Draft/FA Watch

Miller is a hot head, I fancy those lineman with a sophistcated aggression.

 

Priority wise I thinke we need an O-Lineman. I'd possibly say we need a RG worse than a RT. I know I've said it a million times, but I think Kadela has potential to play in the future. He's only a second year guy and didn't play bad when given the chance. Now if they're just hell bent I'd rather see a LT draft and Gross sent back to RT. Then I'd like to see a decnt vet RG brought in. I think that'd help Gross mature a little more. Though I will admit the thought of a rookie LT and Wharton on one side does worry me a little, so if this were to happen, it'd need to be the best LT in the draft.

There needs to be a young QB brought in. Peete's time has come and gone and it time to groom a replacement to eventually start.

I like the defensive secondary... outside of FS... I think that's the one position that should be looked at hard. I think Colin Branch is a future starter at SS after 2 or 3 more years learning. Manning and Gamble will get better.

RB while I don't think it should be a #1 concern should be glanced at, and we shouldn't pass up a quality player in the draft, but we shouldn't give up anything to get to one either.

Defensive line isn't a major concern in my opinion. We've got a ton of potential future replacements for Buckner being groomed. There was bitching early on about getting too many DT's. I WOULD look at a DE in the draft that could be that 4th backup that we keep trying to turn Kavika Pittman into.

As far as WR goes, Moose is either restructured or let go. No way he plays for 12 million next year. Colbert and Smith should be capable as starters so Moose doesn't have a ton of leway. I'm PRAYING that somehow he'll return because I'ld love to see Moose and Smith on the outside and Colbert in the slot, but I think that's wishful thinking. Proehl will retire. Drew Carter MIGHT get healthy, but I wouldn't bank on it. Can't forget he's there, but you can't really expect anything either.

 

I wouldn't mind seeing Kadela. I would like to see reyes for a full game, because I think he and Wharton can be enough if we get a good RT. Of course, it being an immediate need, I'd want that in FA.

 

So what is the knock on Cedric Benson? He seems highly regarded but haven't seen his name brought up here in any of the draft talk.

 

Draft TA

 

I dig him. He's my 2nd back, right now - see that's part of the reason to be pissy about this sudden escapism draft shit. College season isn't over so those of us who have some idea of the players, don't have rankings and so on.

Not huge, but big enough, seems to have it all, just not a 4.38 guy - probably 4.5 even, which is fine for this. It'll still get him to the corner.
But he's not touching the top 15 in this draft right now.

 

I actually started putting my rankings together last week, just QB's so far. Looking at that list and the current order, I know there will be LOTS of shuffling between now and March.
I'd agree with Mags, Benson would make my top 5 RB's but he's probably a second rounder at best. He'll be a feature back for a power running team or the thunder for someone looking for a two headed monster.

 

I'm only jumping on the "Who to draft?" bandwagon for this cut of an article:

COLLEGE SENIORS WHO WOULD MAKE GOOD PANTHERS:

1. Alex Barron, OT, Florida State: Would make a nice bookend with Jordan Gross.

2. Cedric Benson, RB, Texas: A workhorse runner who can stay on the field would be nice.

3. Mike Williams, WR, Southern Calif.: A trio of Steve Smith, Keary Colbert and Williams would make QB Jake Delhomme a lot better.

4. Derrick Johnson, LB, Texas: The linebacker corps could use a playmaker.

5. Anttaj Hawthorne, DT, Wisconsin: Jenkins' injury has shown a lack of depth and it's time to groom an eventual replacement for veteran Brentson Buckner.

<<Charlotte.com>>

 

Fuck Alex Barron. He's not that good. That's what makes me mad about all this - uneducated writers and people in general latching onto a name and running with it. Barron has bad knees, isn't terribly strong, and works in an offense that keeps him from having to protect forever.

 

Plus Wake Forest made him look bad.