Post by jamiafqc on Jul 23, 2012 20:34:59 GMT -5
The Panthers are doing things the old-fashioned way. If you don't like it, yoThe Panthers are rebuilding for the future, so it's quite obvious that Plaxico Burress, at age 35, Minnesota Vikings #7 would not fit as a part of the team's long-term plans. The main concern for the Panthers, however, is not just Burress’ age, but his behavior off the field. Burress served part of a two-year prison sentence for criminal possession of a weapon and reckless endangerment for carrying a concealed gun into a club. Not to mention, Minnesota Vikings #28 Burress has been sued more than nine times throughout his pro career for various traffic violations. Clearly the last thing the Panthers need when rebuilding a team full of young promising talent is a post-prime veteran with a long rap sheet.Nonetheless, the NFL is the National Football League – not the National Moral Character League – and it would be more important to evaluate how Burress would help the Panthers before dismissing him as a worthy pickup.At 6-foot-5, Burress' main contribution would be his red-zone production. He would be a huge target deep in opponent territory and a solid number two receiver opposite Steve Smith. However, the Panthers – who were 7th in the league in red-zone touchdowns – had no problem finishing off drives last season. Minnesota Vikings #69 Between Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Steve Smith and Greg Olsen, they have plenty of options in the red zone without adding Burress to the mix.ZRNAHZ0724
At 35, Plaxico Burress isn’t getting any younger. At best, he's capable of playing two productive seasons in Carolina. On the other hand, Brandon LaFell has shown significant improvements over his two year tenure with the Panthers. This season will be his first chance to solidify his spot as the number two receiver for the foreseeable future. New England Patriots #12 Additionally, David Gettis showed a lot of promise in 2010 prior to being placed on the IR for the entire 2011 season. The main issue with signing Burress is he would be taking away time and valuable experience for these young talented receivers. LaFell, in particular, needs a chance to show what he can do at the number two spot. Splitting time with Legedu Naanee last season and Gettis in 2010 has not allowed LaFell to demonstrate his full potential in his first two NFL seasons. New England Patriots #21 For the past few seasons it’s been the Saints and Falcons trading places. But the upcoming season is wide open for the Carolina Panthers to make their mark, and they could end up unseating the New Orleans Saints from the NFC South throne New Orleans has been the most dangerous team in the NFC South since 2009 because of Drew Brees and Sean Payton. A record-setting offense has gotten the Saints into the playoffs and to a Super Bowl. But Payton is definitely gone for the 2012 NFL season and Brees’ presence is in doubt. Even if he signs before the season there’s going to be some hangover. Historically, the Saints and Panthers have played each other well. Yes, New Orleans has gained the advantage, New England Patriots #81 but the Carolina Panthers are now operating under Cam Newton, a factor which changes the equation. The quality of the defenses in 2012 will separate the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints more than anything.
Carolina is welcoming back two key players in 2012, Jon Beason and Ron Edwards. If both of those guys come back at full strength the Panthers defense looks much better. What’s more, New England Patriots #83 if the drafting of Luke Kuechly pans out as it seems it might, the Carolina Panthers defense becomes a force to contend with. On the New Orleans Saints side they have been addressing weakness since day one of the off-season. Plagued by big plays, the Saints changed coordinators to bring in Steve Spagnuolo, who is generally seen as less of a gambler that Gregg Williams, and seems to have a knack for developing defensive lineman, long a sore spot with this Saints D.Cameron Newton, the former Auburn star who won the 2010 Heisman Trophy and went on to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the NFL in his debut season for the Carolina Panthers, may have his image on one of the world's most iconic video games soon.EA Sports' Madden NFL, New England Patriots #87 a football game offered across multiple gaming systems including PS3, Wii and XBox, is leaving it up to Madden's loyal followers to decide which NFL superstar graces the cover of the 2013 edition of the game.
Newton and Detroit Lions' wide receiver Calvin Johnson are the finalists in the voting after beating out San Fransisco 49ers' linebacker Patrick Willis and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers. New Orleans Saints #9 Fans can vote for the Newton or Johnson via the Madden NFL or SportsNation Facebook pages, as well through twitter by using the hashtag #mymaddencovervote with their tweets.The winner of the vote will be announced during the April 25 episode of popular sports show SportsNation on ESPN.The obvious: Smith didn't have to throw much, especially in the second half, because the 49ers' defense was fearsome. Newton did. But it wasn't like he was in New Orleans Saints #28 the "no-huddle" in the second half every game -- with a few exceptions, most Panther losses were close and the Panthers were running their regular offense until late in the fourth quarter. Newton, in fact, only threw for about 55 yards per game more than Smith on average in 2011.
Smith, 28, obviously is sensitive about his reputation as a "game manager" type quarterback, but that's what he is. He did a nice job of it in 2011. But if you polled 30 GMS which player they'd want to build a team right now, New Orleans Saints #43 I bet at least 90 percent of them would go with Newton.Newton does so many more things than Smith. He only had three 300-yard passing games last season, actually, not a "lot," as Smith proclaimed, but he also makes so many more plays with his feet. Give Cam the 49ers defense and he would go 13-3, too -- or better.The only thing I believe Smith does better than Newton right now is avoid the interception. But that hasn't been the case throughout his career -- in the six years he has played, he has a modest TD/interception ratio of 68/58. New Orleans Saints #80 (Here are Smith's stats).As for Beason's Peyton Manning reference, he's right on (although Smith wouldn't have been cut, as he was a free agent at the time -- he just wouldn't have been a 49er anymore). It's not close which one of those guys is better. And Manning is better than Newton, too, assuming he's healthy again. Manning is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer tonight; Newton has many more productive years to go before he gets to that point.So pity the oversensitive Smith, New York Giants #10 who unnecessarily brought Newton into this fray to bolster his own argument.
At 35, Plaxico Burress isn’t getting any younger. At best, he's capable of playing two productive seasons in Carolina. On the other hand, Brandon LaFell has shown significant improvements over his two year tenure with the Panthers. This season will be his first chance to solidify his spot as the number two receiver for the foreseeable future. New England Patriots #12 Additionally, David Gettis showed a lot of promise in 2010 prior to being placed on the IR for the entire 2011 season. The main issue with signing Burress is he would be taking away time and valuable experience for these young talented receivers. LaFell, in particular, needs a chance to show what he can do at the number two spot. Splitting time with Legedu Naanee last season and Gettis in 2010 has not allowed LaFell to demonstrate his full potential in his first two NFL seasons. New England Patriots #21 For the past few seasons it’s been the Saints and Falcons trading places. But the upcoming season is wide open for the Carolina Panthers to make their mark, and they could end up unseating the New Orleans Saints from the NFC South throne New Orleans has been the most dangerous team in the NFC South since 2009 because of Drew Brees and Sean Payton. A record-setting offense has gotten the Saints into the playoffs and to a Super Bowl. But Payton is definitely gone for the 2012 NFL season and Brees’ presence is in doubt. Even if he signs before the season there’s going to be some hangover. Historically, the Saints and Panthers have played each other well. Yes, New Orleans has gained the advantage, New England Patriots #81 but the Carolina Panthers are now operating under Cam Newton, a factor which changes the equation. The quality of the defenses in 2012 will separate the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints more than anything.
Carolina is welcoming back two key players in 2012, Jon Beason and Ron Edwards. If both of those guys come back at full strength the Panthers defense looks much better. What’s more, New England Patriots #83 if the drafting of Luke Kuechly pans out as it seems it might, the Carolina Panthers defense becomes a force to contend with. On the New Orleans Saints side they have been addressing weakness since day one of the off-season. Plagued by big plays, the Saints changed coordinators to bring in Steve Spagnuolo, who is generally seen as less of a gambler that Gregg Williams, and seems to have a knack for developing defensive lineman, long a sore spot with this Saints D.Cameron Newton, the former Auburn star who won the 2010 Heisman Trophy and went on to win the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award in the NFL in his debut season for the Carolina Panthers, may have his image on one of the world's most iconic video games soon.EA Sports' Madden NFL, New England Patriots #87 a football game offered across multiple gaming systems including PS3, Wii and XBox, is leaving it up to Madden's loyal followers to decide which NFL superstar graces the cover of the 2013 edition of the game.
Newton and Detroit Lions' wide receiver Calvin Johnson are the finalists in the voting after beating out San Fransisco 49ers' linebacker Patrick Willis and Green Bay Packers' quarterback Aaron Rodgers. New Orleans Saints #9 Fans can vote for the Newton or Johnson via the Madden NFL or SportsNation Facebook pages, as well through twitter by using the hashtag #mymaddencovervote with their tweets.The winner of the vote will be announced during the April 25 episode of popular sports show SportsNation on ESPN.The obvious: Smith didn't have to throw much, especially in the second half, because the 49ers' defense was fearsome. Newton did. But it wasn't like he was in New Orleans Saints #28 the "no-huddle" in the second half every game -- with a few exceptions, most Panther losses were close and the Panthers were running their regular offense until late in the fourth quarter. Newton, in fact, only threw for about 55 yards per game more than Smith on average in 2011.
Smith, 28, obviously is sensitive about his reputation as a "game manager" type quarterback, but that's what he is. He did a nice job of it in 2011. But if you polled 30 GMS which player they'd want to build a team right now, New Orleans Saints #43 I bet at least 90 percent of them would go with Newton.Newton does so many more things than Smith. He only had three 300-yard passing games last season, actually, not a "lot," as Smith proclaimed, but he also makes so many more plays with his feet. Give Cam the 49ers defense and he would go 13-3, too -- or better.The only thing I believe Smith does better than Newton right now is avoid the interception. But that hasn't been the case throughout his career -- in the six years he has played, he has a modest TD/interception ratio of 68/58. New Orleans Saints #80 (Here are Smith's stats).As for Beason's Peyton Manning reference, he's right on (although Smith wouldn't have been cut, as he was a free agent at the time -- he just wouldn't have been a 49er anymore). It's not close which one of those guys is better. And Manning is better than Newton, too, assuming he's healthy again. Manning is a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer tonight; Newton has many more productive years to go before he gets to that point.So pity the oversensitive Smith, New York Giants #10 who unnecessarily brought Newton into this fray to bolster his own argument.