2016 SNAP COUNTS VIA BBR

[panther4life]

Before BBR completely unplugs I'd like to discuss some of the 2016 snap counts her shared with us.

http://blackandbluereview.com/snap-counts-2016-17-carolina-panthers-offense/

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RUNNING BACKS

Jonathan Stewart — 565

Mike Tolbert — 324

Fozzy Whittaker — 308

Cameron Artis-Payne — 84

Stewart has assumed the role of a workhorse over the past 3 season's and  that somewhat justifies his massive contract but the value still is not there. 

He is declining and failed to reach 4 ypc last year. This is a career low for him, when you throw out the 2 seasons he carried the ball less than 93 times.  Before you blame the 0-line he averaged 4.6 a carry with Bell and Chandler starting in 2014. He did have his best year TD wise since 09 by rushing for 9 TD's this year. Some of the increase their possibly could have come from us not using cam quite as much on goaline situations. 

Tolbert meanwhile didn't really do anything spectacular last year. 0 rushing TD's and 114 rushing yards off of 35 carries. Interesting stat line here is he rushed for 12 TD's his first 2 years with us. In the last 3, he's had 1!

Whittaker meanwhile saw his snap counts and production nearly double. Still not much to go off of, but he did lead all backs in ypc (4.6) and receiving yards (218).

Cap saw his snap count go down from his rookie year and is clearly our last option as it stands. He also only played in 3 games vs 7 his rookie year.

My take on this:

•  Fozzy has earned a roster spot and adds the most versatility with his receiving ability out of the backfield and his KR ability adds value. 
• Stewart may be suitable for another year, however if we draft a top tier back he certainly becomes expendable. 
• Tolbert needs to be released and replaced with a more True Blocking FB
• Cap is looking like a lost cause and could lose a roster spot next year if he doesn't step up. 

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WIDE RECEIVERS

Kelvin Benjamin — 802

Ted Ginn Jr. — 688

Philly Brown — 587

Devin Funchess — 493

Brenton Bersin — 63

Damiere Byrd — 11

Benjamin rebounded solidly from his year off and was by far our most productive wide receiver in every category. 941 yards and 7 TD'S

Tedd Ginn is exactly who we thought he was. A good punt returner, still a burner with questionable hands. 754 yards and 4 TDs. 

Brown saw a decrease in his snaps this year. Most of those went to Benjamin as Voth notes. 276 yards and 1 TD.

Funchess. Same exact number of snaps as his rookie year.  Production down 100 yards and 1 TD from last year.  371 yards and 4 TD's.

Quick thoughts:

• I think Ginn has earned the right to come back at a similar deal as he did last year. 2.5 Million. His value as PR, 2nd or 3rd receiver and he can produce on trick plays where we get the ball in his hands immediately. He nearly beat out tolbert and Cap in rushing yards, despite only getting 14 carries.
• Benjamin as discussed in another thread, should and likely will remain as our # 1 WR and have his 5th year option exercised.
• Brown flashes but he should only stick around as depth
• Funchess the jury is still out on in terms of if he will live up to his potential. He will be back next year and hopefully he can elevate his game to the next level. 

Even if we keep Ginn, it would be wise to add one more player to the mix. 1 as insurance in case Benjamin or Ginn goes down again. 2, we need a player that can break one open at any time but more reliable and consistent than Ginn.Finding a player in Free agency is a possibility here and all but guaranteed if Ginn leaves.

http://blackandbluereview.com/snap-counts-2016-carolina-panthers-defense/

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Kony Ealy — 623

Charles Johnson — 543

Mario Addison — 434

Wes Horton — 332

Ryan Delaire — 139

Lavar Edwards — 114

Larry Webster — 19

This position is becoming a major problem. Talk about "status quo". We have done nothing other than add Jared Allen for half a season that has done much to help the long term prospects of this position. Ealy has not shown he's our future and after 3 years is time to quit dreaming he will be. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised if he steps up next year, then the opposite occurring.

• Ealy led DE snaps for the 2nd straight year but didn't step up to the level we needed him to. He only produced 5 sacks but even worse he failed to get half the QB pressures Johnson or Addison did. 
• Horton has spent 4 years on the roster and may get a shot at a 5th year. However we've reached the point where he cant be counted on as anything more than depth.
• Johnson was solid I suppose. Age is catching up with him so while it wouldn't be ideal to rely on him as a starter anymore he has some value to this team and should be welcomed back at the right price.
• Addison, seems to found a niche as a situational pass rusher. His production was there in terms of sacks and qb pressures for the amount of snaps he saw. If we retain him I think its best to keep him at that role. 

 

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DEFENSIVE TACKLES

Kawann Short — 780

Star Lotulelei — 703

Vernon Butler — 225

Kyle Love — 224

Paul Soliai — 152

 

Looking at this alone, should tell you we need Short back,preferably long term but on the franchise tag at a minimum. While were at it, lets go ahead and secure Star for the long haul.

Not a whole lot else to add here, other than the fact the Soliai has been a major dissapoinment. He was our 8th largest cap hit last year!

As for the rest of the positions the board seems to have a consensus on where we are at QB,TE, O-line and safety so not much fresh discussion to be had there.

 

 

[joeyxfresco]

I really hope Fozzy stays on. He has done a lot with the opportunities he has had 

[Anybodyhome]

13 minutes ago, panther4life said:

Before BBR completely unplugs I'd like to discuss some of the 2016 snap counts her shared with us.

http://blackandbluereview.com/snap-counts-2016-carolina-panthers-defense/

This position is becoming a major problem. Talk about "status quo". We have done nothing other than add Jared Allen for half a season that has done much to help the long term prospects of this position. Ealy has not shown he's our future and after 3 years is time to quit dreaming he will be. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised if he steps up next year, then the opposite occurring.

• Ealy led DE snaps for the 2nd straight year but didn't step up to the level we needed him to. He only produced 5 sacks but even worse he failed to get half the QB pressures Johnson or Addison did. 
• Horton has spent 4 years on the roster and may get a shot at a 5th year. However we've reached the point where he cant be counted on as anything more than depth.
• Johnson was solid I suppose. Age is catching up with him so while it wouldn't be ideal to rely on him as a starter anymore he has some value to this team and should be welcomed back at the right price.
• Addison, seems to found a niche as a situational pass rusher. His production was there in terms of sacks and qb pressures for the amount of snaps he saw. If we retain him I think its best to keep him at that role. 

 

I am of the opinion that calling Addison a "situational pass rusher" is a complete misconception. 

The numbers above bear that out. He played 7 fewer snaps per game than CJ, who is the aging starter in front of him. To suggest there were only 7 situations per game that would dictate using Addison over Johnson is silly. To suggest that Addison actually played more because CJ has lost some of his speed, strength and footwork is more likely. 

Addison has been somehow labeled as "situational" simply because he's been given one assignment, which he does very well. But that certainly doesn't mean he can't be a 3-down DE. 

[AceBoogie]

Again CAP is our second string running back, not fozzy, not Tolbert. You people keep saying he needs to step up, yet when he gets carries he produces. 

[panther4life]

4 minutes ago, AceBoogie said:

Again CAP is our second string running back, not fozzy, not Tolbert. You people keep saying he needs to step up, yet when he gets carries he produces. 

Your 2nd string RB plays in more than 3 games. How on earth can you  derive the coaching staff views him as the # 2?

[Jeremy Igo]

Again CAP is our second string running back, not fozzy, not Tolbert. You people keep saying he needs to step up, yet when he gets carries he produces. 

So the Panthers second string RB was inactive the majority of the season?

He is in real danger of being cut this year.

[uncfan888]

CAP as the second string RB..  Lol

It seems to me like Rivera doesn't think he has what it takes and has no desire to play him. I think he's gone soon enough.  Especially if we draft a RB. I'd like to keep Fozzy though. 

[L-TownCat]

JStews rushing totals are remarkable considering the oline that was charged with opening holes.

Stew hasn't declined, the line has.

[AceBoogie]

23 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

 

So the Panthers second string RB was inactive the majority of the season?

He is in real danger of being cut this year.

 

Who's the starter if Stewart can't play? 

[AceBoogie]

12 minutes ago, uncfan888 said:

CAP as the second string RB..  Lol

It seems to me like Rivera doesn't think he has what it takes and has no desire to play him. I think he's gone soon enough.  Especially if we draft a RB. I'd like to keep Fozzy though. 

Who's the starter when Stewart doesn't play? 

[AceBoogie]

29 minutes ago, panther4life said:

Your 2nd string RB plays in more than 3 games. How on earth can you  derive the coaching staff views him as the # 2?

Well he started those games when the first string rb was inactive. You know what that means when you're the starter when the main guy isn't playing? 

[AceBoogie]

Fozzy and Tolbert are special teams guys which is why they are active over CAP. Anyone who believes CAP isn't the second best back on this team is an idiot. There's a reason why he gets the bulk of the carries when Stewart can't play. 

[Anybodyhome]

17 hours ago, AceBoogie said:

Fozzy and Tolbert are special teams guys which is why they are active over CAP. Anyone who believes CAP isn't the second best back on this team is an idiot. There's a reason why he gets the bulk of the carries when Stewart can't play. 

Neither Tolbert nor Whitaker are every down backs. Only by default is CAP even considered a starter. 

Anyone who would contend his body of work, which includes a total of 10 games over 2 seasons and starting but 3 of those, should be the next starting RB or is the second best RB on the team is nuts. 

[Cuttinedge]

That's about 320 too many for Tolbert. I believe we can find a upgrade a lot cheaper that can miss blocks just as good as him  

And I would have liked to seen Byrd get Bersins  63. 

Soliai is a major disappointment. How in the hell did our coaching staff release Love earlier on in favor of this bust. Speaks volumes about RRs talent evaluating ability