The Cat
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Those who say that it's better to give than to receive were never rookies in the NFL.
Wide receiver Keary Colbert is all to happy to receive whatever he can in his first season as a Carolina Panther. Whether it's passes or free advice, the former University of Southern California Trojan is doing his best to take everything in and use it to his advantage.
Keary Colbert owns the USC career receptions record ahead of players like Lynn Swann and Keyshawn Johnson. (AP Photo)
"I've been progressing and trying to get better every day," said Colbert, who holds the USC career record of 207 receptions. Some pretty good receivers have gone to USC, such as Lynn Swann and Keyshawn Johnson, but Colbert's name sits atop the list.
With the Panthers, it's a different story. The rookie has veterans Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Ricky Proehl in front of him on the depth chart, all players who have proven themselves in the NFL. For Colbert, beating any of those guys out isn't a priority.
"My goal is not necessarily to be a number,' as in third or fourth receiver," said Colbert. "It's just to be able to fit in whenever I'm thrown in. The coaches get paid to coach and put players in the game in the situations they see fit. Whenever my opportunity arises, I just have to be able to do what I'm supposed to do and take advantage of the opportunity.
"It's a challenge, but whatever my role may be, I just want to be able to fill that role. I try to work hard every day. That's what I bring to the table. I don't know what they were looking for when they drafted me, but that's the one thing I try to pride myself in is hard work."
Colbert isn't too proud to ask for advice. He has leaned heavily on the veterans around him, from Muhammad, Smith and Proehl to Karl Hankton, Walter Young, Eugene Baker and Donald Hayes.
"I have been blessed to be put into a real good situation. Everybody does something better than everyone else, so they all have different input.
"Moose (Muhammad) has helped me with blocking and running my routes as far as staying smooth and being patient with the routes. Steve has been helping me on my releases and being quick. Ricky has helped me on my routes, especially the top of the routes with the stems and releases. Then you have guys like Hank and Bake and Walt and D. Hayes. Everybody has something to show me."
For a wide-eyed rookie looking to make it in the NFL, it's like Christmas in June.
"The transition has been really smooth," said Colbert. "I'm playing behind some great guys and I'm looking to learn from those guys and get better through them and just contribute."
Wide receiver Keary Colbert is all to happy to receive whatever he can in his first season as a Carolina Panther. Whether it's passes or free advice, the former University of Southern California Trojan is doing his best to take everything in and use it to his advantage.
Keary Colbert owns the USC career receptions record ahead of players like Lynn Swann and Keyshawn Johnson. (AP Photo)
"I've been progressing and trying to get better every day," said Colbert, who holds the USC career record of 207 receptions. Some pretty good receivers have gone to USC, such as Lynn Swann and Keyshawn Johnson, but Colbert's name sits atop the list.
With the Panthers, it's a different story. The rookie has veterans Muhsin Muhammad, Steve Smith and Ricky Proehl in front of him on the depth chart, all players who have proven themselves in the NFL. For Colbert, beating any of those guys out isn't a priority.
"My goal is not necessarily to be a number,' as in third or fourth receiver," said Colbert. "It's just to be able to fit in whenever I'm thrown in. The coaches get paid to coach and put players in the game in the situations they see fit. Whenever my opportunity arises, I just have to be able to do what I'm supposed to do and take advantage of the opportunity.
"It's a challenge, but whatever my role may be, I just want to be able to fill that role. I try to work hard every day. That's what I bring to the table. I don't know what they were looking for when they drafted me, but that's the one thing I try to pride myself in is hard work."
Colbert isn't too proud to ask for advice. He has leaned heavily on the veterans around him, from Muhammad, Smith and Proehl to Karl Hankton, Walter Young, Eugene Baker and Donald Hayes.
"I have been blessed to be put into a real good situation. Everybody does something better than everyone else, so they all have different input.
"Moose (Muhammad) has helped me with blocking and running my routes as far as staying smooth and being patient with the routes. Steve has been helping me on my releases and being quick. Ricky has helped me on my routes, especially the top of the routes with the stems and releases. Then you have guys like Hank and Bake and Walt and D. Hayes. Everybody has something to show me."
For a wide-eyed rookie looking to make it in the NFL, it's like Christmas in June.
"The transition has been really smooth," said Colbert. "I'm playing behind some great guys and I'm looking to learn from those guys and get better through them and just contribute."
:jawomg:
