Gettis has every reason to come back as a huge receiver for the Panthers. He proved to have that intangible playmaking ability similar to that of Cordarrelle Patterson. In fact, after looking back at some of his highlights on YouTube, I see a lot of similarities between him and the newly minted Minnesota Viking, excluding the fact that Gettis is presumably a lot smarter and more encouraged and driven. The coaching staff just needs to put faith into the former Baylor Bear.

Let’s take a look back at some of the stats that Gettis put up during his first year as a Panther. Gettis played in 15 games with 13 starts.  He totaled 37 receptions for 508 yards and a team-leading three receiving touchdowns. He surpassed our current second receiver, Brandon LaFell, three games into the season. He seemed to be made from the Calvin Johnson mold, a tall, somewhat thin, but not too thin of a player. He became the first Panther other than Steve Smith or Muhsin Muhammad to produce a 100-yard receiving effort, at the time; of course Greg Olsen joined that club last season. And please guys, remember this was the year of Jimmy Clausen/Matt Moore, a bad year for the Panthers.

Now if you look at where he is at now, you’ll see a completely rested player who the Panther’s organization obviously faith in. Gettis has been on the PUP/IR list for the entirety of the 2011 season and the majority of the 2012 season. The Panthers could have let him go, because of his long tenure on the PUP/IR list, which is sometimes more than enough reason to cut a player, similar to the career of newly minted Panther DT Colin Cole. But the organization did not cut him and now Gettis’s future lies in the hands of the coaching staff. Ron Rivera, Mike Shula, and any other Panther with any influence on who plays and who doesn’t should give Gettis every chance to perform.

July 31, 2011; Spartanburg, SC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receivers David Gettis (12) and Brandon LaFell (11) during training camp at Gibbs Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Granted, the Panthers have bolstered their Receiving unit a bit. Ted Ginn will only give depth, not so much of a playmaker as a receiver, but his returns are top notch. Domenik Hixon is obviously the player who could challenge the career of Gettis, excluding LaFell who is his biggest hurdle to overcome on his way to the top. So Gettis, in my opinion is better than Ginn. Hixon has experience and was a valuable slot receiver for the Giants last year, he proved that against the Panthers on Monday night last season, but Gettis has the talent to surpass him as well. Now while I am extremely biased in my adoration of LaFell, Gettis did surpass him as a starter in 2010, much to my dismay. Now LaFell did injure himself in 2010, the first reason why Gettis took his spot, but Gettis did hold on the spot after LaFell came back from a not so serious hamstring strain a game later.

Gettis has the ability to be the next Muhsin Muhammad and maybe the next Steve Smith. He is big, strong, and made some very difficult catches in his rookie campaign. The Panther’s organization just needs to give him a chance. I feel pretty strongly about the success about Gettis, if we lose him, we’d be out a very talented receiver, something the Panther’s desperately need. How do guys feel though? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Third year receiver David Gettis had this to say about his long awaited return, “It’s a blessing to be back after a lot of hard work, not just from me but from the training staff and from my family praying for me. It’s been a long time – a year and a half,” he said. “This is what I love to do, what I’ve dreamed of doing since I was little. To have it taken away hurt, having to sit there and watch the team go on without you.”

“You kind of feel like you don’t belong in one sense, but it inspired me to work hard in my rehab to get back to being able to contribute.”

Nov. 27, 2011; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Thomas Keiser (98) seen during warmups before the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory credit: Michael Hickey-US PRESSWIRE

As for the rest of the injuries, which there have been a lot, most things have cleared up. Defensive Ends Antwan Applewhite and Thomas Keiser practiced on Wednesday, after suffering injuries to their hamstring and elbow, respectively. Both players have missed two games because of their injuries. Mike Tolbert and Charles Johnson were also banged up after the Redskins game, but the Official Panthers website reported they practiced and were ready for Sunday.

Rivera had this to say about the player’s returns, “It’s good to see. You saw a lot of guys with a little bit more energy today,” Rivera said. “They were moving around pretty well. We’ll try to be smart again tomorrow and give some rest to some of those guys, but Thursday is a pretty important day as far as putting your base in as well as doing nickel and red zone stuff.”

As I’m sure you know they face Denver Broncos this Sunday, and I’ll be there, sporting my Newton jersey, and screaming at the top of my lungs. I pray we will be singing “Sweet Caroline” around the final seconds, Go Panthers!!!

To me this news is very exciting, and should be to any Panther fan out there. If you don’t remember David Gettis, he was a very productive wide receiver, who last played on the field in 2010. He was drafted as the 198^thpick in the 2010 draft out of Baylor. He ended the season as a starter, the second wide reciever under our then, and current number one receiver, Steve Smith. He ended the season with thirty seven receptions for five hundred and eight yards. He also caught three touchdowns during that season, which lead the team that year.

Nov, 21, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver David Gettis (12) scores on a 88 yard touchdown play in the 4th quarter. The Ravens defeated the Panthers 37-13 at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

If you remember, 2010 was the year when the Panthers transitioned between Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore as our starting Quarterback, so those are very impressive stats for a rookie on a team with terrible Quarterback play.

David Gettis will be more than welcome in our already stellar receiving unit which boasts big names like Steve Smith, Greg Olsen, and Brandon LaFell. I’ll leave this piece with a quote that came from an interview with Gettis from the official Panthers site, “I’ve done a lot of game-type situations, running routes where you feel like you’re actually in the game. Obviously, that’s not actually a game. It’s going to be different when you’re actually out there for real, but I think I’m going to be fine.” To me, that’s the best news I’ve heard during this seemingly long bye week.

I acquired Gettis’s stats from http://www.nfl.com/player/davidgettis/497290/profile