Sportsline.com

Got alot of new stuff on the Panthers.

A coupla things -

"and Cecere, who led the NFL in preseason sacks a year ago, could surprise some."

Cecere is a DE. That might be fun to watch. I'd bet he's competing with Milem for a roster spot.

They also said that:

"Grant had an awful first season at free safety and needs to improve or he'll lose his job"

Was he that bad?

 

Yes, he was.

 

no the fuck he wasn't! What a dumb thing to report!

First off, that suggests we have a good backup FS. Who? Richardson? Hardly. Cooper? No range for his speed, not enough cover skill.

Second, it suggests that missing a few more tackles than the rest of a terribly poor tackling team is more important than leading the defense in big plays, in his first season playing.

Not on your life is this anything more than bullshit.

 

Grant is bulking up, and he did make a lot of some athletic plays against the ball in the air. That's the good news.

I can't call what he had a good season, and inconsitent season where he makes some impressive plays, and then makes a mental mistake or poor tackle.

But no, we don't really have a challenger, he is a great athlete on a defense with few, and a great cover safety on a team weak at cornerback. If Del Rio can help him take better angles, he'll be a complete player.

 

The rap on Grant coming out of college, the reason he dropped to us in the second, was that the wasn't physical enough so I was very encouraged when I saw Grant clean some clocks lat year. And remember, last year was essentially his rookie campaign. I look for good things from him this year.

 

I agree, I see him being better than average and better than half of what we have ever had at that slot...

 

Minter made a lot of mistakes his first year.

 

In Grants first season as a starter he did ok. He was beaten way too much for big plays deep and his inexperience showed. He did make some very nice plays on the ball though, and showed good range when he did recognize the play. He just needs good solid coaching and some time.

On the downside, he got freak'n run over quite a few times but bigger backs so he needs to prove he can do SOMETHING against the run. At FS and beside Minter makes this less important an issue, but you still want someone who can slow down a back and not get steamrolled.

 

I donno--I was pretty disappointed in his rookie year--I really wanted him to do well. But, then again, I don't know nearly as much about the game as you guys do. Just hope there is improvement this year.

Any feelings about how much his injury might have affected him? It was a wicked one.

 

Injury? The hip?

He's recovered from it physically last year. Mentally, perhaps not, but he hasn't lost speed.

But you're right, he has room to get better, star.