Eric Shelton - Bust or Super Sleeper (1 Viewer)

[Red Max]

When Shelton was drafted he was going to be the guy to take over from Stephen Davis at the Panthers, he then suffered an awful training camp which saw him drop in peoples estimations before picking up the season ending injury.

Has his moment passed him by or will he emerge, due to Fosters injury history, to be THE sleeper of 2006?

 

[Dr. Octopus]

When Shelton was drafted he was going to be the guy to take over from Stephen Davis at the Panthers, he then suffered an awful training camp which saw him drop in peoples estimations before picking up the season ending injury.

Has his moment passed him by or will he emerge, due to Fosters injury history, to be THE sleeper of 2006?

This is from the PFW rumor mill so take it for what its worth:

While talk about the Falcons trading RB T.J. Duckett continues, one team he won’t be going to is the Panthers. Though the Falcons don’t want to complete an intradivision deal, we hear the Panthers are trying to get a Duckett of their own. Word out of Charlotte is that the Panthers envision second-round pick RB Eric Shelton, who spent all of 2005 on injured reserve, becoming the bruising change-of-pace back that Duckett has been in Atlanta.

 

[msommer]

The only issue is that the Panthers placed him on IR when he said himself the broken leg could have healed in time for the end of the season. What this indicates is that they did not see what they wanted in training camp - at best they were giving him a wake up call. At worst?

 

[minister]

I could see Shelton as a bruiser, but in a VERY limited capacity.

With the pads on I think he runs way too high and stiff.

He would need incredible vision to be somewhat effective.

 

[zamboni]

With Foster designated as a transition player, he'll probably return, so that may cap the upside of Shelton. Plus, who knows who the team will bring in as competition.

The other side of the coin, however, is that if Foster continues to get dinged up, Shelton could be thrust into a bigger role. And in Carolina, that's no insignificant thing from a fantasy perspective.

 

[Chaos]

When Shelton was drafted he was going to be the guy to take over from Stephen Davis at the Panthers, he then suffered an awful training camp which saw him drop in peoples estimations before picking up the season ending injury.

Has his moment passed him by or will he emerge, due to Fosters injury history, to be THE sleeper of 2006?

Definitely not THE SLEEPER. Living here, I heard nothing but bad things out of camp last year with regards to how the team veiwed Shelton. I suspect that they will get someone to start at RB in front of Shelton if they don't re-sign Foster.

He has a very outside shot at having an ok season depending on what Carolina does at the RB position in the best case scenario for him.

 

[jeff_eaglz]

BassNBrew follows the Panthers pretty closely.

Check out these posts:

Eric Shelton

Eric Shelton again

Definitely keep an eye on him, but he wasn't all that last preseason.

 

[simey]

The only issue is that the Panthers placed him on IR when he said himself the broken leg could have healed in time for the end of the season. What this indicates is that they did not see what they wanted in training camp - at best they were giving him a wake up call. At worst?

The Panthers drafted him to use in place of Stephen Davis, who at the time they weren't sure when he would be ready to play again. Davis surprised everybody and came back sooner than expected. Also, the Panthers really wanted to keep both Rod Smart and Jamal Robertson, but didn't have room for both. When Shelton hurt himself during the preseason, this gave the Panthers the opportunity to keep both Smart and Robertson. I don't think putting Shelton on IR meant they were disappointed in him. I think putting him on IR helped them with their roster at the time.

 

[thayman]

He is so big of a sleeper that he is in a coma.

 

[Birdie048]

I'd call J Robertson the sleeper in Carolina!

Shelton might evolve into a decent RB, but his learning curve will take a few more years. Robertson has already achieved the level necessary to protect a QB and only needs the opportunity to display his talent.

 

[MLBrandow]

In order for me to believe Shelton is a capable back, I'd need to see definitive evidence he's fixed his running problem.

Last year coaches were reportedly very distressed about the fact that he had this habit of running so high up, and it severely limited his ability to hit the hole.

This naturally can be corrected with coaching, but has it clicked yet? I can't imagine they've given up on him, and if it has, I think the real question is just whether he can be an every down back.

I am waiting on a reported word from the coaching staff on how they think he is progressing in terms of adjusting his stance, and if it's coming along as they see, what the likelihood is of him and DeShaun Foster splitting carries, which at this point as a best-case scenario for Shelton IMO.

 

[Couch Potato]

I'd call J Robertson the sleeper in Carolina!

Shelton might evolve into a decent RB, but his learning curve will take a few more years. Robertson has already achieved the level necessary to protect a QB and only needs the opportunity to display his talent.

Robertson is 29 years old and has 62 carries and 4 receptions in his career. He is not a candidate for the starting job, and is not sleeper material.

 

[Bears_Man2]

I'd consider him a sleeper. Any possible #2 can be considered a sleeper with injury possibilities & Shelton would be in a nice situation with Carolina if he can secure that #2 spot, particularly if it's behind Foster.

 

[CA_7]

More local speculation that Shelton could be a factor

The decision to use the transition tag on Foster is a pretty good indication the Panthers will not go after Alexander should he become an unrestricted free agent. The Panthers hope to pair Foster with last year’s second-round draft pick Eric Shelton.

LINK

 

[MLBrandow]

I'd call J Robertson the sleeper in Carolina! 

Shelton might evolve into a decent RB, but his learning curve will take a few more years.  Robertson has already achieved the level necessary to protect a QB and only needs the opportunity to display his talent.

Robertson is 29 years old and has 62 carries and 4 receptions in his career. He is not a candidate for the starting job, and is not sleeper material.