Dawgs Eat in Carolina: Tavarres King's Impressive Debut

I guess it’s destiny for me to like Tavarres King.  He’s a Georgia Bulldog (my wife’s entire family are Georgia alum) and, most importantly, King finds some sort of cosmic significance in  the time 11:11 (this time has an important significance to me as well).  King regularly tweets:

11:11
— Tavarres King (@TKUnoDos) August 8, 2014

It looks like our futures, however, will be intertwined further after King’s impressive performance tonight, where he made a convincing case to make the 53--a performance that also guarantees my continued support for his bid!

King finished with 4 catches for 50 yards, including a series of critical catches that resulted in a  important Carolina touchdown. King’s performance felt more electric than a 4 rec/50yds game, however.  King played poised football all night. His routes looked clean and his hands reliable.  A holding penalty nullified what would have been 6th catch and run for 25 yards. Another play in particular highlighting King’s impressive performance, but also overshadowed by a subsequent personal foul from frustrated Buffalo secondary, was a sharp pass snatched by King who then turned up field.  King hopped up slamming the ball at the offender, and former Carolina Panther, Kamaal McillWain. The intense result in the end was really result of King’s  intense play.

After losing Ted Ginn, Jr and aging Steve Smith, Carolina’s ability to stretch the field remains  unknown at best and unable at worst. Gettleman brought in Tiquan Underwood, who a is most known for being cut before the Super Bowl and sporting vintage flat top, to add downfield speed.  Underwood, however, has struggled in camp. He’s also done little to distract from multiple drops, a training camp NO-NO.  Underwood, in many ways, exhibits similar weaknesses that plagued Ginn, trouble getting of the jam and difficulties hauling in the longball. Underwood’s underwhelming performance only helps King’s.

Kelvin Benjamin’s circus touchdown and impressive camp performance has encouraged Panthers fans.  Last year’s dismal passing attack, however, has left many concerned about the receiver unknowns. Aside from Benjamin and Greg Olsen, Jerricho Cotchery looks to be the only guy assured a roster spot.

King didn’t play the final series, where a 31 yd Brandon Williams touchdown gave the Carolina an opportunity to take the lead.  After failing to convert for two Carolina managed to scoop up an onside kick for one last opportunity.  King again watched from the sidelines as Marcus Lucas’s bobbled pass resulted in an interception to end Carolina’s comeback attempt.

If King’s play was so impressive then, why was he watching from the sidelines in what was a critical and particularly insightful scenario for measuring a receivers game presence?

Kin’gs play must have impressed Ron Rivera and Mike Shula quite a bit to feel content sitting him in order to evaluate other players, such as Lucas or Philly Brown. Maybe King’s absence really suggests he’s a front runner among those receivers on the bubble.

Carolina has always had good luck with players from the University of Georgia, John Casey, Charles Johnson, and Thomas Davis to name a few. Watch this Georgia Dawg closely over the next couple of weeks.  If King continues to eat like he did tonight, expect to see him in Carolina’s regular season receiver rotation.

By: the Professor

Is the Carolina Panthers Offense set to Dramatically Improve?

Hey gang.  I thought about calling this column something like "Is Dave Gettleman the new Ex-Lax?" It would have probably made some people click on to look that wouldn't normally have done so, but was a bit too "out there" to actually put as the title - not to mention generating some rather unseemly analogies.  The point, however, remains the same. Dave Gettleman seems to get the "mostest from the leastest" as far as his free agent acquisitions have generally gone so far. Very smoothly.

For instance, last season, he filled a number of gaps with some talented players like safety Mike Mitchell, who is the guy I'm going to miss the most but root for - he earned a nice contract with his play last year and we just couldn't afford to keep him. Our loss is the Steelers' gain in his case.

Same with Ted Ginn, jr. Domenik Hixon, and a couple of others last season. This season, with the media ire aimed squarely at Carolina's "sorriest wide receivers," Gettleman has obviously VERY quietly assembled a fair amount of talent-on-the-cheap to help out Cam in the passing game.

Most of us know the major new names. Veteran WR Jerricho Cotchery had perhaps his best season as a pro last year with a rookie QB, which tells me Cotchery is a guy who can adapt to whatever situation he finds himself in. He will likely be Cam's #1 WR target over the course of an entire game.

Gettleman didn't stop there, however. He added Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood as well. It seems like every year, he's getting rid of low-end receivers in favor of other lower-end receivers (no Megatron here - yet) and puts a patchwork offense together all while being restricted by Marty Hurney's legacy of the Salary Cap from Hell.

Cotchery will probably be the most consistent receiver over the whole 16-game season for the team and should see a lot of targets the first month of the season relative to the other WRs.

Then there's the hulking rookie, Kelvin Benjamin, at a nearly tight end-size of 6'5" and 240 lbs. So far, camp reports have ALL been positive and the latest news is that his hands seem better than advertised.

He was known at FSU in part for dropping too many easy passes. Drops happen once in a while to anyone for sure, but in Benjamin's case you're spending a first-round pick on a guy you're maybe not so sure about that on. Time will tell, but at least he seems to be worthy of his late first-round selection. The 2014 season will tell us a lot more and he could find himself the team's #1 WR if not by year's end, by next year. He could be the "#1-B" WR by season's end while Cotchery is "#1-A" if he lives up to his potential early enough.

Then there's the draft that helped solidify the interior of the offensive line. We have All-Pro center Ryan Kalil in place. I'm looking for a huge leap from a healthy LG Amini Silatolu, who spent his entire second season on Injured Reserve, so he'll know the system from the first snap of the first game.

Don't forget third-round pick guard Trai Turner from LSU, either. It may seem a bit high for a guard, but not really. Not if you want one of the best, it isn't, and from all reports, Turner is a complete beast and should very likely start at the RG spot.

Now we get to the interesting part. On the one hand, Dave Gettleman said about not drafting what appeared to be a high-need position - left tackle - when Jordan Gross unexpectedly retired: "Sometimes the answer is right there on your roster."

To his credit, Gettleman didn't "reach" for an offensive tackle as ALL the good ones were gone when we drafted near the end of the first round. That was when he gave the refrain I mentioned just above.

However, the OTHER thing was talk about moving RT Byron Bell to the left side and inserting another tackle on the right.

I've said it from day one and haven't changed my mind one bit there. If we're down to using Byron Bell as a left tackle, then no, the answer is obviously NOT on our roster, and I actually have a decent record predicting things like this over recent years....for instance I said from day one that Luke Kuechly was drafted to be our MLB, despite the talk at the time about Jon Beason "preferring" the MLB spot but happy to play any spot, while breaking in Kuechly at the WILL backer. I said Luke was an MLB and should be the MLB all along. Easy to connect the dots there as Ron Rivera was a linebacker for that 1986 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team...and the single-season defense widely considered to be the best-ever in NFL history. He played next to some guy named Mike Singletary.

Same with Ryan Tannehill of the Dolphins - the "talking heads" all said he'd be benched for a while during his rookie season when the entire time I was saying he was drafted to start on day one. His offensive coordinator his rookie season in Miami was Mike Sherman, who just happened to be Tannehill's head coach in college. It was a unique situation where I figured the ROOKIE would be teaching the VETERANS the nuances of the offensive system, and it turns out I was right on that. Just a little common sense and an outsider's perspective is a good thing when the TV "analysts" all stuck with the status quo of the day.

The reason I mention these isn't to toot my own horn, but to give you a perspective that some may not have considered: Nate Chandler could well be the starting left tackle on opening day.

Yep, when I heard of Byron "The Turnstile" Bell protecting Cam's blind side, I was like "Oh helllllll no!"

I've also always said Bell is an above-average RUN blocker while being just a tick above a complete disaster as a pass-blocker. I've always said he's a class act, but that doesn't keep pass-rushers from "jumping the gate" and getting into the backfield early and often on passing downs from the strong side of the defense.

One would think NFL defenders would be kind enough to toss Bell a subway token as they go by him.

At any rate, the thought of moving Bell to protect Cam's blind said screamed at me "No, the answer is NOT on our roster" if that was indeed the plan.

I don't think that ever really WAS "The Plan." Remember, the Cylons "had a plan" too. They also had an entirely delicious actress named Trish Helfer, but that's another story for another blog that I wish I had!

Nate Chandler is a converted DT that began the transition to offense last season. He had big swings up and down, as one might expect, while learning his new role. Can't get much more different between defense and offense, can you?

Early camp reports, plus a video of Chandler completely abusing rookie Kony Ealy, have people buzzing about the possibility of HIM being the left tackle.

Well, that's wonderful news, because Bell at left tackle would really be a disaster I think. With the interior line fortified as I pointed out, we should be able to pound the rock up the middle, despite the injury to Tyler Gaffney and the subsequent theft of his services by the Ivory-towerish New England Patriots....who haven't won a Super Bowl after SpyGate, by the way. Classy.

Nate Chandler won't be an upgrade over Jordan Gross, however. There IS no "answer on the roster" to replace a guy who went to multiple Pro Bowls, but Chandler certainly would be an upgrade over Gross athletically if not technically. With more and more dynamic pass-rushers coming off the edge (think of Bruce Irvin of the Seahawks), left tackles are getting more and more athletic themselves as witnessed by the plethora of NFL top-ten left tackle picks in recent years and the sub-5.0 40-yard dash times so many are putting up at the combine.

If Chandler can nail down the left side and keep the Turnstile on the right side, the offense could well be more explosive for another, more subtle and unlikely reason. His name is Ed Dickson.

You see,  Dickson is a much better receiving threat than was Ben Hartsock last year, and if Dickson is the team's second tight end (behind incumbent Greg Olsen of course), it will really mix up the play-calling and not telegraph to the opposing defense what type of play is likely to come.

It's simple. Last year, when Greg Olsen was on the field, the play was more likely to be a pass than a run. When it was Hartsock, it was more likely to be a run than a pass.

The idea is to have them BOTH on the field, Olsen and Dickson that is, using the 2-TE set a la those damnable Patriots when they had a healthy Rob Gronkowski and an un-indicted TE2/speed threat in Aaron Hernandez.

Carolina's' TE duo doesn't approach the level of talent those two had, but it does (or would) give defensive coordinators more confusion and help take away their crystal ball(s) *ahem* in divining the play type, given which TE is in the game. However, a few words about Dickson:

He's a younger guy with a few years of experience under his belt and his last really productive season was in Baltimore in 2011, when he had 54 receptions for 528 yards and 5 TDs. However, the team was in a transition mode at the position and trying to work in Dennis Pitta in Pitta's second season. Pitta had 40 receptions himself in 2011 as a second-year player.

Without a true and tested "burner" on the outside to take the top off the defense on a regular basis, I still don't expect to see too many scoring plays snapped from the Panthers' side of the field. I know the Panthers run a "vertical passing game," but the personnel at hand (other than Cam) are better suited for a West Coast-style offense. All it would take to change that, however, would be a receiver establishing himself as a bona-fide deep threat....that would change the entire dynamic on offense.

Whatever the case may be, Dickson's presence alongside that of Olsen would mean a less-predictable offense and play calling and that's always a good thing.

Toss in the fact Rivera is literally "creating a monster" with rookie Kelvin Benjamin, Underwood's deep speed, and the "campspeak" of using Benjamin in the slot at times, and the offense would be able to show a lot of different looks and be able to mix things up more than the pure vanilla play calling Mike Shula did pretty much all of last season.

By now I think you see where I'm taking this. With a similarly productive defense from last season and a less predictable offense this season, things could be more interesting in Charlotte than what most of these same "talking heads" seem to think.

Follow me on Twitter @Ken_Dye

Reasons for Optimism in Carolina

Friday (7/26), the Carolina Panthers host their annual Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium. As with most fan bases around the NFL, everyone is 0-0 right now and hope springs eternal. That is of course if you don’t listen to the media. Next Friday (7/26), the Carolina Panthers host their annual Fan Fest at Bank of America Stadium. As with most fan bases around the NFL, everyone is 0-0 right now and hope springs eternal. That is of course if you don’t listen to the media.

Last year, the media named the Carolina Panthers secondary “The Legion of Whom?” The “Legion of Whom” flourished behind a front seven that accumulated 60 sacks and picked off a combined 13 passes for 2 TDs. The defense carried the Panthers last year, and that same core is back with the addition of two NFC South battle tested, Roman Harper and Thomas DeCoud. Rivera also brought in cornerback, Antoine Cason, to help. This familiar face, who Rivera coached in San Diego, coupled with those battle worn Pro Bowl vets, should only strengthen an already strong defense that was already ranked 3rd overall.
This year the onus will really be on the offense. Jordan Gross’s retirement left a difficult hole to fill on the offensive line. The Panthers chose not to fill this position through the draft, leaving Byron Bell and converted defensive lineman Nate Chandler to battle for the right to protect Cam Newton’s blind spot. While the tackle spots remain a concern, the guard position has some depth with a returning Amini Silatolu, Gary Williams, and Chris Scott. 4th draft choice from 2013, Edmund Kugbila, and this year’s 3rd round choice, Trai Turner, will also compete for time.  Carolina’s run game was more productive last year than many would think from watching the games.  Cam’s ability to hurt defense with his feat bolstered the running games statistics.  These improvements at guard may help to take some of the pressure off Cam to facilitate the run.

The loss of fireplug and longtime Panther Steve Smith is also an issue for Carolina. Smith was the heart and soul of the offense the last decade, but the Panthers’ brass seemed ready to move in a different direction. Opposing defenses have had to dedicate their top corner, with safety help over the top, to handle Smith for years.  Last season Smith wasn’t the team’s leading receiver--a tight end was. Sure handed, but sure tacked, Greg Olsen led the team in receiving.  Olsen is a great tight end, but he shouldn’t be the any team’s leading receiving leader

Although Olsen will not take over a game, he’s difficult for defenses to shut down entirely. It’s tough doubling a tight end, and devoting a linebacker and safety is difficult defensively. Add Kelvin Benjamin, Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant, and either Marvin McNutt or Tiquan Underwood to the mix, and defense coordinators will find themselves scratching their heads. The parity of Carolina’s receivers because of a substantial pass threat with Olsen strains defenses in personnel matchups. In essence, not having a true number one receiver is a good thing.

Don’t forget this is the same offense averaged 126.6 yards on the ground.  The guards position has improved so much that running up the middle will only be more effective than 2013. Also, while his blind spot is suspect at the moment, Newton has a rare skill set and athleticism that allows him amazing escape ability to extend plays. Jonathan Stewart’s return will finally add that pop needed to DeAngelo Williams consistency. Throw in big bowling ball Mike Tolbert, the speedster Kenjon Barner, and rookie bruiser Tyler Gaffney with Newton’s run threat, and this offense doesn’t look so bad anymore.

There may not be any superstars other than Cam, but things don’t look as bleak as many think. Long story short, the defense, the running game, the strong guards, and a bevy of capable receivers are all reasons for optimism in Carolina. Cotchery and Smith’s stats were comparable last season, with Cotchery going 46 recs for 602 yards and 10 TDs. That is only a 29 percent decrease from the combined effort of departing receivers Smith, Lafell, Hixon and Ginn Jr who went 156 for 1983 and 15 TDs. No that is not to say the 32-year-old Cotchery is the answer, but stats are stats, Even Rivera noted that Carolina only had to “replace those 10 catches a game.”

Strengthening and already strong defense with a more balanced and likely more productive offense should make Panther breath deeply and relax.  Don’t be worried Panther fans need, instead be optimistic.

By: +Justin Davis.  You can find his work at http://jersymikejrshow.sportsblog.com/.  Be sure to give him a follow on Twitter @JerseyMikeJr

Panther Offensive Players due for a Breakout 2014 Season

#158374630 / gettyimages.com

Through my knowledge of Panther football I’ve generated a list of players who I feel will have a year that will propel their name to a higher tier. This list consists of a variety of players, some who a few Panther fans aren’t too familiar with and others you guys might feel shouldn’t be on here. I wanted to put some big name players on the list because I’ve been keeping an eye on their offseason and believe like these guys could possibly register one of their most productive seasons yet. A few rookies even made the list.

I’ll begin with the 29^th ranked Offense in the League last year. In my opinion, it is finally starting to find the true rhythm that belongs in Carolina, and could possibly see a huge progression in 2014. One of the bigger improvements I see is in the interior of the line. 

The reason why is because Amini Silatolu will be back on the second to last year of his contract, more focused than the past two seasons knowing these are two make it or break it seasons coming up. After tearing his ACL at Arizona last year in that early season debacle, he was sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He hadn’t played much last year, missing a few games credited to his hamstring giving him trouble. However, he finished his rookie campaign on a tremendously high note putting him on the 2012 Pro Football Weekly’s All Rookie First-Team before dislocating his wrist in Oakland.  Silatolu was labeled as the meanest guy in the draft coming out in 2012. If he can find that nastiness again and play to the level he ended his rookie year on, coupled with a better understanding of the blocking schemes, he could just break out. I see him, Ryan Kalil, and Trai Turner posing as one of the better and physically stronger interior lines this season. Yes I said Turner, who gets an unnoted honorable mention for a possible breakout rookie season but let’s get to his rookie teammate.

Kelvin Benjamin is probably the most physically gifted wide receiver coming out of this year’s wide receiver loaded draft. With that, he is also the most criticized. To be 6’5, 240 lbs, run a 4.61 forty time, and have ten inch hands, just putting him on the field instantly gives a defensive coordinator match-up problems that he will have to scheme for. Usually one would imagine that big of a player being at Tight End, but nope.  “Benji,” as Newton likes to call him, has been used inside and outside, being able to outrun linebackers inside, and over power corner backs on the outside. A lot of people have been skeptical about his hands and route running though. Luckily, for us, we might have the best wide receiver coach in football. Ricky Proehl did wonders for Ted Ginn Jr. and even number 89 said he learned so much more from him after already being in the league 10 plus years. Also, Benjamin is staying in Charlotte with Cam and around the facility skipping his first vacation opportunity with a pro contract and using the time before training camp to get as much knowledge of the playbook as he can. He’s in good position to find a connection with Newton that he missed out on in OTAs due to Newton’s ankle. I do see him making some rookie drops at the beginning of the year trying to push himself too hard, but right before midseason I see him falling into form and finding his confidence in Shula’s offense. Look for him to be big in the red zone this year. 

2014 Predictions:  56 Catches, 577 yds, 9 Touchdowns

Brandon Williams: I think we finally get to see the secret weapon unleashed Panther fans. And if anyone has been keeping up with the Panthers then you guys know why I’m saying this. Looking like a mixture of Thor and the Hulk, William’s name has not been able to stay out of the mouths of by standers or coaches this past year. He has done nothing but impress by making play after play when given the opportunity in practice. The 6’4 250 lb Tight End actually played with Kenjon Barner at Oregon before being shut down by coaches after being diagnosed with a narrow spinal canal complicated by a bulging disc.  After being found by long time defensive lineman Sam Adams, post graduation, he was able to get in with an agent, and get cleared by the NFL to try out.  Now, here we are today, blessed with this gift of raw talent that has been marinating in our playbook, and working vigorously with coaches for the past year (only played special teams last season due to lack of playbook knowledge and raw talent).  He might be one of the overall most athletic guys on the team, equipped with great speed, great hands, progressive blocking and playmaking ability. I remember reading an article last year when William’s name was just surfacing by Tom Sorenson talking about how William’s pulled a picture out on his phone of him dunking in a rec league game and his elbow was above the rim. I, along with a lot of other people, believe that he will be the third tight end to make the team and will play just as much as Dickson.  Rivera has already mentioned how the Panther’s will go back to using a two-tight end set more often just like Cams rookie year in which the offense flourished.

 2014 Predictions: 42 Catches, 322 yds, 3 Touchdowns

The Backfield:

DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Tolbert, Tyler Gaffney, Kenjon Barner

Post by Carolina Panthers.

I feel like this year our running backs all have something to prove. They may also be a big part of Carolina’s offensive plan this season. If you guys haven’t noticed, this offseason has really revolved around our running game and what can we do to make it better than it was in 2014. We ranked 11^th in rushing last year and managed to do so with an O-line infected by the injury bug that plunged all the way down to 3^rd string in some areas.  For the first time in probably four years, J-Stew is finally healthy. All of our running backs bring something to the table, and his plate is probably the biggest because he punishes defenses causing them to put more in the box by the end of the game. DeAngelo’s offseason has been very busy, and with a loss to his Mother, Mrs.  Sandra Kay Hill, (my sincerest condolences) he seems more focused than ever. I have heard that he looks more explosive this offseason than he has looked in a while. He and J-Stew will be the two featured backs followed by Tolbert, who last year really came into his own and took off in the passing and rushing game becoming an integral part of the offense. Our sixth round pick Tyler Gaffney probably won’t bust out of the seams right away, but I would surely keep up with him. He is sharp in all aspects of the game and once he makes the pure transition will possibly be the back of the future. I look for him to break out in his sophomore campaign. Kenjon Barner will probably take on more of the role as a back to bring in and insert into formations that circle around isolating the running back out of the backfield and getting him into open space; his vision is top notch. With our interior line having the chance to be stronger than ever this is the year, our backfield should make a statement. 

 2014 Predictions: Ranked 3^rd in Rushing- DeAngelo Williams 171 Att. 779 yds. 5 TD. 23 Rec 340 yds 1 TD–Jonathan Stewart 182 Att. 883 yds 7 TD. 10 Rec. 180 yds -Mike Tolbert 113 Att. 408 yds 8 TD. 30 Rec. 207 yds. 2 TD. -Tyler Gaffney 51 Att. 287 yds. 3 TD. 15 Rec.  250 yds 2 TD.-Kenjon Barner 25 Att. 117 yds. 1 TD. 22 Rec. 327 yds. 3 TD (kick return specialist)

Cam Newton is in a position to have his best year yet, and that’s saying a lot about the only football player to have over 50 passing touchdowns and 25 rushing touchdowns in his first three years and, arguably, the best start of any quarterback in the history of the NFL. In his first two years, we saw that Cam was able to be a highly productive quarterback, but his third year we all saw the maturation from player to team leader. Cam Newton excitingly found out the recipe to winning in the NFL last season. The worry behind Cam this year is mainly the outside of the offensive line, both tackle spots seem highly questionable and so was Dave Gettleman’s decision not to draft or pick up a tackle in free agency.  Just in the past year, I have seen enough of DG to trust his moves, especially him being a lover of Hog Mollies. Many fans questioned the wide receiver free agency moves he made, but if you guys didn’t notice, we finally have three sure handed receiving options for the first time since the early 2000s. This is not including Kelvin Benjamin, who like I said earlier will only progress throughout the year and give Cam another Superhero to throw to. People don’t understand our offense is not the type where receivers need to be the main component of our play book; our system is old school and requires sure handed wide receivers that can block like tight ends. Also, for the first time since college, Cam’s ankle will be 100 percent. For a QB of his size who carries the rock as much as he does, that is highly important. Add in the two-tight end set that bolstered his rookie year numbers and gave the Panther’s the seventh ranked offense in the NFL, and you can probably see where I’m going with this.  The pieces have been slowly put into place just the right way for Cam, so anyone counting him or the Panthers out this season will be truly surprised around late December when the Panthers are in the same position they were last year.  

2014 Predictions:  479 Att. 296 Comp.  3,978 yds. 32 TD 11 Int. – 113 Att. 607 yds. 10 TD

By Gerin Honeycutt  
Follow him on Twitter @_OGerin_

Facing Criticism, Do the Panthers Receivers Even Believe in Themselves?

The national media scoffs, the local media vexes, and the fan base is nervously hopeful.  Faith in the unknown, it’s arduous enough for the most pious of fans, let alone the inherently cynical media It’s not easy. It’s not logical—but it can be powerful!

What the Panthers have offensively is unknown at this point.  Even the coaching staff doesn’t know what Carolina has to offer yet.  The entire receiving core has been replaced and an already questionable line has suffered from retirement and injury.  The unknown has bred uncertainty and disbelief.

Maybe the cynicism and worry is for the best, however. Carolina’s offense can go into the 2014 season under the radar and underestimated by opponents.  The criticism and ridicule experienced by this young group of receivers has ignited a fire in this group of receivers.  It’s also put a chip on their shoulders.  Cam Newton recently addressed this criticism,  defending "those guys already have that fire in their eyes. I would rather those guys be like that and for them to go out there and bust their tails like they've been doing. It's kind of like a slap in -- not only their face -- but my face as well.”

Continued criticism by the media in the midst of training camp could add enough psychological stress to strengthen this bunch mentally.  By the end of training camp, they would have scratched and fought for their roster spot in the face of relentless criticism. They could just walk into the season mentally resilient and accustomed to fighting, led by a star quarterback equally determined to prove the critics wrong.

This will be a dangerous and important opportunity for this unknown group. Few will believe. Few will have faith.

St. Augustine once remarked: "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe."  

If this unknown group of receivers finds faith in themselves, success will be their reward. 

From the likes of this image, they may just already believe.