Luke Kuechly http://www.pantherscheapshop.com/cheap- … ten-jersey , Greg Olsen highest rated players The full ratings for all NFL players for the upcoming Madden 19 video game have been released, and the Panthers have just two players with a rating higher than 90 — linebacker Luke Kuechly (99), and tight end Greg Olsen (92). As we reported previously, Kuechly is one of only seven players to receive a 99 overall rating — the highest rating a player can receive in Madden.You can check out the entire list of Panthers players here.My takeI can’t really argue too much with the ratings, for several reasons.It’s a video game; it’s not that serious.Most—if not all—of the ratings are fairly accurate.See point 1.If I had any nits to pick, it would be the hideously unfair treatment of long snapper J.J. Jansen. Yes, I know the long snapper is a much maligned position in football C.J. Anderson Jersey , but he’s one of the most important players on the field. You only notice him when he screws up, so the fact that hardly anyone ever notices him out there is a testament to his quality. Sure, he shouldn’t be rated 90+, but come on — he’s way better than 47. He’s at least a 65, right?What do you think, Panthers fans? Any ratings stick out to you? Which ones would you change and why? We all know the Panthers need to upgrade the left tackle and defensive end positions heading into 2019. Mike Adams and Eric Reid are going to be free agents, so both safety positions need to get addressed. Carolina could also add some quality and depth at cornerback as well. But you already know about those roster gaps. I’m here to add another one: Punt returner!Yes Wes Horton Jersey , I just said punt returner. Just humor me on this one, okay? The Panthers’ weak return game has bugged me for the past couple of seasons and I’m probably not alone in feeling this way. Now is as good of a time as any to get this off my chest. The Panthers return game has been objectively bad over the last two seasons. With data taken from ESPN, Carolina’s average of 6.9 yards per punt return in 2017 and 2018 is among the bottom of the NFL:Worst yards per punt return, 2017-2018RankTeamReturnsYardsYards/ReturnRankTeamReturnsYardsYards/ReturnTo put that in context, five teams have averaged over 10 yards per return over the last two seasons - the Cleveland Browns (10.7), Pittsburgh Steelers (10.6), Washington (10.5) Cheap Luke Kuechly Jersey , Houston Texans (10.5), and Arizona Cardinals (10.1). On average, the better punt returning teams have given their offenses an extra three-plus yards of starting field position than the Panthers over the last two years. That’s not necessarily going to be the difference between winning and losing most weeks, but according to the cliche police football is “a game of inches” and every yard helps. Part of the problem is the Panthers have cycled through a number of different returners since Ted Ginn’s departure after the 2016 season. Since then following players have all returned punts for Carolina: Christian McCaffrey (22), Kaelin Clay (17), Damiere Byrd (12), Kenjon Barner (7) Cheap Christian McCaffrey Jersey , and D.J. Moore (6). That’s five different returners over the last 32 games. CMC’s too valuable now to return punts and D.J. Moore is probably in the same boat. Kaelin Clay’s gone. Byrd and Barner will be free agents. So what’s the solution?As for me, I’m hoping “Byrd is the word” in 2019. He’s a restricted free agent and was performing well before going on injured reserve in late November.I’d expect the Panthers bring him back next year. In his brief 17-game career Byrd has returned 12 punts for 113 yards, or a healthy 9.4 yards per attempt. It’s a small sample size but he has definitely shown potential. If it’s not Byrd next year then brace yourselves for the third straight season of rotating returners and more of the same sub-par results.