Sneak Peak: Why Kelvin Benjamin Was Traded, And Why The Panthers Could Be Better Because Of It

[Saca312]

Just a sneak peak of unedited material that will come out tomorrow from me. 

Finding A New Identity

Over the off-season, the Panthers constantly talked about "evolving" on offense. It was a term that turned into a mantra; a motto of sorts. It seemed a week didn't pass by without another hype piece on the future of the Panthers

However, no one expected the Panthers to follow through. After all, history shows the Panthers generally don't do well with executing their plans. Then, the Panthers drafted Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel.

With those two draft picks, hype levels went through the roof. The Panthers just drafted two of college's biggest play-makers with interchangeable roles. With these two players combined with Cam Newton and co., many were expecting a dominating offense that could even exceed 2011 levels.

Even so, one thing stood in the way. What do the Panthers do with their "twin towers?"

A Very "Big" Problem

In a way, having Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess on the field at the same time limits the Panthers offense. Both are tall, physical receivers who sadly lack the speed or ability to garner much separation. They are not very good deep threats and play inconsistent.

Former Panther great Steve Smith Sr. sums it up nicely:

"There are routes that those two guys [Benjamin & Funchess] can't run. So if you have the same two guys running the same routes it limits your offense and route tree. That means you become predictable and when you become predictable, then defenses can pin their ears back."

The biggest issue is having two receivers who just aren't complimentary of each other. Both provide a similar skill-set with very little diversity. As a result, defenses don't respect the Panthers offense whatsoever, often not playing deep safeties and playing man coverage.

In fact, this also gives the defenses the ability to cheat. By playing press coverage on most snaps, they can limit the effectiveness of Kelvin Benjamin, making him a non-threat. With Benjamin's lack of vertical separation, they know they can lock him up and even sit on underneath routes without worry.

Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera adds more:

"We are getting a lot of man to man press. We have to be able to break it quickly and we didn't have that out there."

Simple fact is, both wide receivers want to play on the field without losing snaps. Even though they don't mesh well together, the Panthers felt it necessary to involve both of them despite the disadvantages it presents.

In effect, this hampered the development of far better compliments in Curtis Samuel and Russell Shepard. Both receivers are excellent route-runners who had very little attention for most of the season.

It really came down to picking between Funchess and Benjamin. Would the Panthers rather keep Kelvin Benjamin, his 5th year option, despite knowing he has a low ceiling, knee issues, and older, or would the Panthers rather keep Funchess; a receiver with better route running, potential, and much younger and cheaper.

It was a simple no-brainer for Marty Hurney.

So, where does the offense go from here, and how will it actually be better as soon as this year?

Find out when the main part comes out.

____

TL;DR - Kelvin Benjamin had to go. Funchess > Benjamin. Can't have Funchess and Benjamin together, as they don't compliment e/o at all. Made financial, logical, and necessary sense with good trade value.

[csx]

Is Samuel an excellent route runner? I'm not suggesting he isn't but he's pretty new to being a full on receiver and a rookie.

After being upset I will have to be optimistic. There's no reason to be anything else.

[Saca312]

Just now, csx said:

Is Samuel an excellent route runner? I'm not suggesting he isn't but he's pretty new to being a full on receiver and a rookie.

Got plenty of examples of no looks and him destroying defenders with double moves. He definitely is a deep threat on the outside. Never was the first few reads, so he never got many chances.

Part of that will come tomorrow. 

[saX man]

The biggest issue is still the value we got.  He was a proven first rounder and we got a 3rd and 7th.  You can't cherry coat or change that.

I do think Funchess was the right one to keep of the two as much as the anti-Funch faction may hate it.

If Funchess-Samuel somehow works fairly quickly, then this will start to look somewhat ok but man, I'm just going to be ugh until I see this unit play again.  

[csx]

I believe there is alot more to being an excellent route runner than double moves. Though I will be hopeful.

[Saca312]

2 minutes ago, saX man said:

The biggest issue is still the value we got.  He was a proven first rounder and we got a 3rd and 7th.  You can't cherry coat or change that.

Sammy Watkins only warranted a 2nd rounder. And he's spades better than Kelvin, and despite popular opinion is actually even more reliable than Julio Jones in terms of health.

The fact we got a 3rd and 7th rounder despite KB lacking in qualities on film is actually good. He isn't a first round caliber receiver so far imo. Only decent on digs and in RZ a few times.

Otherwise, he's lazy on routes (simply because he lacks the athleticism; just look up his metrics), lets smaller defenders beat him, and is terrible against man coverage and press at getting separation.

But a third for that is pretty good.

[Saca312]

2 minutes ago, csx said:

I believe there is alot more to being an excellent route runner than double moves. Though I will be hopeful.

Of course. He runs each route with fluidity and technicality. 

He's easily been one of the better route runners on the field. 3rd best on the team imo behind Shepard and CMC.

[Fright]

Yea, I’m not sure why everyone started melting after the trade.. it’s not like he’s really that great of a WR when you really watch him.. we won’t miss the 5(give or take) forced throws to him in tight coverage every game. 

[csx]

Most discussion of quality route running revolves sharp vs rounded cuts, foot speed / lack of wasted movement, sharp vs rounded cuts, and ability to begin any route looking the same (disguising routes).

[saX man]

Just now, Saca312 said:

Sammy Watkins only got a 2nd rounder.

The fact we got a 3rd and 7th rounder despite KB lacking in qualities on film is actually good. He isn't a first round caliber receiver so far imo. Only decent on digs and in RZ a few times.

Otherwise, he's lazy on routes (simply because he lacks the athleticism; just look up his metrics), lets smaller defenders beat him, and is terrible against man coverage and press at getting separation.

But a third for that is pretty good.

 

 

With Clay coming back in BUF, I would've seen if Nick O'Leary could have been added in the mix.  Being in the mid-season spot we are in, vying for the playoffs and the current 4 seed, we got nothing immediate and gave away Cam's best weapon past Greg.  Relative to the rest of the team's WR talent, it's meh, but our return is hinging on a future 3rd round pick and gives us no reason to believe losing him will somehow better this offense.  I admire your post but I'm waiting until I see this unit play.    

This shouldn't have been done even if the FO was looking to move on.  KB is an offseason transaction, not midseason.  

 

[g_d0t]

13 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

Got plenty of examples of no looks and him destroying defenders with double moves. 

Part of that will come tomorrow. 

Looking forward to this

[Ace_Aladdin]

P.S. TEs are the best personnel to pair with Small shifty WRs like CMC, Samuel & Byrd.

For love of god Shula please use them in receving game not just for blocking where defense knows its a run play but use more power & iso schemese were the blocking is man 2 man!

[Ace_Aladdin]

This offense is slowly becoming more Patriotsesque!

[Daddy_Uncle]

why do you put so much effort into journalism work for something you don't get paid for?