Why the Panthers agreed to trade Kelvin Benjamin

[SpikedLemonade]

Why the Panthers agreed to trade Kelvin Benjamin



By Max Henson and Bill Voth


CHARLOTTE – In a move that surprised many, the Panthers traded wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin to the Bills on Tuesday.

Interim general manager Marty Hurney took advantage of an opportunity to shake things up on offense and acquire assets for the future, getting third- and seventh-round picks in 2018 from the Bills.

Carolina parted ways with a talented receiver who flashed at times and at others lacked focus. But that’s not the reason he’s now with Buffalo.

Here’s a closer look at reasons why.

http://www.panthers.com/assets/images/imported/CAR/photos/2017/10-October/171031_kb_inside.jpg

A lesson from recent history

When the Panthers released Jason Avant 11 weeks into the 2014 season, many assumed it was because the wideout publicly questioned play calling. Truth is, it had nothing to do with that.

Think about who quarterback <nobr>Cam Newtonhttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/cam-newton/a9ff8c76-7a6a-4e1a-9e9a-b72aff45deb4/)</nobr> was looking at downfield during the first half of that season. Newton's main targets were Benjamin, Avant, Jerricho Cotchery and tight end <nobr>Greg Olsenhttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/greg-olsen/b4406e7a-9833-4337-a2c6-f6b73860e150/)</nobr>. None posed a consistent threat to stretch defenses.

What did the Panthers see when they self-scouted during the bye in Week 12 that year? An offense bogged down in the middle. Their solution was releasing Avant to free up snaps for speedy rookie Philly Brown.

The change only slightly improved Brown's numbers. With Avant in the lineup, Brown had 12 receptions for 160 yards in eight games. In seven games without Avant – including a pair of playoff contests – Brown caught 14 passes for 197 yards.

The big difference was with the offense as a whole. As Brown took the top off opposing defenses, the middle of the field became easier to navigate for Newton.

In their 11 games with Avant, the Panthers averaged 327.3 total yards and 19.5 points. Without him, those numbers jumped to 385.0 and 24.0.

So what the Panthers experienced through that first half of 2014 was a lot like what they saw happen through the first eight games of this season. Without a consistent vertical threat to worry about, defenses could play closer to the line of scrimmage, hurting both the intermediate passing game and the run game.

The Panthers could get Olsen back as soon as Week 12, but as much as that may help the offense, it won't spread it out. That's why coaches want to find more opportunities for <nobr>Curtis Samuelhttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/curtis-samuel/70778945-b3eb-4ef7-90b0-a3a17297cf5d/)</nobr>, <nobr>Kaelin Clayhttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/kaelin-clay/b01ae6d8-5742-4a3b-a7c4-64a04700a793/)</nobr> and possibly even <nobr>Damiere Byrdhttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/damiere-byrd/19784ec9-d4ce-48c2-bd07-96511e039d59/)</nobr>, who could return from a broken arm as soon as Week 13.

Except for games at New England and Detroit – when the offense produced 10 plays of more than 20 yards – chunk plays have been few and far between this season. Over the past three weeks, the Panthers combined for only two.

A counterpoint to that is Benjamin was the guy responsible for those two. But the main point is the Panthers felt they needed to open up the field, and a way to do that was by giving speedier guys more snaps.

http://www.panthers.com/assets/images/imported/CAR/photos/2017/10-October/171031_kb_fun_inside.jpg

‘X’ marks the spot

Benjamin and <nobr>Devin Funchesshttp://www.panthers.com/assets/nflimg/icon-article-link.gif (http://www.panthers.com/team/roster/devin-funchess/3beccfe5-d3bd-405a-a4e3-25f144d85bb9/)</nobr> were drafted to form a wide receiver duo that could create matchup problems for defensive backs with their imposing size. Instead, it created a problem for the Carolina offense that became big on size but short on speed.

Since he arrived as a first-round pick in 2014, Benjamin was Carolina’s split end, otherwise known as the “X” receiver.

When Funchess arrived as a second-round pick in 2015, he proved he was versatile enough to handle lining up at several receiver spots. But it became clear to the Panthers that the “X” role and all that it entails in their scheme suited him best.

Now it’s available for him....


http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Why-the-Panthers-agreed-to-trade-Kelvin-Benjamin/fe7d982b-3c3b-44cf-baea-b60dfddcdcfd

[SpikedLemonade]

Thoughts?

[coastal]

Will the parking lot still be open beginning on Friday afternoon?

[SpikedLemonade]

Will the parking lot still be open beginning on Friday afternoon?

Well, NOT typically until Saturday since Friday is reserved for Fish Fry and Bowling.

So many entertainment options.

[jimmifli]

Thoughts?

It's stupid. They're having trouble moving the ball so they got rid of their best WR? Philly Brown justification?

[DraftBoy]

Sounds like an inability to scheme appropriately.

[djjimkelly]

basically the article is saying funchess and benjamin are the same receiver and funchess is cheaper and ill be there for longer.

ok thats great.

this is a coup for the bills IMO. our receiving core has never had a big guy like this i wish we had a better QB

[Forward_Lateral]

My favourite part of that article is when they use Philly Brown's stats as a comparison, and they are basically the same before and after. lol

[SpikedLemonade]

My favourite part of that article is when they use Philly Brown's stats as a comparison, and they are basically the same before and after. lol

It is a Homer/Pro-Management written article that is for sure.

[OpIv37]

So, let's recap this situation here: the Panthers are 5-3 and only a half game back in their div with 8 to play, and if they don't win their div, they're in good position to get a wild card. Yet, they trade a quality WR for future considerations that won't help them this season.

That's a questionable move.

This article wreaks of front office Kool-aid designed to put a positive spin on a questionable move. As Bills fans, we are all too familiar with this type of nonsense.

Also, if I were a Panthers fan, I'd question the coaching and offensive scheming. Big body possession WR's are practically a necessity in the modern NFL. They had one like Benjamin and were so bad at using him that trading him for future considerations is considered "addition by subtraction?" WTF is going on?

[Cali512]

I saw this article when the trade first happened, its a spin lol. They drafted funchess when they had Benjamin and wanted a twin tower approach. Benjamins ball skills and location are light years ahead of funchess, and he's bailed cam Newton out on some of the ugliest throws I've ever seen

[Forward_Lateral]

So, let's recap this situation here: the Panthers are 5-3 and only a half game back in their div with 8 to play, and if they don't win their div, they're in good position to get a wild card. Yet, they trade a quality WR for future considerations that won't help them this season.

That's a questionable move.

This article wreaks of front office Kool-aid designed to put a positive spin on a questionable move. As Bills fans, we are all too familiar with this type of nonsense.

Also, if I were a Panthers fan, I'd question the coaching and offensive scheming. Big body possession WR's are practically a necessity in the modern NFL. They had one like Benjamin and were so bad at using him that trading him for future considerations is considered "addition by subtraction?" WTF is going on?

Hey, our offense is kind of sputtering. You know how we can fix it? Trade one of our best weapons. Yes it will free up more of the field. For who you ask? Who cares, the field will be freed up and that's all that matters.

[Cali512]

It would've made more sense if Olsen was healthy honestly

[psubills62]

WFNZ saying that GM Hurney thinks trading Benjamin will help the run game by clearing out the box.
https://twitter.com/wfnz/status/925703509743456256

[DraftBoy]

WFNZ saying that GM Hurney thinks trading Benjamin will help the run game by clearing out the box.
https://twitter.com/wfnz/status/925703509743456256

Which makes total sense....

[Forward_Lateral]

Which makes total sense....
In Bizzaro world

[ghz in pittsburgh]

I'm still not sure what to make this trade. Something does not meet the eyes.

Benjamin may not be a top 15 WR in NFL, but he has been a #1 WR, a quality #1 receiver. It is not like the Panthers cannot use him for a playoff run. He's just a slightly smaller version of Gronk of NE.

Looks like Panthers aren't going to pay him after next season. Their cap is in petty bad situation (most teams paid their star QB has that problem). Maybe his knees are worse than we know? Or just another episode from a new front office (remember they fire their GM and got a new one recently)?

You'd think McDermott and Beane, plus other former Panthers people working for Bills now should know Benjamin pretty good up to 6 months ago.

[Skooby]

I think that Beane called in a favor, nothing else really makes sense here because KB is by far better than any WR we have had in a long time. If New England got Kelvin, how would we be feeling ?? I’d say at least extremely concerned.

[Cali512]

Which makes total sense....

All they had to do was send Kelvin on deep routes more. His ball skills are good enough to need safety help regardless, which opens up the run game

[mightysimi]

In all fairness virtually this entire thread could be said about us trading Watkins. I do like the jump ball ability with Taylor really loving the rainbow toss.

[Cali512]

Watkins had severe injury issues, complained about not getting the ball, and never lived up to the hype. It's different than this trade. Benjamin is so tall it will be hard not to see him also during the games

[ticatfan]

If he catches the ball, who cares about the conspiracies.

[alohabillsfan]

I think it was the only safe option. When you build that family you have to be careful on adding to that cohesive unit. I think that's why there wasn't any serious pursuit to some of the diva WR's. Beene said he's blue collar kind of guy, which will also help in the run game! It will be difficult when that have to cut a guy that's bought in.

[Pennywise]

I really don’t care why Carolina got rid of him. All I know is they thought enough of him to pick up the 5th year option.

[cookie G]

my only semi-negative thought is that I read he was complaining of knee soreness recently.

They might have been concerned about the surgically repaired kneeon a long term basis.

Just a thought. Other than that...giving him up for a 3rd doesn't make much sense to me.

[OpIv37]

I heard some of the NFL show on Sirius XM today- I think it was Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller.

They pointed out Carolina's cap issues- his option next year is over $8 million and they were pretty much guaranteed to let him walk. So for them, it came down to getting something for him now or letting him walk for nothing after the season.

I get that perspective on some level, but it's still a questionable decision by them as far as I'm concerned. I just don't see the point in trading a key offensive weapon during a good season (they're 5-3 and only a half game back in their division plus in good wild card position). It can't always be about the future. Eventually it has to be about winning now.

[jimmifli]

I heard some of the NFL show on Sirius XM today- I think it was Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller.

They pointed out Carolina's cap issues- his option next year is over $8 million and they were pretty much guaranteed to let him walk. So for them, it came down to getting something for him now or letting him walk for nothing after the season.

I get that perspective on some level, but it's still a questionable decision by them as far as I'm concerned. I just don't see the point in trading a key offensive weapon during a good season (they're 5-3 and only a half game back in their division plus in good wild card position). It can't always be about the future. Eventually it has to be about winning now.

Yeah, it does bring up an interesting point. The 5th year option is guaranteed, but only if they are on the roster on March 1st. So the PAnthers picked up the option, and likely as you point out would have been letting him walk due to their tight cap.

But it raised a huge question for me. WHY WOULD WE NOT PICK UP SAMMY'S 5TH YEAR? There's no downside? If he didn't live up to the contract we could cut him, and if he finally did, we'd have an extra year. What am I missing? It just makes our decision look even dumber.

And props to Beane for moving him before we lost him for nothing, which is probably the same thinking Carolina used (without getting as much value or immediate help at a position of need).

[Arm of Harm]

I think that Beane called in a favor, nothing else really makes sense here because KB is by far better than any WR we have had in a long time. If New England got Kelvin, how would we be feeling ?? I’d say at least extremely concerned.

You are right: we'd be extremely concerned if New England got Kelvin Benjamin. Then again, if the Patriots got Benjamin, he'd have Tom Brady throwing him the ball.