Rivera "Olsen Can Be In The Same Class As Gronk And Graham"

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Full Article: http://www.charlotte...greg-olsen.html

SPARTANBURG Standing in front of his locker late last season, Panthers tight end Greg Olsen looked over the NFL statistics and marveled at the numbers being put up by tight ends Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski.

Except in the Panthers’ offense, Olsen does more than catch passes.

“The world we live in is production-based. That’s fair. And those guys are special guys, don’t get me wrong,” Olsen said Monday. “What Gronkowski and Graham have been able to do in two years – those are the two guys you hear a lot about, deservedly so. They’ve played well. They’ve been very productive. And at the end of the day that’s what you get judged on.

“But I feel on a play-to-play basis with what we’re asked to do, there’s not a lot of guys in the league that get asked to do what we do. From run routes, then the next play you’re at fullback, then you’re pass-blocking, then you’re in the backfield picking up blitzes, then you’re playing receiver again.”

“When you look at guys like Gronkowski and watch them, they’re not just stat players. He does a lot. He blocks. He really is an all-around player. Same thing as (the Cowboys’ Jason) Witten,” Olsen said. “But the thing that draws the attention is the stats. And last year, me and Jeremy combined were right up there. If we were one person, we would have been right up there.”

Olsen and Shockey combined for 82 catches and 995 yards, which would have ranked third behind Gronkowski and Graham. The catches were split fairly evenly: Olsen had 45 catches for 540 yards; Shockey 37 for 455.

“That system worked for us last year. And we were very productive at it. Neither one of us took it as a knock,” Olsen said. “We knew that neither one as an individual were going to get a lot of recognition. But I’m not a big attention guy.”

Panthers’ second-year receiver Kealoha Pilares said Olsen knows where everyone is supposed to line up every play.

“That guy approaches every day like it’s work. I always look at him and Steve (Smith) and just how they approach every day at practice. Those are the guys who are always looking to forward to getting better,” Pilares said. “If I ever don’t know what I’m doing I just go ask (Olsen). He’s a really intelligent guy who knows what’s going on.”

With the Panthers’ decision not to bring back Shockey, Olsen should be one of Cam Newton’s top targets in the NFL’s fifth-ranked offense last season. Panthers coach Ron Rivera believes Olsen is in the same class as Gronkowski and Graham.

“I think he can be right in there with them,” Rivera said. “This will be his first real opportunity to step up and be the guy. You watch him catch footballs, you watch him run routes and you see those traits that he can fit right into that group.”

The Year of the Greg

[Kurb]

I'm curious to see if he can step up and be that kind of player.

Lots of talent at our offensive skill positions..........................WoW I've never typed that before.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

Greg gonna get great girlzz

[Donald LaFell]

You cray rivera, you cray

[Cary Kollins]

I love Olsen, but I'm not sure he has the same raw physical ability as Gronk and Graham. That said I think with a full offseason with Cam he should see a huge increase in production.

[bleys]

“When you look at guys like Gronkowski and watch them, they’re not just stat players. He does a lot. He blocks. He really is an all-around player. Same thing as (the Cowboys’ Jason) Witten,” Olsen said. “But the thing that draws the attention is the stats. And last year, me and Jeremy combined were right up there. If we were one person, we would have been right up there.”

apparently he forgot Hernandez put up 900 yards as well...

[jtnc]

Ehhhh, he was the only legitimate target in Chicago and has never surpassed 700 yards.

[Razeyfingers]

I love Olsen, but I'm not sure he has the same raw physical ability as Gronk and Graham. That said I think with a full offseason with Cam he should see a huge increase in production.

He doesnt youre right, he's faster than both of them. Prolly not as big as Gronk and not as much of a leaper as Jim.

[iamhubby1]

Ehhhh, he was the only legitimate target in Chicago and has never surpassed 700 yards.

Apples to oranges my friend. This is not your Chicago offense. As the main TE, he very well can get close to 1,000 yards, with 70-80 catches. Why Not?

Plus, he is a beast in the Red Zone. So there is that as well.

By years end, he very well could be in the discussion as one of the top TEs. With this Offense, Why Not?

[P-paw]

Just hearing Pilares makes me think that Olsen deserves a C on his jersey.

[Lumps]

I like olsen, he has speed, hands and is a big boy. My only question about him is stamina, he seemed to slow down a bit and get tired as the game went on. Going to be more tired blocking and doing other things as he said. I think Tolbert will relieve a lot of that, moret han Shockey did but without the yards and Olsen will have some very nice stats this year.

[Panic]

Ehhhh, he was the only legitimate target in Chicago and has never surpassed 700 yards.

Yea, but who was throwing to him.

Chicago not really knowing for a passing game, and he did not have any kind of supporting cast like he has now. Sorry, dimbee, but its true