Article on David Gettis

[SOJA]

http://www.rotoworld.com/articles/nfl/40825/179/re-watch-ponder-dhb-gettis

Panthers wide receiver David Gettis

Brandon LaFell is often talked up as a 2012 breakout candidate, but it was 2010 sixth-round pick David Gettisplaying ahead of LaFell two years ago, when both were rookies. (LaFell was drafted three rounds before Gettis.) Gettis opened 2011 training camp as the Panthers' starter opposite Steve Smith. Unfortunately, Gettis tore his left ACL on August 10 and missed the entire season.

Gettis turned in a pair of 90-plus yard performances as a rookie, amid oft-horrific quarterback play in Carolina. (Read: Jimmy Clausen.) For game review, I chose Gettis' season-best effort -- Week 7 versus San Francisco -- and an eight-target affair in the regular season finale against Atlanta.

Before we hit re-watching in full stride, it should be noted that Gettis was a three-time California high school state champ in the 400 meters. He can get it going for a big dude. Gettis stands 6-foot-3, 217, and ran 4.43 at the 2010 Combine. He bettered that with a 4.39 at Baylor's Pro Day.

Gettis played Z and slot in the 49ers game. He moved to X at Atlanta with Steve Smith (calf) out. Gettis isn't a natural, quick-twitch slot guy -- we'll get to his skill set in a bit -- but I always like it when young players know multiple receiver positions. Remember, Gettis was a late-round rookie.

Watching him play, it doesn't take long to notice that Gettis is a tenacious, physical blocker. He is an impact player in the running game, and I thought that was an especially promising trait for a supposed "track guy." Those types are not always considered physical. Gettis loves mixing it up.

The best Gettis block I saw came in the third quarter of the Falcons game. He locked onto CB Dunta Robinson and drove him 12 yards downfield to spring LaFell for 64 yards on an end around.

Gettis showed toughness as a pass catcher on an early second-quarter slot route against San Francisco, running right around CB Shawntae Spencer's man coverage off the line of scrimmage and securing Matt Moore's pass for 20 yards with S Reggie Smith draped all over him. Gettis absorbed a blow during the reception, but held on tight and popped right back up after the whistle.

The then 23-year-old caught his first NFL touchdown pass on an out-and-up double move in the red zone, jukingNate Clements to the point that the veteran cornerback literally fell down. Gettis comfortably hauled in Moore's 18-yard scoring strike.

Gettis' long catch of the 49ers game came on second-and-ten in the fourth quarter. Lined up in the slot, Gettis ran a deep corner route down the right sideline and tracked the ball fabulously in the air, sitting in a soft spot to execute the 39-yard connection over the top of Clements' coverage.

Gettis showed some resiliency late in the game. He had a brutal fourth-quarter drop of a would-be touchdown just a few snaps after the 39-yard gain, letting Moore's perfectly-placed pass bounce off his chest. Gathering himself, Gettis atoned on the next possession by blowing past Spencer's off coverage to pull in a diving 21-yard touchdown. The score tied the ballgame 20-20 with under two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and John Kasay later banged home the game-winner.

Though less productive at Atlanta -- Jimmy Clausen was typically abysmal -- Gettis got open fairly consistently against Brent Grimes, more than holding his own versus the Falcons' top cornerback.

Gettis is a lanky, leggy long strider. He's not quick in a short area, but flashes ability to contort his body and secure errant throws. And he flies downfield. Gettis' explosion off the line is subpar, but he reaches top speed quickly enough to create separation in the intermediate and deep sections. I think Gettis could max out as a Braylon Edwards type; along the lines of his 2010 season with the Jets. Assuming Gettis bounces back from the ACL, his floor may be in the Michael Jenkins range.

Gettis isn't worth drafting in 2012 fantasy leagues, but he's a player to monitor closely as a vertical threat in a vertical offense. And he has a history of beating out the commonly higher-rated LaFell. At the very least, I think Gettis is capable of bringing a new dimension to Carolina's pass attack.

[rayzor]

i'm getting a little giddy for getty.

[TheRed]

I'm excited to see him and lafell on the field together. Brandon is no slouch himself.

"and John Kasay later banged home the game-winner." :(

[Peppers90 NC]

pretty decent insight for a fantasy article.

[CRA]

....a history of beating out LaFell?

How does that make any sense?

[TheRed]

I didn't even notice that. Which gettis homer wrote this article lol.

[jarhead]

That was a fairly accurate description of Gettis.The injury came at a bad time.It usually takes over 1 year to fully recover from an ACL injury.The guy can stretch the field.....I just hope he can recover enough to be productive

[panthers55]

The issue will be how well he can cut and move in and out of his breaks which is what is most affected by an ACL injury. At this point the jury is still out.

[catnip]

You can write all you want about Gettis, but the coach will decide who starts based on what he sees on the field. Personally, I hope both are winners and we can move Smitty to the slot, so that he can do his thing and not be double teamed. A win win situation.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

I agree...it is a fantasy article but broke down how he matched up against specific CBs. Well written and asks the question: Does Joe Person know who Gettis is?

[csx]

The named starter is only semantics as both would see the field a lot. Their will be packages for one and packages for the other and many with both. To me, it doesn't matter at all who is named what.