Carolina Panthers: Dwayne Jarrett Is A Dum Dum
October 31st, 2007 . by ChuckIf you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed to receive instant updates.
Like most people who followed the USC Trojans in the last few years, I was waiting on Dwayne Jarrett’s entry into the NFL to see how he’d 
perform with the big boys. Jarrett had a great career at USC with Matt Leinart, Reggie Bush & Lendale White, but things haven’t been as smooth in the NFL. While Leinart, Bush, and White have all had their fair share of struggles in the NFL, Jarrett can’t even get on the field.
A few weeks ago I remember reading about how not only was Jarrett not playing, he wasn’t even activated for the Carolina Panthers games. How can first round draft pick not even suit up if he’s perfectly healthy? It turns out Mr. Jarrett is a “slow learner” and hasn’t been able to digest enough of the playbook in order to earn a spot in rotation. I could understand this if Dwayne played quarterback, but he’s a wide receiver… come on now, what gives?
Carolina Panthers rookie Dwayne Jarrett was at his locker Wednesday answering questions about his frustrating season when teammate Steve Smith walked by and interrupted him.
“Instead of talking to the media, why don’t you go watch some film,” Smith said.
Jarrett broke into a half smile and started talking again.
“Seriously,” Smith said, complete with his signature glare.
There are rookie quarterbacks who are already starting (and winning) games this year (Trent Edwards), so either Carolina has the most robust and complex playbook in the history of the NFL, or Dwayne Jarrett is riding the short yellow bus to practice. We can even use other rookie wide receivers for perspective. Dwayne Bowe of the Kansas City Chiefs held out for a better contract this year, and reported late to camp, as shown in the HBO series Hard Knocks. Despite his slow start and horrible performance in training camp, week 9 is here and Bowe’s performance has been outstanding thusfar.
Apparently the type of offense Pete Caroll is running at USC doesn’t translate well to the NFL, for wide receivers at least.
I’m surprised. I was hoping my team, the Eagles, would take a look at him if he was available in the draft. Even though Jarrett was projected to go around 22 give or take 5, he wasn’t drafted until the 2nd round - 45th overall. I guess teams shied away from him for being a dummy or something else they saw that they didn’t like about the guy. Based on the way he played in college, I thought he would be a superstar in the NFL and thought the Panthers stole him in the draft.
I think Steve Smith’s comment was completely inappropriate- if you feel something about Jarrett, say it to him privately, not in front of the media. Dwayne Jarrett is a superstar waiting to happen in the nfl. I simply don’t buy the idea that he can’t “digest” the playbook of the Carolina Panthers. He had no problems learning plays at USC, and he proved himself numerous times on the field. We all have our shortcomings, but Jarrett is as clutch a receiver as you can find- he may not be the most consistent, but he will come up BIG and make incredible catches when you need him- notre dame 4th & 9?
You must not know much about USC because if you did you would have known that Jarrett was a 2nd rounder. He also was injured most of training camp and early season so other WRs moved up ahead of him. Jarrett is a starter in the 2008 season so get ready to be dazled.