[reopened. behave your fine selves] Kelvin Benjamin criticizes time with Panthers, Cam Newton

[billykay]

4 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

It sounds very much like KB will not be with the Bills next year... which will make a lot of fans happy it appears!

Unless we are in the playoff hunt, he will be gone at the trading deadline. imho.

[atlbillsfan1975]

1 hour ago, dave mcbride said:

212 TDs in 7 years is very far from mediocre.

His passing yards and passingtouchdowns are average/mediocre. 

Mix in his rushing, he looks a lot better. Cam is a great athlete and an average quarterback. He will turn 30 after this season. IF Cam is to reach greatness I think he will need to change his game to more like Rothlisberger at the same age.A big body quarterback who is hard to take down in the pocket. 

[26CornerBlitz]

Interesting perspective from Jordan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer.  Steve Smith's comments also telling from the embedded video. 

Yes, former Panther Kelvin Benjamin took a jab at Cam Newton, but here are the facts.

 

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin took a not-so-subtle jab at quarterback Cam Newton this week, just days before Benjamin’s current team, the Buffalo Bills, takes on the Panthers in Week 1 of the preseason.

 

Benjamin, the 2014 first-round draft pick of the Panthers, was interviewed by Tim Graham of The Athletic, and was asked to assess his career since his rookie season.

 

“I mean, I felt like I would’ve been even more successful if ... I don’t know, man ... If I would’ve ... Looking back on it, I should’ve just been drafted by somebody else. I should’ve never went to Carolina,” he told Graham.

 

“Truly, I just think Carolina was bad for me. It was a bad fit from the get-go. If you would’ve put me with any other quarterback, let’s be real, you know what I’m saying? Any other accurate quarterback like (Aaron) Rodgers or Eli Manning or Big Ben (Ben Roethlisberger) — anybody! — quarterbacks with knowledge, that know-how to place a ball and give you a better chance to catch the ball. It just felt like I wasn’t in that position.”

 

Social media, of course, lit up with commentary about Benjamin’s remark.

 

So it might be nice to present a few facts, to hopefully cut through all of the noise.

 

First, Benjamin is absolutely entitled to his own “bad fit from the get-go” opinion, but statistically it is inaccurate.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

26 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

Interesting perspective from Jordan Rodrigue of the Charlotte Observer.  Steve Smith's comments also telling from the embedded video. 

Yes, former Panther Kelvin Benjamin took a jab at Cam Newton, but here are the facts.

 

Former Carolina Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin took a not-so-subtle jab at quarterback Cam Newton this week, just days before Benjamin’s current team, the Buffalo Bills, takes on the Panthers in Week 1 of the preseason.

 

Benjamin, the 2014 first-round draft pick of the Panthers, was interviewed by Tim Graham of The Athletic, and was asked to assess his career since his rookie season.

 

“I mean, I felt like I would’ve been even more successful if ... I don’t know, man ... If I would’ve ... Looking back on it, I should’ve just been drafted by somebody else. I should’ve never went to Carolina,” he told Graham.

 

“Truly, I just think Carolina was bad for me. It was a bad fit from the get-go. If you would’ve put me with any other quarterback, let’s be real, you know what I’m saying? Any other accurate quarterback like (Aaron) Rodgers or Eli Manning or Big Ben (Ben Roethlisberger) — anybody! — quarterbacks with knowledge, that know-how to place a ball and give you a better chance to catch the ball. It just felt like I wasn’t in that position.”

 

Social media, of course, lit up with commentary about Benjamin’s remark.

 

So it might be nice to present a few facts, to hopefully cut through all of the noise.

 

First, Benjamin is absolutely entitled to his own “bad fit from the get-go” opinion, but statistically it is inaccurate.

 

...didn't he show up at Carolina camp at a svelte 260 or 270+?....saw a couple of pics and he almost looked like Lorenzen......now where health issues have cropped up AND in a contract year, he wants to start yapping?.....makes perfect sense......

[Fadingpain]

21 hours ago, WMDman said:

Never thought Cam was too smart football wise, guess KB feels the same

He's not too smart anywise.

 

[3rdand12]

6 hours ago, Buffalo Boy said:

“Them” don’t believe this serves any constructive purpose on a young team searching for an identity and leadership on the Offensive side of the ball.

exactly.
Hope McBeanes talked to him about this.

 

do your job Kelvin and all will be well

5 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

It sounds very much like KB will not be with the Bills next year... which will make a lot of fans happy it appears!

I don't know if i feel that way yet.
I want him to succeed. I honestly do !

Last thing i recall about him was the blatant push off in the endzone last year. Left a bad taste, and he has yet to redeem himself. Reports from camp mention more than once and from more than one , he drops passes he should catch.

 Prefer he focused on his work ethic and not blaming others.

[Rocky Landing]

13 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

Agreed.  Beane brought Benjamin in here giving him very high marks - the coaches will love him, the players will love him, his attitude etc etc etc

 

Now Benjamin running his mouth, nothing is his fault, he should have been drafted to play with Aaron Rodgers or Big Ben.  News flash Benjamin:  neither of those guys play for Buffalo.

 

Unless there's a whole lot of laundry behind the scene he knows about that we don't, Beane has got to be saying "uh-oh"

 

 

I wonder how this plays out behind the scenes, now? KB did state he had been "holding it all in." It's likely that Beane had no idea whatsoever about KB's animosity towards Newton. But now that dirty laundry has been aired, I have to believe there is going to be a serious sit-down with KB, Beane, and McD. 

 

One element that strikes me also, was the mention of burying his mother. It makes me think that there were unkind, or insensitive remarks made by Newton during that period that have stuck in KB's craw ever since, and is coming out now in this rather inarticulate fashion. Those unspoken issues are the sort of thing that can really get into someone's head, and affect their game-- especially someone with maturity issues.

 

Maybe this becomes a learning experience for an immature KB? Or, maybe this is an indication of problems on the horizon?

As a fan, I actually sort of enjoy the dramas that play out off the field. I enjoy rooting for players as people, as well as athletes. And, so far, immaturity notwithstanding, I kinda like KB. I hope this drama has a happy ending.

[Mike in Horseheads]

Beane and McD knew what was going on in Carolina and wanted him. Thats good enough for me.

[26CornerBlitz]

 

[NoSaint]

11 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

Not the least bit shocking. 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

14 minutes ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

 

..pretty pathetic I'd say "26"......do you really want to test McD's focus and mettle?.......Zay is in the outhouse because his "knee surgery" resulted from a deep laceration sustained during his "escapade romp"...had NOTHING to do with football.....so now Kelvin wants to test 'em?....didn't he show up at Carolina camp at a svelte 260-270?.......a real commitment.....and now with health issues in his CONTRACT YEAR, he spouts off?....guess 'ol Ron White said it best....SMH.....

Edited August 5, 2018 by OldTimeAFLGuy

[26CornerBlitz]

Just now, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

..pretty pathetic I'd say "26"......do you really want to test McD's focus and mettle?.......Zay is in the outhouse because his "knee surgery" resulted from a deep laceration sustained during his "escapade romp"...had NOTHING to do with football.....so now Kelvin wants to test 'em?.......guess 'ol Ron White said it best....SMH.....

 

It's Tim Graham's fault.   Minor blip and we're moving on. 

[HappyDays]

 

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, 26CornerBlitz said:

 

It's Tim Graham's fault.   Minor blip and we're moving on. 

 

...damn you...ANOTHER perfectly good pair of Depends ruined.......

[JoeF]

14 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

This is officially now known as the "look"  -- this is coach when he is not in a happy place.

 

 

[Bing Bong]

Alright who else is on the "screw this guy" train?

 

I know TBD has a penchent for making wisecracks when they see a joke tee'd up for them.. pun intended fellas. Pun is usually intended.

 

Side note. I hope this new regime had some knowledge of KB's resentment because if the DC and assistant GM had no friggin clue.. they're not very observant for preaching themselves up as so called locker room characters gurus. Of course they had to pretend KB wouldn't be like this.. but I hope they had some knowledge of the situation. You can't come into a team with that philosophy of building high character close knit lockerrooms with a resume of not knowing what's going on in your locker room

Edited August 5, 2018 by PetermanThrew5Picks

[Bing Bong]

7 hours ago, Buffalo Boy said:

“Them” don’t believe this serves any constructive purpose on a young team searching for an identity and leadership on the Offensive side of the ball.

I'll speak for "them" (me and my disappointed fellow posters). Ya just can't do that.. ya just.. can't. Honestly the last WR I remember throw this punch was TO.. who was likely more right that he was carrying the weight on his team and could carry more.

 

It speaks badly to our regime preaching high character locker room buddies and bringing this dude while pushing the Swatkins team destroyer narrative. Christ Swatkins looks like an angel compared to this. AND he was more productive.

[YoloinOhio]

I remember Steve Smith backhanded Cam pretty hard after he left the Panthers. Said he was finally playing with a real QB or something (Flacco). They didn’t have the best relationship going back to the early days

 

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/blogs/shutdown-corner/steve-smith-rips-cam-newton-loss-giants-quarterback-180025405--nfl.html

Edited August 5, 2018 by YoloinOhio

[Seasons1992]

1 hour ago, JoeF said:

This is officially now known as the "look"  -- this is coach when he is not in a happy place.

 

 

 

That's pretty much how I look at my kids 25% of the time............

[wppete]

Well I guess this just helps the Bills when negotiating a new contract. Seems like KB likes it in Buffalo. 

[Augie]

11 minutes ago, Seasons1992 said:

 

That's pretty much how I look at my kids 25% of the time............

 

Do they quake in their boots, or just giggle at you? 

 

 

?

Just now, wppete said:

Well I guess this just helps the Bills when negotiating a new contract. Seems like KB likes it in Buffalo. 

 

Carolina probably thought he liked it there. The test is after he leaves, apparently. 

[Teddy KGB]

Panthers fans have some good jokes on Twitter.   A lot of fat jokes for KB. 

 

Best one is     I can’t wait to hear about it on KB’s 30 for 30 on the food network ????

[YoloinOhio]

3 minutes ago, Teddy KGB said:

Panthers fans have some good jokes on Twitter.   A lot of fat jokes for KB. 

 

Best one is     I can’t wait to hear about it on KB’s 30 for 30 on the food network ????

That’s funny but kinda mean. He said he gained weight after his mom died and was out of shape at OTAs, but not camp. Whatever, he’s in shape now and all I care about. 

 

 

[Teddy KGB]

19 minutes ago, YoloinOhio said:

That’s funny but kinda mean. He said he gained weight after his mom died and was out of shape at OTAs, but not camp. Whatever, he’s in shape now and all I care about. 

 

 

 

I’ve got zero issues with him.     Love him as a player.    Hopefully the passing game looks better with AJMc/Allen over Taylor/Peterman and he gets more opportunities. 

[dgr81]

12 hours ago, Boyst62 said:

Did they miss a beat when he wasn't starting?  No.

 

Newton is not that good.  He will not be starting in 4 years.

 

8th highest PASSING yards in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

9th highest PASSING TD's in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

Most RUSHING yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

Most RUSHING TD's by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

3rd highest TOTAL yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

 

Edited August 6, 2018 by Hapless Bills Fan
Inappropriate language

[boyst]

6 hours ago, dgr81 said:

You might be the dumbest person on this message board.

 

8th highest PASSING yards in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

9th highest PASSING TD's in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

Most RUSHING yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

Most RUSHING TD's by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

3rd highest TOTAL yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

Why not just come out and admit that you don't respect his accomplishments because he is a black QB

 

I'm just going to ask you how today's game might be a little bit different than in the past and how many superbowls this guy has won, how his interception rate is, how much is actual eye test to Quality matters?

 

Edited August 6, 2018 by Hapless Bills Fan
Inappropriate language

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

8 hours ago, PetermanThrew5Picks said:

Alright who else is on the "screw this guy" train?

 

I know TBD has a penchent for making wisecracks when they see a joke tee'd up for them.. pun intended fellas. Pun is usually intended.

 

Side note. I hope this new regime had some knowledge of KB's resentment because if the DC and assistant GM had no friggin clue.. they're not very observant for preaching themselves up as so called locker room characters gurus. Of course they had to pretend KB wouldn't be like this.. but I hope they had some knowledge of the situation. You can't come into a team with that philosophy of building high character close knit lockerrooms with a resume of not knowing what's going on in your locker room

...not sure what the hell you're yapping about.....Benjamin HIMSELF dug up his Carolina past and started firing bullets....I'd bet 99.98% of the TBD'ers could care less about the past......he's here, in shape (not the alleged 260-275+ in Carolina), appears to now be healthy and is earning positive kudos with camp performance...nothing else matters IMO....

 

[Ol Dirty B]

18 hours ago, PetermanThrew5Picks said:

I believe Ted Ginn Jr made Cam not miss KB a beat

 

True, that's a bit concerning.

[26CornerBlitz]

Olsen surprised by Kelvin Benjamin's 'weird' remarks

 

Greg Olsen says he was a little surprised by the "weird" comments Kelvin Benjamin made about Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers, adding that the quarterback is "the best thing that's ever happened to my career."

 

"It's kind of weird," said Olsen when asked Sunday what he believed might have sparked Benjamin's sharp criticism. "I think we all felt the same way. We all wish Kelvin the best. Obviously, things change, but, again, we've talked at length about how guys around here feel about Cam. Obviously you don't like people going after your quarterback, but I think Cam knows how the guys around here feel about him."

[Bills Pimpin']

4 hours ago, PetermanThrew5Picks said:

Alright who else is on the "screw this guy" train?

 

I know TBD has a penchent for making wisecracks when they see a joke tee'd up for them.. pun intended fellas. Pun is usually intended.

 

Side note. I hope this new regime had some knowledge of KB's resentment because if the DC and assistant GM had no friggin clue.. they're not very observant for preaching themselves up as so called locker room characters gurus. Of course they had to pretend KB wouldn't be like this.. but I hope they had some knowledge of the situation. You can't come into a team with that philosophy of building high character close knit lockerrooms with a resume of not knowing what's going on in your locker room

What?

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Since this is current and topical, let's try reopening it now that I've taken out the trash.

 

Behave your fine selves and try to disagree without being disagreeable so it stays open.

 

 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

6 hours ago, dgr81 said:

 

8th highest PASSING yards in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

9th highest PASSING TD's in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

Most RUSHING yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

Most RUSHING TD's by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

3rd highest TOTAL yards by a QB in his first 7 seasons in NFL history

 

 

Good points.  Cam has a pretty impressive track record of accomplishments as a QB

 

8 hours ago, YoloinOhio said:

I remember Steve Smith backhanded Cam pretty hard after he left the Panthers. Said he was finally playing with a real QB or something (Flacco). They didn’t have the best relationship going back to the early days

 

https://www.yahoo.com/amphtml/sports/blogs/shutdown-corner/steve-smith-rips-cam-newton-loss-giants-quarterback-180025405--nfl.html

 

Also good point.  There have been murmurs and rumors for a long time that in addition to what the public sees (sideline behavior, tantrum-y stuff), he hasn't always been the best of teammates.

 

Independent of Cam, I just think KB's comments are a bad look.  I would like him to "mind his own store" and focus on improving his catch percentage every day.  And on staying fit and healthy.

[Chandler#81]

9 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

Since this is current and topical, let's try reopening it now that I've taken out the trash.

 

Behave your fine selves and try to disagree without being disagreeable so it stays open.

 

 

I wanna be like you when I grow up.?

[outsidethebox]

I'm not sure I liked the way the coach handled the situation. He calls out KB for calling out the Panthers? Seems a little hypocritical to me. 

He should have kept it in the lockerroom instead of calling him out in the press. I'm a little disappointed in McDermott's behavior. 

Edited August 6, 2018 by westside

[stuvian]

Cam has carried the Panthers franchise on his back since he was drafted. He broke Peyton Manning's rookie QB passing TD record. Maybe Cam is an unlikeable diva but he is a great football player.

 

Benjamin's comments do not reflect well.

 

It's funny reading this story. I naturally assumed that black athletes would not take swipes at other black athletes, especially iconic ones like Cam Newton but I guess it shows you how little we know.

[Rocky Landing]

11 minutes ago, stuvian said:

Cam has carried the Panthers franchise on his back since he was drafted. He broke Peyton Manning's rookie QB passing TD record. Maybe Cam is an unlikeable diva but he is a great football player.

 

Benjamin's comments do not reflect well.

 

It's funny reading this story. I naturally assumed that black athletes would not take swipes at other black athletes, especially iconic ones like Cam Newton but I guess it shows you how little we know.

If you regard black athletes as some sort of monolith, as if they are of the same mind, belong to the same culture, have the same philosophies, or have the same opinions on things, it will come off as a bit racist. Just a heads up.

[stuvian]

3 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

If you regard black athletes as some sort of monolith, as if they are of the same mind, belong to the same culture, have the same philosophies, or have the same opinions on things, it will come off as a bit racist. Just a heads up.

I understand the risk in expressing that but I perceive that some people don't like Cam Newton for reasons of race and I expected most African American athletes to have his back as Warren Moon does. Benjamin's preference for playing with Rodgers or Roethlisberger surprised me as it implies that Newton is somehow not in their category.

 

I acknowledge and am aware of divergent views in the black community and realize that no identifiable community is homogenous in opinion or political orientation.

[CommonCents]

2 minutes ago, stuvian said:

I understand the risk in expressing that but I perceive that some people don't like Cam Newton for reasons of race and I expected most African American athletes to have his back as Warren Moon does. Benjamin's preference for playing with Rodgers or Roethlisberger surprised me as it implies that Newton is somehow not in their category.

 

I acknowledge and am aware of divergent views in the black community and realize that no identifiable community is homogenous in opinion or political orientation.

Have you ever considered that people might not like his actions on the field or on the sidelines? I’m sure that turns off many more folks fans than does the color of his skin. 

 

If Josh Allen starts acting like Superman after every good play and then putting a towel over his head when things get tough I won’t like him either. 

[stuvian]

Just now, Commonsense said:

Have you ever considered that people might not like his actions on the field or on the sidelines? I’m sure that turns off many more folks fans than does the color of his skin. 

 

If Josh Allen starts acting like Superman after every good play and then putting a towel over his head when things get tough I won’t like him either. 

 

Newton is a talented, confident, good looking, successful and flambuoyant African American man. He's probably been spoilt by parents and coaches most of his life and comes across like a selfish diva. I think that some of the backlash against him has some racism to it. In my eyes, he has backed up all his claims with is play and is a truly unique and stellar talent who has done extremely well with mediocre support at the skill positions (except Greg Olsen).

[C.Biscuit97]

9 minutes ago, Commonsense said:

Have you ever considered that people might not like his actions on the field or on the sidelines? I’m sure that turns off many more folks fans than does the color of his skin. 

 

If Josh Allen starts acting like Superman after every good play and then putting a towel over his head when things get tough I won’t like him either. 

I don’t like throwing the race cars around Newton because clearly, he is far from perfect as a leader.  But it is interesting you hear far less backlash when Rodgers did his celebrations and when Brady would scream at his coaches and players.  There seem to be some double standard.s in how some players are covered.  I’m not sure if it is race related but it’s prett obvious other guys don’t get the grief Newton gets.