Top 5 Super Overachievers

[PanthersATL]

Taking a cue from Raskle in a different thread:

 

Who's your top 5 overachievers? Guys you thought wouldn't be much, but really turned it up when called upon. (IE: Goings, Hoov, etc).

 

Based only on his first year only, let's say Delhomme.  He proved later that he wasn't a fluke and needed the right system to play in, but when he first was handed the ball weren't we all like, "whaaaaat?"

[panther4life]

For this year?

 

1.Travelle Wharton

2. Mike Mitchell

3. Tedd Ginn

4. Kawann Short

5. Riverboat Ron

 

[smitty_89]

Nate Chandler would be in my top 5 somewhere....

[Captroop]

1. Thomas Davis - Has done an amazing job coming back from his surgeries to perform at a very high level
2. Ginn - Great FA pick up
3. Tolbert - Hands down our best and most reliable RB this season
4. Rivera - Honestly thought he'd be fired by now, at the beginning of the year
5. Mitchell - 89 of the defense

[Mr. Miyagi]

First one to come to my mind is Captain Munnerlyn.

 

I mean he's no pro bowler and probably not even a starting corner on most teams, but for a very late round undersized DB I think he deserves some credit for overacheiving.

 

Thomas Davis would be the obvious candidate.

[Wolfcop]

Our DBs as a group. I know that they benefit from a good pass rush, but they are night and day better than last year. Ginn should definitely be on the list. Our punter has done better than expected. 

[KSpan]

Jordan Carstens belongs on the all-time list with at least Hoover and Goings. Anthony Johnson and Fred Lane (RIP) had some great single seasons. I'd argue that Moose could be on there as well, with some incredible performances between 1998-2004 or so and a 14-season career.

[lightsout]

Byron Bell overachieves every week just by being on an active roster in the NFL.

Nate Chandler has been a pleasant surprise. By no means a great RG, but he has been serviceable in a big way for us this year.

Ted Ginn. Most people had written him off before he came here. Glad to see him impacting the game almost weekly now.

Captain Munnerlyn. Dude has been sneaky good for our defense. Sure, he has given up some plays, but he has been absolutely huge for our defense at times as well.

Mike Mitchell. Most people didn't even know him prior to him coming here. Now he's playing as good as any safety in the NFL, IMO.

[PanthersATL]

First one to come to my mind is Captain Munnerlyn.

 

I mean he's no pro bowler and probably not even a starting corner on most teams, but for a very late round undersized DB I think he deserves some credit for overacheiving.

 

Thomas Davis would be the obvious candidate.

 

For me, Davis is living up to the level I expected him to play at from the day we picked him up.

 

But Captain? He continually surprises me.  There was something in his first season when I was all "meh" , and then he comes through again and again and again. 

[KendrickPanther]

I would say AJ Klein has outplayed his draft position. Ted Ginn has added something to our offense. Colin Cole is a good one. Really all of our DTs have been a pleasant surprise.

 

Mike Mitchell is someone I struggle with. He brings the passion, energy, and edge that our defense needs. But tbh he hasn't played as well as everyone thinks. He doesn't do well with big running backs and loses guys in coverage. He has a few picks which is nice but some of them were more like punt returns. But you have to love his attitude.

[PhillyB]

travelle wharton for sure if we're talking about this year

[jayflip]

The Principal, Al Wallace.

The Pig Farmer, Jordan Carstens.

Hooooooov achieved immortality in that GB game.

Buerlien.

There's oh so many to choose from.

[Cyberjag]

If we're going by Panthers history, I would have to say, in no particular order,

 

Steve Smith--who thought a 3rd round punt return specialist would become what he has become?

Fred Lane--If you never saw him run you won't understand.  His legs never stopped moving.

Brad Hoover--UDFA running back became best fullback in franchise history

Mike Minter--Not a bad career for a guy with no cartilage in his knees...

Greg Hardy--6th round pick, 1st round results.

 

[catnip]

Several of the players mentioned were cast offs from other teams brought in by the G-man.  They have been given a second chance and have made the most of it, but I give credit to Gettleman seeing potential in these players and getting them on the cheap when handed a cap problem we should never have had thanks to Hurnia.  I say when you look at how the team has done this year you have to say Gettleman has outperformed expectations.