Damiere Byrd out to prove to Panthers he’s NFL-ready
The elite level of speed possessed by former South Carolina receiver Damiere Byrd separates him from the pack, both literally and figuratively, but it can come with a downside.
Especially when that player’s collegiate career isn’t overflowing with impressive statistics. The label can then be applied of being a burner with no hands, all style and no substance, a track guy in shoulder pads.
Byrd showed enough to be signed as a free agent by the Carolina Panthers and now is on a mission to dispel any notion that he doesn’t have what it takes to play in the NFL.
“I’m not just a speed guy,” Byrd said as the Panthers’ recent mini-camp, the last mandatory workouts before the start of training camp at Wofford, came to a close. “You can look at film and see me on the field and yes, I catch deep balls, but, also, if you really watch me as a player, you’ll see I’m more of a complete receiver than what people think.”
Of course, every defender who has done his homework, understands Byrd has the capability of blowing by him at any moment, and that consistent threat helps his all-around performance.
“I think my speed is definitely an advantage that I have,” Byrd said. “Everybody is worried about me going deep, so there is a lot of tendency for guys to be bailing out, which makes all the underneath routes easier. It just helps free me up.”
Byrd faces an uphill battle against the current 12 receivers on the Panthers roster. The team returns leading wide-out Kelvin Benjamin (73 catches for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie) along with Jerricho Cotchery, Brenton Bersin and Corey Brown. Veteran speedster Ted Ginn Jr. is back after one season in Arizona and the team drafted huge Michigan receiver Devin Funchess in the second round.
Byrd was only seventh among USC receivers last season with 20 catches, which went for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He totaled 68 catches for 1,265 yards and 10 touchdowns over his career, but nine touchdowns went for 40 yards or longer. The 5-foot-9, 175-pounder then put himself squarely on the NFL radar with a head-turning 4.28 time in the 40-yard dash at USC’s pro day.
ESPN’s Panthers reporter David Newton reported Byrd made the most impressive catches of any receiver at the team’s initial rookie mini-camp last month. Byrd has been hard at work since finishing his college career.
“I’ve worked hardest on my explosiveness and getting in and out of my breaks,” Byrd said. “And fine-tuning everything you have to do as a receiver. Just doing all the natural things that every receiver has to do. I’ve learned, so far, the NFL is just football. Whether it’s high school, college or the pros, you have to go out every day with the confidence you’re going to make the plays you need to make and just take full advantage of every rep that you get.”
He’s set himself up to be the best he can be by getting hard into his playbook. Byrd said playing in the SEC was great preparation for the speed he’s seeing (in addition to his own) so far during off-season workouts, and there is no room for hesitation in the NFL.
“It’s all so fast and you have to be able to know everything so you can just play without thinking, just go off your reactions. Especially in the NFL, you have to really know everything, because if you’re running around having to think about what you’re doing on each play, you’re not going to be able to perform.”