The word from practice..

[Snowman926]

To the guy who mentioned Naanee's blocks above: LaFell is a FAR superior run blocker, so it's definitely not that.

We run the ball less than 20 times a game who cares about pass blocking recievers? We need PLAYMAKERS on the outside!

[iluvdapanthersyo]

Mental mistakes > just plain sucking

[HoFBound90]

If he can't keep from making mental mistakes in practice and hasn't outshined nanee in practice than he does not deserve the #2 spot. ALthough all of the coaches on th this forum will argue otherwise.

[pantherfan49]

If Gettis doesn't pop an ACL in training camp, this thread would have never been started.

[Sword]

I remember a similar thread as to why Matt Moore wasn't playing over Delhomme 2 years ago..at the time it still turned out to be the wrong decision.

[mwright350]

Part of the problem is the dataset that the coaching staff has for both players. A significant portion of it is practice time so of course 4 games into the season it's still a big part of it. Maybe dude really is a practice superstar who can't deliver in games - that could account for his current position on the depth chart. You have to assume coaches will give players who perform in practice and fail to show up on game day a few games to be sure that they aren't benching a talent due to an anomaly.

I think we will shortly see game performance start to be more of a known quantity and less of a "what-if" and then we'll see Nanunanu demoted. At least from a fan's perspective it's obvious that LaFell has done far more with the opportunities afforded him than Nananono.

[firemoose]

I am no fan of Nanee's.

I did notice though that on a couple of runs, Nanee's block sprung the running back. He did his job there most of the time.

...and that is where knowing the offense is just as key as going to the spot and catching the ball.

It begs the question, why did we just not go out and get a free agent WR. That is an absolutely necessity this coming year and Steve is not getting any younger.

I know there are also Armanti Edwards fans on here. I'm not one of them.

He is yet another player that the front office took from the players natural position and tried to turn the player into something else, which wastes damned years and it seldom gets the results warranted for all that work.

If the Panthers wanted a KR/WR, that's what they should have drafted, not a QB from ASU.

He's fast; but, being fast without catching the ball or not understanding the lanes he needs to be in as a KR, well, it just doesn't matter. I know, its just year #2, right, right.

Some actual blocking on punt returns might be a good starting point also.

[Keith Moons Liver]

every now and again, as a fan, you have to just take a step back and realize that there isn't a chance in hell that you know more than the coaching staff. they are going to go with the guy that gives us the best chance to win the game. it's frustrating, i know. i almost destroyed a television at the bar i was at last weekend because of naanee on a few occassions. but there's a reason why they are paid millions and we're all eating wings and beer staring at a flashing box or sitting in the stands. if the decision to start lafell over naanee was truly as obvious as it seems, it would have been done already. and who knows, it could be done this weekend.

Sort of like when the Broncos traded away Peyton Hillis for peanuts despite their fanbase calling for him to play almost as much as they do for The Golden Calf of Bristol now?

[Panthro]

Perhaps Naanneesie looks like an All Pro at practiceb c of our CBs

[Catalyst]

I mean, considering how much we use 3-4 WR sets, I don't think this is as big a deal as some are making it out to be, TBH. LaFell gets his chances; I just wish they'd at least bench Naanee for a game or at least a practice or two to send a message that they expect better.

[mr beauxjangles]

Sort of like when the Broncos traded away Peyton Hillis for peanuts despite their fanbase calling for him to play almost as much as they do for The Golden Calf of Bristol now?

no. i just find it funny that everyone thinks that this particular situation with naanee is a no brainer and the coaches are the only ones that are obvlisous to the situation. look, i agree with eveyrone that naanee is garbage and he should be gone. but i don't pretend to know everything. and i am willing to admit that the coaching staff knows more than me and i trust them to make the best decisions...better than i could make. if you really think our first year coach and o coordinator believe that lafell is better but instead they decide to play naanee cause he's their little buddy from san diego...well, i can't help you.

[Montsta]

Maybe they are afraid that if they give Legedu the pink slip in October, he'll think it's some sort of breast cancer awareness promo and show up to practice the next day anyway. They are trying to avoid any awkwardness, and he will be cut November 1st. You heard it here first.

[Cyberjag]

He is just like Steven Smith.

The guy from USC? Smitty's first name is Stevonne. :p

[cdandi1]

Found this interesting...more into LaFell's favor...

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth

Scroll down to Oct. 5 blog from 10:05 am.

On the bright side of drops, Atlanta rookie Julio Jones doesn’t have one yet and he’s been targeted 36 times. Atlanta’s Harry Douglas, New Orleans’ Lance Moore and Devery Henderson and Carolina’s Brandon LaFell are the only other NFC South receivers who have been targeted at least 13 times and don’t have a drop.