Gary Barnidge needs to start

[Davidson Deac II]

I know who Jeff King is? lol I just didn't mention him because I don't care for him. Yeah he starts and I don't see how? Barnidge is the biggest and fastest tight end they have and Rosario is better when it comes to blocking in my opinion.

King is bigger than Barnidge. King is also the best run blocker we have.

[monstercat]

People need to let go of this notion that the Panthers don't throw it to the TE's. Sure, none of them are in the top of the league in receptions, but collectively they catch a lot of passes, considering that this is a run first offense.

[magnus]

If you don't see why King is the starter, I don't care what you have to say about our depth chart. kthx

King is not our best receiver, but we're not talking about wide receivers, we're talking about tight ends. King is easily our best and most consistent run blocker (Rosario is better than NOBODY in this category btw)

actually, I disagree about Barnidge being a better blocker than Rosario. Barnidge barely looks comfortable in a three point stance, and while he's occasionally capable of a good inline block he rarely makes the right contact, rarely follows through well, and just doesn't impact that low.

I don't know. This is year two of this argument, and it doesn't matter - it's not a popularity contest. Barnidge can do more than catch one 40 yard sideline ball before he should start (and really hasn't). Rosario can have much more consistency in his game before he needs to be in the conversation. King could try taking a step forward before he falls down after a reception. Any of the three could be better.

But the great news is the trio come together to be what we need. Which is why this is pointless, and as long as we have all three, it won't matter if we have one guy who does everything. Given the number of 2 TE sets we run (around 40% of total snaps, my guess) it doesn't matter anyway.

[pantherclaw]

Rosario is heads and shoulders better as and all around TE. Although we could try linging Barnidge up as a receiver to help spread the field ~ something Fox and Davidson don't seem to understand.

Actually, I recall our offense spreading it out years back when we have 3 good receivers.

[Vagrant]

I'll finish the sentence.

"Gary Barnidge needs to start"......

Learning to block.

We have a ball control offense. King has been a huge part of a line that has blocked for over 2,000 yards on the ground for each of the past two years. You don't screw with success.

[SMACKDAB]

My 2 cents........

We have TE's that could be as good as any in the league if they were used properly. We just don't use them properly, along with other positions as well.

This team is STACKED, and I mean stacked with talent wasted year in, and year out because of it.

[Brandon]

Rosario is heads and shoulders better as and all around TE. Although we could try linging Barnidge up as a receiver to help spread the field ~ something Fox and Davidson don't seem to understand.

Actually, I recall our offense spreading it out years back when we have 3 good receivers.

This statement is incorrect. We often times split out our tight ends to do just this. Especially once Moose got dinged up and after Smitty went down it was very prevalent.

As far as Rosario being the better receiving TE, he's not as good of a run blocker (better pass blocker) and there's a reason why if Barnidge was in it was almost guaranteed to be a run play, because he was in to run block. The thing is that Barnidge is also faster, has better vision and seems to be more physical after the catch than Rosario. The problem has been getting him the ball for whatever reason, but he is getting open and makes plays whenever he was given an opportunity.

[DaveThePanther2008]

The Trio did very well. King is our starter and will remain our starter until Barnidge or Rosario can equal Kings blocking ability or we go to a pass oriented offense. Since we are a run 1st team with not one but two of the best backs in the league, I don't see us changing. In our case a blocking Tight end is more important than a receiving one. In our case, King > Barnidge or Rosario.

Go Panthers

[ladypanther]

My 2 cents........

We have TE's that could be as good as any in the league if they were used properly. We just don't use them properly, along with other positions as well.

This team is STACKED, and I mean stacked with talent wasted year in, and year out because of it.

:yesnod:

[PhillyB]

we have the most underrated trio of tight ends in the league, IMO

[monstercat]

In 2009, Panthers TE's combined for 63 catches, 755yds, and 5 TD's. This was a season in which the passing game was not good at all. We most definitely do use the TE's in this offense.

[SMACKDAB]

In 2009, Panthers TE's combined for 63 catches, 755yds, and 5 TD's. This was a season in which the passing game was not good at all. We most definitely do use the TE's in this offense.

Keywords you are missing is "effectively/properly" man. Hell, Dallas, New England, and I'm sure there are a couple of others I'm missing that have 1, yes, ONE that go for damn near 100 receptions, and some certainly that many damn near all the time.

1 TE with 100 is greater than 3 with 63. Not hard math, especially considering roster spaces and all.....but believe what you want, it's America.

[CatMan72]

I'd imagine Gary is going to get his shot very soon, they dabbled with him in the starting lineup in training camp but went back to King over concerns about his blocking ability.

After getting a taste of the starting lineup and then being pushed back because they doubted his ability to block, I would imagine Gary has focused a great deal of effort on becoming a better blocker and I wouldn't be surprised if he overtakes King in TC this year.

I would expect Jake to feel like he can be the starting QB again, if he ever announced that he felt he was no longer up to it I would cut him. If he stops believing in himself, how can he expect anyone else to?

[Achilles]

King is the starter, and should remain so on a run first team, because he is the best blocker. He's not a flashy pass catcher, but he gets the job done. Barnidge doesn't have near the blocking technique that King brings. Rosario is sometimes just okay, and sometimes MONEY! A good all around TE.

One thing I have noticed is that Rosario is a liability on special teams...something to think about considering he will never be the starting TE since his blocking is inconsistent.

Right now I wouldn't change a thing about the TE situation except that I would like to see more of Barnidge in the Red Zone. He is the kind of player that would be great on those fade routes to the back corner of the end zone. No DB could cover that guy with the ball in the air in that situation.