http://www.goupstate.com/article/201308 ... g-workout-

The Greensboro News and Record carried an AE article today as well.

Video of AE's catch and interview:

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/vid ... ece5a410ac

ya know, either cut him or play him, we saw this last year when he had a good camp, coaches talking good things about him, how he was going to be a factor in the offense etc, then the season started, he is on the bench, maybe plays 5 or 6 plays a game. If they are not fully committed to playing him, and don't have a plan for him, I wish they would go ahead and release him, and let him get a fresh start with another organization.

“I don't want to go around saying people are safe, but Armanti has earned the right to be a Panther this year.”

Wow that is really big statement from Rivera. Preseason has not even started and he basically says Armanti is going to be a Panther. That is not a comment you make about a 5th or 6th receiver who has a borderline chance of making the team. I think Armanti is going to get some real PT this year. I wouldn't be shocked to see Ginn play mostly special teams and Armanti/Hixon alternate the 3rd/4th receiver spot depending on the package.

Another good quote was from Sterling Sharpe when the NFL network covered camp. He said that Armanti was going to be the WR to step up and he could be the Panthers version of Wes Welker. I only heard this because the local Charlotte sports radio morons played the clip to make fun of him. I really hope Armanti shuts them up, and I think he has a legit chance to.

I'll be in the stand Friday, until then I'll refrain from comment. I hope this translates to the real games.

moehler wrote:ya know, either cut him or play him, we saw this last year when he had a good camp, coaches talking good things about him, how he was going to be a factor in the offense etc, then the season started, he is on the bench, maybe plays 5 or 6 plays a game. If they are not fully committed to playing him, and don't have a plan for him, I wish they would go ahead and release him, and let him get a fresh start with another organization.

He deserves better. Any of the other teams in the league would have enthusiastically welcomed the underdog but not the Panthers. The fan base is just so jealous of ASU and Armanti that it is sickening. It's a bunch of UNC and other in state perennial ACC losers and he never had a chance from that standpoint. Any player on the team and anyone outside this state would tell you what a great teammate/person/athlete he is but it doesn't happen around these parts.

I like the Panthers but I hate the fan base in general.

fjblair wrote:

moehler wrote:ya know, either cut him or play him, we saw this last year when he had a good camp, coaches talking good things about him, how he was going to be a factor in the offense etc, then the season started, he is on the bench, maybe plays 5 or 6 plays a game. If they are not fully committed to playing him, and don't have a plan for him, I wish they would go ahead and release him, and let him get a fresh start with another organization.

He deserves better. Any of the other teams in the league would have enthusiastically welcomed the underdog but not the Panthers. The fan base is just so jealous of ASU and Armanti that it is sickening. It's a bunch of UNC and other in state perennial ACC losers and he never had a chance from that standpoint. Any player on the team and anyone outside this state would tell you what a great teammate/person/athlete he is but it doesn't happen around these parts.

I like the Panthers but I hate the fan base in general.

I gotta agree. It's really unbelievable the flack that Armanti gets.

Look at the roster. Beason under contract for 10s of millions and hasn't done anything for years. Charles Johnson, a solid player, getting paid like one of the top 3 defensive players in the league. 10s of millions of dollars invested in 2 RBs, neither is an elite player and RB is the most interchangeable position there is. Jimmy Clausen still on the roster.

All this, and all I ever hear about is Armanti. He makes what, $800k a season? And Panthers fans act like he is holding this team back. The Panthers trotted Pilares and Murphy out there week after week and they did nothing, but Armanti was clearly the weak link. What a joke.

Oh, how I want AE to succeed in the NFL! That catch was sweet! Now we wait...

to be fair to Panthers fans, lately I have been on their message boards and they see the improvement in Edwards, and basically, are having to admit that he is turning into a pretty good receiver and deserves to make the team. They still seem to have a problem with him being taken in the second round, some are still having a hard time with that, but all seem to have come around and feel he deserves to make the team.

moehler wrote:to be fair to Panthers fans, lately I have been on their message boards and they see the improvement in Edwards, and basically, are having to admit that he is turning into a pretty good receiver and deserves to make the team. They still seem to have a problem with him being taken in the second round, some are still having a hard time with that, but all seem to have come around and feel he deserves to make the team.

That's the main problem with Panthers fans. Armanti was NOT drafted in the second round. He was drafted in the third (89th). They traded away the next years 2nd to move up to take him before the Colts did at 93 (no one knew, at that time, that it would be the first pick of the 2nd the next year). But Armanti had nothing to do with that. He didn't camp out in front of the Panthers HQ holding a sign saying "Please trade up and draft me" but yet he gets most of the blame. I have been a member of both the Huddle and CSR since before he was drafted and I will agree that SOME of his most vocal haters have begun to come around a little, but the jury is still out for most of them until he gets game time. And there are still plenty on both the Huddle and CSR who will not stop the hate. Hopefully this year will be the year when they let him on the field.

On another note the four horsemen of the apocalypse are mounting up because WBTV just did a story on Armanti on the 6:00 sports. I guess they are hoping to stir up people to call into the Point After tonight.

Also, a reminder that the Dolphins play tonight on NBC against Dallas. We should get some looks at De'Andre.

The trade was with the Patriots who selected a RB or CB that is no longer in the NFL.

Saint3333 wrote:The trade was with the Patriots who selected a RB or CB that is no longer in the NFL.

Believe it was the CB from UVA, Ras-I Dowling.

Armanti could have been a walk on with the Panthers and some posters would complain.
They live for it. Yeah, I know, I do also sometimes when I get my dander up about something.
Young man is reppin' for App State well though. May be a Panther, but always will be one of us,
a Mountaineer!

The photo says it all, my heart pounds with Mountaineer pride.

GoApps70 wrote:Armanti could have been a walk on with the Panthers and some posters would complain.
They live for it. Yeah, I know, I do also sometimes when I get my dander up about something.
Young man is reppin' for App State well though. May be a Panther, but always will be one of us,
a Mountaineer!

He is also an example of a kids that (as far as I know) lived and did all the right things. When told he couldn't be a QB it didn't give up, instead he picked a school that would give him a chance. He worked hard in the classroom and on the field. He stayed a very humble guy and treated his teammates well.

He's has a story that we should be holding up as an example to kids, someone that did it right! Heck, he's a "Made for TV" ABC Family movie (if not in theatres).

My hope (and everyone will laugh I'm sure) is for the ending of the movie to show him coming down in the end zone making the catch that wins the Superbowl (or some important game). Armanti is a winner and I don't think his story is completed yet.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said that Armanti has been the MVP of training camp. I'm really looking forward to their preseason game Friday night. I would be shocked if he doesn't get some serious playing time to showcase his apparent improvement.

Psyched for the game tonight. I will be totally done if all the hype and talk does not translate into PT.

Its put up or shut up for Riveria concerning Edwards, if he likes him so much, and Edwards is so improved, start him, run specific plays for him, and get him the ball more than 2 times a game.

That's not the way it works and you know it. when he's in he will be the 3rd receiver in progression not counting the tight end. If he's in and the coaches spot defensive weaknesses he will get some specifis routes where he will be the first choice. I've got the beer cold and will be sitting on the edge of my seat.