Chris Harris (ESPN): "Cam Newton is good. His receivers aren't"

[top dawg]

While perusing BYE week options in fantasy, I happened upon this synopsis of Cam and the WR corps by Christopher Harris:

 

 Cam Newton is good. His receivers aren't: Watching Ted Ginn and Brandon LaFell play football is just painful. They can get open with the best of them. But week after week after week we have to watch these wideouts drop catchable passes. Ginn had a perfectly thrown bomb go directly through his arms on what would've been a long touchdown. LaFell ran a lovely dig route in the third quarter and Newton stuck it on him, and it ricocheted off his chest. These are not one-time events, and if you're looking for a reason Newton hasn't taken that proverbial "next step" as a passer, that's it. Newton is on a ridiculous three-week streak, during which he's gone 58-for-75 (77.3 percent completion rate) for 667 yards, six TDs and zero INTs, and Thursday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he rushed for his second TD in his past three games, making his fantasy night. Steve Smith? He's still really good, but even he's had some drop problems. Yet the biggest failing of Panthers management past and present is failing to surround Big Cam with a viable stable of supporting wideouts. When they struggle, when Newton struggles, it's almost always because better defenses take away Smith, and nobody else can win consistently.

 

 

I said to myself, "Wait a minute. Isn't this supposed to be about fantasy football?"  The truth is that it hit a little close to home (Ouch). But, at the same time---after I had thought about it---I had to grin at dudes frankness and succinctness. In this instance, fantasy is close to reality, but as long as we keep winning, who is really gonna care?  There is some irony, in that we keep on winning notwithstanding management's "biggest failing".  Cam and the coaches are doing a helluva job.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

I won't disagree.

Watkins '14

[PantherBoy95]

I'm tired of people bringing up Ginn's droP. (I capitalized the "P" for a reason.) He may have had drop problems before but not here. Yes he let a big one slip. No arguing that. But let's not be blind sheep who only listen to popular opinion.

[PantherBoy95]

Lafell...No excuse, then again that was the knock on him coming out of colege if I recall. Small hands.

Steve. IDK what is up with him this year. I don't want to say the "lost a step" thing just yet c/ I said that before Cam came, and then he blew that out of the water. However if I'm being honest he's not the same home run hitter with that dangerous threat for YAC. He's had a few crucial drops, but Smith is still Smith and I'm sure he's getting plenty of attention+  Cam spreading the ball around more+ Finally having a good receiving core. Thus the production drop from Smith. But Steve is still great, just lacks the break away ability that I'd grown accustomed to.

[Newtons2ndLaw]

Anyone else hate ESPN on our jock?  The minute we slip up they'll turn against us in a heartbeat. Who are they to diss our guys even while praising Cam. The rats all of them.

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

Anyone else hate ESPN on our jock?  The minute we slip up they'll turn against us in a heartbeat. Who are they to diss our guys even while praising Cam. The rats all of them.

 

So you hate ESPN for being on our jock, then you get mad when they "diss" our team?

[Darth Biscuit]

Ginns drop was a potential TD but has he dropped many others? I thought he's been playing pretty well... And that drop last night was on his hands but by no means an easy catch...

[jopie87]

Ginn has a whole 1 drop that I can remember this year, so the argument kind of sucks. Ginn has been nothing short of fantastic this year.

[carolina-chuck]

I believe Ginn only have 1 drop so far after 7 games. That's not bad. Now, LaFell is "bad". The dude is so inconsistent and drops ball almost every week. That's just who he is. Me personally, I dont want him back after this season unless he is our no4 receiver. Ginn is legit as the no3. We need a true no1: Nicks, Gordon, Lee, Watkins, or Evans.

[PanthersClinic]

Some truth to it but Sam Bradford, Russel Wilson, Kaepernick (thus far), and Tom Brady don't have much to throw to either.

 

Olsen has some talent, Smith is a solid vet, Ginn is a deep threat and LaFell provides a balanced option. Work with what you have. Maybe we can draft a great WR (first since Smith?).

[CelticCat]

If Cam is completing 77% of his passes someone has to be catching the ball.

 

Yeah, Ginn dropped a huge deep ball but he also caught 5 or 6 for 80 yards. WR's drop balls, it happens.

 

QB occasionally overthrow passes and WR's drop the ball once and awhile, welcome to football.

 

Cam is completing 77% on third down, 80% on 3rd and long, a ridiculous 92% on 3rd and 11+ yards, id say his receivers are stepping up when called upon.

 

 

[CPF4LIFE]

LOL That was hilarious

[TheGreatestOfAllTimeCam]

I am fine with Ginn in his role. Has good repoir with Cam.

 

I grade overall our receiver group as C+ or B- at best. Just a fact. Add a gamebreaker in the first round next year, and it could move close to an 'A'

[Seltzer]

I personally think our receiving corp is underrated. Cam has enough weapons. LaFell has had a couple of bad drops the last few games, but he also has had some big catches and he is consistently getting open. Plus, he is a top 10 blocking WR. I don't understand the LaFell hatred.

Saying Cam has no weapons is a lazy argument. The games the offense didnt score (Seattle & Arizona) were on the Oline more than the WR in my opinion.

Maybe I have just followed the team too long and base my expectations accordingly. This receiving corp is well above a lot the Panthers have fielded. The only years that even jump out to me as better are '99 & '03 and maybe '08 with Smitty/Moose and '11 with what Shockey/Olsen & Smitty brought.