Two starting level linebackers

i'll keep saying it: the panthers don't need a runningback in the draft this year.

where did this linebacker thing come from? all along, fox said that he wanted to run the ball better and to stop the run better. then he cut the two CBs. that's a lot of immediate needs.

if i were guessing, i'd say they need to trade down and get more picks to fill all the holes.

however, if i were drafting with what's there, i'd have to say that day one would be: cb, de and lb in some order. that's dependant upon free-agency moves. if starks comes in (fingers crossed) for a managable salary, then that helps out a ton.

cowart would have been fine here, but i think he's just like morgan. maybe fox wants to get faster on the outside with some tommy polley-type rookie that's got some ranginess to him.

regardless, it's looking like day 1 will be all defense. i'm not against that at all.

 

You're thinking Derrick Brooks-type. Polley and others just come from the mold. I guess Rasheed fits the mold there but I don't know that we could wait until 3 for DE or CB.

 

i was just saying polley because he started as a rookie last season. made 105 tackles.

on the second point, yeah -- that's why im thinking that this team needs to trade down. there's a lot of like-talented bodies out there, so id rather have one or two more and not really lose much.

 

SCARRY that's EXACTLY the guy I was thinking of when I posted earlier... the biggest key is the pass rush this year... with a strong pass rush your secondary automatically improves... there's NO question on that... with a good pass rush average DBs play good... good play great... and great make it look easy... that's the reason I'm still standing behind the Pepper's pick... then I'm going with Saleem at OLB... I think on the other side we should give Hambrick a shot... he's young and could play at least average ball... and honestly Morgan has the speed to clean up a lot of the other guys mistakes... I'd LOVE to see Starks in here... but I read somewhere he's close to signing... I'm sorry but I can't remember who it was he was talking with... as far as CB goes I'd select one on the 3rd round if one is there that's worth that pick... don't waste a pick based on position need if the player isn't worth it... but who know what Fox is planning... we could see Grant and Anderson as CBs and Minter a FS and Cooper at SS... I KNOW its a stretch but those two def. fit his hard nose style he's planning on putting in place... here's what I see as the possible starting D in that senario... and I KNOW I'll get ripped but what the hey... won't be the first time my opinion "sucked"

DE - Rucker, Peppers
DT - Gilbert, Jenkins
LB - Hambrick(Or Navies if he's resigned), Morgan, Rasheed
CB - Anderson, Grant
FS- Minter
SS- Cooper

Its a VERY young D but EXTREMELY fast... and in a couple years could be NASTY... I'm already expecting challenges over the Grant, Minter, Cooper situation so go to town... LOL

 

That's kinda what I got out of what Pasq was saying. If we do trade, I don't think we'll trade far, possibly in hope that we can still get Pep. Doubtful, though.

In the end, I could live with Jammer/Rasheed/Weaver in the first two rounds.

 

The whole article was brutally true though, to me that's the scary part. It pretty much said the cubbard is practically bare, essentially the words we fans didn't want to hear or have chosen to ignore being blinded by our loyalty to the team.

The only way we get the majority of these holes filled is addition by subtraction. Cut a few, sign a few more. Who it will be and when it will happen is any one's guess. BTW, any one got the details on Gilbert's new contract and what the cap hit is post June 1?

 

You're quick to judge, Tim, but the only shock is that we aren't giving more of a chance to the remaining linebackers to win one other spot for a year. No one's had visions that we had great talent and suddenly we're poor.

 

dang it mags did you forget about me... notice I included Hambrick and Navies as possibilities??? LOL

 

Well, this isn't a big suprise, IMO. Towns isn't an outside linebacker. So be it.

Navies could be, if he can stay healthy. Big if. Even so, we need a pick or a guy like Caldwell behind him. And the weakside guy is still open.

It probably ain't all coming from this draft, this FA, this anything folks. We get what we can get, get better, and move on.

On the plus side, Cowart didn't exactly sign for a lot of up front money. Only a 1.8 million dollar bonus. It's back loaded and has escelator clauses so he can hit 5 million a year. But he's got to produce.

IMO, Farrrior is going to have to come down. I like our chances.

 

My point was we can't depend on what's on the roster to get by. If we lose both Hambrick and Navies we're up shit creek at LB. Minor is primarily a specialteamer, not a starting LB. Towns has been pretty mush relegated to being Morgan's backup. We have no depth there. Our DL is extremely thin now also. If Anderson can't improve at CB then give Harper a shot.