Proehl leaves the door open

[Fan. Attic]

From Panthers.com:

"I don't know yet," said Proehl. "I've learned not to say anything. I'm going to kind of do the same thing I did last year, and that's wait a couple of months. I'll see where they stand and sit down with my family." ... "I feel good, physically. I feel like I can still play at this point and time. Obviously six to eight months from now might be different, but I'll continue to stay in shape. I don't put up huge numbers, but I made some big plays this year. When you do that, you feel like you can still play and contribute. That makes it difficult to walk away. ..."

Does this sound like a guy who won't be back next year?

 

[Black&Blue]

Please, please come back. I wish this guy would play until he's 60.

 

[Thelt]

I hope he comes back just because I like him and he makes some key catches but in the grand scheme it does not matter if he does or not we have to upgrade our receivers. We need a guy who can put up big numbers if the defense rolls over on Smith. None of our guys can do that including Proehl. In a way I hope he does retire because we could use his spot for a guy you can contribute more or at least be a punt returner.

 

[cantgetright]

I posted in another thread somewhere down the line that Steve Smith said that Ricky told him he was coming back. Ricky has 666 career receptions and didn't want to end on that # and the guys have been on him all year and finally talked him into coming back.

 

[magnus]

Only problem? We're not going to get Proehl back AND sign a player better than Colbert.

 

[cantgetright]

Only problem? We're not going to get Proehl back AND sign a player better than Colbert.

That's kind of worried me too.
1. Smith
2. ?????
3. Proehl
4. Drew Carter
5. Colbert
6. Hankton

I really can't see us keeping 6 and Hankton although useless on Offense is a special teams demon... It seemed like he made 75% of the ST tackles this year.

It's going to be interesting how this plays out.

 

[magnus]

well, either you make Carter fight with Colbert for #2, which doesn't really improve us, or you give a FA the #2 spot and make Colbert fight for his life v/s a pet project.

 

[stratocatter]

Carter's knees scare me.

 

[McFly41]

Once again...HANKTON IS EXPENDIBLE!

 

[Proprietor]

At this point, Colbert needs to be fighting for something. Carter out-performed Colbert over the past month. Proehl is what he is...dependable on third down, and a great red zone threat. He would be more than welcome to come back by me.

What we need to start thinking about **gulp** is drafting one of these pass-catching tight ends. This offense, in spite of it's inclination to avoid it, needs a Heath Miller type who can stretch the field at TE.

It would improve Jake's rating by at least 5-7 points.