Panther Selection on 'ESPN's 2010 Top Prospects' a Mild Surprise

[SnarkAttack]

There are three Panthers in the Top 25, but only one in the Top 10. See if you can guess who they are before looking at the quote. Here are the criteria -

• Be in the second, third or fourth year of their pro career

• Have been drafted in Rounds 3 to 7 or signed as an undrafted free agent

• Have started fewer than five career games in the NFL

• Still on their rookie contract

http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/news/story?id=5374109

10. Gary Barnidge, TE, Carolina Panthers

For seven years now, the Panthers have failed to find a pass-catcher at tight end who could follow in the footsteps of the retired Wesley Walls. Kris Mangum couldn't run. Jermaine Wiggins went from eight catches in 2003 as a Panther to 71 in 2004 as a Viking. Mike Seidman and Michael Gaines never developed. Dante Rosario only teases, and Jeff King is a blocker first, second and third. Barnidge, a fifth-round pick out of Louisville in 2008, is the guy they've been waiting for. He has the speed to effectively run up the seam and take out the Cover 2. He also has the hands to hold onto the ball when Darren Sharper hits him or LaRon Landry breezes past him. He's the Panthers' second-best receiver. Once Carolina realizes it, Barnidge immediately becomes a sleeper tight end for fantasy purposes.

15. Geoff Schwartz, OT/G, Carolina Panthers

When the Panthers' offensive line was beset by injuries during the 2009 season, Schwartz stepped in at right tackle and served admirably in the service of Jonathan Stewart down the stretch. His reward is a shot at right guard, where he'll compete with fellow 2008 seventh-rounder Mackenzy Bernadeau for the starting job. Schwartz is likely to win, and he should be an effective all-around blocker for what is quietly one of the league's better lines.

23. Charles Johnson, DE, Carolina Panthers

He finally has his chance. Johnson spent the first three years of his career serving as a part-time player behind Julius Peppers and a menagerie of veteran ends. Peppers' occupation of double teams helped matters, but Johnson was arguably the best pass rusher the team had aside from its star. He's accrued 10 sacks over the past two years despite starting a total of two games over that stretch. With Peppers gone, Johnson will compete with Everette Brown for the starting gig, a contest he should win.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Once Carolina realizes it, Barnidge immediately becomes a sleeper tight end for fantasy purposes.

Once they realize it, they STILL won't use him as much as the ought to.

[Dpantherman]

boy i wish i could find the thread where I said this. but right now im just too lazy to do the work. i said along time ago that Barndige had Rosario and King beat.

[panthers55]

The exact same thing I said in a thread a week or so ago, where I got criticized for being a BBJS (Blind Barnidge Jock Sniffer). He is the real deal and if Davidson and Fox realize what they have here, he could be a prolific guy in the league. I agree that he is the best receiver on the team not named Steve Smith.

[Brandon]

I've been a huge Barnidge fan ever since training camp of last year, I really hope this year they finally start getting him involve more on offense.

[SorthNarolina]

I've never seen Barnidge make a catch in traffic or on the sideline. I've seen him get about 2-3 yards on LB's before before Delhome over threw him.

That long catch and run was pretty impressive, really showed how much work Moore's deep ball needs. I can't believe one of the NFL preview mags said that was his strength:conf:. But the adjustment by Barnidge was very good and he showed good power even though it looked like he was mostly just trying not to fumble.

He has the build of a WR so I'm a little skeptical of his blocking but he is our best potential TE. If everything works out(and that is a HUGE if) the offense will be a machine.

[Jackofalltrades]

Hilarious jab at Landry. Moore seemed to work well with Barnidge so it's possible we'll see a bigger role for him. However, if he can't block effectively he'll hardly see the field.

[Dpantherman]

im still salivating over those two long catches and runs he made vs. the Bills and Vikings

[SnarkAttack]

I've never seen Barnidge make a catch in traffic or on the sideline. I've seen him get about 2-3 yards on LB's before before Delhome over threw him.

That long catch and run was pretty impressive, really showed how much work Moore's deep ball needs. I can't believe one of the NFL preview mags said that was his strength:conf:. But the adjustment by Barnidge was very good and he showed good power even though it looked like he was mostly just trying not to fumble.

He has the build of a WR so I'm a little skeptical of his blocking but he is our best potential TE. If everything works out(and that is a HUGE if) the offense will be a machine.

The deep ball IS Moore's strength...play action, sling it deep - that's our game, right?

[AceMan]

I thought we were realizing his potential last year when we had him starting in training camp...

[monstercat]

Once they realize it, they STILL won't use him as much as the ought to.

I'm not sure where you get that idea. The Panthers may not have had a "go to" TE for a while, but the combined stats of Barnidge, Rosario, and King were pretty darn good, considering that Delhomme had such a horrible season. So they do indeed throw the ball to the TE's, contrary to popular belief. There were also plenty of opportunities that were missed by Barnidge last year, simply because Delhomme blew it. His individual numbers could have been much better if the old Jake Delhomme was throwing him the ball.

[SorthNarolina]

The deep ball IS Moore's strength...play action, sling it deep - that's our game, right?

It's our philosphy to do the vertical play action stuff but it doesn't mean Moore is very good at it.

He did throw some great shorter throws on just straight go routes, he showed great touch. He had a that TD to Moose which was perfect but he also a threw Peyton Manning level of perfect pass to him late in the 2nd quarter but Moose couldn't hold on. Moose barely had any separation too. That was a really, really impressive pass.

Still though he's been pretty shaky. You can't argue against his efficiency or turnovers but he's got a lot of work to do to be more consistent.

[SorthNarolina]

I'm not sure where you get that idea. The Panthers may not have had a "go to" TE for a while, but the combined stats of Barnidge, Rosario, and King were pretty darn good, considering that Delhomme had such a horrible season. So they do indeed throw the ball to the TE's, contrary to popular belief. There were also plenty of opportunities that were missed by Barnidge last year, simply because Delhomme blew it. His individual numbers could have been much better if the old Jake Delhomme was throwing him the ball.

After you hand the ball off a bazillion times and give Smitty his share there isn't a lot of touches to go around. I think they'll use him well but he's still not going to be productive. 400 yards would be a huge success. He also has to out-block King and overcome Fox's preference for veterans.

[Delhommey]

That isn't ESPN, that's a reprint of Football Outsiders up and coming players in their Almanac. Charles Johnson makes the list as well.