I'm so tired of hearing about mediated labor talks, player-owner disputes and the expiration (or extension) of the current CBA.
Maybe that's partly why I'm so in favor of the Carolina Panthers' signing of Jeremy Shockey, announced today. It means we can talk about football again -- thinking about what third-and-7 looks like instead of what a seven-hour negotiating session must sound like.
I know there are risks involved with Shockey. He's been injury-prone recently. He's blunt. He's a character. And he's 30 years old, which is nearing old age at the tight end position.
But there are also rewards. The last "senior" tight end the Panthers signed following his stint in New Orleans, Wesley Walls, was the best at the position the team has ever had.
New coach Ron Rivera has spoken about finding one guy at TE to be Carolina's threat, rather than the 3-headed monster of mediocrity that played the position last season. This looks like Rivera and his staff doing something pro-active, trying to see how much tread Shockey has left on the tires. The guy has the Super Bowl ring the Panthers all want, he's a multiple Pro Bowler -- he's worth a shot.
We're moving!
9 years ago
Posts
36 comments:
damn right Scott...i think its a great move by Rivera and co.
I like it...he's definitely worth a shot. Hopefully Marty Hurney will listen more often to Coach Rivera...we may actually be able to put a decent team together. I just hope Hurney doesn't pull another "Armanti" in the draft this year!!!
yes i like this move as well...but on another note why is everybody so ready to write off armanti edwards...hes been in the league one year and i know he had a rough preseason but hes changing positions and doing it on the highest level of talent...not that easy to do...im a diehard panthers fan but weve got some really stupid fans who are always looking to complain or blame someone
I think it's a good move -- Shockey has a swagger that the Panthers seem to be lacking. But I think they need to find another decent tight end as a backup, either through the draft or free agency, who can be ready to come in and start ... not just a body; someone who has a halfway decent history of catching the ball. I don't think that the Panthers can put all their eggs in one basket with the tight end position -- not when Shockey's injuries and past attitude problems could resurface.
Bring it!!! An injury-prone 30 yr old Shockey is more productive than all three Carolina TE's put together.
Good move Rivera....all young QBs need a good TE safety outlet. Could make the transition for Newton a little easier - a little.
Panther "Fans" always ready to throw their team or it's players under the bus. Shockey seems like a nice a addition . .. if he can keep his nose clean and to his business but the Panther Tight Ends have more talent than they are being given credit for by you guys. Perhaps when they are working in an offense that focuses on them more they can show you. Shockey's hire should be good for those who remain with the team
Great move, but I've seen Jeff King from his college days on, and I'm wondering if his receiving skills are underrated. He was a Walls type guy coming out of college, and blocking wasn't his Forte. Could it be the Fox scheme ruined the receiving skills that were there? Or am I living in the Hokie Glory Days.
Not a bad move. But why can't we sign our own free agents? We're waiting for after the labor dispute to sign Johnson, Davis, and possibly Williams. If we can sign Shockey, why not them? Its not like anyone is going to get paid during a lockout anyway.
Fowler and Sorehead in agreement on aged out Shockey is disturbing. TEs are mainly blockers. Dont CP have plenty of TEs who get their share of passes with King and Rosario?
The #1 issue is not TE but picking Ryan Mallet as franchise QB. Rivera has shown his inexperience and stupidity again. Look for another 2-14 season and Luck in 2012. Rivera may be a single season coach at this pace.
Not only can this man be a threat, but if we get a few more TE in the draft he can be a mentor. Something this team hasn't had in years. Shockey KNOWS the position as it has been played in the last 3 years. No coach is that close to the game as he has been. It is a good thing.
As a New York Giants fan, I am thrilled that Shockey is coming to my second favorite team. He definitely will bring a swagger to the mix, and is as entertaining as he is frustrating. Can't wait to see him in Panthers uniform.
@anon 8:11am
You sir need stop inhaling the Sharpie fumes. First for bashing a coach before he has even coached his first game, let alone first full season. Second, for thinking we should taking Ryan Leaf (oops, mean Ryan Mallet, the second coming of Leaf).
Save us all the trouble and shutup or at least get the gets to put your name out there.
Sincerely,
Rick Boggs
I agree with you, Ricky. Also, I never understood the platoon system for TE's. Some people complain about 3 kickers...I always wondered why we kept 3 TE's. Waste of roster space, although I liked each player. They can catch passes, too, but were never given a shot at legitimacy thanks to Fox. I'm likin' Rivera so far. Finally, please NO to Mallett. He's an accident waiting to happen.
I predict one and done and that we don't get a full season of games out of him either...
This move is puzzling. It seems in-congruent to the strategy of the Panthers, i.e., high character FA moves, not bringing in guys past their prime, developing youth through the draft, etc.
I for one, thought GB was the past pass catching TE we had on the team last year. Never understood why he didn't get more PT.
I agree that Shockey will be a great addition to the team. His value to the team may be seen as much off the field, as on the field. With his experience, he can do a lot to help the younger TEs that will be left on the squad. But alas, unless the OL can give the QB time to throw the ball, and we actually have a QB that can, it's not going to matter who we have at TE. As for Coach Rivera, I am looking forward to the possiblity of having, not only an attacking defense, but also an offense that pushes the ball down the field. Hopefully his plans for the team will not be hampered by upper management.
How many games did Shockey play last season?
The Giants traded him after 2007 when he displaced his left fibula and had to have a titanium rod inserted with screws.
What did he do with the Saints?
Wasnt he out 12 games in 2010 for that wouldnt have mattered because he was a non-factor?
Face reality. He is going on 31 years old and damaged goods and a cast off of the Giants and Saints.
Rest assured that Shockey will be a non-factor bench warmer behind the much younger healthier TEs King and Rosario
Nothing against Shockley who was good in his prime even at Miami in college but his NFL are over and top teams always dump their garbage on the bottom feeders and espec one with a new inexperienced coach. They do every year.
Carry on mates ... ... lol ... jeez
Can't wait to see a real football player open-hand slap Jimmy Clausen for being a wuss
Brooklyn Decker: I like it
What the hell is Scott's problem?
I hope we draft Blaine Gabbert so the Jimmy Clausen fiasco can end quickly --
This is what you get in Shockey, the Dan Morgan of tight ends.Real good player when he plays.He is definitly an old 30.Get used to seeing him standing on the sidelines looking like he needs a haircut rooting his teamates on.I hope I'm wrong. I always liked the way the guy plays.
Darn. So that was the whole problem last seasons 2-14 season.
Everybody missed it including the sports media and fans.
It was that dang tightend position. It wasnt the QB or the lousy defense.
Thanks to coach Rivera for correcting everyone. Shockey will fix everything.
I too hope the they draft Gabbert as well, with such a strong QB class it's hard to believe the Panthers will not draft one of these guys. Cam Newton's is going to be a fine NFL quarterback. When you look at Gabbert and the way he makes his reads as well as his quick release, I think we would be better off with him as our future quarterback... so does Mike Mayock. To bad we lost out on Andrew Luck. I've never seen a quarterback with better mechanics or that possesses his touch on throws.
What should the Panthers do with their 3rd round pick?
I hope the fact that the Panthers are willing to take a player that hasn't gotten along with his coaches and been described as being a cancer in the locker room of every team he has played for shows proof that they will take the best quarterback in the draft despite the scrutiny he faced after his father asked for money from the universities that wanted his son. Surprisingly, I haven't heard anyone say they didn't want Shockey because of his character.
ajeezzy,
Your comments on why we should take Cam Newton were brilliant on the last blog. I couldn't have made a better argument myself. I always rip the people who hate Newton. But yourself, Fowler himself, and a few others have given me hope that it's not everyone out there who would insanely prefer to avoid this potential frachise quarterback for selfish reasons. I think it would take a while to get him ready for a pro offense, but he would immediately be the most talented quarterback we have ever had. The finished product will be one of the best quarterbacks in the league. We would finally have a signal caller that the opposing defensive coordinators feared.
I can't stop thinking about givin it to Danica Patrick
Cameron Newton will end up in the Canadian Football League as a TE when all is said and done.
You got our Tight End, and I for one am very sorry to see him go. Jeremy has fire, injury prone or not. Loves the game to death and when he's in, gives it more than his all. As far as his 'flamboyant behavior', didn't see much this past season and I'm sorry about that. Who wants a priss player who doesn't get into it now and then. I always loved the way Shockey was on the Giants, barring his criticism of his own team mates, although sometimes thought he was justified. The Panthers are getting a seasoned player with 4 pro bowls and 2 SB rings under his belt. Don't look that gift horse of experience in the mouth. Sorry to see you go Jeremy, but I'm keeping em crossed that the Saints want you back.
Always a Saint Fan and Forever a Shockey Fan!
guy/girl above me....You're right. What Shockey can bring to the Panthers is experience. So if they made the deal based on that, plus his continued ability to play the game (when he's in), then for the Panthers it's a good move. ANY move with experience is a good one for them. Let's face it, they could learn a thing or two from someone like Shockey. Glad he kept his number and I wish him lots a luck!
A quarterback to throw the ball to him would help.
Whats wrong with younger healthier King and Rosario? Dont they need a QB too?
If Shockey was so young healthy w/o a broken lt fibula then why was he dumped by the Giants and Saints and benched?
Some idiots think if you act and talk stupid or jump around like a dumbazz you are a great player?
Before SSmith became washed up and suckazz he acted like some idiot moron too. WWE needs him now.
If you want Vince McMahon WWE then the NFL needs to rig games and that way at least the CP could win.
Shockey may be better than what we have now, but he is no Wesley Wall.
Your right Kenneth. I like Shockey and newton but no one is questioning Shockey character. We aren't interviewing for the choir. Lol. I want football players. Our offense just got one ( when healthy), let's draft the other one.
Great move Panthers!! I thought they should have made a move for Shockey before he went to New Orleans. Hopefully he still has 3-4 years to be productive at TE where we have been horrible!!!
TE has been horrible? Total crock. A TE is mainly an OL blocker and gets a few short dumps or curls in the red zone or on 3rd down.
The main problems have been QB and WR with that terrible slackass defense who need to repay their entire salary in 2010 and redistribute to PSL owners.
That bunch of worthless scumbag greedy hog NFL Players Union needs to be removed from football entirely and the union outlawed permanently trying to steal more billions off the masses with higher tv cable bill food and gas.
You can always find rogue dumbass players a dime a dozen anywhere who will play for 50% of these current thieves but OWNERS are a special rare breed who operate with a genius business mind. Union slimeball crook leaders need to be executed with lethal injection.
Carolina Panthers is my favorite professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. my favorite player is Derek Anderson
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