Jump to content
  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

It's That Time Again... The Armanti Thread


TylerDurden

Recommended Posts

Hopefully this version will be free of App St. homerism and full of objective discussion.

In all fairness, from what I saw of him last night, he looked better than he ever has over the last two years. He looked the most natural he ever has as a wide receiver and returner. He seemed much more decisive on his return, made his move, and cut it up field. As a receiver, he looked so much more fluid in route running and catching. I actually had to look twice to make sure it was him.

That being said, he has spent two years to get to this point and the fanbase has already written him off (I pretty much already did prior to last night). Has the front office and coaching staff as well? Even if they haven't, I honestly just don't see how he makes the team with the emergence of Tutu, the return of Gettis, the addition of Murphy, possibly expanding Pilares' role as a WR, and with Joe Adams as a returner/spot WR.

There is no doubt he looks much improved, but it seems too little, too late.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know, maybe I'm just showing my ignorance here, but while he seemed more decisive and adept at catching the ball last night than he ever has before, I saw that he still seems to just run straight to the part of the field that's all clogged up with large men seeking to do the returner bodily harm. Is there an issue with field vision that makes his returns so pedestrian?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I know, but I guess I'm saying is there anyway his improvement as a WR and returner (in addition to his potential ability in wildcat packages) present enough versatility to keep him around?

I'm all but sure Adams will be the starting returner, at least as the PR, once the season starts. I think it'll come down to whether he's one of the top 5 receivers on the roster. His versatility could give him an edge, but I just don't see him beating out Pilares or Adams regardless for the last spot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

He looked "marginally better" than he has in preseasons past. He did not look "much improved" to me.

Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me.

I don't even know what the saying is for fool me three times.

In Armanti's case as a receiver though, looking at his past performances, "marginally" is equal to "much improved" in my mind. Any improvement is "much improved" because he looked so out of his element in his first two seasons.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree that Armanti did look a tad bit better, but, the thing is, there's only a certain number of spots available to him on the roster.

With our WRs looking something like:

WR1: Smitty

WR2: LaFell

WR3: Murphy/Gettis

WR4: Gettis/Murphy

WR5: Pilares (KR)

WR6: Adams (PR)

Where is there room for him?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First, yes, I'm a homer.

Now, AE didn't get in the game until the third quarter. Clausen was already in the game, so other than two kick returns (total of 45 yards), he didn't have much of an opportunity to be evaluated. If you look at just stats, he looked pretty good on kick returns and was fourth in receiving yards (one pass caught). I don't think anyone can say from this limited time on the field that he has made improvement or not-- other than what has been observed at camp. Perhaps if he gets some time with on the field with someone other than Clausen we could see if he has what it takes or not.

As a Panthers fan I want to see the best guy out there and if it isn't AE, so be it. With this said, I don't think I saw enough of anyone to start feeling like anybody is a lock -- except maybe for SS.

And unlike many of the crazy fans and haters on this board, I'm confident that the coaches will pick the best players and if we see AE make the cut, he deserved it. It won't be because they are just trying to piss everybody off. At this point he's been given all of the chances one could expect, so it is what it is.

Of course, I was going to add that AE would be better at QB than Clausen, but then I realized that I would be better than Clausen. At 5'9", 150, I could easily be sacked every other play and I probably wouldn't complete any passes. I'd also go 3 and out regularly. See, just like Clausen.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Would Morgan or Beason have been HOFers' if injuries hadn't derailed their careers?  I was not a close watcher of the game when Morgan was in his prime but I thought Beason had a few seasons at close to Lukes' level of play.
    • Franchise QBs feast when things are rolling and the tide that raises boats when things are going sideways.  Bryce isn't that. He's a complimentary player, that's it.  When the defense and STs are on point, he plays loose and it shows.  When we are in a dog fight and things haven't gone our way, he struggles.  It's that simple. He's not a horrible QB, but he's not top tier either.  So the question begs, is this worthy of a second contract?  The answer should be no.  It definitely is my answer. Bryce will never be a QB that can produce wins largely on his arm.  That's a FRANCHISE QB, any other QB is simply a placeholder at the starter's position until that guy can be found.   At some point the excuses of lack of weapons will be a straw man.  Heck, it's nearly there now.  I mean if he doesn't look even better than last year will we blame it on the TE position?  'Well if Bryce only had a player like Kelce, Kittle or Gronk on this team...'  Are we really going to do that?  
    • When I arrived at college, I was 18, not too much younger than some of these draft picks.  It was not a huge school, but there were guys on the team who were 21, 22, 23....playing ahead of me.  I was seventh on the depth chart.  Those guys have been through a few seasons, were stronger, more knowledgeable.  I was a better raw player than some of them, but those other factors matter.  As I grew stronger, more familiar with the playbook, and learned what it was like to play in college, I gradually improved and with that, I rose up the depth chart.  It took most of my freshman year for the light to come on.  Had the coach thrown me into the starting lineup day 1, I would have probably failed.    And that was college.  So I agree with you based on my experience on a much lower level.  Frankly, I think that is why so many kids drafted to fill huge gaps bust.  The teams are desperate.  Anyone who looks to fill vacancies in the starting lineup through the draft is desperate.  You draft depth to develop.  For this reason, I say, "Let Walker start for a while."  Maybe Brazzell can be our WR 4.  Throw Hunter into a rotation and ask him to do one or two things.  Freeling needs some strength and he needs to work on run blocking.
×
×
  • Create New...