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August 26, 2008
Denver castoff a WR possibility
The Panthers need help at wide receiver, at least on a short-term basis since Steve Smith is out of the first two regular-season games due to a suspension and Ryne Robinson probably won't be back for the opener while recovering from a knee injury.
A player who just hit the open market Monday who could be worth pursuing is Samie Parker, a former track star who's only 27 and caught 110 passes the past four seasons for Kansas City.
Because he's a vested veteran, Parker is now a free agent and doesn't have to clear waivers. Parker left the Chiefs after last season to go to Denver and compete with, among others, former Carolina wide receiver Keary Colbert.
The Broncos made Parker one of their early cuts Monday, which is clear evidence that he disappointed coach Mike Shanahan.
But Denver runs a version of the West Coast offense. The Panthers don't. Perhaps he'd fit better in the Carolina system.Carolina needs more speed at wide receiver, especially with Smith out the first two games and D.J. Hackett still nursing a toe injury. Parker was a college sprinter at Oregon, and played football for the Ducks before RB Jonathan Stewart arrived.
Yes, there will be more receivers available after final cuts come Saturday, but Parker could be at least worth a quick look. However, he doesn't have punt returning experience, which is another Carolina need while Robinson is out.
Posted by Observer Sports on August 26, 2008 at 01:46 AM | Permalink
Comments
How good can he be if they keep Keary Colbert and cut him? But you are right we do need someone.
Posted by: Roger | Aug 26, 2008 3:50:40 AM
I can't believe I'm going to say this but, with Dwayne Jarrett steadily improving they are not exactly in such dire straits at WR. Yes, with injuries to Robinson & Hackett and Sucker-Punch Smith's two game suspension, chances are that Panthers will only have 3 viable WR's available on opening day (Moose, Jarrett & Taylor).
Yep! I'm going out on a limb and not only saying that Taylor's making the final cut, but he's also going to contribute on the inside. He's made some nice grabs in preseason, all with oncoming mayhem in traffic. Sure he hasn't stood out, but he can fit in at slot; leaving Moose and Jarrett on as the starters for a couple of weeks.
That being said, they are still about 2 short at WR (with Hackett & Robinson probably going on the PUP list). One of those spots can be filled by a heavy dose of Rosario lining up at 2nd TE and slot. Whether or not another spot is used for WR will be determined by what happens Thursday when the carosel of returners are tried out.
If a viable PR is found in the pile of players available, then they may sign a gap-fill type #4 WR (or #3 if Taylor flops this week) to play while Smitty is serving his time. However, if the alarms go off because of a returner specialist shortage after Thrusday's game, then expect the Panther brass to go thin at WR for a couple of weeks in order to use that roster spot to sign someone from the waiver wire (or even trade) who can do the job until the reinforcements return from their sobatical.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 26, 2008 4:34:30 AM
BTW, there is an outside chance Smith will go back to returning punts during this time of Panther need. I hope he can swallow that ego long enough to be a contributor to the team like that. Frankly, I've heard too much of "I don't do that" from these players. I'd hate to admit it, but that is one thing I admire about Bellicheat and his players, they will play anywhere and do anything.
Posted by: SYRPIS | Aug 26, 2008 4:41:15 AM
hackett will play the first 2 games
Posted by: jake the snake | Aug 26, 2008 6:58:19 AM
I don't think Smith would have any problem returning punts again. I actually think he would enjoy it. If our defense keeps this up, it would be another 6 guaranteed touches per game.
Posted by: KCPanther | Aug 26, 2008 7:21:11 AM
don't underestimate the value of the return game. koren robinson rental for 2 months anyone?
Posted by: tarheel08 | Aug 26, 2008 7:24:42 AM
Sammy just might be worth a look, but what the PANTHERS need is a return man.
Even with the thinning at the wide reciever position at the moment, I believe, That Hackett will be ready and in shape on Opening Day along with Moose, DUWAYNE JARRETT is READY FOR PRIME TIME!
The only way that I think the Panthers might look at Sammy, is if they just don't believe in the remaining wide recievers, but to be fair, they will look hard at the other two wide recievers with the PANTHERS that are on the roster now, against Pittsburgh!
Watch the wire for a return man released soon in the NFL. Fox likes to have quality backups..
Posted by: MikePhelan | Aug 26, 2008 7:58:26 AM
You will not see Smitty regularly returning punts this season, I can guarantee you that. Late in the 4th quarter in a close game he might line up back there but that would be the only situation.
Posted by: Mason | Aug 26, 2008 8:46:45 AM
I'm with tarheel08. Lets look at Koren Robinson for 2 games....Although he could only manage around 50 yds against Burns High School in '97, I've got a feeling he could help the Panthers in Smitty's absence. If nothing else, he could help in the return game...
Posted by: Bill Auvil | Aug 26, 2008 8:47:11 AM
Can't we just commute Smith's sentence to time served...please?
Posted by: JanitorDan | Aug 26, 2008 9:16:16 AM
Koren Robinson...not exactly a high-character individual. Even in this time of WR need I doubt Hurney would break character and sign a guy like that, even for a few games.
Posted by: DB | Aug 26, 2008 9:16:17 AM
SYPRIS,
I dont think Smitty not returning punts has anything to do with him, I think that coaches said it would be foolish to have our best player back there doing the most dangerous thing in football. He may do it if we are in a spot where we need a game breaker, but other than that I dont see it.
Posted by: Billy | Aug 26, 2008 9:34:42 AM
Janitor,
Steve hasnt served any time yet
Posted by: Billy | Aug 26, 2008 9:36:25 AM
Koren Robinson does not strike me as an individual who is conditioned for an NFL game at this point, nor does he seem like the mind to be able to learn the playbook and develop decent chemistry with Jake in just over a week.....sorry, the move doesnt make much sense to me.
Posted by: matt | Aug 26, 2008 9:39:09 AM
matt
Dont underestimate Koren, he is one heck of an athlete and his main problem has been alcoholism and pot. He could be a good rental player that might suprise people. He has been give just as many chances as anyone in the league, but lets face it short of killing someone, oh who am im kidding (pacman). The NFL gives chance after chance, Koren could be a good pick up.
Posted by: Takesus | Aug 26, 2008 10:07:50 AM
What about Forest Gump. He was great at kick returns.
Posted by: LyleStyle | Aug 26, 2008 10:20:05 AM
I'm not denying Koren's talent, but if he's just a rental player we will just be renting him for the first two weeks....I dont trust an alcoholic to come in here on short notice, be in shape, and learn the playbook. Damn, just because a player is local guy doesnt mean he needs to play here.
Posted by: matt | Aug 26, 2008 10:48:12 AM
I went to school with Koren Robinson at South Point and Koren is a very intelligent guy. He was in AP classes and his GPA was above 4.0.
Lets not forget that only about 2 years ago, he was a Pro Bowl kick returner for the Vikings. He was,in his early years,a leading WR with the Seahawks. Also at NC State, he was second in a lot of records just behind Torry Holt and Koren left for the NFL after his 3rd year. If he would have stayed, he could have broke all Holts records.
Posted by: Michael L. | Aug 26, 2008 10:55:00 AM
Give Koren a break. Just because he blew over the legal limit doesn't mean he was drunk. A lot of people drink and drive but it doesn't mean they are drunk. Now if they are drunk, thats different. How many of you guys can honestly say you've never had a couple of beers and then drove somewhere.
Koren was just running late after having a beer or two and was speeding trying to make back to Vikings training camp when he got pulled over for speeding. Koren was just one of the unlucky people that gets tested. If you go back and pull all the articles and stories from the arrest, none of them say that he was drunk. Just that he blew over the legal limit. I've seen a guy drink a ton before and never become drunk. Every person alochol tolerance is different.
Now all you none alcohol drinkers, I dont expect you guys to understand so I'll sit back and watch you guys jump all over me for saying this.
Posted by: GetaLife | Aug 26, 2008 11:15:12 AM
GetaLife.....if he blew over the limit he was legally drunk, thats not debateable.
Plus, the guy voluntarily checked himself into an alcohol treatment program, he obviously has a problem
Posted by: matt | Aug 26, 2008 12:31:37 PM
Yea, ditto to Roger, if they kept Colbert this guy must be absolutely terrible. Colbert bamboozled them into getting waay too much money. The only time he should spend on the field in Denver is shoveling snow.
Posted by: jmWru | Aug 26, 2008 1:17:22 PM
No, SYRP, they're not going to put Robinson OR Hackett on the PUP. They couldn't use them for six weeks that way, and both should be back way sooner than that.
Also, I have no idea why you'd think Travis Taylor would come in and contribute in a real game situation.
And finally...if Koren Robinson didn't have a job for almost four months with the roster cap at 80 across the league, we don't need him on our team with the roster cap at 53.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Aug 26, 2008 2:00:17 PM
Foxy may not consult me on the day to day operation of the Panthers, but I am quite sure he is willing to try almost anything to up-grade this team. But, they will not bring in people that HAVE character issues.
Uncle Foxy will bring in almost anybody that has both talent and character. One without the other is of no value to us, so unless you are positive about a player having both, don't waste your precious time thinking up players we need to bring in.
Koren has talent, but has he grown up? Until executives believe they can trust him, he will remain unemployed.
Just my opinion. GO CATS! and JAKE!
Posted by: iamhubby | Aug 26, 2008 4:12:22 PM
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