Legette admits taking his catching for granted a little his rookie season

[TD alt]

The bad thing is that Xavier Legette kind of ignored the Jugs machine his rookie season. The good thing is that he's committed to it now. Catching is important to an NFL receiver (sarcasm), but, perhaps just as important is a receiver's---any player's---mindset. 

"This offseason, the young wideout has gotten back to something in terms of preparation (Jugs machine). 'Oh man, it’s always been something I’ve done, and I don’t know why, but I felt like I could take a little breath,' explained Legette (via Darin Gantt of Panthers.com). 'And when you’re playing in this game, you can never do that. It’s always a way to get better, and that’s one of the ways to help with catching. For sure, for sure. In my mind, I’m thinking about ways, things I can do. What can I do to have less drops this coming season in Year 2?

'The whole mindset has changed, man,' added Legette. 'Trying to do anything I got to. I’m sacrificing a lot of things that I used to do outside of the building to put my work inside the building.'"

https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/xavier-legette-focused-on-reducing-drops-that-plagued-rookie-year-with-panthers-01k1692c0tz9

So, yeah, it wasn't good coming in taking some things for granted, but Legette is young. His mentality appears to have changed and he appears to be maturing and he's been putting in a lot of work by all accounts. 

I know some of you are down on him, but I still have faith. Last season was a disjointed mess in its entirety, but there were still some flashes, particularly with route running. With Legette's seemingly better fit as the WR2, mindset and focus---doing his actual job catching the ball---he should be able to improve.

Lastly, I'd like to add, props to Legette for being so open about the need to improve and change his mindset. Some guys wouldn't necessarily admit that publicly. If nothing else, he's honest and down-to-earth.

Edited July 27 by TD alt

[BlazeCarolina]

Trying to do anything I got to?  I don't like the way he says that.

I want him to work out, but the more I learn about him, the more he seems to just not have that elite mindset.  Would love to be proven wrong.

On the last highlights from camp I watched, he still wasn't tucking the ball correctly to run.  He adjusted, but I want that type of thing to be automatic, not something he has to think about.

[TD alt]

4 minutes ago, BlazeCarolina said:

Trying to do anything I got to?  I don't like the way he says that.

I want him to work out, but the more I learn about him, the more he seems to just not have that elite mindset.  Would love to be proven wrong.

On the last highlights from camp I watched, he still wasn't tucking the ball correctly to run.  He adjusted, but I want that type of thing to be automatic, not something he has to think about.

Point taken, but he has to learn. I'd say that he certainly had problems with drops, but I don't remember any fumbling issues. He's young. I don't know that he was talking about thinking about improving while he's literally playing, as much as he's thinking about improving catching before regular season begin. The good thing about the Jugs machine, and any type of practice, is that it leads to muscle memory, which of course leads to not having to think about playing, but just playing. 

We'll hope for the best.

[HeelsPanthersCanes]

Two ALARMING things here ...

"Oh man, it’s always been something I’ve done, and I don’t know why, but I felt like I could take a little breath,' "

1) He had this mentality as a ROOKIE, when you've accomplished NOTHING to take a "breath".

and

2) That he is STUPID enough to admit it.

"Jugs" work to receptions in an NFL game is as "jugs" work in a strip club are to getting a girlfriend.  They both make you feel good, but neither is practical in real life. 

Edited July 27 by HeelsPanthersCanes

[Pejorative Miscreant]

1 hour ago, BlazeCarolina said:

Trying to do anything I got to?  I don't like the way he says that.

 

I understand your point but I’m not one to criticize grammar. Particularly that from XL. 
 

38 minutes ago, HeelsPanthersCanes said:

1) He had this mentality as a ROOKIE, when you've accomplished NOTHING to take a "breath".

and

2) That he is STUPID enough to admit it.

I took it to be an honest admission and answer. 

We 100% agree XL Is flawed and like you, I’m  not very high on him either regarding his ceiling but I’m not gonna poo on him for being honest and saying he has regrets about some things and wants to change and get better. 

My question is can he get better and what does that look like.  

[jfra78]

While most will understand that he has learned from mistakes as a rookie, others who did not like the pick to begin with will use this to fuel their hatred.

[frankw]

Meh I would rather hear him admit his mistakes than just pretend like he's been doing everything right. All that matters are the results on the field. Let's see that and go from there before bashing him just for being honest.

[PootieNunu]

1 hour ago, HeelsPanthersCanes said:

Two ALARMING things here ...

"Oh man, it’s always been something I’ve done, and I don’t know why, but I felt like I could take a little breath,' "

1) He had this mentality as a ROOKIE, when you've accomplished NOTHING to take a "breath".

and

2) That he is STUPID enough to admit it.

"Jugs" work to receptions in an NFL game is as "jugs" work in a strip club are to getting a girlfriend.  They both make you feel good, but neither is practical in real life. 

How many rookies do you think this happens to? After you get drafted you think you have made it. 

It's encouraging for him to realize the folly of his ways, let's see if he can capitalize. 

[BlazeCarolina]

1 hour ago, TD alt said:

Point taken, but he has to learn. I'd say that he certainly had problems with drops, but I don't remember any fumbling issues. He's young. I don't know that he was talking about thinking about improving while he's literally playing, as much as he's thinking about improving catching before regular season begin. The good thing about the Jugs machine, and any type of practice, is that it leads to muscle memory, which of course leads to not having to think about playing, but just playing. 

We'll hope for the best.

That's what I meant with the tuck.  It should be muscle memory.

I hope he turns out to be the star we all hope him to be.  He's a player my wife has attached to, so I am definitely rooting for him.

[BlazeCarolina]

27 minutes ago, Pejorative Miscreant said:

I understand your point but I’m not one to criticize grammar. Particularly that from XL. 

I wasn't trying to criticize the grammar at all.  It's the way he worded it.  Sounds like a chore.

I would rather him "love" his job.  I want him to want it.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

28 minutes ago, BlazeCarolina said:

I wasn't trying to criticize the grammar at all.  It's the way he worded it.  Sounds like a chore.

I would rather him "love" his job.  I want him to want it.

Gotcha. I will alter my statement to say I’m not one to  criticize  people  for the way they word things. Particularly XL. 
 

I’d rather just sit back and see how he develops. 

[JawnyBlaze]

I take it as he always had really good hands in college so he took it for granted and focused on routes and other things that are actual adjustments from college to pros and his catching focus suffered from it.  Of the end of the world if he gets back on track. 

[Gapanthersfan]

I didn’t hate the pick. I like the dude and think he’s a cool cat, but this validates everyone who has said that he lacks a dawg mentality. It also helps to explain why he would snag some really difficult catches and drop others that look pretty routine. 

I sincerely hope he has truly committed to becoming a professional because I know Coker enjoyed the read. 

[OneBadCat]

I think we’re reaching here. He’s a second year WR who had some ill timed moments where he choked. That’s nothing to do with the jugs. That’s nerves and taking your head out the game. He knows how to catch a ball. He just has to adjust the NFL pressure.