Panther Paw Prints Around the Web

by Jaxon on Jun 2, 2009 9:04 AM EDT Comment 17 comments

My latest version of Paw Prints uses a new format that comes courtesy of the latest SBN platform upgrades.

It looks like the top 3 vying for kick returner duties has been identified:

Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
OTA's Day 3: They had rookie RB Mike Goodson, WR Larry Beavers and CB Captain Munnerlyn back there Friday, all looking exceedingly quick. QB Jake Delhomme marveled at Goodson's feet the other day, eyes popping wide and saying "He's got jets," when asked about the impression the fourth-rounder had made. Any of the three would provide a speed upgrade over 2008 version Mark Jones, who might have been the slowest good returner ever. Now all special teams coach Danny Crossman has to do is teach these fast kids to return as well as Jones could, and they could be onto something.

I'm liking WR Jason Carter's chances of being the #4 WR

Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
OTA Day 4: After practice, WR Jason Carter was impressive, catching balls fired from the Jugs machine with one hand. He's either going to end up with a roster spot or a broken finger if he keeps it up.

If the Panthers can get quality o-line back-ups from 7th round picks my hat is off to them

Inside the Panthers: Delhomme on Jarrett; Hurney on OL depth
"We feel very good about (guard-center) Mackenzy Bernadeau and (tackle) Geoff Schwarrtz as far as (them) coming into their second year," said Hurney. "We took them last year in the seventh round. They’ve had a year to kind of learn. We’ll see how they do. Then we used another draft pick (this year) on (guard) Duke (Robinson). And we really were aggressive and signed some rookie free agents after the draft. "You’re evaluating every day and (seeing) how things go. Competition will kind of answer those questions. But I think we feel like we’ve got some good competition there for those backup spots."

Are we not all hoping this is WR Dwayne Jarrett's break out year?

Panthers hope this is Jarrett's year | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
"It's so much easier, just in terms of preparation, learning the playbook, just going out there knowing what you're supposed to do," Jarrett said of his current practice routine. "The game slows down that much more, so it's like a learning process all the time, but it's definitely easier than my first two years. "Some guys get it fast, and some guys it takes longer. I've just been working at it ever since I got here."

This post points out some interesting potential impacts from some of the new coaches.

Extreme Makeover Coaching Edition: Carolina Panthers Welcome Fresh Faces | Bleacher Report
This hire brings a level of chemistry to the offense, and Scherer’s methods and tactics are different from McCoy’s—a quality that could lead to a rejuvenation of Jake Delhomme. Scherer was the wizard behind the curtain of Browns’ quarterback Derek Anderson’s breakout 2007 season. Former Texans defensive coordinator Richard Smith takes over as linebackers coach after grooming DeMeco Ryans into one of the best linebackers in the AFC, and transforming Mario Williams from a top pick bust to an established defensive end.

Up until this post everyone has been saying to expect less blitzing.

Carolina Panthers Playbook Plans for Consistency on Offense, Overhaul on Defense | Bleacher Report
It is likely that he will use more linebacker blitzes than the traditional Tampa-2, given that he has threats such as Jon Beason and Thomas Davis in his linebacking corps. More zone coverages for the Panthers secondary will also help, as they at times seem undersized and overmatched when defending man-to-man.

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Jason Carter

It seems like every time something is written about this kid its good. I have high hopes for him this year and my prediction is he will take the 4th spot. Especially if Goodson can lock in KR/PR duties, which makes Robinson more expendable.

Also, I really hope Goodson gets the KR/PR, slot receiver, and backup RB. A great pick in the 4th round if so.

by LittleKing on Jun 2, 2009 10:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope Goodson can fill all those roles too

It would allow us to keep Carter at WR4 plus two FBs and three TEs.

by zrjohnso on Jun 2, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really am pulling For Jason Cater to make the team. Everything we have heard about this guy has been amazing catches, great attitude and work ethic, and crappy injuries at the wrong time.

I am looking forward to him getting back on the field. This guy could turn into a true diamond in the rough if everything pans out.

Member of Canes Country and the Cat Scratch Reader

by Ivan459 on Jun 2, 2009 6:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Carter could be

kind of like Ricky Proehl. In 03, our receivers were Smith, Moose, and Proehl. In a year or two, when I think Jarret and Carter will bloom, we’ll have Smith as Smith, Jarret as Moose, and Carter as Proehl, the clutch guy on third downs. I’m liking the future.

by Flowing Willow on Jun 3, 2009 3:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it...

…but, I’m wondering if Mike Goodson continues to “flash” like everyone says…and if Jason Carter stays healthy and performs as well as they say he did in last year’s training camp…if maybe the Panthers might part ways with Ryne Robinson. I still think Ryne could bounce back from his injury and win the KR/PR job. But it seems like the Panthers are certainly going to retain Goodson given his multi-threat abilities. If that’s the case, and he does well in the preseason and training camp in the return game, then there’s really not as big a reason to keep Ryne on the roster anymore.

On top of that, if Ryne does lose the KR/PR job, I just don’t see him as a strong enough receiver to win the WR#4 position. I think Jason Carter could beat him out there, too. And, if Ryne’s knee injury continues to linger (i.e., he was held out to rest his knee in the OTAs the other day), that might slow him down enough that he can’t perform at the same level…or live up to his expectations.

It really just boils down to competition, though. I don’t think Ryne was a bad KR/PR or WR. He wasn’t great either. So, line up Goodson, Beavers, Munnerlyn, and Ryne for special teams return duties and see how they all do. Then, evaluate what Carter and Goodson can bring to the WR#4 slot and compare that to Ryne as well. If he’s not clearly doing better than the competition in those battles, I think the coaches probably cut him.

But that’s just my two-cents so far,
—Neil

by NSpicer on Jun 3, 2009 9:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you...

But I think Robinson probably has the best balance between ST and regular position skills. That always helps, as does the fact that he was a reasonably high draft pick.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 3, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Darin just posted this today:

Talked to WR Ryne Robinson a bit for a story in tomorrow’s Herald. He’s on a bit of a maintenance program as he comes back from last year’s knee injury, alternating days of practice.
Still, he’s out there with the kids who are competing for the return jobs.
Had he stayed well last year, there’s a chance they don’t even keep D.J. Hackett, because Robinson was having a great camp on offense. Now, he needs to get well and stay well so he can compete with Dwayne Jarrett for the third job.

I was surprised to read the bit about his good camp last year. I don’t remember it being talked or written about much.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 3, 2009 2:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup

I tagged that one for my next edition of Paw Prints. I remember big expectations since he completed the ‘07 season on a high note but I don’t remember overly positive comments. Stuff like “He’s gaining confidence” but not much more.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Jun 3, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't remember...

…much being said about Ryne’s successful camp last year either. I recall Jason Carter wowing everyone. And when he went down with his injury, other players on the team were shaking their heads saying Carter really deserved to make the roster based on his play.

by NSpicer on Jun 3, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I remember Ryne doing good in OTAs

…but not so much during camp. I remember reading positive aticles about Ryne during OTAs. I even remember Smitty hanging out with him during practices and Smitty stating some positive stuff about him, but I can’t remember anything special during TC. It’s probably because camp opened up for rookies/veterans on July 25th, but had the first practice on the 26th of July and Ryne was hurt on the 31st of July, which only gave him 5 days of camp.

" Carolina Panthers
Site: Wofford College. Spartanburg, S.C.
*Rookies/veterans report: July 25"
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ys-2008trainingcampschedule070208&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

“SATURDAY AM PRACTICE: Stewart gets welcome to the NFL
Highlights from Saturday morning’s practice:

1. Jonathan Stewart, fresh off signing a five-year, $20 million contract that included $10.8 million in guaranteed money just hours before, was the field Saturday morning for the team’s first practice wearing No. 28.
posted @ Saturday, July 26, 2008 11:12 AM | Feedback (8) | "

“THURSDAY PM: WR/PR Robinson hurt in practice, Peppers talks
An interesting afternoon in Spartanburg.

1. Ryne Robinson injured his left knee while leaping for a pass between two defenders. Robinson got crunched in between Nate Salley and Richard Marshall, who were trying to break up the pass. Robinson later was carted to the locker room, but the extent of the injury is not known.
posted @ Thursday, July 31, 2008 5:31 PM | Feedback (0) | "
http://carolinagrowl.com/SteveReed/archive/2008/07.aspx

by meanoreno on Jun 4, 2009 5:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got it.

So Darin meant OTAs, really. Still, it’s good to know he can do it, particularly given that most of the fanbase was down on him by the time he had played his first three or four NFL games. I, for one, think the kind of production he had in college—both as a returner and receiver—just doesn’t happen by accident.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 4, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

…Ryne was really productive in college and it shouldn’t be dismissed. I remember when some tried to the same with DeAngelo’s college production when he wasn’t looking like the player he is now. I believe if Ryne stays healthy he could be productive for the Panthers too.

I believe Ryne started off slow doing returns because his heart wasn’t in as much as it should’ve been. He mentioned a few times after being drafted about doing what Smitty did by becoming a full time WR. He thought how Smitty could do at his size, so could he. He talked about so much, I thought he was overlooking his job at the moment and the primary reason the Panthers drafted him. I think the Panthers drafted him because they thought he would be an excellent return man that could be a big help in the passing game too. After Fox benched him he realized what he had to do and became focused on being a return man first, he instantly became better.

by meanoreno on Jun 4, 2009 10:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was one of those dismissing DeAngelo's college numbers...

And I argued for the relevance of Robinson’s as a returner because I feel like there’s way less of a dropoff in talent between big and small schools when it comes to kick coverage than there is in the starting front seven. Plus, you can’t have your return numbers inflated very easily by running a gadget scheme. You catch the ball and go as far as you can with it.

I’ve heard your “too focused on receiving” argument, and I don’t know if I buy it, but I suppose it’s an interesting theory.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 5, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs