Future Panthers QB on ESPN tonight?

Dave Ragone plays tonight on ESPN. If Cincy gets #1 (currently there) they will take Leftwich. Manning probably stays in school, so Dave Ragone is a VERY real possibility here.

Should be interesting to see what he has again. His first big test this year was a MAJOR slam dunk against the Fla St Criminoles.

If you could have Ragone, Dorsey, Grossman or Manning right now - who would you take??

I like Manning but Ragone is a VERY close second IMO. Manning is more accurate but Ragone is such a fiery leader - he might be a bit more impressive overall ATP. Mannings raw talent gives him a slight edge though IMO in terms of ceiling.

Opinions? Or wait till after watching him tonight to decide.

 

I know I'll get come criticism for this but I'm warming to Carson Palmer.

 

Rumor that the Rams brass was checking him out. That's a crazy thought.

 

Palmer has played very well this year. If the Panthers were to consider Palmer - however - I would look for him in round 2 and NOT high in round 1. Ragone may be a stretch in the top 5 himself. He has it all - except the fact that Louisville coaches continue to work on his mechanics. He throws some ugly passes too, and does throw the tight spirals you see from Leftwich, Manning and Palmer or others. That is the bad side of Ragone and adds risk to using a high pick on him.

Must add that if Rex Grossman were 6-4 or 6-5 he would probably be one of the first guys picked. He can really throw it but his height will hurt him in the NFL. Reminds me of Joe Germaine. Still he would be an interesting round 2 pick - if he got by Darth Visor that is.

 

I'm still surprised that anyone would want to use a first round first pick on any QB. I'm not saying that position does not need to improve, but it really is a crap shoot.

Besides, If Fasani aint cutting the mustard next camp, I'd rather see a vet come in so we don't have to hear the "we'll be ok in 2 years when our new rookie gets better" line.

 

I have my sights set on Palmer as well. He's the real deal.

 

I like Ragone's abilities.

I like Palmer a whole, whole bunch too. He will have to have a great postseason and a strong combine to get in the first round though.

If Grossman declares he's dumber than I thought.

It's far too early to speculate on draft position, trading up or down, or anything like that. The negative to the fact that there is a lot of teams this year that have QB as a need, and that always pushes guys up who would otherwise fall. No way does a Drew Brees get taken in the top of the second this year.

Cinci needs a QB. Chicago needs a QB. Seattle could take a QB.

All teams with 2 wins or less.

And so there goes Leftwith, Manning, and Ragone right there.

 

Bound to be surprises in the second half.

We could fall out of top 10, or make our way into the top 5.

 

For that reason alone, I hope we win out. That way we will not be forced to pick a QB.

 

Ragone is the best of the guys that'd be left, but is he that much better than the third guy who'd be there in the second round?
I like Ragone - he's a guy who could be both a leader and a game manager. The others are a little more dynamic behind him - they also make more mistakes/have less success time in the past - except Lorentzen, who could fit well in the third if one wishes to take a chance on his conditioning. I've had some of my west coast guys look harder at J-Lo, and they say he's got as much arm as anyone this year, has the fundamentals down pat, and sells every fake, every pump, every playaction like it's the most critical thing he's gonna do.

The only reason this is a question is that with Washington staying in, Lee Evans still not up to speed, and Bernard Berrian having similar troubles, we're looking at a smaller WR class. Still topheavy but the talent won't be there in 2 anymore. Rogers is still golden - top two pick. Williams will still get picked high and Johnson's overtaking him. So chances are you get a franchise receiver in the top ten, but past ten or so you expect Taylor Jacobs and Brandon Lloyd to go before 25, and that's the type guy I'd hoped to have gotten in the second, where you're now looking at a Rashaun Woods or Arnaz Battle.


As far as Dorsey, I didn't see him v/s Rutgers but he did have some highlights that showed him with a lot of arm strength on the intermediate sideline passes. He would still have to air out the deep stuff but he threw a bullet out of playaction and I was impressed. If he shows the league he has arm strength, the only worry is his ability under pressure - of which he's had none.