpg.f7ae3474262c1f6

If Bersin was a third or fourth round player from a large school and a fast 40 time, fans would be tripping over themselves right now to praise his  potential based on his 2014 production. Instead, Bersin again will need to shake the UDFA small school type casting to earn the respect of the fans, which is a shame. But, he will do so, quietly and confidently, earning every snap..... again this season. 

 

Edited by Jeremy Igo
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Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

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I trust the coaching staff to put the best players on the field.  If Bersin is running routes and catching passes, he needs to be out there.

I didn't like him returning punts, but like Zod said, that was almost kind of an emergency situation... nobody else to do it.  We should have plenty of other options at PR this season.  

If Bersin and Cam have chemistry and he catches the damn ball, what else matters?

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PhillyB Grand Master

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i think sometimes a guy gets a rep as being a guy that's going to be smack in the middle of bad things whenever they happen, and five good plays in a row go out the window when the bad one sets off a confirmation bias. I KNEW HE WAS TERRIBLE HANG HIM AT DAWN!

for bersin these came during punt returns. i ripped my hair out and threw my couch through the ceiling when he did that trick knee bobble during the arizona playoff game; it became the sort of thing you just expected over the season. shula sending him on comeback as the primary read in that seattle game didn't help things one bit either.

hopefully the guy can come in and contribute to the team. it looks like we learned our lesson and brought back professional punt returners that can let him focus on doing what he's good at.

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Moorgan Enthusiast

Moorgan

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with the team being high on him:

WR1 Kelvin Benjamin

WR2 Funch

WR3 Corey Brown

WR4 Cotchery

WR5 Tedd Ginn Jr.

 

Do we keep six receivers on the active roster, with Bersin being number six? How many of these dudes end up active on gameday?

​Tough call. I think we have to don't we?

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Moorgan Enthusiast

Moorgan

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Don't be shocked if Bersin is kept in favor of Cotchery. He has been getting more first team snaps. 

​I would indeed be surprised if we cut Cotchery. I know others have said it but still, it would surprise me. I won't be sad or anything because I believe in putting the best team on the field but I'd still be surprised.

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Nick_81 Newbie

Nick_81

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with the team being high on him:

WR1 Kelvin Benjamin

WR2 Funch

WR3 Corey Brown

WR4 Cotchery

WR5 Tedd Ginn Jr.

 

Do we keep six receivers on the active roster, with Bersin being number six? How many of these dudes end up active on gameday?

​Cotchery could be pushed out by Bersin as the pre-season/season get rolling.  They're the same type of player, but Bersin is bigger, which we know our staff covets.  If he keeps doing what he's doing, he could easily win the spot, veteran presence be damned.

I think he'd be a great #4, and have no issues at all with him in that position.  

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tailg8or Enthusiast

tailg8or

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Nailed it Jeremy.  Bersin was slowly becoming a fan favorite until he started returning punts, then went straight to the doghouse.  He was clearly out of his element.  We should have had a legitimate PR with experience at that position.  DG addressed that during the offseason with bringing Ginn back ... which was sorely needed. 

Lets get behind this kid again because quite frankly, if its 3rd down in a clutch situation, I feel good about Bersin being on the field. 

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