Older fans, who ya got? Olsen or Walls?

[t96]

I wouldn't trade Olsen right now for any TE in the history of the league in their prime. 

[CRA]

I wouldn't trade Olsen right now for any TE in the history of the league in their prime. 

well....someone always has to go the extreme. 

[t96]

well....someone always has to go the extreme. 

I'm not saying he's the best ever but that he fits so perfectly in our locker room and into the culture of the team. He's not somebody that can just be replaced by some other talented TE. Our team is not the most talented in the league. Yet we sit at 5-0. Having the right kind of people on this team has contributed to that.

[ScreenPlay]

i miss our dual threat at TE ... Shockey and Olsen. 

man they were lethal together 

[t96]

Greg 'Thor' Olsen

I was 15 when I got the pleasure to see Walls play. My sample size isn't big enough to truly be unbiased but it's hard to argue against Olsen. He's just the better overall player at blocking, catching, separation, route running, speed, etc. The guy is gonna go down as the franchise's best TE (barring some unforeseen circumstance).

Greg is a Top 3 TE right in the NFL. Only Gronk and Graham are considered superior.

Graham is a superior receiver but that's it. Greg blows him out of the water in blocking and TEs need to be able to block. I'd say Gronk and Antonio Gates are the only 2 TEs that are better than Greg overall.

[t96]

Any good TEs coming out at the next draft? I really think we should employ two awesome TEs in our scheme. 

Not sure and I wouldn't be against drafting one but Dickson is a really solid TE2 and we have him for the next 3 years pretty cheap.

[KillerKat]

Graham is a superior receiver but that's it. Greg blows him out of the water in blocking and TEs need to be able to block. I'd say Gronk and Antonio Gates are the only 2 TEs that are better than Greg overall.

Witten is probably the best overall TE in the NFL

[Mr. Scot]

One thing you do have to keep in mind when it comes to Olsen is that having him is like having an extra coach on the field.

It's no exaggeration to say he's one of the smartest players in the league.

[TheRed]

Walls has a special place in Panthers history obviously.

It's a tough call, but I have to go with Olsen.

The thing about Greg is, his presence in our locker room goes a little unnoticed at times around here. He isn't simply a team captain by default. He is a terrific teammate, and a legitimately great person. He will do whatever it takes to win. He is undoubtedly a top 5 TE in the league at this moment. Part of the reason for that is clearly his talent at the position as a receiving threat, but he has developed as a blocker, and his knowledge as an individual, and clear passion on the field gives him an edge. Which translates to his teammates around him. Guys feed off that.

We are very lucky to have Greg, and to think, we only gave up a 3rd rounder to get him, in his prime.

[chknwing]

Olsen hands down. 

[ThPantherFan]

Most of the posters here are probably too young to remember Wesley Walls and what he meant to the franchise in the 90s, but the guy could block, run, and catch.  He was pretty much our first homegrown star, even if he was drafted by another team.  The guy could do it all, and established records that stood until Olsen came along in a much friendlier passing era.

If you were building a team from scratch and got to choose between all Panthers players to date in their prime, which player would you start at Tight End?  And why?

Walls had a knack for the illusion.  Loved the way he would fall down and then stand and catch the pass.  Overall, Greg is more talented in making the play and then getting down field.  They are equal in blocking and though they are different in many ways, Greg takes the lead.

[t96]

Witten is probably the best overall TE in the NFL

Forgot about him. Olsen is a better threat as a receiver at this point than Witten though. You can put him above Greg if you want, Greg still definitely top 5.

[t96]

This Howard kid from Alabama looks good despite being a sloppy route runner and weak blocker. He's got a great blend of size and athleticism. 

For our offense the 2nd TE needs to be a good blocker. Yes it can be developed and I'd love to draft a guy in the mid to late rounds to develop but not early.

[CoastalCat]

Most of the posters here are probably too young to remember Wesley Walls and what he meant to the franchise in the 90s, but the guy could block, run, and catch.  He was pretty much our first homegrown star, even if he was drafted by another team.  The guy could do it all, and established records that stood until Olsen came along in a much friendlier passing era.

If you were building a team from scratch and got to choose between all Panthers players to date in their prime, which player would you start at Tight End?  And why?

Probably Walls. Olsen is on pace for more total yards (he could actually pass Walls' 7-year total in 5 years). In his 5th year, however, he's only got about half of Walls' touchdowns.