Did Benjamin's injury help Cam become a better QB?

[hepcat]

Charles Tillman made an interesting comment on ESPN First Take today I want to discuss.  With Benjamin out this year, did it have an unexpected benefit to Cam's game?  In his first four years, Cam had a "volume" wide receiver he could feed the ball to.  Steve Smith his first three years, Benjamin in his fourth.  This year he doesn't have that go-to receiver.

"We have a next man up mentality.  With KB going out, he was a workhorse, got a lot of passes thrown to him.  Cam was forced to use other targets...he's dishing out the ball equally.  That's one of the things that's helped change his game."

Now, we're only four games into the season, and against better defenses, the Panthers could miss having that workhorse Kelvin Benjamin to lean on in tough situations.  But did his injury actually HELP Cam become a better QB?  Time will tell.

https://youtu.be/a1yQtebbdJY?t=807 < linked to Tillman's comments, but the whole video is worth watching.

[Day_One]

i think cam has worked very  hard on his accuracy.  his footwork is much better this year, and he looks healthy. (running away from sacks)  I dont know that not having KB made him "better"  but it may be pushing his limits. 

[Udogg]

Man I was thinking about making a topic like this.  Watching the replays of the game it's like Cam isn't looking for anyone in particular.  He is just taking what the defense gives him.  Other than a few forces here and there he is just going with the flow. 

I guess in a way it does make him a better QB because there is no player to take away.  Which in turn makes our offense more flexible.  Watching the patriots, they don't overpower teams by imposing their plays against you. They just exploit everything you don't do well.  You have trouble covering TE's then we go to the TE all game long.  You have trouble and the third CB position, we go 3 WR's sets all game. 

I think with our Oline playing better and the younger players getting more comfortable with the system that our passing game will improve greatly.  Our running game is what it is

 

[Zaximus]

Possibly, but I think he's still be better off with KB in there for sure.

[Steves89]

I think it might be helping him. Not sure. It may not be helping him be a better quarterback, but it is certainly showing that he is better than people (not as smart as us smart guys) may have thought.

 

Also, welcome Day One!

[Day_One]

personally i wish this wasnt a question and I wish he was in. 

[Khaki Lackey]

If anything, he's getting a lot of practice going through multiple reads.

[Peppers90 NC]

If anything, he's getting a lot of practice going through multiple reads.

this, i was gonna say he cant get in the habit of locking into one(reliable) target other than Olsen

[LinvilleGorge]

Olsen is that guy.  We just went from having a 1a and 1b in KB/Olsen to having a clear #1 threat in Olsen.

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

I think not having Byron Bell and Nate Chandler protecting Cam has made him a better quarterback

[LinvilleGorge]

I think not having Byron Bell and Nate Chandler protecting Cam has made him a better quarterback

this x1000

[caatfan]

  "Cam was forced to use other targets...he's dishing out the ball equally.  That's one of the things that's helped change his game."

I think that's overblown. Any QB who wants to keep his job works on finding open receivers. Of course Smith and KB were prime targets. Isn't that the case with most #1 receivers? I think Cam would have worked on and refined his game the same way regardless of whether KB was playing or not.

[Khyber53]

Cam is progressing as a quarterback and you can see that the game is starting to slow down for him. Some of his escapes this past week, followed up by good downfield throws is a sign that he's coming into his own.

He's not there, yet, though. We've got a long season ahead of us and I hope he keeps progressing. He's still not an elite passer, but he is respectable at the moment. He is a long way from his peak, but he's getting better and better with time.

Let's face it, the guy has such incredible natural talent that it is going to be hard to imagine just how good he can possibly get. He is the first of the next generation QBs and we're going to be ahead of that curve for a long time.

 

[Gin and Juice]

I think it has done a lot in helping him take that next step. Personally, it appears he has matured from a "it's all on me to make something happen" approach to a "it's on me to lead this offense down the field" approach. 2 vastly different mind sets.

Irregardless of what happens this year, next year his weapons(hopefully he gets a few more) will be utilize much more effectively.

My god, next year, if Benji comes back 100%, we draft the speed likes of a Corey Coleman, sign a FA or 2, Olsen at TE and the Oline improves a little more.....we are Super Bowl favorites even if we are the defending champions. No matter what though, his best friend is a stout defense that takes pressure off him mentally