Smith... Gettis... LaFell

[Seamonk]

I dunno about that.. LaFell and Gettis started seeing more coverage their way late in the game and made plays.. Sure Smitty has more of a magnetism coverage wise his way, but the difference is that our WRs can able to take advantage of that.. Which has been a problem in years past. It's nice to have a legit 3 WR set that isn't designed to just spread the field for our running game.

Point is. Good WRs make defenses pay for single coverage. Gettis and LaFell did that today. If anything, it'll make teams think twice about how much they wanna double/triple smith from now on.

[PantherFanForLife]

Not trying to take anything away from the wideouts that were on the field today---anything---but, let's not forget about Devin Thomas. He arguably has the talent and ability to be a consistent impact player in this league from many accounts, and quite possibly could be the WR with the most upside in a Panthers uniform. I will be excited to see what he'll add to the mix.

I was wondering about him. How does that play out now?

Gettis certainly earned his next start. But what about Lafell versus Devin Thomas?

Does Thomas get a shot, or do we stick with Lafell now?

[fjblair]

can you imagine if Gettis and LaFell actually get better and better and we have 3 REAL wideouts...

today our receivers looked great... I honestly didnt think I would say that this year

Looked great?

They finally had a decent game against a romper room secondary. SF was just awful on pass coverage. Awful.

[The Question]

LaFell impressed me with his speed getting up the field. The guy can really fly in when given an opening.

[monstercat]

Looked great?

They finally had a decent game against a romper room secondary. SF was just awful on pass coverage. Awful.

San Fran is ranked 15th in pass defense, which is better than the Steelers. Would you be saying the same thing if Gettis caught 8 passes for 128 yards vs the Steelers? San Frans' opponents are averaging about 216 passing yards per game...Moore passed for over 300.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=OPP&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=TEAM_PASSING&season=2010&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=true&Submit=Go

[PrimeTyme]

dude... this is the NFL, not college.... you take a win whenever you can get it...

anyone talking about it was only against the 49ers can suck it.. a win is a win...

ask New Orleans if their loss doesnt "really count" because it was only against the Browns

ask the Colts if their loss doesnt "really count" becuase it was only against the Jaguars

our receivers looked good on Sunday.

[Icege]

A lot of the forum trolls seem to forget that people need to develop in today's league. McFadden has been hot trash since he's been drafted. Now he's blowing it up. DJ got 4 years. Let AE get at least 3 and see what he can learn from Smitty!

Gettis stepping up is a HUGE bonus, especially if LaFell develops as originally hoped.

[bleys]

San Fran is ranked 15th in pass defense, which is better than the Steelers. Would you be saying the same thing if Gettis caught 8 passes for 128 yards vs the Steelers? San Frans' opponents are averaging about 216 passing yards per game...Moore passed for over 300.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?archive=false&conference=null&role=OPP&offensiveStatisticCategory=null&defensiveStatisticCategory=TEAM_PASSING&season=2010&seasonType=REG&tabSeq=2&qualified=true&Submit=Go

Steelers are also #1 in the league at stopping the run, forcing opponents to throw more..

9ers are allowing an average of 100 rushing yards a game against them..

Steelers...

Rush YPG: 63

Pass YPG: 235

Total Rush yards against them in 2010: 382

9ers...

Rush YPG: 106

Pass YPG: 215

Total Rush yards against them in 2010: 743

Steelers allow 15 more passing yards a game than 9ers (alot closer than the ranking would have you believe) and almost 50 rushing yards less per game in stopping the run..

I would think Gettis lighting up the Steelers would be much more accomplished since they are a dangerous defense, unlike the 9ers.. (although the Steelers only separate themselves statistically in FF and FR when it comes to TO)

Gettis still did a good job.. but to your point, yes I would give him more credit doing it against the Steelers since they are a much better defense..

[pantherclaw]

Steve smith expendable?

Come on people, think before ya post.

As far as his ego...steve doesn't care if he's getting all the balls. If he did, he'd already be gone. He does want our team to be competitive...and he is, and will continue to be a big part of our offense working.

It is nice to see the young guys step up and make plays.

As for thomas..he is on the outside looking in. Which doesn't bother me.

[PrimeTyme]

Come on people, think before ya post.

you have been on this forum long enough to know your request is one that will not be done by some and cannot be done by most

[LaChance87]

I hope the 3 guys could be our Arizona 3 WRs corps before Boldin & Warner were gone. Someone here once keep calling LaFell as "LaFail", which is laughable considering he is a rookie & getting better. People who label LaFell as LaFail don't know crap about football if you call him without knowing he is a rookie & some don't make play right away.

Agree... People who kept saying "LaFail"... After just a few games was ridiculous. Never gave him a chance. Just takes time for some players to get comfortable. I think I heard them say that the coaches had LaFell learning all three WR postions this year, which would be alot to take in... don't quote me on that but I thought I heard someone say it during the game Sunday.

That being said lets just hope that they continue to get better, and I always expect the best out of players we draft or pick up from free agency, but we've all been fooled by guys that have a great few games! Then fade off behind the crowd... (Colbert, Hayes). But I have high hopes for him, and like and have liked both of them the whole time alot better than Edwards... Because I know it'll be a year or two before we really see him come into his own and be able to make plays...

[goodoleboy]

Steve smith expendable?

Come on people, think before ya post.

As far as his ego...steve doesn't care if he's getting all the balls. If he did, he'd already be gone. He does want our team to be competitive...and he is, and will continue to be a big part of our offense working.

It is nice to see the young guys step up and make plays.

As for thomas..he is on the outside looking in. Which doesn't bother me.

The best thing that could happen to the Panthers is for Steve to be made expendable by a young player developing. I don't think JR will trade him because too much of the teams identity and box office draw is wrapped up in him. We will overpay him in his next contract.

That said if one of the youngsters can develop into a true X receiver, Steve would absolutely flourish playing the slot. His skills are diminishing and this could prolong his career and eventually erect a statue out front. Can you imagine Smith playing a Ricky Proehl type role late in his career.

[LaChance87]

People keep talking about trading smith and that he's loosing a step... He's getting older thats a fact. But he's still very competitive and very tough! 5'9'' ball of fire! When he gets hit it looks like he's killed... but he jumps up and explodes with enthusiasm. He's a tad bit injury prone but regardless he's very effective. He requires double coverage, because he has the potential to make a big play every play. Not to mention he is a tremendous leader. Talk about Delhomme all you want and I agree he fell off in his last year on the team but he was a true leader and he's gone. Smith is another true leader and the team needs him to help get the team fired up. Everyone pretty young for the most part. Smith's been around the leage longer than anyone eles on that offense and he's what alot of these young guys will need to keep them up when they fail. Truely ridiculous to trade away one of our best players in franchise history, who still has alot of game left him him. For what a third or fourth round draft pick maybe? Haha come on...

[bleys]

Agree... People who kept saying "LaFail"... After just a few games was ridiculous. Never gave him a chance. Just takes time for some players to get comfortable. I think I heard them say that the coaches had LaFell learning all three WR postions this year, which would be alot to take in... don't quote me on that but I thought I heard someone say it during the game Sunday.

That being said lets just hope that they continue to get better, and I always expect the best out of players we draft or pick up from free agency, but we've all been fooled by guys that have a great few games! Then fade off behind the crowd... (Colbert, Hayes). But I have high hopes for him, and like and have liked both of them the whole time alot better than Edwards... Because I know it'll be a year or two before we really see him come into his own and be able to make plays...

LaChance is a good name for this topic.. anyone saying LaFail is a f**king idiot and you should flag their post so that in the future you know never to take them seriously...

The best thing that could happen to the Panthers is for Steve to be made expendable by a young player developing. I don't think JR will trade him because too much of the teams identity and box office draw is wrapped up in him. We will overpay him in his next contract.

That said if one of the youngsters can develop into a true X receiver, Steve would absolutely flourish playing the slot. His skills are diminishing and this could prolong his career and eventually erect a statue out front. Can you imagine Smith playing a Ricky Proehl type role late in his career.

Smith is at the point where we should have a true #1 out on the field.. Not to say he sucks or has even lost a huge step, but he isn't what he was in '05..

very simply, you always attempt to replenish your roster to take some of the burden off the older fellas.. especially a guy who has single handedly carried our offense for years..