Another bizarre move by Fox and Co....

[meatpile]

Panthers | More On Bates - posted at KFFL (http://nfl.kffl.com)
10:37 PT: Updating previous reports, ESPN's John Clayton reports RB/KR Michael Bates' one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers is valued at $750,000. He is expected to team with KR/WR Steve Smith to give the team an excellent return tandem. Smith was one of the league’s better return specialists, but he is expected to get a little more time as the team’s third receiver this season.

I like Bates, and he'll qualify for the $425k veteran cap figure, BUT:

I'd rather have Eric Davis back, he could be a return man AND a possible STARTING CORNERBACK for the same price

This is sure to piss off the emotionally fragile Steve-o-phone, and although that doesn't bother me too much, it's there.

Maybe Smith is going to be used more as a receiver? Maybe Cooper won't be used as much as a gunner? Maybe bates won't be used as much for returns, but as a gunner?

 

[SandMan]

Lets just hope Bates left his fumblebiakabaitus in Washington...

 

[SemperFi]

No way, at least I hope, they take Cooper off his gunner responsiblities. He is probably the best in the league at that, minus a few dumb penalties. Bates is a great gunner too.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Oh, I like this one. Who are you going to kick it to when Smith and Bates are back on kickoffs? Plus, Bates was awesome on punt coverage and punt blocks. I'd still like to bring Davis in as a starting CB/backup safety/nickel back/coach. But, he was a horrible return man.

 

[SemperFi]

Originally posted by Captain Morgan
But, he was a horrible return man.

Agreed, even when he intercepted the ball I just wanted him to fall on it and cover it up. Seemed everytime he ran into the pack someone would jerk the ball out.

 

[magnus]

he was an okay pick returner but he just wasn't natural as a punt returner and never should have been there. I put that on Bates for being totally incompetent at punt returning.

 

[Guest]

I would hope that everyone would temper their devotion to Eric Davis as a player. I remember the 15 yrd cushions he employed on every down and his jock laying on the Erricson stadium tuff on numerous occassions his last season here. Also, a good KR man he ain't. Bates is pure class and still very effective on KR. $750,000 is about his worth. A vet like Bates never hurts any team. This is another solid sign for a guy with a low price tag.

 

[SemperFi]

I was never a Eric Davis fan, I thought he got burned too frequently before his last year however for league minimum he would be a good pickup.

 

[LarryD]

i think it signals that smith will be MUCH more involved on offense this year.

 

[reb]

Eric davis = overrated