Panthers claim QB Taylor Heinicke off waivers

[joeyxfresco]

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

YES!!!

[TheSpecialJuan]

[TheCasillas]

Great pickup! This guy has had an awesome career! 100% completion percentage. My kinda grab. Newton successor?? 

[TheSpecialJuan]

[Jesse]

What I just wrote up on Heinicke (High-nick-ee) on /r/nfl:

As an ODU alum who graduated the same year as Heinicke I can tell you he works hard. He came from an air raid system at Old Dominion and could torch defenders through the air (he once threw over 700 yards in a single game). He’s got decent mobility and can throw on the run okayish. His arm strength is underwhelming, but has a very good ability to throw to where receivers are going to be open, even if they’re currently not. If anything he’s a dude that can come in and compete for the #3 job or practice squad

 

I’m beyond excited for the guy. If you saw him in the preseason win a game, you’ll understand why I’m rooting for him to do well. 

[RumHam]

dat eliiiiiiiiiiiiite practice squad, tho. we could announce a new waterboy and you'd all poo your pants.

[*FreeFua*]

Could’ve been doing something a lot more productive than filing the paperwork to claim this bum 

[TheSpecialJuan]

David NewtonESPN Staff Writer 

The Panthers claimed quarterback Taylor Heinicke off waivers from the Houston Texans. Heinicke spent the 2015-2016 seasons the Vikings, where he was under new Carolina offensive coordinator Norv Turner. The Panthers still are having conversations with Derek Anderson, who has been Cam Newton's backup since 2011.

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16m

[Captain Obvious]

So. He knows Norv's system. A good get who can help Cam pick up the O quicker. 

[SingleMalt]

filling the back end of the roster is just as important.

[MHS831]

[TheSpecialJuan]

STRENGTHS

 Shows above-average poise. Has a feel for pocket. Climbs the pocket with bouncing, controlled footwork and creates more favorable passing lanes. Accurate passer when given time to throw and uses anticipation and timing to overcome poor arm strength. Flashes patience as a quarterback. Allows routes to develop and knows area he wants to attack. Willing to stand and deliver with impending hit coming. Has touch to float throws over underneath defenders and in front of closing safeties.

WEAKNESSES

 Short with small frame. Below-average arm strength with slow release. Syrupy slow set-up in pocket. Must throw with timing rather than to windows. Struggles to improvise and needs plays to stay on schedule. Short-armed deep balls, leading to interceptions. Production marred by receiving corps with hands of stone. Had four multi-interception games in 2014, including games of four and three. Plays with tunnel vision at times, missing out on open teammates.

DRAFT PROJECTION

 Round 7 or priority free agent

BOTTOM LINE

 Heinicke has the ball placement and accuracy of an NFL backup when he's protected and dealing, but his small stature combined with his inability to drive the ball and make NFL throws could be hard to overcome once he gets into an NFL camp. Heinicke must play in a timing-based system to have a chance of being on an NFL roster.

[tondi]

Probably better next season than anyone we would realistically draft.