The Importance of Speedy Receivers

[mpugh6]

Over the past few years we have seen Cam utilize different receivers in different ways. Some are small quick guys, some are big guys with a big catch radius, others are... neither. According to the way Gettleman drafts, we should know that he likes big guys with a big catch radius, and he values their skill set in this offense. We have all heard it said: "Cam throws inaccurate/ high balls all the time, good thing they drafted big guys like Benjamin and Funchess."  But this year, we have seen Cam's #1 wide receiver be Ted Ginn, a true "speed guy". Ted Ginn has the ability to get open. He might be near the top in only one category (drops), but he has been great at getting open, and that is exactly what this team needed. 

I personally would take a guy that can get open over a guy that has great hands every day of the week. In 2014, I remember the struggle of the losing streak and wondering why our offense was struggling to put up points. I remember watching plays where there was literally no one open, because our receivers just weren't fast. I am one of the biggest KB fans out there, but he isn't going to burn anyone. When we started to put some speed on the field, things opened up a little bit. Philly Brown helped tremendously along with the improved offensive line play. 

I know people don't think about the future much around here (Why would we? We're 12-0!), but looking forward to next year, we will have KB, Ginn, Funchess, and Brown as our likely top 4. Oh, and don't forget Olsen too. Perhaps Gettleman will target another receiver in the draft or free agency, but I would be fine with that receiving group exactly as it is. 

So I will ask you, what type of receiver do you think suits Cam's playing style the best? Going forward, if the Panthers target another receiver in the draft, what kind of receiver (or who specifically) do you want to see here?  Is there any importance in having a speed guy in the "X" receiver role in this offense?

[UpstatePanther]

Gettleman isn't going to target the position of receiver in the draft. If the BPA on his big board at our pick is a receiver, then we'll take a receiver. Plain and simple

To answer your question... we need a balance. We need our twin towers in KB and Funch. We need our TE mismatch in Greg Olsen, we need two speed players (Ginn, Philly, and perhaps Dameire Byrd next year), and we need our good-hands/clutch guys in Bersin and Cotchery. With KB back and healthy, our receiving corps goes right back up to one of the best in the league, because then everyone can play their roles. We will have the proverbial Swiss army knife of receiving corps.

[Mr. Scot]

Speed guys are useless if they can't catch.

Our top two guys for the future are big receivers with a wide catch radius, and I agree with that choice.

It's good to have complementary speed guy (which was the plan for Ginn) but generally you want them to have more reliable hands.

[rodeo]

KB is a beast but reliable hands are something he doesn't have. I'm not sure our drop problem would be any better with him in the game. Thankfully it's a problem we've been able to overcome, but hopefully a sure-handed receiver is in our future.

[Mr. Scot]

2 minutes ago, rodeo said:

KB is a beast but reliable hands are something he doesn't have. I'm not sure our drop problem would be any better with him in the game. Thankfully it's a problem we've been able to overcome, but hopefully a sure-handed receiver is in our future.

This year in camp he was catching everything thrown in his vicinity.

[FootballMaestro]

4 minutes ago, rodeo said:

KB is a beast but reliable hands are something he doesn't have. I'm not sure our drop problem would be any better with him in the game. Thankfully it's a problem we've been able to overcome, but hopefully a sure-handed receiver is in our future.

Mind you. KB, isn't nearly as fast as Ginn. I'll grant you that. But do you think (or ever seeing) KB drop wide open passes behind the defense like Ginn?....I don't think so.

Remember, KB's "drops" were skewed; not only because of youth and propensity to drop passes. But it also had to do with the fact he was targeted so often, along with those previous reasons.

I never looked at KB (or felt the egregious misses) the way I do with Ginn. Again, KB was targeted a lot more, I'm guessing.

[KSpan]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

This year in camp he was catching everything thrown in his vicinity.

Pretty sure he did last year too.

[FootballMaestro]

The OP, can say what he wants. But if KB was on the team this year, he'd see how much more explosive the offense would be (yes, even averaging 31 pts a game now)! LOL

[Newtcase]

I don't want to take anything away from Ginn, I've been very happy to have him back.  Everyone says just cover Greg, jeesh, how does that guy get open so much?  Funchess is getting open, so is Cotch and he's like 90.  The common denominator is everyone is getting open, and it's because we run the ball so effectively.  If you play coverage we run for 5 yards on you every time and bust them bigger plenty enough.  If you play closer to the line of scrimmage or stack the box to defend the run then Cam is good enough to find the open guy now.  That a simplistic view of X's and O's and others break it down far better, but that's the nutshell, and it's fairly unstoppable.  Drops, turnovers, or penalties are the opponents best shot at stopping our offense.  

[*FreeFua*]

27 minutes ago, UpstatePanther said:

Gettleman isn't going to target the position of receiver in the draft. If the BPA on his big board at our pick is a receiver, then we'll take a receiver. Plain and simple

To answer your question... we need a balance. We need our twin towers in KB and Funch. We need our TE mismatch in Greg Olsen, we need two speed players (Ginn, Philly, and perhaps Dameire Byrd next year), and we need our good-hands/clutch guys in Bersin and Cotchery. With KB back and healthy, our receiving corps goes right back up to one of the best in the league, because then everyone can play their roles. We will have the proverbial Swiss army knife of receiving corps.

I think we'll see Gettleman draft a space eating DT, another pass rusher and possibly our next center this draft. I don't expect to it be a very "sexy" draft.

Unless maybe Su'a Cravens falls into our laps!

[mpugh6]

I personally think we should focus on adding pieces in the draft other than receiver. I see lots of offensive/ defensive linemen coming. 

Also, just to clarify, I love KB and was definitely not saying we are better without him. 

[Fox007]

Cam was great with Smitty too going deep....Cam has a great deep ball and this offense will always have a place for a speed WR to go deep and get open.

A fast WR who can actually catch does exist and is more optimal than simply having someone who can merely get open.

 

[uncfan888]

If Ginn could consistently catch the ball, he'd be unstoppable...  Alas, he can't 

[nctarheel0619]

That BPA poo is wore out.  

Do you guys honestly think David fuging Mayo was the BPA in the 5th round of this years draft?  I don't think so.