Panthers Sign WR Wallace Wright to Bolster Special Teams
per daringantt:
"You want Panthers free agency news? Here's your news. Panthers sign WR Wallace Wright, a special teams guy. RFA, not tendered by Jets."
We can all relax, the future is safe.
4 months ago
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And it looks like Dante Wesley may be on his way out too.
per Darin Gantt:
“Seriously (this time), Wright’s a big-time special teamer. Gunner on punts. That means they’ve found Dante Wesley’s replacement”
Could be...everybody on the roster must be a little worried
except those that have been tender or signed recently. I’m sure Diggs thought he was safe having re-signed lately.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
He also had 2 receptions last year for 21 yards
Maybe we can start him opposite Smitty.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
It will be appropriate with all the other new starters, that we’re all sure can play better than ProBowlers.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Not with 4 youngsters
And NO veteran leadership
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Mar 9, 2010 9:10 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
We haven’t had veteran leadership on the defensive line since Rucker and Buckner retired.
Beason is the leader of that defense and gives the line their alignment. I’m not as concerned about it as you are ST.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 9:21 AM EST up reply actions
+1
And Harris commands the secondary. Leadership on the D is not a problem.
And when they do sign some veteran d-linemen
I totally expect you guys to be consistent in your arguments, and say that it’s a bad move because we have all these young studs that can handle it fine.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
We haven't already signed veteran linemen?
You’re characterizing the line like a bunch of rookie’s with no experience.
- Louis Leonard: Entering 3rd season
- Tank Tyler: Entering 3rd season
- Charles Johnson: Entering 3rd season
This isn’t their first rodeo. If we were talking about starting Corvey Irvin and a rookie, I might agree with you… but I don’t in this case.
Also, saying that we wouldn’t be consistent if they get a veteran defensive lineman is an incredibly slanted and loaded comment. Obviously if the Panthers, say, traded for Vince Wilfork tomorrow it would be a major talent upgrade that has nothing to do with how many years a player has been in the league.
However, if we sign a 6 year veteran of comparable skill to Leonard or Tyler and gave them the starting position, then yes… I would argue that the younger guys should be given the opportunity
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 2:01 PM EST up reply actions
My mistake
All of the above players, plus Ed Johnson are entering their 4th season
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
James I agree with you (see below), BUT
are you comfortable with our D-line AS-IS? I’m not sure we can go into the season with Hilee Taylor as the first end off the bench…he’s no Al Wallace. The same can be said for Irvin.
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:03 PM EST up reply actions
(Irvin is no Lewis)
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:04 PM EST up reply actions
Make no mistake
I’m not advocating that the Panthers shouldn’t look at depth on the D-line at all, especially end.
What I am saying though is that I believe the prospective starters:
C. Johnson/Leonard/E. Johnson/Brown
Will perform well with Beason as their defensive captain.
I don’t deny that we need depth at the position.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
you wouldn’t be opposed to adding a potential upgrade to one the starting spots? (whether it be in FA or the draft)
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:19 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely not… if it’s an upgrade.
I’m just choosing not to overvalue a players’ worth based solely on the number of years they have been the league, or immediately assume our line will be inferior because none of the guys we have are proven starters.
I have faith in the ability of our younger guys, just like I had faith in Meeks when everyone else was down on him and I advocated ‘Letting the players learn the system’ and just as I advocated that the corners would be okay, despite their collective youth.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 2:32 PM EST up reply actions
completely agree
and I truly hope that we are looking for another undersized pass-rusher in the draft. The ‘Robert Mathis’ of Carolina (assuming Brown is a poor-man’s Freeney). This way, we have someone other than Taylor to put on the end when C Johnson slides inside. Sometimes teams use their outside backer in a 3-point stance to accomplish this since he is not in the nickel set, but we do not have a backer that fits this profile. Whether we find that guy, or choose a true end, I hope we can fill this hole.
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Eric Norwood could do such..
And also play an OLB.
Despite the scouts projecting him to only fit a 3-4, I think we could make good use of him in Carolina.
Norwood would have to play DE
He lacks the hips for coverage, but he is good downhill in run support.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 10, 2010 2:20 AM EST up reply actions
How is Beason going to help them?
How’s he going to cue them on the snap count? Make sure they understand their assignments? Etc? They’ve been talking about this a lot on WFNZ.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Who was "cueing" them before? Peppers? Kemo?
WFNZ is a bunch of idiots.
The problem is not making them starters
It’s making them all starters at the same time. I find it odd that you guys won’t think they need any veteran help, even though players themselves say it’s crucial.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
According to Buckner and the other guys on the radio, it's crucial
It’s usually the young guys who jump offsides, and have trouble with the more mental aspects of the game. Beason has no way to help with that. I assume ex-players know what they are talking about. And I’m sure this is why they were looking at a guy like Marquest Douglas.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
While I don't disagree with your call for veterans,
I think it is more likely that an end and a tackle are added through the draft, rather than during free agency.
Not necessarily my preference, but what I think will happen.
It would be puzzling to release veteran guys that have been here only to replace them with other veteran guys that are new to the team/scheme/city. I guess the difference is the new guys would be cheaper?
But if you go too cheap, will they really see the field over these same young guys that will be prone to jumping offside?
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:00 PM EST up reply actions
It's very strange
Why let a guy like Lewis go, then consider Douglas?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
the only explanation is $
I suppose Douglas is chasing the minimum?
Do or do not. There is no try.
by ERL on Mar 9, 2010 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
Douglas is a DE
Lewis is a DT
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 9, 2010 3:37 PM EST up reply actions
We are not concerned with the position
but the profile the player fit in…which in this case is an aging d-lineman with little upside.
Do or do not. There is no try.
Right, Lewis was a guy that understood his role here
Why cut guys like him, then look at guys like Douglas. What’s the motive?
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
Wrong again.
Most penalized guys on the D-line in ’09?
Peppers
Lewis
Brayton
Find a better source of information — like right here.
DAMN
He’s 26 years old…he might be a little old for the New Look Carolina Panthers =P (just kidding)
Actually this looks like a nice move
Special teams was a big part of our success in 08’. So at least there’s some sign that they are addressing needs.
Wish I could see into the mind of John Fox for a moment
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Mar 8, 2010 8:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Straight from the mouth of fans: Picked from the Gang Green comments of the Wallace signing
Ah man. Wallace was a valuable guy. Do we get any compensation? Cant remeber if he was an RFA or not.
Not a big fan of this move at all, making more improvements than Clowney and was our best special teams player.
Wallace Wright was a very underrated player imo. Why let your best special teamer go away for nothing in return. Especially if he was making improvements at WR.
It looks like we made a good pickup according to the people who know him better than we do.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 8, 2010 8:53 PM EST reply actions
Good stuff...we certainly need improvement in kick coverage
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
It's not an earth-shattering roster move, but...
…this DOES actually improve us at the gunner position on special teams. Given their sub-par performance throughout most of the early season last year, that’s an area that needed it. Still, this is like fixing the cracked mirror on a car that’s got engine problems. We’re going to have to seriously improve the D-line more than just our special teams.
But that’s just my two-cents,
—Neil
Welcome back Neil!
How’s it going?
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 10, 2010 2:21 AM EST up reply actions
"making improvements at WR"?
He had 2 catches. Is anyone else getting the feeling that Dwayne Jarrett is going to be our #2 WR next year?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Yeah we should probably start over with another second round pick
(vintage MP sarcasm)
Do or do not. There is no try.
But seriously
Jarrett deserves a chance to expand upon his recent football epiphany. Given the fact that we have a quarterback that will be finding “his guys” (targets he feels comfortable with), perhaps Jarrett will become one of said guys.
Do or do not. There is no try.
I still think we draft one if available
Let Jarrett start one year. But with the high probability that he doesn’t play well, we’ll have another guy behind him.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
I've got no problems with that
My preference would be to pick up Shipley with our later 3rd rounder (assuming we’ll have two, or is that in 2011 [we will get a 3rd for Peppers?]). With the first two picks I think we need to go D-line, considering there is immense depth in that pick range (47-100).
Do or do not. There is no try.
Totally Agree
I agree 100% with ERL. I think Jarrett can turn it around and I’d still love us to pick up receiver in the third. I think our D-line needs some bolstering now…and this draft is supposed to be the deepest draft in recent history on the D-line…why wait?
by SouthernPanther on Mar 8, 2010 11:33 PM EST up reply actions
I agree too
that next season might be Jarrett’s break out season. My preference would be a burner instead of a possession WR out of the draft though.
Jarrett will only be starting to fill a void
The last couple years he’s shown some promise but also major disappointment. That’s not the kind of guy you want to just thrust into a starting role. But it looks like this year is different, and we’ll be doing that at a number of positions. Preferably you need a vet on the line for example to help with things like the snap count. With all these new starters be prepared to see a lot of false starts, penalties and lack of chemistry. But they’ll figure it out eventually. You can’t get better without first getting worse, right?
I'm not sure I'd ask him to do more than just fill that void
I see your point, but consider that college teams are very different from one year to the next, and the good programs still manage to gel pretty quickly.
With the NFL being a year-round endeavor, and given the fact that all but potentially 2-3 starters have been in the system at least a year, with the same coordinators coming back, I don’t expect this to be a huge issue once we get into September.
Do or do not. There is no try.
What happened?
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
Another oddity? Ok, maybe not Nice tty though
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
I'm betting defense with first pick...
and a WR with the 2nd
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
Before FA I would have disagreed with you
But now, yeah. Of course, it will depend on who’s available.
Yup, with new offensive personel in key areas
Look for Foxy to load up on defense a bit, realizing they may be on the field quite a bit at times—like last year (well hopefully not that bad). I recall Hurney saying they like having “waves” of d-lineman to keep everyone fresh…and we’ve seen this in the past. Right now we are about 1 wave shy of having two waves, so something must be done for Fox to have the luxury of doing his usual 750/350 snaps for starters/backups.
Do or do not. There is no try.
haha
well put – “we’re about one wave shy of having two waves”
by SouthernPanther on Mar 9, 2010 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
With Pick6 now gone, the WR “problem” won’t be one. Moore spreads the ball and reads the field well, watch how Jarrett will blossom once this season starts, along with other guys at WR besides Smith. Also, the Panthers have pretty good TE’s that can spread the field and catch, so WR isn’t that much of a problem imo.
"It's a bad day to have a bad day" - Coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers
Can't disagree with this
WRs depend heavily on their QB. So to me, all these young receivers (particularly Jarrett) get a fresh start now that Moore is at the helm.
Geez, with Matt Leinart throwing him the ball (not awesome) he put up All-American type numbers for three years. Let’s give him a chance with somebody other than Jake Delhomme.
Do or do not. There is no try.
Good point
I know the NCAA isn’t the NFL, but you do have a good point here. I guess we’ll have to see how it works out this fall.
by The Duke Dude on Mar 9, 2010 12:37 PM EST up reply actions
I think gaining the confidence of his coaches and teammates will go a long way.
Keep in mind the guy is still 23. There are 23 year old guys entering the draft this year, so he is still VERY young. It would be foolish to give up on him now, especially when you consider how much has been invested in the kid already.
He will succeed. He must.
Do or do not. There is no try.
i agree
i really like Jarrett’s size and he has great hands. He just needs to grow up and learn that he isn’t playing college football anymore. This is the real deal. It also helps to have a QB who can put the ball on the money instead of 2 yards behind you…
by SouthernPanther on Mar 9, 2010 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
He pretty much catches anything thrown to him
He just has trouble getting open.
That's very true, more so than would initially seem..
Jarret has had a couple terribly off days, catching hardly anything. Those were far and few in between last season, though, to the tune of 2 out of 10 games. In the other 8 games, Jarret caught 15 of the 19 balls thrown his way. In the only two games he has played with Moore at QB, he caught 5 of 6 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. The one pass he didn’t catch was against New England and was his only target that game. The rest came again New Orleans.
I think he has shown more promise than most have given him credit for (including myself).
This could be improved by the new WR coach
Williamson was old school, and old — he was widely known to have little rapport with younger receivers. Maybe the new WR coach, Tyke Tolbert, will help Jarrett with his route running and separation. He’s already got the good hands and the guts to go get it over the middle. And now that he’s tasted the EZ, he’ll be primed for 2010.
Double Smith, stack the box
Who’s going to make that a bad idea, consistently. Jarret? King? Barnidge? Rosario? Some of those guys have talent (Rosario in particular), but we need a consistent scoring threat across from Smith. Someone like Tate, Gilyard, or McCluster. WR is still our greatest need.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 10, 2010 2:24 AM EST up reply actions
Jarrett looked good against single, sometimes double coverage in the finale
Given the snaps (opportunity) and a capable passer at QB, Jarrett has shown he can be a productive, if not dominant football player. Granted that was in college, in the PAC 10, but football is football, and I can’t imagine he has gotten worse since leaving USC. What should we go ahead and cut him before he is truly given ample opportunity? -so we can start over with another second round WR? I guess since we are already rebuilding in the eyes of many fans, this would be the way to go.
Football games are won in the trenches, still. We have more pressing needs on the d-line, considering it was below average last year with all those veterans who have been let go.
Do or do not. There is no try.
Jarrett has always looked good in a handful of plays
The question mark is can he ever be a constant threat.
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
I think both needs are equally pressing
Matt Moore might make Jarrett into a very good #2. Or maybe once again he is invisible most of the season. Our D-line could pick things up and gel quickly, and then all we’d need is some quality depth. Or they could play like new-starters without any leadership and struggle.
How can we differentiate at this point though?
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
That just means adding someone to d-line could have greater impact
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
Wow..
I just had such an idiotic moment.. I misread the title and mistook it for a new fanshot talking about Mike Wallace. For a split second I was overjoyed then I realized it was just my idiocy.
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