OK, it's a little early but I'm not so sure we need Hixon. And, how 'bout Gettis?

[TheRed]

Yeah, we can. If said guy can ever get on the field. Sitting on the bench or standing on the sidelines is totally useless, particularly for a guy who has the first time to put up any stat in a Panthers uniform.

As far as I'm concerned, Hixon's case for usefulness cannot be made from the sideline.  Get in the frickin' game!

 

He missed the first preseason game. Going by your logic, Tolbert, Stewart, and Beason are also useless.

[top dawg]

He missed the first preseason game. Going by your logic, Tolbert, Stewart, and Beason are also useless.

 

Always comparing apples to oranges, but you already know that.

[TheRed]

Always comparing apples to oranges, but you already know that.

 

Luckily for everybody, coaches and general managers are not as impulsive as us fans.

 

Otherwise we wouldn't even have enough guys to fill a roster.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Honestly, I think that the dudes that don't make our team could definitely catch on elsewhere. They're all versatile and have their strengths that certain teams might utilize since we clearly don't know how to.

[Cpt slay a ho]

hoping pilares steps it up if he doesn't get cut, but too early to dismiss hixson....especially on the 1st game but if AE and Gettis go ape sh!t the next couple of games then maybe he becomes in question.

[Marc Anthony]

Don't forget Colbert and Drew Carter, they were breasting it out there tonight.

[jayflip]

Don't forget Colbert and Drew Carter, they were breasting it out there tonight.

The image of Keary Colbert dropping a sure first down conversion on 3rd down and then smiling that sh*t eating grin while slowly jogging to the sideline still haunts my dreams.

[Woodie]

Pilares and Adams have had strong camps according to most observers, while Gettis has had an inconsistent one.  But none of them are irreplaceable, and the opportunity is wide open for one to step up.  So here's where I see each of them at this point.

 

1) Pilares has shown flashes when given a chance, but not enough to secure anything.  He's ok as a kick returner, but probably best as an emergency guy rather than primary returner, so has limited value there.  However, he is a very good gunner, so he does have ST ability on his side.  But honestly, he probably has the least upside of the three as a receiver, so he really needs to separate himself from the others or hope we go with a seventh receiver.

 

2) Adams struggled with holding onto the ball as a punt returner...that's it.  We have certainly not seen enough of him as a receiver to pass any sort of unbiased judgments on him.  And for those of you that are dismissing Adams because we signed Ginn, don't get too caught up in that.  Ginn was only brought in on a one year deal, so if Adams shows the coaches that he can hang onto the ball as a PR, I think he will get a spot since he will be much cheaper than Ginn next year (and his salary is already accounted for in next year's cap), and they still believe he can be dynamic as a returner. 

 

3) Gettis showed promise as a rookie and he has the desired measurables for a WR.  But since his rookie year, he has been injured and has not stood out...even once he got healthy.  And while many are excited about his 3 catch game, I see cause for concern.  Not one of his receptions were "hands" catches, he caught each of them with his body, and that is not what you want in a receiver.  So this still seems to be an issue for him, just like it was coming out of college.  He also does not contribute on ST, so he has that going against him.  Honestly, I see him as having the biggest hill to overcome in order to make this team.  He would really need to show the coaches something special to warrant keeping a sixth or seventh receiver on the team despite not contribute anything on ST.  

 

So, the question is, do we keep six or seven receivers?  I think in a perfect world, the coaches want Adams to step up because of his potential as a returner.  And also because he was their guy and they used a mid-round pick on him just a year ago.  But if one of the other guys truly separates themselves, I could easily see them using an extra roster spot on a seventh receiver.   

[Achilles]

You know Ginn was the only receiver who didn't essentially play well.  That said, he seems to be #4 or 5 on people's depth charts.  How is AE the clear #3.  I thought Hixon was expected to be the #3.  Now the fact that he didn't play has to be accounted for.  Does AE leap ahead of him based on 1 preseason game? I expect it to remain this way until AE clearly and consistently outperforms Hixon.  I think #14 is nearly a lock to make the team (what a good story it would be if he did ascend to practically a starter).  Here's what I think the big picture looks like now:

 

Smitty (the master; love the idea of working him in the slot with LaFell and AE on the outside, I think he will enjoy this year)

LaFell (he's becoming a real professional, def. our possession guy, love what he brought in the short time he was out there)

Hixon (Jury still out but seemed like the #3 most of camp, nice try by Gettleman to bring over Giants as role players, don't quite see what we got)

AE (as an App Alum, I can't avoid bias, but I think the kid could be our long term 2 or 3, he has improved)

Ginn (7 targets, 1 rec. Not good.  But he does clearly have great skill.  Jury's still out)

Gettis (had some nice grabs, looked head and shoulders above most other players on the field working with the 3s and 4s)

 

Adams (never impressed in the return game, not a top 6 receiver on many NFL teams)

Pilares (clearly understands the playbook and is a good team member, not dynamic enough)

Bersin (it was fun while it lasted)

 

[csx]

Luckily for everybody, coaches and general managers are not as impulsive as us fans.

 

Otherwise we wouldn't even have enough guys to fill a roster.

Lucky for everybody fans don't make decisions and can say whatever comes to their mind and it has no consequences.

[Beast_3000]

i agree, how can hixon make a team from the sideline. lets remember last year as well, many thought Reggie Smith was lock to make this squad but did not.

I agree with your point but started back peddling when I saw you mention Reggie Smith....lol

I regret keeping Nakumara over him...as I am sure everyone does.

[SOJA]

It is going to be very interesting to see who they keep 

[MHS831]

Gettis had 2 or 3 "body catches", which is what he is good at.  Do not crown him until you have seen a few over the shoulder throws or an "away from the body" ball.

[toldozer]

Gettis had 2 or 3 "body catches", which is what he is good at. Do not crown him until you have seen a few over the shoulder throws or an "away from the body" ball.

This is what I was going to say and I love gettis. I slept through the second half but saw his two catches in the first. Both I believe were on third down for first downs, but both were caught completely against the body and not with the hands. I player like that is good for about 3 interception a year from balls bouncing off his chest protector.if he can't catch with his hands we can't use him.