Youth Movement - - Now

[CarolinaNCSU]

Long, rambling post incoming...BUT.  We're one of the oldest teams in the league, and though we can't completely turn to youth right now...we have to get it started.  That starts with coaching, and wherever you fall on the Ron Rivera roller coaster, you hopefully can admit he's loyal to an absolute fault towards vets.  To change the direction of this team though?  It HAS to come from the young guys...not the vets on their last or average at best legs. Gettlemen without question fumbled some draft picks here as well, but Ron has to start getting more form, or using, our young guys. Why?  Look at the Saints. 

They were a perennial 7-9 team until last year, when they turned into a juggernaut. For reference, take a look at our inbred swamp inhabiting brethren...

 

Since 2015 for us at our peak...

2015 - Shaq was buried behind TD, though rightfully so. Funch has developed into Brandon LaFell.  Daryl Williams is the main guy here though.  He rode the bench, until forced to start and turned into an All-Pro.  Mayo is depth, and CAP...well, that is just a weird experiment all together where he played well given opportunities, but more often inactive. 

2016-  Looking back, fug GMan hard for this one. Butler is trash, & Bradberry is the only capable player here. This is where poor drafting hurt and killed some of the 2015 magic. 

Now where things get fun...

2017

• McCaffrey - You beautiful unicorn, but it took a coaching change to figure out how to use him.  A year wasted, change forced Ron's hand. 
• Samuel - Injuries in year one, a couple games missed this year, but my God what more does he have to do to flash and earn playing time?  PLAY THE MAN. 
• Moton - Looking like a future Pro Bowl guy, played well at both RT and LT.  Guess what though?  Took Rivera injuries to force him into action. 
• Corn Elder - Captain is garbage. Captain will not be on the team next year. Why not play Corn...any?
• Armah - No role in year one, has shown he can play this year.
• Butker - - Gano, despite today, has been great.  But again a decision where the vet was picked when maybe it wasn't warranted at the time. 

2018 

• DJ Moore - Torrey going down forced us to play our #1 pick. Crazy concept, but kid can ball. 
• Donte Jackson - Be serious...if Ross Cockrell doesn't go down in camp...is Jackson starting? I feel like he wouldn't have got those training camp reps, and we may not have our brightest spot on the defense. 
• Gaulden - He's been meh...but Colin Jones played over him. Hurney luckily signed Reid. 
• Ian Thomas - - Why Manhertz plays over Thomas, I don't know. Blocking?  fug outta here. 

Play the young and hungry dudes.  Not just play them...USE THEM. Imagine not having DJ Moore today. Want to free Olsen up?  Maybe don't use 2 TE sets with one guy who has less hands than Shaquill Griffin and play the athletic rookie who has flashed. Curtis Samuel is electric with the ball in his hands?  Maybe dial up some quick passes for him and get him on the field for more than being a special teams gunner. Using these guys might be our only chance at saving this season and turning it into something. Me personally?  I'm just scared that even if we had drafted like the Saints the last couple of years, we'd never know because Rivera would be playing his vets.  A lot of the guys listed have flashed, or now play, despite Ron Rivera's judgement.  If Rivera goes back to primarily Torrey and Funch next week in a must win, reducing Moore and Samuel's role?  Show him the door.  The youth movement needs to happen with players now....but the coaching staff may not be far behind if they blow this season.