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August 23, 2007
Is Colbert The New Henning?
Wow.
Reading the comments on my last blog, it appears that, before a regular-season snap has been taken, Panthers wide receiver Keary Colbert has become the fans' new whipping boy. Reminds me an awful lot of the talk about offensive coordinator Dan Henning last year, and we all know how that ended up.
Colbert is a good guy, can play a number of musical instruments and is even producing a hip-hop CD. In the NFL all that and about four bucks will get him a Grande Latte, or Latte Grande, or some other ridiculously fancy cup of coffee. In the league, it's all about production, and Keary's has been dropping fast.
As a rookie in 2004, pressed into action because of injuries, he made 47 catches and appeared on his way to being an NFL regular for a long time. The following year, though, Colbert was bothered by ankle injuries and slipped to 25 receptions. Last season, he was health again and the coaches were expecting a return to the productivity of that first year.
It didn't happen. Keyshawn Johnson was signed as a free agent, and Drew Carter also moved ahead of Colbert on the depth chart. He wound up the year with just five catches, and was inactive four of the last six games.
Colbert has played well enough in camp to be getting considerable time (with Carter) opposite Steve Smith. But, with rookie Dwayne Jarrett waiting in the wings, Carter improving and guys like Taye Biddle suddenly grabbing attention, "well enough" might not be good enough this year.
Keary Colbert has the talent; his rookie year proved that. Now the execution must follow.--STAN OLSON
Posted by Observer Sports on August 23, 2007 at 02:32 PM | Permalink
Comments
Stan & Pat, you guys don't have a clue. Colbert isn't the whipping boy, hes the prime example of the Foxy/Hurney regime's refusal to cut the dead weight. If you can't see that, you might want to start writing about Charlotte's nightlife.
I thought the idea was to IMPROVE the team during training camp, especially coming off the leagues most disappointing season.
This is Pro football, ie, you get paid to produce. Please tell all the readers what Carter, Colbert, Shelton, and Gamble have actually done the past 2 seasons, besides drop balls, sit on the bench and get burnt in the secondary.
How bout asking Foxy some real questions about the team and quit lobbing the softballs.
Posted by: Red | Aug 23, 2007 2:59:24 PM
Colbert has GOT to produce or he's gone. There is no reason he can't be a possession receiver, especially with Steve Smith drawing all the attention on the other side. But I don't hate Colbert. Sure, he's a nice guy. But the Panthers have got to get production from the 2nd receiver.
Posted by: DReed | Aug 23, 2007 3:00:22 PM
Stan & Pat, you guys don't have a clue. Colbert isn't the whipping boy, hes the prime example of the Foxy/Hurney regime's refusal to cut the dead weight. If you can't see that, you might want to start writing about Charlotte's nightlife.
I thought the idea was to IMPROVE the team during training camp, especially coming off the leagues most disappointing season.
This is Pro football, ie, you get paid to produce. Please tell all the readers what Carter, Colbert, Shelton, and Gamble have actually done the past 2 seasons, besides drop balls, sit on the bench and get burnt in the secondary.
How bout asking Foxy some real questions about the team and quit lobbing the softballs.
Posted by: Red | Aug 23, 2007 3:04:14 PM
Pat & Stan you two created the arguments to turn him into a whipping boy by writing articles that are more suited to start debates instead of writing the facts. Now as camp ends Jarret isnt ready to be a starter, when all summer that was the buzz. Let you guys write it, Carter and Colbert bribed their way on the team and seem to be playing by some sort of default. Now its like Biddle is the next Steve Smith because of his fourth quarter preseason production. Start reporting the facts instead of writing the fiction.
Posted by: The Critic | Aug 23, 2007 3:25:14 PM
it seems that every year, reporters and coaches all say how good of a camp Colbert had, and every year he sucks. Sure he was impressive in his rookie year, he was impressive until that game in Detroit where he got smashed by their DB, ever since then he's been scared to catch the ball, he's not the new Henning, he's the new Todd Stinkston, he needs to move on (or move out) Shouts to WFNZ and the Mac Attack.
P.S. Hey Stan, ask the Packman if he could get an occasional interview with some Panthers players.
Posted by: mattdaddy | Aug 23, 2007 3:35:11 PM
Uh, yeah, Red, we actually have a clue. And the point I was making is that Colbert has brought this on himself by NOT producing, not that the fans are picking on him. He's with the big boys now, and the only thing that matters is results.
And Matt, I'll pass your request along to Packer.
Posted by: Stan Olson | Aug 23, 2007 4:34:27 PM
I saw an interview with Colbert on news channel 14 this morning that was very telling. When asked if he thought any of the "other" Panthers receivers were distinguishing themselves, he said "well we're basically all doing the same stuff out here" in a very non-challant tone of voice. This is why Colbert has not been a success in the NFL, he has no competitive fire. He's got a million dollar talent and 10 cents of competitiveness and heart.
I think it's finally time for the Panthers to give up on the Colbert project and move on. The guy cares about collecting his check and making hip-hop albums, not football. You can't play football well at any level without passion, and when he speaks it's clear he has none.
Posted by: Dave | Aug 23, 2007 4:54:11 PM
Oh, and I think it's an insult to put Dan Henning in the same category as Colbert. At least Henning accomplished something during his tenure with the Panthers. Colbert has dirtied a uniform and made hip-hop records.
Time for the Panthers to hip-hop is a$$ right out of the locker room.
Posted by: Dave | Aug 23, 2007 4:56:39 PM
Exactly Stan, not producing, which is my point about the coaching staff. They refuse to try new blood regardless of how little the "Vets" contribute.
Since you know whats going on, please, please tell my why Foxy will not give the young receivers a legitimate shot with the starters during the preseason.
Posted by: Red | Aug 23, 2007 7:39:20 PM
Since the Panthers are still Experimenting
Why not take and start Biddle over Colbert and Carter what do we have to lose?
Posted by: Chris | Aug 23, 2007 7:40:12 PM
I second what Red and Chris stated in giving Biddle some playing time with the starters in this next preseason game. Biddle deserves to have a chance, he has been out playing both Carter and Colbert. If the Panthers were to cut Biddle without even giving him a chance to play in a preseason game with the starters, then they are truely not seeking out the best players, their minds were already made up who was going to start before camp began.
Posted by: reno | Aug 23, 2007 8:34:54 PM
"It’s an insult to put Dan Henning in the same category as Colbert. At least Henning accomplished something during his tenure with the Panthers. Colbert has dirtied a uniform and made hip-hop records."
I could not agree more; to the fan it looks, he has no heart. He would rather pick up chicks with his silly hair than play with a fire in his heart.
I wonder if the coaching staff puts too much stock in large college programs when it comes to drafting. Maybe we should not look at Southern California and pay more attention to Utah (Steve Smith).
Posted by: Roger | Aug 23, 2007 8:52:46 PM
Could be Roger, if USC puts out bums then the Panthers just wasted 2 picks, but we'll see.
But I think they're more afraid to admit when they blow a draft pick. Colbert and Shelton have no business being on the roster. Carter and Gamble are iffy in my opinion, and I guess we'll see about TDavis and this years rookies.
Posted by: Red | Aug 23, 2007 10:10:39 PM
I agree Colbert is useless, so too is Shelton and Gamble is nowhere near as good as people make him out to be. Henning was a scapegoat, period. The season hasn't even begun and we're already seeing the dreaded draw on 3rd and forever. Some of the young WR have been in with the starters. Biddle has great speed and appears to have great hands. He can't read defenses, however. The INT that Basanez threw the other night was because Biddle didn't realize the blitz and know to break off his route. Another reason we can't get production out of the 2 and 3 WR is because we have a QB who refuses to throw to them a huge majority of the time.
Posted by: jason | Aug 24, 2007 7:31:37 AM
Put up or shut Colbert. It is just that simple. I don't want hear about it's business and we'll take a salary cap hit, and all the bull. It is about winning games. Period. Give the young WR a chance to play with the first team and let the chips fall where they may.
Posted by: kwadjo | Aug 24, 2007 10:26:34 AM
I want to cast another vote for more first team snaps for Biddle. Also, I was watching the Colts game on TV the other night and they did a little feature on Bill Polian, Hurney's predecessor. What most of his first round draft picks has done is incredible. Mostly All Pros, although they've come near the end of the first round most of the time. Wish our draft choices could have fared so well.
Posted by: Ron | Aug 24, 2007 2:03:48 PM
Did you see Keary Now???? How about that TD catch in the NE game,and how about Smitty's blocking skills??? GO PANTHERS!!!!
Posted by: catchick | Aug 24, 2007 9:28:24 PM
Ron, you get a little bit of a handicap when you can put an offensive draft choice on the field with Peyton Manning.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 25, 2007 1:56:52 PM
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