Lance Taylor commentary on the WRs

[KB_fan]

Very interesting article at Panthers.com with commentary by WR coach Lance Taylor on the WR group.

It seems VERY clear-eyed, recognizing each guy's strengths and weaknesses, and also acknowledging fan perceptions and concerns.

https://www.panthers.com/news/assessing-the-wide-receiver-group-as-the-regular-season-nears

My favorite section was the analysis re Curtis Samuel. Here's an excerpt:

Samuel's preseason has been extremely encouraging, and quite honestly, surprising.

The second-round pick from a year ago, whose rookie season was cut short by a severe ankle injury, leads the team with nine catches for 166 yards in preseason play.

"Curtis has really exceeded expectations when you look at the injury he had last year," Taylor said. "Such a traumatic injury, you really fear that a guy isn't going to be able to come back full speed, 100 percent healthy. He's really improved the technical aspects of being a receiver - catching with his hands more consistently, technique in his route running, being able to beat press man-to-man coverage. He really took ownership of those things we challenged him with."

Samuel's game-breaking speed has returned to the offense, and so has his swagger.

 

[Mikey818]

3 minutes ago, KB_fan said:

Very interesting article at Panthers.com with commentary by WR coach Lance Taylor on the WR group.

It seems VERY clear-eyed, recognizing each guy's strengths and weaknesses, and also acknowledging fan perceptions and concerns.

https://www.panthers.com/news/assessing-the-wide-receiver-group-as-the-regular-season-nears

My favorite section was the analysis re Curtis Samuel. Here's an excerpt:

Samuel's preseason has been extremely encouraging, and quite honestly, surprising.

The second-round pick from a year ago, whose rookie season was cut short by a severe ankle injury, leads the team with nine catches for 166 yards in preseason play.

"Curtis has really exceeded expectations when you look at the injury he had last year," Taylor said. "Such a traumatic injury, you really fear that a guy isn't going to be able to come back full speed, 100 percent healthy. He's really improved the technical aspects of being a receiver - catching with his hands more consistently, technique in his route running, being able to beat press man-to-man coverage. He really took ownership of those things we challenged him with."

Samuel's game-breaking speed has returned to the offense, and so has his swagger.

 

Can be our number 1 receiver with his speed and routes 

[countryboi]

Samuel is the player im most excited about on this offense with Moore and CMC coming in a close second and third

[MHS831]

After the ridiculous OBJ contract, Funchess and the other free agent WRs will all want to get paid next season.  Samuel,, Moore, and Wright need to make us feel good about life without Funchess moving forward.

[Moorgan]

Max pretty much confirms that there will be 6 and we know who they are. I don't think WR6 is as much up in the air as the RB3 spot. Personally, I'd lean towards Barner over CAP. But I'm not mad at either. But I think the 6 WRs are clear and a lock. Byrd would not survive waivers.

[Mr. Scot]

50 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

After the ridiculous OBJ contract, Funchess and the other free agent WRs will all want to get paid next season.  Samuel,, Moore, and Wright need to make us feel good about life without Funchess moving forward.

I say this as someone who likes Funchess: If he believes Beckham's contract says anything about what he should get paid, he's delusional.

I'd like to think that Funchess knows he's not in that class.

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

I can easily see Samuel being a prime Percy Harvin type player

[Woodie]

1 hour ago, KB_fan said:

Very interesting article at Panthers.com with commentary by WR coach Lance Taylor on the WR group.

It seems VERY clear-eyed, recognizing each guy's strengths and weaknesses, and also acknowledging fan perceptions and concerns.

https://www.panthers.com/news/assessing-the-wide-receiver-group-as-the-regular-season-nears

My favorite section was the analysis re Curtis Samuel. Here's an excerpt:

Samuel's preseason has been extremely encouraging, and quite honestly, surprising.

The second-round pick from a year ago, whose rookie season was cut short by a severe ankle injury, leads the team with nine catches for 166 yards in preseason play.

"Curtis has really exceeded expectations when you look at the injury he had last year," Taylor said. "Such a traumatic injury, you really fear that a guy isn't going to be able to come back full speed, 100 percent healthy. He's really improved the technical aspects of being a receiver - catching with his hands more consistently, technique in his route running, being able to beat press man-to-man coverage. He really took ownership of those things we challenged him with."

Samuel's game-breaking speed has returned to the offense, and so has his swagger.

 

This is why Moore was taken with our 1st round pick.  In many ways what Moore and Samuel bring to the table are redundant.  It's clear the team wanted a fast, shifty guy that has good RAC skills opposite of Funchess. 

Personally, I think both are going to be very, very good.  So, the question is, if both do show out this year, will we let Funchess walk next year, saving a good 12-14 million (at minimum), and go with those two as our starters?  Or, will we use one as trade bait and either keep Funchess or bring in a bigger (cheaper) receiver to pair with the one we keep.

I know this an "after the season" question, but trading one in the offseason could bring us a solid 1st round pick or player that fills a big need.  Just something to keep in the backs of our minds.

[Woodie]

14 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I say this as someone who likes Funchess: If he believes Beckham's contract says anything about what he should get paid, he's delusional.

I'd like to think that Funchess knows he's not in that class.

I don't think that is the issue.  What the concern is, is that this signing further increases the standard WR market.  This year already threw it out of whack, so, if Funchess was looking at 10-12 million before, he might now be looking at 12-14 or so...and even more if he has a strong year.

[Clicheking]

Remember how our very own Charles "big money" Johnson contract screwed up the the market for defensive ends a few years back, well OBJ just set the WR market on fire. I'm not a fan of blowing half your cap on a WR. Draft them young and rotate them out if the price is to high.

[TheSpecialJuan]

1 hour ago, Moorgan said:

Max pretty much confirms that there will be 6 and we know who they are. I don't think WR6 is as much up in the air as the RB3 spot. Personally, I'd lean towards Barner over CAP. But I'm not mad at either. But I think the 6 WRs are clear and a lock. Byrd would not survive waivers.

Good to hear. We can't have what happened in the Saints payoff game happen again. 

[Saca312]

Before someone brings up Watkins 16M contract as reason Funchess may ask around that much reminder I’d consider Watkins as a top tier receiver in the league and believe he’ll show that with Mahomes this year

[TheSpecialJuan]

[DaveThePanther2008]

1 hour ago, Woodie said:

This is why Moore was taken with our 1st round pick.  In many ways what Moore and Samuel bring to the table are redundant.  It's clear the team wanted a fast, shifty guy that has good RAC skills opposite of Funchess. 

Personally, I think both are going to be very, very good.  So, the question is, if both do show out this year, will we let Funchess walk next year, saving a good 12-14 million (at minimum), and go with those two as our starters?  Or, will we use one as trade bait and either keep Funchess or bring in a bigger (cheaper) receiver to pair with the one we keep.

I know this an "after the season" question, but trading one in the offseason could bring us a solid 1st round pick or player that fills a big need.  Just something to keep in the backs of our minds.

First of all, If we are trying to trade Funchess for something after the season most teams are going to know we aren't keeping him ourselves. Unless they are desperate to sign him most teams aren't going to give up a #1 draft choice for a player they can sign off the free agent market.  

Secondly, I think he will have a good season but I don't think he will have gaudy numbers.  I think the WR group as a whole will have good numbers but if Cam spreads the ball around like he has during preseason no one player is going to have huge numbers. I wouldn't be surprised if we have 3 or 4 WR around the 700 yd mark.  Throw in 1500 to 1800 from our TEs and RB.  Cam will have about 4 to 4.5K in yardage.   Those numbers could drop as well if we are running the ball consistently.

Finally, with those numbers it will be our benefit to try and sign him at a fair value.   If other teams are going to dangle big bucks for him we have Samuel for 2 more years and Moore for 4 more years.  This puts us in a good position to negotiate a good deal for us mostly depending on whether he wants to be a Panther or move on.