Panthers: Minter hopes to stay

the only recorded time in history that a Panther ever got beaten deep, yes. And if you remember, there was a Panther behind Grant, too.

 

Mags,

You're not a big Branch fan. And I think he is an average safety.

Give me a reasonable scenario for replacement. Who do you see coming here and giving us more at the FS position.

In other words....you are the GM for a day. Make your move.

 

Story coming soon..

 

I did not bring it up to knock Grant, just to illustrate that if Grant had growing pains Branch probably will too.

 

Well, we are going to have to bring something else to the table. We have an aging Minter, Branch, and nothing else really.

I hope Minter can work with the team, and doesn't realize that we can't really cut him.

 

Grant put up an average of 3.7 INT/10 PD per year during his growing pains.

 

Grant first year starting:

59 tackles 5 Ints 8 passes defended 1 sack and a couple of blown coverages

Branch first year starting:

41 tackles 3 Ints 5 passes defended I can not remember him getting beaten badly on a deep pass

 

Like the three gimmie INT's against Minny in '02, or how about the INT at the end of the half against Dallas last year, on a heaved pass. It was basically a punt.

Don't try to cement your argument based on his average INT's

 

Unfortunately, there aren't a ton of players out there this year - a handful. Last year, when we had the ability to actually make a move, we didn't. We spent $2.5 million on RFAs and Branch was the only one left standing after injuries, so hell, he must be good right? After all, the last desperate option is always the best one...

Still, I'd bring in one or two and expect them to start. Marlon McCree has started, the team's shown interest, and he's got 9 career picks. I'm not high on Idrees Bashir, but he's better than Branch, as would be most of the top ten safeties in the draft (IMO, Shazor wouldn't ever play FS, nor would I put Jamaal Brimmer there). We could do better immediately and not pay that much.

 

I remember the only time anybody really defended Branch through the year was when he had his two - pick game, neither of which were anything more than settling under two errant passes.

Nonetheless, I'd certainly not say that covering Randy Moss = gimme INT, and since everybody went apeshit over Manning Jr's 3 INTs I find it funny how the criteria changes when you need it to. The guy made plays on the ball, Branch doesn't, and that's not even up for debate.