Nfl.com Writer Mentions Our Future

[Panthers Nation]

Yeah, why in the world would we ever want to have a top notch receiving corps? Let's just settle for okay.

Many people, myself included, think bringing in a top notch WR should be a priority this offseason. That would drop LaFell to #3, a role in which he would likely flourish. Then in a couple years when Smith retires, the new guy is #1 and LaFell moves to #2.

Agree 100%

Getting a legit WR should be our #1 target this offseason,I would like to target Dwayne Bowe he would be a perfect fit on this team and gives us a jump ball type WR we can use in the redzone.

No Lafell is not a #2 WR yet,he still has games where he doesn't show up and his doesn't really do anything well to be counted on as a #2.He would thrive as the #3 guy though,because all the coverage would be on Smitty/Bowe.

[Raskle]

LaFell is a solid possession receiver. He and Olsen can be awesome in the short passing game. We need another deep threat to make it work, though. Coughgettiscough.

As he is my adopted Panther, I fully support the coughing in this message.

[Ruff]

Lafell is already a good number 2. Too many of you think absurdly unrealistically like most teams run around with White/Jones or Fitz/Bolden-esq duos at receiver.

Truth.

[beastson]

That's not really unrealistic

They chose to draft those players, so they drafted them. Most teams have just a number 1 and stay with that. OL or WR 1st round. If we could get both, thats a W for 2013 draft

[jasonluckydog]

We need whoever finds wr's for the Giants they always plug in some scrub and bam he is a star...

[panthers55]

We don't need to bring in a high priced free agent receiver. We just need to draft one in the first round. That way we get a stud for the next 10 years at a bargain price for the first 4 or 5.

[Panthers Nation]

You guys are right Lafell is a solid #2 WR on a bad team,but we aren't trying to be a bad team next year it's time for a upgrade at WR,Smitty will be another year older and we need a guy who can take that pressure off him.Lafell is not ready for that type of role which is why we need a upgrade.

[jasonluckydog]

WR's are the Panthers kryptonite

[carolina-chuck]

Brandon LaFell is a solid 2 or 3? How about he's a solid 3. 2 is too much for him.

Second that!

And all the people that argued with me about Lafell early in the season all a sudden can't be find.

[carolina-chuck]

LaFell is a solid possession receiver. He and Olsen can be awesome in the short passing game. We need another deep threat to make it work, though. Coughgettiscough.

I think we need two more receivers to be safe. A true no.1 and a true no.2. 89 is getting older. Lafell will never be that guy and Gettis is missing, can't be found. We may have to go back to back receiver in next two consecutive draft (2013-2014).

[bleys]

Agree 100%

Getting a legit WR should be our #1 target this offseason,I would like to target Dwayne Bowe he would be a perfect fit on this team and gives us a jump ball type WR we can use in the redzone.

No Lafell is not a #2 WR yet,he still has games where he doesn't show up and his doesn't really do anything well to be counted on as a #2.He would thrive as the #3 guy though,because all the coverage would be on Smitty/Bowe.

I see it now.. everyone and their mother/brother/cousin bitching about Bowe when we could have drafted Sammie Watkins instead.

[ChinaPanther]

LaFell has 34 receptions for 577 yards in 12 games this year. He needs to be a lot more productive than that. LaFell isn't as good as you guys make him out to be.

[Frizzy350]

Yeah, why in the world would we ever want to have a top notch receiving corps? Let's just settle for okay.

Many people, myself included, think bringing in a top notch WR should be a priority this offseason. That would drop LaFell to #3, a role in which he would likely flourish. Then in a couple years when Smith retires, the new guy is #1 and LaFell moves to #2.

I'm not saying we shouldn't try to upgrade the position, but considering how much money we have tied into our running back system we have pretty much no choice but to retain them this season. I think we could address the DT position and shore up the Oline with that money and we would see better results than a better number 2 WR - mostly because the 2nd WR position isn't currently a liability with LaFell,

I'm all for finding a diamond in the rough in the draft though :P.

[Marguide]

I'm not saying we shouldn't try to upgrade the position, but considering how much money we have tied into our running back system we have pretty much no choice but to retain them this season. I think we could address the DT position and shore up the Oline with that money and we would see better results than a better number 2 WR - mostly because the 2nd WR position isn't currently a liability with LaFell,

I'm all for finding a diamond in the rough in the draft though :P.

We have some tough decisions to make, no doubt. It may not be as bleak as some are making it out to be, so we need to see what the offseason brings.

Keep in mind, we have about $23 million or so tied up in two guys (Gross and Gamble). Depending on how our draft position looks, my guess is we bite the bullet and ditch Gamble and restructure Gross. We then have to make decisions not just at running back, but also with guys like Beason, Godfrey and perhaps Anderson.

As far as Beason, this is Luke's defense now. It is probably in everyone's best interest if we can find a way to move Jon. I know he's a great guy and a fan favorite, but remember it's a business first and foremost.

The point is, we will probably have a modest amount to sign a mid-range FA or two once all the dust settles. Could be a RG, could be a WR, or it could be a replacement for Ron Edwards. If we think there is a great WR available in the draft at our spot, we could go that way. Same for any of our other positions of need.

It should give us plenty to talk about.