2012 Draft overall thoughts thread

I liked it. The disregard for DT shows they have a plan, and rivera has proven honest in his opinion of needs. I lacking information to argue against him.

He said they need LB and special teams - they got it. Keekly, Adams, Punter.

The DE I know nothing about, but I know Hardy didnt quite play as hoped.

The G sounds like a big nasty fucker with a somoan name.

I also like the UFA stuff - I'm happy with who we released, happy with tolbert, happy with the budget pickups.

I still hate Mare, and if Rivera is wrong about needs and we still cant stop the run (or pass), then we'll know he's a fuckhole.

But - I think the team improved so far this offseason- all 3 phases.

 

If davis is healthy id put him strong side and have him cover. Could see him and Beason being a nasty nickle package. Adds to what you can create for sure. It seems like they value LBs more than D line.

 

Or that they value having three they can put on the field. If they'd have gone into this year counting on TD, they'd have been idiots.

Granted that doesn't mean you have to spend the #9 on it, but I can see using the pick on someone you think has the skills to be worth it.

 

"I do think it's interesting that Norman and Silatolu are both guys who made school commitments and couldn't qualify. It doesn't bother me - I do see a value in players that can embrace the opportunity to learn and better - but I'm currently more happy that these are guys who could've gone to play at Georgia/Nevada and not just guys who played well at Northwestern Shiteater State and got a look."

Magnus, the way I think they see it is that these are guys they can teach. Unlike the previous staff, I think that this one is way more geared toward teaching and development, as opposed to vets and guys who played at a big schools and are plug and play.

 

I'm excited about this draft.

I'm honestly thrilled we got Kuechly. Pre dating the draft, I would sit and watch college games on demand with some of the players I thought we had eyes for, and read and read and read about these guys. The one guy I felt we wouldn't draft was Kuechly, and yet...he was the guy I would get that "holy shit I kinda wish we would" itch for. The production just being off the charts, the fact that he's always - ALWAYS around the damn ball, man, and he has all the measurables too....that's just something that's going to be good for our defense.

I was secretly praying we'd get the Standford TE in the second round for no other reason than he's fucking huge, fast, and catches with his hands out of the air.

I'm happy with Silatolu though. He wasn't one of the guys I was thinking we'd get again, but he's a beast, and I have no doubt he'll be given the chance to, and win the starting LG spot.

That's the part that really gets me here. Building blocks, both of who will improve this team. Ten year all pros, and a real possibility that both can be Pro Bowlers, if the game still exists. And we need G. Need it badly.

As for Adams and Alexander, apparently I was wrong when I said Adams was the guy Hurney said he would trade up for - it was Alexander. I mean, he's going to be a part of our rotation at DE. That gives us a starter and three really nice pieces to rotate there. We still need more. I wish we had some room to maneuver in FA.

Anyway, I don't need to see Adams become a part of the receiver rotation off the bat to be happy with the pick. If this kid provides good returns, and helps us with field position, then boom, I'm ecstatic with the selection. How fucking long have we been trying to solve this problem now??? Fucking maybe he can become our Michael Bates v2.

It's hard to argue that if Nortman doesn't flake that it wasn't a good pick. Consistency, a good leg, and even better yet, he can kick it directionally and he can play in the elements. There is an awful lot of good things to read about this dude. That could be starter #3 from this draft.

Norman hell....the more I watch and read, the happier I am with this guy. I had no fucking idea he was a ball hawk. He is. Fuckin' dude's got a natural nose for the ball. Instinctive. He may not have been a good student at the collegiate level, but as a football pro, this is a kid who I feel can excel. Have a weird feeling that in two to three years, he's going to be starting for us.

By next year, he's gonna be a valuable nickel or dime back at the very very least.

Have no clue on Campbell, other than we have lots of capable safeties if not a single starter in there at free. And most of them are good STs players, so I'm not sure what that's all about getting him, but whatever. It's a camp body, and maybe he'll impress.

So to recap, it really doesn't look bad - anything can happen, but the odds are that:

1. Starter (potential pro bowler)
2. Starter (potential pro bowler)
4. Rotation on DL
4. Dynamic Returner
5. Solid DB depth w ball skills (future starter?)
6. Starter
7. ??

That looks pretty good.

The bad is we have no DT help. Despite Ted Striker's repeated and retarded claims that he is the dude who keeps telling us naive fools that we weren't getting a DT and we didn't need one, we did and do.

Neblit was like - our only truly effective DT at the end of the season. Fua is ok, but wears down easily, and McClain shows promise as a disrupter, but is a freelancer. We're still sporting a pretty miserable DL. And we just can't stay competitive in the NFCS with these damn QBs with a shit DL.

Overall, I love this draft. It's unsexy, but looks to be highly productive. I just hope that something gives on D, because not much was done to help it, and it's garbage.

 

Not sure if they value them more, but last year (Rivera's first with us obviously) we had no one who could cover, and no one with decent range. Anderson's a decent read and react guy who can chase and hit, cover ok, and blitz well, but he's not special.

 

Round 1.

Kuechly, ya'll already know i love this pick. Facts of the matter are Davis and Beason didnt play a lick and we let Connor walk. Potentially a massive hole that needed to be addressed, glad we did.

I'd have been fine with Coples or Brockers here but at least we have some numbers there to address with a later pick.

Round 2.

Appears to be a value pick here but im wondering if we got caught bidding against ourselves. Still coming to terms with this pick and Martys history here isnt helping. Didnt help we didnt have a #3 pick, a long wait till our next pick came may have forced the issue for Oline help. The tape is nasty looking but why didnt he challenge himself in the Shrine games against similar talented players. Seemed surprised to be selected so early. Would feel better with Martin or one of the DT's here. However, if there is one thing this franchise does well its draft Oline and LB's, we added both with the top 2 picks. These are hopefully picks we look back on in 5 years and see pro bowl calibre play.

One more note, i do wonder how wise it was to invest in a top G that's gonna sit between 2 pro bowlers (another reason to believe he wont bust) when you could probably find a 4th or 5th rounder like Hang. Wharton himself was a late round 3rd at the Tackle position, weve invested an early 2nd. With the talent that was available at this spot i just hope it works out because i really dont want to be questioning this pick next year. If Otah stay thats gonna be a mighty expensive Oline.

Round 4.

Im actually pretty high on these two picks. There is alot to like about Frank and debt at DE was a need. After failing to address Dline in round 2 this was a must. Weird that Rivera mentioned Ronnell Lewis because i saw the same thing when i checked out his tape a while back when some draftnicks had Lewis as a 2nd rounder to us in mocks. He's a rotational guy now but could develop into a Rucker type player for us. Cant help but think of Ware in Dallas when looking at him on tape, long arms, athletic, high motor but right now were looking at a Hardy type impact. This pick could be the one to watch.

Joe Adams.

Just simply electric and special teams has been the off field focus for us this year. Immediate starter on punt returns. Pilares started showing what he could do by midseason with kickoffs. Dont discount his ability at WR either, Smitty developed into a fine one after a few years and the same could be in line for him. Could he learn from anyone better. Ball security is an issue here tho, needs to hold onto the ball or he wont be doing it long.

Round 5

Josh Norman.

Honestly dont know much about him at all but others here seem very high on him. After watching the tape i can see why. Great at high pointing the ball, physical and has something to add to special teams with a nack for blocking kicks. Plays like Steve Smith in the backfield.

Nortman.

Butler gets the name recognition thanks to his pappy and Georgia aint so far away but is he the better punter?

DJ Campell.

OK, I drafted Cattouse in the mock thingy. We took the other one instead, whatever. Another special teamer that we can throw out there and see what sticks. Has the measureables and adds another safety/corner tweener. 1 year starter that had 70 plus tackles, very versatile, could be a sleeper pick.

The Bad:

Still dont have a #2 Corner or #2 WR, no DT help. WHY?

Its scary to think that Kearse and Shirley looked better than McClain and Fua and were standing pat.

Maybe im being a little harsh on Lafell, he earned a chance to be the guy and was drafted as such. Adams helps relieve some need too.

Traded away another 3rd rounder.

Well i guess you cant fix everything and Rivera has alot to do.

Finally id like to give a big shout out to the Bucs for passing on Luke for Barron.

Also to the Rams so we dont have to hear all about Jenkins all year, I have issues with the G, id have had bigger issues with Jenkins, talent asside. We dont need to be surrounding Cam with turds

 

Overall I guess I like the Panthers' draft, esp the linebacker from BC. Wish we couldve gotten a solid DT, or CB. My biggest head-scratcher was drafting a "punter"??? I thought you just signed kickers and punters for the league minimum or whatever.

Overall, I give us a B.

 

glowing review..

9. Luke Kuechly, OLB, Boston College: A Grade
Luke Kuechly might be the best defensive player from this class. He's a stud, so the Panthers made a great move by selecting the top prospect on the board. With Jon Beason and Thomas Davis being so unreliable, Carolina had to address the linebacker position.

40. Amini Silatolu, G/OT, Midwestern State: A Grade
Amini Silatolu was projected by some to be a late first-round pick, so he provides great value at No. 40. Silatolu can play guard and tackle, both of which are areas of need. There's a hole at guard because Travelle Wharton was cut, while Jeff Otah can't seem to stay healthy.

103. Frank Alexander, DE, Oklahoma: B Grade
Mike Mayock had Frank Alexander as his No. 94 player. The Panthers have to improve their pass rush, so while I don't love this pick, it definitely makes sense.

104. Joe Adams, WR, Arkansas: A- Grade
Joe Adams is a fast receiver. With Steve Smith entering the final stages of his career, the Panthers needed someone to take his spot in a few years. Adams, who provides decent value here, could be that guy.

143. Josh Norman, CB, Coastal Carolina: A+ Grade
I can't believe Josh Norman lasted until the fifth round. He should have gone in the third. Mike Mayock had him ranked No. 58. Norman fills a big need at cornerback across from Chris Gamble.

207. Brad Nortman, P, Wisconsin: B- Grade
It's hard to get excited about a punter, but the Panthers needed one.

216. D.J. Campbell, S, California: B Grade
The Panthers need some safety depth and D.J. Campbell fits the range in Round 7. Solid pick.

http://walterfootball.com/offseason2012car.php

and prisco..

Best pick: Fourth-round receiver Joe Adams is a nice player. He has the look of a good slot receiver.

Questionable move: It's quibbling, but taking Amini Silatolu in the second round over some bigger-school lineman is a risk. I like the kid, though, so I am nitpicking.

Third-day gem: Fifth-round corner Josh Norman comes from small-school Coastal Carolina. He impressed during the season, but didn't have a great Senior Bowl week. Some scouts think it was too big for him. But he has the ability if he can adjust.

Analysis: General manager Marty Hurney had a heck of a draft. It started with linebacker Luke Kuechly in the first round and it continued all the way through it. I love Adams and Norman on the final day.

Grade: B+

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/story/18883097/draft-grades-bengals-haul-gets-high-praise-saints-flunk-the-weekend

 

Yeah, he probably woulda made it to UDFA.

I think that was a matter of getting "our" guy. It was a comp 6 which is practically a 7 anyway.

If that Giants or Steelers (where Butler is going i think) call offering you a contract go you take it over the Panthers?

There was obviously a "plan" here in reguards to the draft.

I have no doubt Kuechly and Amini were the guys Hurney and Rivera wanted coming out of rounds 1 and 2. Alexander, Adams and the punter too. These guys were gonna be Panthers. We got a little lucky with Norman and Riveras a Cal guy, likely a personal choice for shits and giggles.