Out with the "old". In with the new?

[top dawg]

Should the FO  take a hard look at what may be an age old philosophy of giving vets a pass over newcomers as it pertains to starting, or even a roster position, when the newcomers seem to bring more to the table? I ask this not only from the perspective of skills, but from an I'm-hungry-and-want-to-make-this-team standpoint. After last night's preseason game, I do think that this is a valid question. 

Now I realize that one must keep things in perspective. Some guys were playing against first-stringers, while others not so much. But I don't believe that I am overthinking it when I say that sometimes the eyes just don't lie. Some players have "it", and some don't. The "it" doesn't necessarily have to be from an island perspective either, but how that player fits the puzzle of what we need to do this season. Though limited by situation and/or lack of opportunities, some players just seize and embrace the moment.  Extrapolation, projection, and even imagination are a must for any successful GM (and even the best armchair GMs, as opposed to those just talking out of the side of their necks).  And with a couple of players, you don't even have to use as much imagination as with some of the Panthers veterans because they already have proven that they can handle being on the big stage in a productive manner with past teams. 

Now I am not going to mention any specific names in reference to veterans that people penciled in as starters and/or locks to make the team weeks ago (lest someone rhetorically asks, "You really hate [so-and-so], don't you?", but I will say that when you take the emotion out of it and be as objective as you can about what's going to make the Panthers click in 2015, you can't deny that some have made a case---in a strong way---that they are the best options going forward. Like I have told some before, "It's not about the name, but the game."

Some of the younger hopefuls, at least in my opinion, seem to give the team an energy and edge that wasn't consistently there last season from some of the veterans---some of the nicer guys---that many apparently thought would just be handed their roles because they showed up, but did not show out.  Some of the "camp bodies", whether they be FA or UDFA, weren't given the memo. They were bought here to compete for roster spots, and they are doing it relatively successfully.  

For the second time this month, let me reference Dave Gettleman's words (taken from the Charlotte Observer) when he sent 89 packing:

“As I’ve stated many times, all decisions I make will be in the long-term best interest of the Carolina Panthers,’’ Gettleman said last year after releasing Smith. “Decisions, either popular or unpopular, have to be made for the greater good and it is imperative to take an unemotional global view."

It will be interesting to see how those words jibe with his coming personnel decisions. But for me, at least up until now, new blood is the way to go.

 

[t96]

You hate Corey don't you?

[uncfan888]

I like Corey brown a lot, but if he keeps performing like he did last night, he's in trouble 

[top dawg]

You hate Corey don't you?

I knew that was coming, and I knew it was coming from you. :)

[Jeremy Igo]

Corey put himself on the list of guys that can lose their roster spot last night. He needs to perform in game 3. Those drops were really bad. 

[gmonjimbo]

IMO, the vets that should be in trouble are Mike Tolbert - replaced by Weghler. Tolbert used to generate his own running lanes in 2013 by carrying defenders 2 or 3 extra yards, not so much last year. Also he has dropped key passes like last year against Seattle on 3rd down.   Brochel- replaced by Ward. Ward consistently makes impact blocks. We need him to help establish the run s9 that the offense can avoid its slow starts. 

[chknwing]

Corey did drop those passes, however, Cam has got to develop some softer passes.  Everything doesn't need to be mock 2 to get to the receiver.   I suspect many passes that are dropped are because the wr just cant handle the velocity cam puts on his passes.

[Daddy_Uncle]

Corey did drop those passes, however, Cam has got to develop some softer passes.  Everything doesn't need to be mock 2 to get to the receiver.   I suspect many passes that are dropped are because the wr just cant handle the velocity cam puts on his passes.

he needs to softly lay them passes up there to give the defense a fair chance at catching them

[top dawg]

he needs to softly lay them passes up their to give the defense a fair chance at catching them

I was going to say the same thing in a more democratic manner. LOL

[Ricky Spanish]

Corey did drop those passes, however, Cam has got to develop some softer passes.  Everything doesn't need to be mock 2 to get to the receiver.   I suspect many passes that are dropped are because the wr just cant handle the velocity cam puts on his passes.

So we get WRs that can actually catch those passes.

Brown dropped those because he has Gator Arms, not because they were too fast. KB Catches those lazers. Olsen Catches them too.

[CRA]

Corey did drop those passes, however, Cam has got to develop some softer passes.  Everything doesn't need to be mock 2 to get to the receiver.   I suspect many passes that are dropped are because the wr just cant handle the velocity cam puts on his passes.

QBs have different styles.  If you played with Brett Favre your job was to catch the dang ball....not ask him to take heat off it

[top dawg]

Cam is the QB. He sees the bigger picture. Only he can see his window, so he is the best one to judge how hard/soft to throw the ball. It's up to the receiver to adjust and make the "catchable" reception.  Brown has had the opportunity to develop chemistry with Cam. He just has to catch the ball.

[pantherj]

I'm not expecting Cam to change the way he throws at this point. I'm just hoping we can bring in some WRs after the cuts who are better suited to work with Cam. Corey is physically weak and his hands are unreliable, but he's quick and fast, so that's good. I think there have to be better WRs out there about to be cut.

[juliosantos]

Im a strong beliver in letting the best man start. Id go with bene over tillman , boston over harper(harper is a headace ), c.a.p over stew, wegher over fozzy, any one over cotch