The moment all the JSTEW owners have been waiting for (1 Viewer)

[Shutout]

First and foremost, congrats to Bucs fans. Your team has really found itself. Impressed.

Ok, people have been waiting on JSTEW to emerge and get his solo gig and all that seemingly forever. And yesterday, in a game in which JSTEW didn't even play, we had that moment and I hope everyone saw it.

The Panthers showed yesterday that what there team wants to be and is trying to be is highly dependent on JSTEW.

The complete and total willingness to ignore DWIL in the game and the manner in which they tried (and by tried, that is being kind) to use their RBS showed us that JSTEW is going to be the far and away chief beneficiary in this offense going forward.

I KNOW a statement like this absolutely invites pitchforks and burning brooms to come to my door. In the spirit of not going down the road of how a lot of topics go in the SP these days go, I'm just going to say that I'm not going to get into 100 response threads picking nits.

I'm simply just saying I THINK this will be the moment when we look back and say "this is where it turned" for JSTEW because:

-I think he has a lot more to offer a this point in the pure running game between the tackles.

-I think it appears that the Panthers want a steady screen game, especially where the RBs fein a block and then release and I like Tolbert and JSTEW more in those aspects (but given that DWIL is still on the team, I think JSTEW will get that work and Tolbert will be the victim of simply too many bodies).

So, my two cents: for what it's worth: Buy JSTEW in bulk if you can right now.

-I think

 

[Buck Stop]

Agreed, the Panthers offense NEEDS him, in the worst way. He's a beast.

 

[Invictus~Bronte]

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders couldn't have run behind that O-Line, especially on the low attempts.

I hope everyone takes your advice and buys in on him again, so everyone can overpay and be disappointed for the umpteenth time..

 

[SSOG]

I think when we look back, we'll see last year as the turning point. He played more offensive snaps and got starts over a healthy DeAngelo for the first time in his career. I merely expect this season to continue a process that's been in the works for years now.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

G1 Shutout

 

[FDC]

I don't disagree but the run play calling was partly to blame. Seemed like they tried to run a bunch of confusing option looks to confuse a rookie head coach and it came back to bite them. There is just too much speed in the NFL for slow developing run plays.

 

[Dought Man]

The Panthers only PAY running backs...they don't use them or even know how to use them in this offense.

 

[FavreCo]

G1 Shutout

No kidding. That coaching staff is clueless.

 

[solorca]

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders couldn't have run behind that O-Line, especially on the low attempts.I hope everyone takes your advice and buys in on him again, so everyone can overpay and be disappointed for the umpteenth time..

You mean the line that is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nfl, with little to no turnover? One bad game doesn't suddenly make them scrubs...

 

[simey]

First and foremost, congrats to Bucs fans. Your team has really found itself. Impressed.Ok, people have been waiting on JSTEW to emerge and get his solo gig and all that seemingly forever. And yesterday, in a game in which JSTEW didn't even play, we had that moment and I hope everyone saw it.The Panthers showed yesterday that what there team wants to be and is trying to be is highly dependent on JSTEW. The complete and total willingness to ignore DWIL in the game and the manner in which they tried (and by tried, that is being kind) to use their RBS showed us that JSTEW is going to be the far and away chief beneficiary in this offense going forward.

I think yesterday showed poor judgement by the coaching staff. DeAngelo said they had to abandon the run because they got behind, but in my opinion it was poor play-calling, because they weren't behind by much the entire game. They gave DeAngelo six carries, and Tolbert two, and Tolbert is a lot like Stewart in his running style. The OL didn't play well yesterday either. They were out of sync and looked sluggish. Rivera said the Bucs surprised them with some things they didn't show in the preseason, but don't most teams not show their hands in the preseason? I hope the Panthers are more prepared, and more balanced in their play-calling this weeked against the Saints, or they are going to be easily 0-2.

 

[solorca]

Early in the game, Carolina seemed to be trying to run over complicated run options instead of just feeding deangelo the ball. After the early failure they just gave up on him.

As a fan, it was really frustrating to watch...and showed a caching staff that was unprepared for the game.

 

[valhallan]

Ladies and gentleman, your Carolina Panthers leading rusher for the day: Kealoha Pilares, WR.

 

[FavreCo]

I think yesterday showed poor judgement by the coaching staff. DeAngelo said they had to abandon the run because they got behind, but in my opinion it was poor play-calling, because they weren't behind by much the entire game.

Did DeAngelo really say that? He's such a team player. He knows the staff is full of clowns and he can extend his career due to their total incompetence. Since when is down by 13 or 7 time for 95% pass plays? They did the same last year and totally blew a 14 pt. lead vs Green Bay. Dumbest coaching staff in the NFL.

 

[Invictus~Bronte]

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders couldn't have run behind that O-Line, especially on the low attempts.I hope everyone takes your advice and buys in on him again, so everyone can overpay and be disappointed for the umpteenth time..

You mean the line that is consistently ranked as one of the best in the nfl, with little to no turnover? One bad game doesn't suddenly make them scrubs...

I don't care what they were ranked last season, they didn't show up yesterday and sucked against a mediocre run DEF. As many others pointed out, they abandoned the run very early and panicked.

 

[FDC]

I think yesterday showed poor judgement by the coaching staff. DeAngelo said they had to abandon the run because they got behind, but in my opinion it was poor play-calling, because they weren't behind by much the entire game.

Did DeAngelo really say that? He's such a team player. He knows the staff is full of clowns and he can extend his career due to their total incompetence. Since when is down by 13 or 7 time for 95% pass plays? They did the same last year and totally blew a 14 pt. lead vs Green Bay. Dumbest coaching staff in the NFL.

Panthers were criticized for years for sticking with the run game for too long. Now they are the dumbest coaching staff in the NFL for abandoning the run?

 

[VaTerp]

Early in the game, Carolina seemed to be trying to run over complicated run options instead of just feeding deangelo the ball. After the early failure they just gave up on him.

As a fan, it was really frustrating to watch...and showed a caching staff that was unprepared for the game.

This is what I saw as well. Seems like the coaching staff is still trying to find the balance of the shotgun spread that fits Cam so well and incorporating the running game.Seems to me like they should just lineup and run the ball more often. I somewhat reluctatly drafted Stewart in the 7th and plan on using him in the flex. Right now, I'm just in wait and see mode. No doubt that he and Deangelo are both tremendously talented. The coaching staff, at this point, does not seem to have figured out how to maximize their talents and Cam's at the same time.

 

[joffer]

Williams is a better pure runner than Stewart

 

[FDC]

Early in the game, Carolina seemed to be trying to run over complicated run options instead of just feeding deangelo the ball. After the early failure they just gave up on him.

As a fan, it was really frustrating to watch...and showed a caching staff that was unprepared for the game.

This is what I saw as well. Seems like the coaching staff is still trying to find the balance of the shotgun spread that fits Cam so well and incorporating the running game.Seems to me like they should just lineup and run the ball more often. I somewhat reluctatly drafted Stewart in the 7th and plan on using him in the flex. Right now, I'm just in wait and see mode. No doubt that he and Deangelo are both tremendously talented. The coaching staff, at this point, does not seem to have figured out how to maximize their talents and Cam's at the same time.

In theory the screen game to RBs would be a good run game substitute in the shotgun offense that Chud/Cam seem to be trending too. The signing of Tolbert could reinforce that belief. J Stew could of been a big part of that gameplan, so perhaps its not that surprising that they looked like they got caught with their pants down.I'm not sure why DWill hasn't ever been an effective pass catcher.

 

[shader]

I disagree. Deangelo is a great runner. But you have to feed your guy the ball. There is not enough fire-power on that offense to completely ignore the run like they did. It's a mistake and the more they do it, the more defenses will adjust.

That being said, Williams got a big paycheck and now can just ride it out. The way he's used, he might play until he's 35.

 

[shadyridr]

Tolbert looked fatter than ever before

 

[domvin]

Their line sucked yesterday,but their seems to be a shortage of offensive line talent in the nfl today-more so than I can remember.

With the trade deadline pushed back, perhaps one of them(most likely Williams) gets dealt this year. could this finally be the year???

 

[FavreCo]

I disagree. Deangelo is a great runner. But you have to feed your guy the ball. There is not enough fire-power on that offense to completely ignore the run like they did. It's a mistake and the more they do it, the more defenses will adjust.That being said, Williams got a big paycheck and now can just ride it out. The way he's used, he might play until he's 35.

Exactly. This idea that you shuffle RBs in and out of the lineup is a colossal failure. Back when Delo/Stewart were relevant, each guy played the whole series UNLESS they broke a big run. That was the early DeLo/Stewart/Fox days before he went senile.

 

[FDC]

Their line sucked yesterday,but their seems to be a shortage of offensive line talent in the nfl today-more so than I can remember.With the trade deadline pushed back, perhaps one of them(most likely Williams) gets dealt this year. could this finally be the year???

How often do NFL RBs, or the Panthers front office, deal anyone of relevance?

 

[Shutout]

I think when we look back, we'll see last year as the turning point. He played more offensive snaps and got starts over a healthy DeAngelo for the first time in his career. I merely expect this season to continue a process that's been in the works for years now.

I think we DID see the kindle of this last year. I guess where I'm going is that I think this is that point where, when we look back, we will mark it as where the gap noticeably widened (so, IMO, this is that point where you buy him if inclined to do so).I'm seeing a lot of responces saying the coaching is terrible and they are clueless. And then someone mentioned that they used to get criticised for running too much and now for too little. I think, if anything, yesterday was the exception, not the norm. Teams lay eggs sometimes but as a basis of work for the entire year last year, I couldn't say they were clueless on running the ball. Not by a long shot. They scored a lot on the ground and they ran quite a bit. I don't think they forgot that over night. But overall, What I do THINK I am seeing is a style and thought process for running that suits JSTEW very well in a fantasy PPR league.

 

[FDC]

I think part of the Dwill criticism has to do with the mindset that TB's run defense is just terrible because of how they played last year. Defenses can change so much from year to year especially with a new staff. After watching the TB game it would not surprise me to see them as an above average run stopping defense.

 

[Banger]

First and foremost, congrats to Bucs fans. Your team has really found itself. Impressed.Ok, people have been waiting on JSTEW to emerge and get his solo gig and all that seemingly forever. And yesterday, in a game in which JSTEW didn't even play, we had that moment and I hope everyone saw it.The Panthers showed yesterday that what there team wants to be and is trying to be is highly dependent on JSTEW. The complete and total willingness to ignore DWIL in the game and the manner in which they tried (and by tried, that is being kind) to use their RBS showed us that JSTEW is going to be the far and away chief beneficiary in this offense going forward. I KNOW a statement like this absolutely invites pitchforks and burning brooms to come to my door. In the spirit of not going down the road of how a lot of topics go in the SP these days go, I'm just going to say that I'm not going to get into 100 response threads picking nits. I'm simply just saying I THINK this will be the moment when we look back and say "this is where it turned" for JSTEW because:-I think he has a lot more to offer a this point in the pure running game between the tackles.-I think it appears that the Panthers want a steady screen game, especially where the RBs fein a block and then release and I like Tolbert and JSTEW more in those aspects (but given that DWIL is still on the team, I think JSTEW will get that work and Tolbert will be the victim of simply too many bodies).So, my two cents: for what it's worth: Buy JSTEW in bulk if you can right now. -I think

good post...completely agree.

 

[simey]

I think yesterday showed poor judgement by the coaching staff. DeAngelo said they had to abandon the run because they got behind, but in my opinion it was poor play-calling, because they weren't behind by much the entire game.

Did DeAngelo really say that? He's such a team player.

“We just kind of got behind, had to abandon the run,” Williams said. “After doing that, we had to pass to get back in the game.” link

 

[Bayhawks]

First and foremost, congrats to Bucs fans. Your team has really found itself. Impressed.Ok, people have been waiting on JSTEW to emerge and get his solo gig and all that seemingly forever. And yesterday, in a game in which JSTEW didn't even play, we had that moment and I hope everyone saw it.The Panthers showed yesterday that what there team wants to be and is trying to be is highly dependent on JSTEW. The complete and total willingness to ignore DWIL in the game and the manner in which they tried (and by tried, that is being kind) to use their RBS showed us that JSTEW is going to be the far and away chief beneficiary in this offense going forward. I KNOW a statement like this absolutely invites pitchforks and burning brooms to come to my door. In the spirit of not going down the road of how a lot of topics go in the SP these days go, I'm just going to say that I'm not going to get into 100 response threads picking nits. I'm simply just saying I THINK this will be the moment when we look back and say "this is where it turned" for JSTEW because:-I think he has a lot more to offer a this point in the pure running game between the tackles.-I think it appears that the Panthers want a steady screen game, especially where the RBs fein a block and then release and I like Tolbert and JSTEW more in those aspects (but given that DWIL is still on the team, I think JSTEW will get that work and Tolbert will be the victim of simply too many bodies).So, my two cents: for what it's worth: Buy JSTEW in bulk if you can right now. -I think

Not trying to "nit-pick," but this post reeks of a Stewart owner trying to re-assure himself that his RB is/was a good pick.Stewart was too hurt to play, but somehow that game tells you that this means Stewart will become "the guy" in Carolina? That doesn't make sense. Carolina has Williams, Stewart, and Tolbert. Unless one (or both) of the other RBs get hurt, none of them will be a FF RB1.

 

[Hipple Long Ware & Peete]

What an odd and nonsensical post. What wold jstew have done, given them on more RB not to hand off to?

 

[jackdubl]

G1 Shutout

No kidding. That coaching staff is clueless.

So apparently there ARE still people holding onto Stew, waiting for that inevitable breakout that will come any week/season/decade now. Hope you haven't passed on any other talent in the last few years banking on Stew. Biggest fantasy tease of the 2000's so far. Similar to Felix Jones but with more drum-bangers. Did I mention he missed the game with his umpteenth lower leg problem?

 

[FDC]

G1 Shutout

No kidding. That coaching staff is clueless.

So apparently there ARE still people holding onto Stew, waiting for that inevitable breakout that will come any week/season/decade now. Hope you haven't passed on any other talent in the last few years banking on Stew. Biggest fantasy tease of the 2000's so far. Similar to Felix Jones but with more drum-bangers. Did I mention he missed the game with his umpteenth lower leg problem?

Missed his 3rd game in 5 seasons

 

[MAC_32]

J Stew's lower body concerns me to the point in which I don't think he'll ever be a feature back for a long period of time, rather than wait and hope a great sell opportunity presents itself I dealt him in early August to fix a mirade of holes. I have a gaping one at RB now, but it's my only one. Really like J Stew the talent, just don't trust him to stay healthy in a feature role if he's even given one.

 

[jurb26]

Unless Stewart gets traded then the thread title is misleading. Stewart will never live up to the potential many have layed upon him while in Car IMO. Not with Newton in town. The offense used to run through the RBs, now it runs through Stewart. It will never be as it was prior to Newton.

 

[shadyridr]

Unless Stewart gets traded then the thread title is misleading. Stewart will never live up to the potential many have layed upon him while in Car IMO. Not with Newton in town. The offense used to run through the RBs, now it runs through Stewart. It will never be as it was prior to Newton.

YES!

 

[jurb26]

Unless Stewart gets traded then the thread title is misleading. Stewart will never live up to the potential many have layed upon him while in Car IMO. Not with Newton in town. The offense used to run through the RBs, now it runs through Stewart. It will never be as it was prior to Newton.

YES!

Ooops.

 

[massraider]

I think part of the Dwill criticism has to do with the mindset that TB's run defense is just terrible because of how they played last year. Defenses can change so much from year to year especially with a new staff. After watching the TB game it would not surprise me to see them as an above average run stopping defense.

Great post. Amazing how people forget that things occasionally change.

 

[DoubleG]

Ladies and gentleman, your Carolina Panthers leading rusher for the day: Kealoha Pilares, WR.

Awesome. They really should spend some money on RBs to get their running game going...

 

[Coeur de Lion]

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders couldn't have run behind that O-Line, especially on the low attempts.

The guy lining up at RB had zero chance to make a difference yesterday. They didn't try to run the ball at all. I was flipping through a few games, but it seemed to me they were in the shotgun 90% of the time, and Cam was taking a beating. It was reeeeeeaaaaally ugly.Absolutely brilliant to give your $80+ million backfield under 10 attempts in a close game.

 

[cstu]

Ladies and gentleman, your Carolina Panthers leading rusher for the day: Kealoha Pilares, WR.

Andre Roberts also led the Cardinals in rushing. What a day.

 

[cstu]

Jim Brown and Barry Sanders couldn't have run behind that O-Line, especially on the low attempts.

The guy lining up at RB had zero chance to make a difference yesterday. They didn't try to run the ball at all. I was flipping through a few games, but it seemed to me they were in the shotgun 90% of the time, and Cam was taking a beating. It was reeeeeeaaaaally ugly.Absolutely brilliant to give your $80+ million backfield under 10 attempts in a close game.

What was brilliant was giving all that money to two RB's instead of picking one to keep and spending the money on the OL.

 

[MAC_32]

I think part of the Dwill criticism has to do with the mindset that TB's run defense is just terrible because of how they played last year. Defenses can change so much from year to year especially with a new staff. After watching the TB game it would not surprise me to see them as an above average run stopping defense.

I agree, DeAngelo deserves to be criticized but Tampa's run D deserves some credit too. Schiano lit a fire under these guys and it showed, that was not the same Tampa team from years prior.

 

[SSOG]

So apparently there ARE still people holding onto Stew, waiting for that inevitable breakout that will come any week/season/decade now. Hope you haven't passed on any other talent in the last few years banking on Stew. Biggest fantasy tease of the 2000's so far. Similar to Felix Jones but with more drum-bangers. Did I mention he missed the game with his umpteenth lower leg problem?

You realize that Stewart has a top 12 finish under his belt already, right? That a lot of Stewart owners won championships when he set the NFL record for most rushing yards in his first 3 starts during the fantasy playoffs? That in his four years in the league, he has met or exceeded his preseason ADP three times and failed to live up to it just once? That even if you'd been involved in a terrible bandsaw accident as a child, you could still count the number of games he's missed in his career on the fingers of one mangled hand?I agree that he's been a tease, but that doesn't mean he's been a disappointment. Quite the opposite, actually.

 

[Shutout]

First and foremost, congrats to Bucs fans. Your team has really found itself. Impressed.

Ok, people have been waiting on JSTEW to emerge and get his solo gig and all that seemingly forever. And yesterday, in a game in which JSTEW didn't even play, we had that moment and I hope everyone saw it.

The Panthers showed yesterday that what there team wants to be and is trying to be is highly dependent on JSTEW.

The complete and total willingness to ignore DWIL in the game and the manner in which they tried (and by tried, that is being kind) to use their RBS showed us that JSTEW is going to be the far and away chief beneficiary in this offense going forward.

I KNOW a statement like this absolutely invites pitchforks and burning brooms to come to my door. In the spirit of not going down the road of how a lot of topics go in the SP these days go, I'm just going to say that I'm not going to get into 100 response threads picking nits.

I'm simply just saying I THINK this will be the moment when we look back and say "this is where it turned" for JSTEW because:

-I think he has a lot more to offer a this point in the pure running game between the tackles.

-I think it appears that the Panthers want a steady screen game, especially where the RBs fein a block and then release and I like Tolbert and JSTEW more in those aspects (but given that DWIL is still on the team, I think JSTEW will get that work and Tolbert will be the victim of simply too many bodies).

So, my two cents: for what it's worth: Buy JSTEW in bulk if you can right now.

-I think

Not trying to "nit-pick," but this post reeks of a Stewart owner trying to re-assure himself that his RB is/was a good pick.Stewart was too hurt to play, but somehow that game tells you that this means Stewart will become "the guy" in Carolina? That doesn't make sense. Carolina has Williams, Stewart, and Tolbert. Unless one (or both) of the other RBs get hurt, none of them will be a FF RB1.

I don't post to sell cars. I post based on observation and to encourage feedback and discussion. The Shark Pool is supposed to be about people that see and discuss the potential of players BEFORE it becomes common knowledge. Unlike a lot of people that post in absolutes (this guy will NEVER do this...that guy IS this), I'm just saying what I THINK is going on, seeing something develop.

Sometimes you CAN see and learn something from absence every bit as much as in presence. Liken it to the absence of gas in your car. When your gas is absent, you notice that it doesn't run the way it should as if it were present. This, IMO, is one of those situations.

Your last statement is the norm, so easy to make statement. But what good does that do us? That's like saying if Peterson goes down, Gerhardt would be a beast. Maybe so, maybe not. But this isn't about making an easy statment based on the fact that only one guy would remain and be able to play RB if the other were hurt. This is about looking and seeing what was going on and thinking "what's missing today? Why are they running these plays that don't seem to match their personnel? What would it be like if this was present?

I'm not asking anyone to agree. I'm just asking to consider it and give input to what you saw that supports or counters it.

 

[Shutout]

What an odd and nonsensical post. What wold jstew have done, given them on more RB not to hand off to?

Is there not more than one absolute outcome? Is it not just as plausible that DWIL is less effective or doesn't match what the Panthers want to do every bit as much as it can be your one thought on this?Why is it that when Felix Jones runs and is ineffective, its all because Felix wasn't a good fit and things will change when Murray gets in but when DWIL does it, it can't be anything EXCEPT that the coaches are dumb or that NOBODY would have done better? What really is nonsensical is to assume that only one take is plausible without giving it some thought. Everybody and their brother has Tampa Bay Labeled as a weak run defense, and as little as two days ago, nobody thought starting DWIL was a bad idea. Well, obviously there IS another answer in there based on what we saw play out because the two go hand-in-hand. IF Tampa Bay is not a strong run defense, then by default, DWIL must be less effective (or not as good a fit for what they are trying to do). So, what's going on here?Kurt warner gave an example of how fitting the system means everything. He said he did well in St. louis. He said he fit terribly in New York. He said he fit great in Arizona. So, don't take this as a "DWIL is a bad player" statement. Just think about those plays yesterday and who they really look like they were designed for. IMO, its JSTEW and by a large margin. I'm just offering what I THINK.

 

[⚡DEADHEAD⚡]

Why even try to ride the Car running game? Trade what you got, don't look back. I can't believe how much Tolbert I saw yesterday. That's disconcerting. This is trully a RBBC with four options. Good luck with that.

 

[Dragon1952]

I think part of the Dwill criticism has to do with the mindset that TB's run defense is just terrible because of how they played last year. Defenses can change so much from year to year especially with a new staff. After watching the TB game it would not surprise me to see them as an above average run stopping defense.

Great post. Amazing how people forget that things occasionally change.

True......and the fact that the Bucs got thrashed to the tune of nearly 450 yds rushing in the 2 match-ups vs Carolina last year, and got out-scored by a margin of 86-35 in the process, had to be huge motivation for Tampa Bay.

 

[Coeur de Lion]

You definitely won't find a bigger Stewart fan on this board than me. I own him in the vast majority of my dynasty leagues, traded up to take him as a rookie, believe that he's a top-10 NFL RB, etc. I love the guy.

That said, DeAngelo Williams is really every bit as good, and unfortunately neither one is going anywhere for the forseeable future.

Yesterday's mess had zero to do with Williams, and everything to do with the playcalling and to a lesser extent, the o-line (hard to get into a run blocking groove with one shotgun draw called every 3 series as your only effort at establishing a ground game).

Anyone thinking Stewart makes any difference yesterday is 100% seeing what they want to see.

 

[Noah Davis]

What an odd and nonsensical post. What wold jstew have done, given them on more RB not to hand off to?

Is there not more than one absolute outcome? Is it not just as plausible that DWIL is less effective or doesn't match what the Panthers want to do every bit as much as it can be your one thought on this?Why is it that when Felix Jones runs and is ineffective, its all because Felix wasn't a good fit and things will change when Murray gets in but when DWIL does it, it can't be anything EXCEPT that the coaches are dumb or that NOBODY would have done better? What really is nonsensical is to assume that only one take is plausible without giving it some thought. Everybody and their brother has Tampa Bay Labeled as a weak run defense, and as little as two days ago, nobody thought starting DWIL was a bad idea. Well, obviously there IS another answer in there based on what we saw play out because the two go hand-in-hand. IF Tampa Bay is not a strong run defense, then by default, DWIL must be less effective (or not as good a fit for what they are trying to do). So, what's going on here?Kurt warner gave an example of how fitting the system means everything. He said he did well in St. louis. He said he fit terribly in New York. He said he fit great in Arizona. So, don't take this as a "DWIL is a bad player" statement. Just think about those plays yesterday and who they really look like they were designed for. IMO, its JSTEW and by a large margin. I'm just offering what I THINK.

I'm guessing you all don't live in Carolina.... I do. Exactly 30 min North of Charlotte, Lake Norman area. While I understand the idea behind your argument I don't see it happening. J. Richardson wants both of those boys on that team. They are both have important complementary styles. DWill is the better inside power runner, J Stew is the better space runner, and M. Tolbert is the bowling ball to prevent Newton from over exposing himself to hits a franchise QB shouldn't take. You won't hear the Panthers in-fighting and each of those runners know their role, and while it sucks for fantasy it makes them a better team with a higher probability of longer careers where they can still walk once they retire. It is much more of a family/team orientation than you think - tell me the last time you hear of a Panther holding out like CJ2K, MJD, M. Wallace, V. Jax, or any of the myriad of other "me first" players out there. Did you know that M. Tolbert left 1Mil on the table with the Chargers to come play for Carolina? Do you not think D. Wil or J. Stew could have gotten more by saying no to the contracts and testing free agency? They want to be here by choice - and they are very close friends. I applaud them and I will bleed black & blue if we are 0-16 or 16-0, but I'm smart enough to know not to draft them on my fantasy squad.

 

[Sweet Love]

So apparently there ARE still people holding onto Stew, waiting for that inevitable breakout that will come any week/season/decade now. Hope you haven't passed on any other talent in the last few years banking on Stew. Biggest fantasy tease of the 2000's so far. Similar to Felix Jones but with more drum-bangers. Did I mention he missed the game with his umpteenth lower leg problem?

You realize that Stewart has a top 12 finish under his belt already, right? That a lot of Stewart owners won championships when he set the NFL record for most rushing yards in his first 3 starts during the fantasy playoffs? That in his four years in the league, he has met or exceeded his preseason ADP three times and failed to live up to it just once? That even if you'd been involved in a terrible bandsaw accident as a child, you could still count the number of games he's missed in his career on the fingers of one mangled hand?I agree that he's been a tease, but that doesn't mean he's been a disappointment. Quite the opposite, actually.

I am not going to say he is a disappointment due to things under his control, but with where he was drafted and the talent he has, he has been disappointing. If I had an NFL team with Jim Brown, Barry Sanders and Thurman Thomas, guess what, Thomas would be a disappointment...not on his own doing, but just because of circumstances...now I am not comparing the former two to DWill, but the fact of the matter is, Stewart has not been on the field enough to be elite or really even better than guys like Grant and Benson in rcent years. As far as the injury thing goes, I know he has not missed a lot of games, but there is always "something" with him when it comes to health. Maybe it is why he does not see the field a ton, maybe they just really want a true 50/50 split, but the end result equals average fantasy numbers. In a way, he reminds me of Laveraneous Coles; rarely missed games, but always hurt which in turn limited his numbers.

 

[Biabreakable]

Panthers' offensive line looks strong in 2012February 3, 2012Sam Sharpe-US PresswireCam Newton's strong offensive line helped him accomplish his record-setting rookie season.The most stable position grouping on the Carolina Panthers, aside from quarterback, is offensive line. Despite injuries that once again forced the coaching staff to shuffle the deck some last fall, the unit still turned in a solid season and holds a bright future. Former starters Jeff Otah missed most of the season while Geoff Schwartz and Gary Williams didn’t play a single down. But veteran Geoff Hangartner and surprising rookie Byron Bell solidified a group anchored by an All-Pro and another worthy of such distinction. For their effort, Carolina’s two main tailbacks – DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart – each averaged 5.4 yards per rushing attempt this past season. Quarterback Cam Newton, who is known to take off running from time to time, averaged 5.6 yards per carry. And even with Newton setting an NFL rookie passing mark (4,051 yards), the Panthers ran for more touchdowns (26) than they threw for (21). The point of attack starts with any offensive line in the middle. The center has the duties of reading defenses, barking signals, snapping the ball on the right count and then blocking. In Ryan Kalil, Carolina has the consummate professional who is a tone setter for the group.Offensive lines must have chemistry in order to develop into an effective group. They must trust each other so nobody cheats to help out a less trusted mate. Kalil establishes a mindset among the group that is clearly infectious. He’s started 60 games over the last four seasons and has been to a few Pro Bowls.Kalil has a big fan in head coach Ron Rivera.“What we do as an offense starts with the center, in terms of blocking for run and pass. That’s very important,” Rivera said. “At the point of attack, he controls the blocking schemes four our offensive line, helping to identify which way the offensive line is going in terms of their protections and what they have to do. In this system, that’s not an easy thing. Plus, he blocked very well this season.”Jordan Gross was again an anchor at tackle. Another true professional, Gross has started all 135 games he’s played for the Panthers. He and Kalil served vital roles in teaching Newton how to be a professional athlete this past season, and their welcoming of the rookie was key in allowing the entire unit to jell as quickly as it did. Veteran guard Geoff Hangartner was a boon to the group. A seven-year player, who spent the previous two campaigns with Buffalo after playing in Charlotte for four seasons, Hangartner started all 16 games and immediately fit in, helping the unit gain a measure of chemistry. Travelle Wharton started every game at the other guard spot and has started 99 games in eight seasons as a Panther. Rookie Byron Bell out of New Mexico wasn’t drafted but he quickly caught the staff’s eye and eventually became a starter for the team’s last 12 contests. Bell’s quick ascent in some ways was emblematic of the offense as a whole. He caught on quickly and kept improving.This group remained pretty much intact all season, and the more they played together, the more balanced attack Carolina put on the field every Sunday. Those rushing figures were the result of that balance.“To know that you have guys running for that type of average, obviously you’re blocking well,” Rivera said. Mackenzy Bernadeau backed up nicely this year and will return. Geoff Schwartz started every game in 2010 but missed last season with a hip injury. Otah missed 12 games this past fall because of a knee injury, and he’s played in just 29 games because of injuries. He missed all of the 2010 season. Gary Williams started 11 games in 2010 but didn’t play a snap last fall because of a sprained left ankle. Rookie Lee Ziemba from Auburn will have an opportunity to add depth next fall.A return to full health will by the injured players will make for interesting and heated competition and improve the Panthers. And even if Otah’s issues continue, and Williams and Schwartz aren’t 100 percent, the offensive line still took enough steps forward this past season they should be even more efficient next season.

http://www.foxsportscarolinas.com/02/03/12/Panthers-offensive-line-looks-strong-in-/landing_panthers.html?blockID=659164Despite this assessment something seems to be amiss this season. Otah has been traded. Schwartz left in free agency. Based on game one the unit does not appear to have gotten better. In fact it may have declined some. But Carolina homers please feel free to assess and evaluate this further.The Bucs were not a good defense last season. But they seem to have really improved. The Panthers ran 13 total times (including 5 by Cam Newton)and they were tackled for loss on 9 of those 13 plays. That is some great run defense. So good in fact I think it is more than just their defense, I think there are issues with the offensive line, game plan and play calling.