Panthers claim FB Jerome Felton off waivers
by James Dator on Sep 1, 2011 8:07 AM EDT
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In their second waiver claim of the off-season the Carolina Panthers have claimed former Detroit Lions FB Jerome Felton. He was also received claim requests from the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, but much like the Kentwan Balmer claim Carolina got the award due to their 2010 record. The immediate reaction is to think Tony Fiametta's concussion is worse than previously thought which could send the young fullback to IR.
Perhaps the most curious element to the claim of Felton is what appears to be an almost lateral move from one team who deemphasized the fullback position to another. Lions' coach Jim Schwartz might as well have been speaking about the Carolina Panthers when he said
"Our fullback position has been deemphasized [...] We're using different people in those roles. It's where we are as an offense."
This echoes what we've seen from Carolina this pre-season as they routinely utilize tight ends in the backfield rather than Fiametta. On the majority of snaps if the backfield isn't empty we've seen either Ben Hartsock or Richie Brockel in the backfield in favor of Fiametta to ensure there's a better pass catching threat in an H-back role, in this way Felton fills a need. While he may not have much more starting experience than Fiametta (16 careers starts in three years, vs. 11 in two for Fi) he has proven himself to be a legitimate backfield receiving threat. In 2009 the 6-0, 246lbs Felton caught 13 passes for 133 yards while starting 8 games.
Time will tell us whether this was part a possible move of Fiametta to IR, or whether Felton could become a long term replacement at the position. After the jump you can find his career stats.
Tip of the hat to 'PanthersRoar' for the fanpost linking to Rotoworld
CAREER STATSMORE
Season
Team
Rushing
Receiving
Fumbles
G
GS
Att
Yds
Avg
Lng
TD
Rec
Yds
Avg
Lng
TD
FUM
Lost
2010
Detroit Lions
16
2
22
76
3.5
9
0
8
54
6.8
19
0
1
1
2009
Detroit Lions
13
8
15
46
3.1
10
0
13
133
10.2
27
0
--
--
2008
Detroit Lions
13
6
2
4
2.0
4
0
9
53
5.9
12
0
--
--
TOTAL
39
126
3.2
10
0
30
240
8.0
27
0
1
1
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Comments
Either Fi’s concussion is worse than everyone thought, or the coaching staff sees something in this kid that no one else does (except for the Eagles and Vikings).
Part of me thinks it’s mostly the latter, because if it were the former and they just needed a body until Fi is over his concussion, why wouldn’t they just roll with Rashawn Jackson and the combo of Hartsock/Sutton until Fi was able to return?
I hope the kid turns out to be a hidden gem, but I just don’t get this move at the moment.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
Those two teams are pretty good judges of running back talent
Adrian Peterson and Lesean McCoy, nuff’ said!
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
We're no slouches when it comes to that
Honestly, we have the deepest backfield in the NFL, if you ask me.
This comment section has officially been Tater'd.
We've not done too badly in that department either...
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Hence my comment of taking the guy
Perhaps I wasn’t clear, if the three of us want him, the boy must have ability, lol.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
I don't know, it's a bit early to me to make that call.
He may never really get a chance to on our roster… he fit the old regime a lot better than the new one. Unfortunately for him, FBs are a dime a dozen, and he may not get many more opportunities.
This comment section has officially been Tater'd.
The bad part is he was one of the best full back prospects
They were saying when he was drafted he was the best fullback in draft in like a decade, whatever that may mean. Perhaps he just never reached his potential?
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
Perhaps in terms of being a pass catching threat. He can't run block for toffee.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
You can use shite
and it sounds so much classier than american cursing. I myself have taken to using the term Bolix, most likely incorrectly, but it sounds better, lol.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
See I am learning
Thank you, it just sounds so much better, lol.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
ahahahaha bolix
That’s awesome, I’m with oldham on this one… Ditch fi.
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Sep 1, 2011 9:52 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh crap, another Brit.
This means I can’t just make up shit and have them say it, doesn’t it?
Unless we collude…… ;-)
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
i have a good idea on made up
When I was in Army we did some training for 3 months at a air base out sheffield with your sas. I thought I could drink, until they tuaght me how in England, lol.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
I like a good Jason Statham movie
and anything with the guys from Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, or Paul. Those guys are too funny!
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
Sean or Simon Pegg?
Yeah, those two, they are too funny.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
Probably Simon. I'm shattered from work. And yeah they're funny,
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Also I saw Edgar Wright
In a movie called Sexy Boots I think was the name, he just a good all around actor, but great at comedy.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
Perhaps.
I remember those lofty claims too. Seems like he would be hard to miss on.
This comment section has officially been Tater'd.
The sale was his stance on Hoov
He kept giving interviews about Hoov being his hero and how he watched soooo much Hoov film. I just can’t get if it is a coaching problem, he just can’t get it, or he was overhyped.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
I agree
Fi’s weaknesses were especially noticeable under fox. Rivera is smart enough to compensate with TEs. But why not just get a good FB? Yay.
by Panthster on Sep 1, 2011 10:01 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Pretty much. It's not a difficult position to upgrade as few teams value it.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
As a fullback, I agree.
He was more of a tailback in college. Plus, he never had to block NFL sized guys in college.
"Keep Pounding" -Sam Mills
Follow me on Twitter
this kid is a pretty decent full back
if fi is out for a while his job could be under serious threat. I like this move, maybe we’ll utilise a full back more than previously thought??
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Sep 1, 2011 9:50 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well, to me, this guy actually looks like a pro-I FB.
Fi and Jack are kinda small, IMO.
"I don't know whatchu came to do...but IIIIIIIIIIIIII came to praise his name, yeyuss!!
~Reverend Brown, Coming to America
by ERL on Sep 1, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Fi looks pretty small but the dude's heavy
He’s not built like a normal FB, appears to be all muscle. That might be why he’s not hoover-quality on blocks though, doesn’t have any cushion.
Looking at the picture of Felton up there...
He looks more stout than Fi.
"I don't know whatchu came to do...but IIIIIIIIIIIIII came to praise his name, yeyuss!!
~Reverend Brown, Coming to America
by ERL on Sep 1, 2011 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, not what I was expecting at all.
Still have my fingers crossed for an OG, DT, and CB. In that order.
"Keep Pounding" -Sam Mills
Follow me on Twitter
It helps to have a reliable target
But I also hope he can block when needed—which is crucial with the current state of our O-line. I saw too many whiffed blocks from Fiametta.
by Mtndancer on Sep 1, 2011 8:49 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Everyone in Detroit says hes a horible blocker
by rscott94 on Sep 1, 2011 8:50 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
You talked to all 4 million+ people in Detroit? Impressive
Actually he’s being touted as a “powerful Iso blocker that needs to be more consistent”. Being inconsistent is a long way from being horrible. With his receiving skills and ability to run the ball from the fullback spot, he’s an upgrade on Fiammetta IMO.
I lol'd at your headline.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
That's not saying much.
Fiammetta is more tailback than fullback to me anyway.
"Keep Pounding" -Sam Mills
Follow me on Twitter
He's always been a fullback though
He had only 16 carries his whole college career. I’ve just seen him run up the back of his offensive linemen and not touch a single defender too many times.
I think what Felton will bring to the table is a great block followed by a decent block, and Fiammetta tops out at a good block followed by a complete whiff.
I'm aware of his college stats.
What I mean is that his skill set doesn’t match his job title. He’s just not a great blocking fullback.
"Keep Pounding" -Sam Mills
Follow me on Twitter
Horrible run blocker or pass blocker?
or is it both.
"Keep Pounding" -Sam Mills
Follow me on Twitter
and benches 425lbs also
Maybe they’re going to stick him behind MacBern as a wedge so Berny doesn’t get moved around so easily.
It makes perfect sense now.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
Hard to put a wedge in a turnstile…
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader and coiner of the (minus Bowers) meme
Hard, yes...but not impossible.
As seen here:
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
by BW Smith on Sep 1, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Did you take that at one of our games?
I think I sat next to her last year.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try not! Do you must!"
There’s nothing mini about those kegs…
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
Anybody notice that she's also like 6'2. She's tall as shit!
I don't always fail, but when I do...
I do it awesomely.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Sep 1, 2011 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions
Thank god for her sake…if she were any shorter she’d look like a VW Beetle.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
by BW Smith on Sep 1, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Lions fan here
Felton was a decent player. Most Lions fans wanted to see him get more carries out of the backfield, but he seemed to not be nearly as good in short yard situations as one would expect a FB his size to be. He leans forward too much and is easily tackled by the legs and ankles. He is a good blocker if he gets in the right spot, but missed his spots a bit too much. His biggest asset is probably catching out of the backfield as strange as that may seem for a FB.
Sounds exactly like Fi to me, so this move only makes sense if he's going to IR
Which is a shame. Fi has been improving a lot since the beginning of last year, and I was starting to be satisfied with the stability of the FB again.
Two reasons why Felton was cut...
one.. he complained about not getting enough touches as a runner. He voiced this many times
.. he really never was sold on being a fullback he always thought of himself as a big backToo his credit he does have talent as a runner as he would break a few. He just never saw the ball enough to warrent keeping him. In College he was a TD machine he scored ALOT on the ground… as a blocker he is ok in the passing game… and average in the run game… with the Lions having a hard time figuring out how to keep other talents he was easyer to let go because our Tight ends do the same thing just better…
he never exceled as a shortyardage runner at all… if he did he would still be on the Lions roster.
Maybe he'll be humbled a bit with the RB situation here
Sorry son, you aint taking any touches from these backs.
I just want this guy to block...
and catch a pass on the fly if Cam has to roll out.
"It is now official... Cam Newton is now the face of our franchise.
by Caro2daheart... on Sep 1, 2011 11:14 AM EDT reply actions
He shouldn't have trouble with the play book.
This is one SMART player!
“Jerome took the ACT as a seventh grader as part of Duke University’s Talent Search program. His score was high enough to allow him to enroll in summer and night courses at Hiwassee College, where between the seventh and 11th grades he completed 19 hours of college credit courses.”
http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/jerome-felton?id=230
He runs a 4.7-4.8 40. Actually, he sounds a lot like Nick Goings.
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