'Big Play' Keary Colbert

'Big Play' Keary Colbert

Who is Keary Colbert? No, really. Who is this guy? Not too many players go from being inactive one week to the starting lineup the next as a rookie. Mind you, Julius Jones in Dallas might be in the same boat as Keary Colbert in this regard but we expected Jones to ascend quickly, not so for Colbert. Here's what we do know; he absolutely tore through NFL defenses in the preseason. He led all NFL receivers in receiving yards (277) and receiving touchdowns (3). The Panthers perfect 4-0 record this preseason was in large part a by-product of Colbert's big plays. He only caught 8 footballs, but averaged a staggering 34.6 yards per touch. It was just preseason, I know. But preseason play can be a barometer for measuring where a player is at in terms of their development. That's the primary motive for playing these meaningless games in the dead of Summer; to evaluate talent. And by that measure, Keary Colbert aced the exam. He blew the doors off Doug Gabriel's preseason numbers who has quickly risen to nouveau-chic-sleeper status and has motivated the coaches and fans in Oakland to ditch Rice from their football diets entirely. Gabriel had Kerry Collins throwing him the ball, Colbert had Chris Weinke. See what I'm getting at here folks? No, I'm not suggesting Colbert could possibly make Panthers fans forget about Steve Smith, not a chance. But there is no denying a wide offensive chasm in Carolina needs filling, and Keary Colbert is being fingered as the man to step up large and plug the hole.

Talent + Opportunity = Stardom

Colbert's being handed the same opportunity that made Steve Smith a star. What will Keary Colbert do with it? A road game, in Kansas City who typically tango in high scoring affairs, two teams that hold high expectations for the season and are both coming off disappointing opening game losses, and a virtual unknown 'big-play' rookie wide receiver going from street-clothes to the starting lineup. Think I'll be watching?

We hold Keary Colbert in high regard and we'll have to have some guys step up, him included," head coach John Fox said. Fox doesn't anticipate the Panthers will alter how they run the offense with Colbert in the starting lineup. "It won't change," Fox said. "We feel good about Keary Colbert. Steve Smith was a big-play guy, and everything Keary Colbert has shown us is that he's a big-play guy throughout the preseason." - The Daily News

Fox holding out hope that Smith not gone for year [The Daily News] Photo: [Keary Colbert: Carolina Panthers Media Session]

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