What about these guys?
Every year there are first or second year players that have yet to contribute. Some of them appear to be busts, like Eric Shelton, and others are either injured or in some stage of development, like Dan Connor.............................
My question for Panther Nation are which category do these players fit in? Busters or Players? I'd like to get some scoop from people with inside connections. Thanks.
Sherrod Martin, Corey Irvin, Geoff Schwartz, Duke Robinson, Hunter Cantwell, Mike Goodson, Dan Connor, Tyrell Sutton, Troy Fiametta, Garry Williams, Kenny Moore, and any others I haven't included.
Thanks for the input.
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Martin will be a player who’ll get on the field throughout the duration of his rookie contract if nothing else. Maybe we eventually cut Chris Harris, but until then, he and Martin will be battling for the other S slot, and the loser will probably rotate in in nickel and dime sets, because they’re both good enough to see the field.
Irvin had something of a redshirt year last year. He had an injury that probably wasn’t really season ending, but they needed healthy bodies at the position. This year, he should at least be a contributor as a rotational DT on rushing downs, and hopefully a starter in the next year or two.
Schwartz is a different brand than the first two in that he was a 7th-rounder, but they’ve been pleased with him and he played well last season after Otah went down. I doubt they ever want him to win a starting job, but he could be a good piece to keep around, particularly if he learns the OG positions (where I don’t think he’s actually seen any work so far.)
Robinson was not ready to contribute last year (lots of conditioning/playbook/work ethicissues), but the hope is that he’ll eventually develop into a starting-caliber player, perhaps as soon as this year.
Cantwell probably isn’t likely to ever be much more than a fringe backup/#3 type, but he’s young and has upside (plus PS eligibility), so I’d guess he’ll stick around for at least another year.
Goodson was supposed to be the kind of explosive playmaker who made things happen every time the ball got in his hands, but he didn’t really show the ability to do that once he matched up with NFL-quality players on the other side of the ball. He was pretty miserable as a traditional between-the-tackles back, was average at best as a returner, and didn’t have the same kind of speed and agility advantage he had flashed in college. There was talk of using him split out as a receiver, but that didn’t go well in OTAs and minicamps. Worst of all, though, he had a terrible propensity to fumble the ball. Goodson’s still young and has potential, but he needs to show improvement in a lot of areas.
Connor was regarded as a draft-day steal, but he’s thus far been unable to beat out the more established players ahead of him (Diggs, Johnson, Anderson) in spite of good preseason performances with and against deep backups. He’ll have a shot to compete for Diggs’ vacated LOLB spot this year, though he’s really smaller than you’d like there.
Sutton was a September 1st steal from the Packers who showed the ability to contribute as an HB, kick returner, and even in a pinch at FB. He also showed soft hands out of the backfield when given the opportunity, meaning he could someday see a role as a third-down back if he works on his blitz protections. Definitely a keeper.
Fiammetta is our new starter at FB, and he showed relatively well for a rookie at the position when given the chance last year. However, it’s a position where few players become elite at a young age, so there will likely be growing pains in his first season carrying the load.
Williams is a depth tackle, nothing more.
Moore is a guy who flashes ability at times, but also has shown some inconsistency. I think his max upside is probably as a slot guy, and I wouldn’t even say he’s ready to do that given his performance last year. He had every opportunity to make an impact in a weak receiver corps, but he didn’t really distance himself from anybody. Still, as a young and cheap guy, they’ll hold on to him.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Mar 16, 2010 6:29 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
agree with what your saying
very good write up.
martin is a free safety and therefore will not compete with a proven strong safety. i think you mean godfrey
by pantherpride on Mar 17, 2010 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
Not much of a difference between the two spots in our system.
But yes, I did mean that it would be Martin and Godfrey competing to start opposite Harris as long as he’s around.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
by MichaelProcton on Mar 17, 2010 5:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Sherrod Martin will be a better ball hawk than Godfrey
but other than that I agree with the analysis MP. (Notice how I can both agree and disagree with you without being sarcastic or insulting)
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Late in the year it looked like Godfrey
Started to enjoy sticking his nose in it more. He laid some pops on fools and jarred some balls loose. So it would be nice to have Godfrey as the bruiser and Martin as the hawk. Having an option to go either way depending on the opponent’s personnel is to have great flexibility.
Do or do not. There is no try.
The only thing that bothers me about Godfrey..
Is how long it took for him to “turn it on” as opposed to Martin coming in and just doing it.. What’s to say an off season doesn’t turn it right back off for Godfrey? I hope he comes in hittin’ hard next year, maybe he’ll learn a few things from Chris.
Martin came in and just "did it" by being in the right place at the right time, and picking off a few overthrown balls in CF.
Godfrey hits plenty hard enough, down where the action is.
That's true
But if Martin has a penchant for being in the right place at the right time, I do believe that would be awesome.
I think the best thing is that, despite how often people may debate who should be the starter, there really doesn’t have to be on chosen player at a position. We have that flexibility and I think it’s great.. For instance.. I’d definitely give Godfrey the majority of snaps if we were playing, say, the Ravens… Meanwhile, I’d rather give Martin the majority of snaps if we were playing against the Saints, assuming he could replicate similar (or better) production as he did in his few starts last year..
In fact, I think the term ‘starter’ is a bit over-rated for some positions.. I think I’ll start referring to some players as MSH’s – Majority Snap Holders. In that case, Godfrey would probably be the MSH but I certainly wouldn’t be afraid to ‘start’ Martin if the situation called for it. Or, in the case of Double Trouble, Williams may be the starter but there really isn’t a definitive MSH. Am I rambling? Blame the alcohol.
Good stuff - have another on me!
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SLAINTE!
Right
I think too much is made of who is the starter. Maybe we put Godfrey in when we’re in our base 4-3, keep him in during short-yardage plays, and then we put Martin in for our nickel and dime packages.
Both safeties should see a considerable amount of playing time, because additionally, this allows them to stay fresh. You may even see a 3-man rotation, meaning when Harris needs a spell, we slide Godfrey over to SS and put Martin in at FS.
Do or do not. There is no try.
I think he's just being sarcastic.
Great writeup MP, I agree for the most part.
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120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 17, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Little of both actually...
Just wanted to see what Procton would say and if he’d contradict himself like he normally does. I’ve read here him trashing a Panther player, then went to article on The Charlotte Observer and he was saying that same player was the best thing since sliced bread. I swear if you told that guy a stop sign was red, he’d say since the Panther’s organization doesn’t want to win in 2010 its actually a deep orange.

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