Looking ahead to 2008

[HSCoach]

I've finally gotten enough time to start posting here again. Looking ahead to next year as we are now officially out of the playoffs, brings several questions. Assuming the coaching staff stays the same, here's my ideal look at next year.

First, position evaluations.

Offense:

QB- Jake Delhomme (* starter), Matt Moore (backup), Brett Basenez (third QB/practice squad)

CUT CARR-We’ll save 600K as well.

Jake coming back from surgery is a question mark. While he should return to form, I have all the confidence in the world in Matt Moore. I still believe he should sit next year and learn and then take over the following year.

RB- DeAngelo Williams *

I don’t know what to do with Foster. He’s overpaid, under performs, and kills the team (most fumbles in league, lowest YPC by starting RB).

Williams should start. Look for a RB with more power/size in the draft. One FA name to consider is Justin Fargas.

FB-?

I’m still looking at Owen Schmidt in the draft. That guy blows me away. Hoover doesn’t get much push anymore as a lead blocker and he’s a FA. Rosario is more of an H-Back than a true FB.

TE- King *, Rosario
King is the better blocker, Rosario the better receiving threat. The team has used two TE sets a lot lately and it’s been effective. Also splitting Rosario out from the FB spot creates mismatches.

WR- Smith*
Other than Smith we don't have a lot. Colbert must go. Carter can stay as a #3. Jarrett MUST improve to a #2. Robinson is showing promise.

OT-
I say we resign Gross, let Wharton walk if he wants a ton of money (which he will). I’m really looking at the draft for this position.

OG- Wahle *
Hangartner has been getting blown up the past few weeks. Bridges has disappointed this year with his play and off the field actions. Wahle is a very solid performer. I would look to upgrade this position in the draft. I have my eye on a guy who I think would be a great RG for us.

C- Hartwig*, Kalil
For now Hartwig is the starter. Kalil needs to add some weight/strength. This will be a big battle in training camp.

DEFENSE:

DE- Peppers*, ?
Too many unknowns. Is Peppers just suffering from one back season or is this a sign of things to come? I say let him play for a contract this season. Rucker should be a reserve DE now IF he’s brought back. McClover needs to develop his run defense, get stronger at the point of attack. We should look to add a guy here in FA that provides what we need or the draft. I prefer FA here with what’s coming out this year.

DT- Jenkins*
With Kemo and Jenkins, we lose too much on passing downs. With the NFL evolving to a more passing league, we need to make up for that. No longer can you just rely on stopping the run and forcing them to punt. We need a quick, penetrating DT to compliment Jenkins.

OLB- Thomas Davis*
Davis is a STUD. With Davis and Beason you only need a complimentary WLB. Believe it or not but I believe that Dan Morgan could excel in this role. He won’t be taking as many hits, he’s actually very good in coverage and when he’s healthy, he’s great. Tim Shaw and James Anderson are also guys who I think can excel in this role. Na’il Diggs has been solid but I believe his contract is up and we don’t have the cap room to sign another LB when we have these guys on the roster.

MLB- Jon Beason*, Dan Morgan, Adam Seward
Beason is a stud as well. Morgan should start at WLB but if anything happened to Beason he would be the backup. Seward has shown promise but is often injured as well.

CB- Marshall*, Lucas*, Gamble (nickel)
We have a great corps of CBs. Marshall should start from now on. He’s intense and that’s what this defense needs.

SS- Chris Harris *
I love this guy. He brings what Marshall does to the defense as well. We STOLE him from Chicago.

FS- Draft
I’m really looking to the draft to find the starter here. Nothing in FA excites me.


FA:

This is tougher than the draft to predict. It’s easy to say we will get all the guys we want. With that said there is one guy in FA that I really hope we can get and that is Max Starks. He’s an immediate upgrade over Wharton. He’s young (25) and has a bright future. It will cost a lot of money to get him but Wharton is going to demand a lot of money as well.
One other guy I would love to see is Justin Smith. He is non-stop. I love watching a guy play with his motor. He would be a great fit.
Finally, Bryant Johnson. Was a 1st round pick but fell behind Fitzgerald and Bolden. Had good size, consistant hands, and showed he can play when one of those two is hurt. Would be the immediate #2.

That’s it for FA. No Bob Sanders, Alan Faneca, Michael Turner, Dallas Clark, etc. Two guys who are higher level, but not the top tier and one who will improve our WR corps immediately. It will cost money but this team needs major changes along the trenches and at WR.

DRAFT:

With were we will be drafting (around 12th), there are several options. With OT being taken care of in FA I see Fox jumping on FS.

Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami. He’s what we need back there. Plus, there’s the Miami connection on defense. Morgan and Beason are proof that Miami puts out top notch defensive players.

Round 2: DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State- We need to improve the interior DL. This guy has been a stud since he was in HS. Brings a quick, penetrating DT that this team needs.

Round 3: OT/OG Heath Benedict, Newberry. I’ve seen this guy play. He plays with a mean streak unlike the rest of our OL. I see him moving into the RG spot although he could play RT as well. While being 6’7, 330 he runs a sub 5.0 40. He moves well in space and actually fits the ZBS as well as a power running scheme. The only knock is that he plays D2 but with OL, it doesn’t matter as much as other positions, just look around the league.

Round 4: Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU- This guy is a personal favorite of mine. Another guy with a mean streak (anyone see a pattern here…..). A dominating lead blocker can also catch the ball and is a great short yardage back. Mean as hell. Would make a great STs player too.

Round 5: Stole Chris Harris

Round 6: Barry Richardson, OT/OG, Clemson- Started 32 consecutive games at OT. Is limited to RT in the pros. OG may be a possibility as well if needed. Has a huge frame, 6’7, 330. Very strong in the run. Pass protection needs some work. Will slip due to deep crop of OTs in this years draft.

Round 7: Corey Lynch, S, App. State- Homer pick. Great special teams player. With most of the safeties signed to one-year deals we need the depth.

[catamount]

DRAFT:

With were we will be drafting (around 12th), there are several options. With OT being taken care of in FA I see Fox jumping on FS.

Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami. He’s what we need back there. Plus, there’s the Miami connection on defense. Morgan and Beason are proof that Miami puts out top notch defensive players.

Round 2: DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State- We need to improve the interior DL. This guy has been a stud since he was in HS. Brings a quick, penetrating DT that this team needs.

Round 3: OT/OG Heath Benedict, Newberry. I’ve seen this guy play. He plays with a mean streak unlike the rest of our OL. I see him moving into the RG spot although he could play RT as well. While being 6’7, 330 he runs a sub 5.0 40. He moves well in space and actually fits the ZBS as well as a power running scheme. The only knock is that he plays D2 but with OL, it doesn’t matter as much as other positions, just look around the league.

Round 4: Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU- This guy is a personal favorite of mine. Another guy with a mean streak (anyone see a pattern here…..). A dominating lead blocker can also catch the ball and is a great short yardage back. Mean as hell. Would make a great STs player too.

Round 5: Stole Chris Harris

Round 6: Barry Richardson, OT/OG, Clemson- Started 32 consecutive games at OT. Is limited to RT in the pros. OG may be a possibility as well if needed. Has a huge frame, 6’7, 330. Very strong in the run. Pass protection needs some work. Will slip due to deep crop of OTs in this years draft.

Round 7: Corey Lynch, S, App. State- Homer pick. Great special teams player. With most of the safeties signed to one-year deals we need the depth.[/quote]

We are on the same page (Starks, Johnson,J. Smith) in free agency. Assuming Starks is not signed (there will be some intense biding there), I see some talent at OT in the draft if everyone comes out. I would like a vet guard, but I don't know the market past Starks' teammate, whose price is also going to be high. . I still don't see FS being a priority as long as DT is not addressed in Free agency when we have 2 DT spots (possibly) open.

I think we are going to have to create cap space to get what we need--STARTERS AT OT, WR, FS, OG, DT, and depth at DE, MLB (Seward will probably leave to start) , another S, and another DT. We can't do it with the current cap space (as I understand it) and through the draft.

I have heard rumors that Jenkins will be on the block again. If we could get a second rounder plus a solid guard or Free safety, I would be for it for salary cap reasons. I still think the best way to get this done is to shop J. Peppers to teams that play the 3-4. We could get a vet and a first, save a ton in cap room. We are going to have to do something like one of these.

But the more I think about it, I lean toward OT, DT, and OG as more important ot us than Safety right now. WR might even come before S, especially if Carter leaves or we don't make an offer.

Having said that, the free agent who shouldn't cost a fortune is Johnson.

I think we will lose Seward (which is bigger than we realize because I don't know if Shaw can play MLB--He would have to be the reserve there.) Wharton, and Carter. We should re-sign Lewis, but we could lose him too. I doubt people go after Moorehead, including the Panthers.

[Roscoe]

didn't we give up a pick for Moore?

[catamount]

He signed after being released. (no)

[BUTCH]

Let's substitute another homer pick in the 3rd round and take Kerry Brown at 6-5 and 310 pounds out of Appalachian State in the 3rd round. He will be a good one and is expected to go in that range of the draft. He's a heck of a guard.

[Utalkin2BDM]

Love the thoughts here. HSCoach, you're one of the best on here; glad to see you back in action.

I agree that we should look to address the OL, DE, and WR positions via FA, but I wouldn't count out Faneca. He's a little old, but he will vastly improve that line. It's not a question of whether or not he can get the job done, but rather how much money it will take to get him ($49M over 7, anyone?), and whether the Panthers are willing to make that investment. Starks is a good player, but he's played primarily at RT his whole career. I'd be interested to see how he performs at LT. Justin Smith is a perfect fit; he has a great motor and is a character guy on a team full of problems. He will command some money, though, which could hurt his chances. Bryant Johnson is a no-brainer; this guy is a quality player who is just stuck behind two top-15 WRs on the same team. Great pick-up for us if we can get him. I'd look at Bernard Berrian and Ernest Wilford as well if they aren't re-signed.

Trades are rare, but if the price is right, we could look in that direction. Foster is obvious trade bait, as is Jenkins and Kemoeatu, though I don't think a team is that desperate to have a fat slob the size of Maake on their team. Morgan might not be because of his health issues, and I firmly believe that the team won't get rid of Peppers because of one bad year (in case you guys aren't noticing, Freeney isn't having a fantastic year, either; only 3.5 sacks this year compared to Peppers' 2.5). Gamble could be up for a trade, and maybe Delhomme or Moore. Just something to keep in the back of your mind...

The draft will be interesting.

• I pray that we look at FS early, especially if we can address the OL in FA. Phillips is a stud, and would immediately improve the defensive backfield.
• Pressley is not that impressive; I'm not hating because I'm a UNC guy, but he has not played well this year. I'm not sure if he was injured at all or if he was constantly double-teamed, but it was incredibly hard to find anything positive about him other than the expectations going into school. I'd prefer Kentwan Balmer because he can rush the passer better (experience at DE early on at Carolina).
• I love Owen Schmidt as well, but I'm afraid we'll miss out on him because FB isn't that big of a need, especially if the team decides to bring Hoover back.
• Looking to continue to get fresh legs on the OL is a great idea, but I think we could afford to look at CB in this draft if we had to here. If we get an impressive haul in FA at OL (i.e. Starks and a moderately-priced surprise), we could end up going CB here to improve the depth behind the top 3 guys. One of the guys from LSU (Chevis Jackson or Jonathon Zenon) would be great here; both solid defenders who understand how to play the game.

This is an extremely important off-season for this team, mainly because of the sliding that has occurred for the last two years. Fox probably won't lose his job, but this off-season will determine whether or not he keeps it for very long. We must make an effort to vastly improve the team after the season ends, or else the

[Utalkin2BDM]

Sorry about the multiple posts...damn computer

[catamount]

Ok Utalkin, I need some help. Is Balmer going to be there in the second and is he worth it? What about Mapp? I was SO impressed with him in the few moments I watched the heels on TV. I would guess he would be a nice 4th round pick or so, but I don't see his name anywhere. What is the story?

Clarity: Peppers had a bad year, but I am looking at salary cap more than anything. They never dropped max protect on Freeney and allowed a second team OT take Peppers 1 on 1 and do a good job. Maybe we can work out the contract now, to save a few million--but he should not command an increase until productivity matches salary. Heck, in my job a bad year would be a new job. Ha Have a great holiday and thanks in advance.

[Utalkin2BDM]

Originally Posted by catamount

Ok Utalkin, I need some help. Is Balmer going to be there in the second and is he worth it? What about Mapp? I was SO impressed with him in the few moments I watched the heels on TV. I would guess he would be a nice 4th round pick or so, but I don't see his name anywhere. What is the story?

Clarity: Peppers had a bad year, but I am looking at salary cap more than anything. They never dropped max protect on Freeney and allowed a second team OT take Peppers 1 on 1 and do a good job. Maybe we can work out the contract now, to save a few million--but he should not command an increase until productivity matches salary. Heck, in my job a bad year would be a new job. Ha Have a great holiday and thanks in advance.

Finally, a chance to show what I know...though I can't obviously divulge EVERYTHING.

Balmer is definitely worth a second-round pick; I'd be thrilled if the Panthers took him in the second. Teams had trouble blocking him one-on-one, and he shows good drive to get to the QB. He wraps up, and has enough speed to get into the backfield and make a tackle. The thing about Kentwan is that he is 295-300: all muscle. The man is a beast; he is clearly one of the strongest players in the weight room and it shows on the field with the push he gets off the line. There have been scouts at UNC practices (I can't say who exactly, confidentiality prohibits) who have followed him around and not looked at anyone else on the team. He is that special, and should definitely be considered a top-5 DT in the draft.

Mapp is a marginal draft pick, but he shouldn't be. He is a tackling machine who is a true leader on the team after playing as a walk-on then earning his scholarship under Coach Bunting. He lays big hits (one against ECU he had earlier this year is an all-time great by a UNC player; he straight clotheslined Chris Johnson, another player who I am very high on), has a good motor, and has decent speed. He can blitz the QB, drop into coverage, and play both the run and the pass equally effectively. He is a very solid player, who should catch on with a team. The buzz around him right now from what I can tell is fairly limited if any at all, so it's still up in the air whether or not he will be drafted by an NFL team.

As far as Peppers goes, I understand that there are plenty on this site who are frustrated with the way he has played this year; I am very disappointed at the effort that he has made thus far. However, this year is one year. It is important to realize that he has one year left on his contract after this season, and to think that he does not realize that he must have an outstanding year next year to stay with the team is naive. Peppers has been a leader on this team by the way he has played - though this year has not been up to the standards that many hoped - and is respected throughout the locker room. We stand to gain more by keeping him than by trading him in my opinion; that's why I hope we keep him. If this year's performance doesn't light a fire under his behind, then the Panthers have no reason to keep paying him for production he's not giving. However, I just don't see that happening.

[NinersLacking]

Originally Posted by catamount

I have heard rumors that Jenkins will be on the block again. If we could get a second rounder plus a solid guard or Free safety, I would be for it for salary cap reasons. I still think the best way to get this done is to shop J. Peppers to teams that play the 3-4. We could get a vet and a first, save a ton in cap room. We are going to have to do something like one of these.

Trading Jenkins saves $2.955 M in base salary and $3.400 M in roster bonuses (assuming he's traded before they're due) in 2008. The cap hit due to acceleration of the two remaining years of prorated signing bonus would be $2.78 M. Overall it'd be a net savings of $3.575 M.

Trading Peppers saves $6.5 M in unpaid base salary. There is also a cap hit of ~$4.903 M, though. If the numbers that I've seen are correct, the net savings is around $1.597 M.

Cutting Dan Morgan would result in a cap hit of $3.6 M. The Panthers would save $3.35 M in unpaid base salary and bonuses, though, so the net cap hit would only be $250 K. The move would also free up a considerable amount in 2009 and 2010.

Cutting DeShaun Foster could save Carolina a nice chunk of money. Foster is scheduled to count $6.75 M against the cap. $4.75 M of that is base salary. If the Panthers cut him after June 1st or use the special pre-June 1st exception on him, the $2 M cap hit could be spread out over two years.

It seems like Jake Delhomme (~$11 M cap number) would be a candidate to re-structure as well.

[magnus]

I'll summarize since lost posts tend to be drawn out in general and aren't really concise.

Originally Posted by HSCoach

Jake coming back from surgery is a question mark. While he should return to form, I have all the confidence in the world in Matt Moore. I still believe he should sit next year and learn and then take over the following year.

So you have no thoughts on the other backup options?

TE- King *, Rosario
King is the better blocker, Rosario the better receiving threat. The team has used two TE sets a lot lately and it’s been effective. Also splitting Rosario out from the FB spot creates mismatches.

King being the better blocker doesn't say much. He's not that good. I think I get the reason the other options aren't listed, they're probably taken care of in the below section. Itemizing the need would be a good start for this section, I guess is the way I"m suggesting it. (edit - I see it happening more below, so I guess I can withdraw that ideal).

WR- Smith*
Other than Smith we don't have a lot. Colbert must go. Carter can stay as a #3. Jarrett MUST improve to a #2. Robinson is showing promise.

Assumng there's a vet WR acquisition below, that leaves one too many WR to activate again. It's not bad to have that depth, but you have to essentially put Jarrett, Smith, and Rosario as 3 of your 4 guys and leave it at that, with one other player active and a young guy you can allow to be inactive (or, very cheap vet).

OG- Wahle *
Hangartner has been getting blown up the past few weeks. Bridges has disappointed this year with his play and off the field actions. Wahle is a very solid performer. I would look to upgrade this position in the draft. I have my eye on a guy who I think would be a great RG for us.

agree, it's pretty much Wahle and nothing. Bridges can be a passable backup RT, and/or a guy for a first round pick to fight. Not a guard. If Hangartner is penciled in as a starter next year, I think we're doomed. Some suggest cutting Wahle, but IMO he's as good a lineman as we have. Build around that and Gross, instead of cutting the better parts.

DE- Peppers*, ?
Too many unknowns.

Fair enough, but Johnson is worth putting in there, especially in Rucker's role if Rucker isn't in there. If we threw in another rush end with some ability, we have an OK four, depending on whether Peppers' syphillis comes back (random sarcastic speculation).

This is tougher than the draft to predict. It’s easy to say we will get all the guys we want. With that said there is one guy in FA that I really hope we can get and that is Max Starks. He’s an immediate upgrade over Wharton. He’s young (25) and has a bright future.

While he might have a nice future ahead of him, you realize he's a backup RT right now, right? If we felt like we had the ability to move him around, I'd be willing to pencil him in at RG and see what happens, but putting a 340 lb backup in a starting left tackle role is concerning. Or did you mean him at guard? Below you reference the starting OT so I assume this is him.

That’s it for FA. No Bob Sanders, Alan Faneca, Michael Turner, Dallas Clark, etc. Two guys who are higher level, but not the top tier and one who will improve our WR corps immediately. It will cost money but this team needs major changes along the trenches and at WR.

This is somewhat realistic, assuming we spent on Smith to the level that would be needed and somehow resolve that with the Peppers situation.

With were we will be drafting (around 12th), there are several options. With OT being taken care of in FA I see Fox jumping on FS.

Maybe so, though I think it's the convenient choice. History puts him with the OT in the first, and with the depth there, that might actually be smart for once. Phillips isn't the elite level guy, IMO.

Round 2: DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State- We need to improve the interior DL. This guy has been a stud since he was in HS. Brings a quick, penetrating DT that this team needs.

solid guy here.

Round 3: OT/OG Heath Benedict, Newberry. I’ve seen this guy play.

Really?
I"ve been doing this for years and I couldn't tell you where the hell Newberry is. Kudos on that, but I haven't seen him. Right now to me he's just a guy on paper. We make a pick around this spot every year for a lineman, but we always go for the safe guys.

Round 4: Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU- This guy is a personal favorite of mine.

Interesting enough name. Thoughts on how that offense may have looked better than it should've/how he may have looked more impressive than he might be? He looks physically able to play in the NFL, where originally I figured him to be a little too slow from first reads. Good enough, but I bet his hype takes him higher than this, a la Zbikowski's hype last year before he stayed in.

[Utalkin2BDM]

Interesting you mention Zbikowski here. He's more of a SS type, but he's an aggressive player that I happen to like. He's tough as s***, and he's great in a Cover 2 scheme. I don't think the Panthers will look in his direction because we need a coverage safety more than a big hitter, but he's an interesting guy. I think he will drop with ND's debacle of a season; closer to the 4th-5th round is probably where he'll end up IMO.

[magnus]

he's tough, but he's also somewhat limited. I don't know that he'll be able to cover half the field effectively. Plus, we have our SS. At any rate, it's a guy who got national exposure playing for ND when they were playing well again, got hype because he's a boxer and a good hitter, and versatile. I think that all that said, he's not a mid-2nd round guy like people said; he can be a good player, but the hype on guys like this can be dangerous. Hopefully, if you're this type guy you can weather the storm, have that peak early, and not come into camp billed as some saviour, a la Andy Katzenmoyer.

[Utalkin2BDM]

good reference...Andy Katzenmoyer

[catamount]

As for safety goes, there are a lot of marginal corners (2nd-3rd rounds)with some good size. We wouldnt take Phillips in the top 12, and there arent that many top-tier safeties--we will draft one, but not before the third round. William Moore (FS) is a 3rd-4th rounder (I guess this early is hard to tell) out of Missouri who would not be bad. I think we need DT and OT first and second, perhaps guard or FS third. So, we could be picking Safety in the third or fourth.
I think there is a pretty steep dropoff at DT that should be felt around the middle of the second round. Balmer, Okam, Bryant, Pressley should be around toward the end of the first round. OTs Williams, Oher, and possibly Baker will be there toward the end of the first. Trade down, get an OT, then trade up in the second and get a DT. The next two picks should go for FS and OG. WR in Free agency. That is about all we HAVE to have.

[magnus]

it wouldn't be awful to take on a former corner, Eugene Wilson. I like him. Maybe he won't break the bank.

DT isn't as deep, no. Of course, DT you can always find (within reasonable amount of error) a roleplayer in the late 2nd through end of 4th, a guy who can do one thing well but not both. Going and getting a run stopper, later in the draft, isn't an awful idea, and since I'm figuring our starting pair do stay, that's necessary. Whether it's the run stopper or an earlier guy who can do both phases well, that's the part to figure out.

[catamount]

So then would you say (not trying to put words in your mouth) that : Lewis is a one dimensional DT and could be replaced in the middle rounds with a player that would much chaper than to resign Lewis?

I think we need another impact DT; would love to see Ellis drop. I still see our offense as the biggest problem, so i would like to see us start at OL--but the draft is deeper there.

Peppers saying that he doesnt think his poor play this year should affect the $$ he will get to re sign. That pisses me off.

I still like your idea about Moving Marshall to FS. That would make this draft a bit easier. I don't see how we can address Safety until the third round, unless we do some dealing.

[magnus]

Don't know if I'd say replaced. I think we need that run-stopping DT. We have two big guys starting, and two small guys replacing them; I don't think we need any more size, but finding a guy who can stop the run better would be nice. Lewis can stay or go, I don't think he's the impact guy he showed in the first two months of 06. I don't think he's vital. But, keeping he or Moorehead, that's fine. And go get a run stopper.

If Jenkins gets traded off, which I imagine is a bit of a possibility due to his recent statements, that changes the equation.


Marshall to FS would really be cake, wouldn't it? He'd make plays all over the field. Plus, the young CB to play nickel could groom himself to take over if we needed.

[Carrboro Panther]

Originally Posted by HSCoach

I love watching a guy play with his motor.

Really?:

[Utalkin2BDM]

I think I would rather see Gamble move to S. Marshall is better on the line of scrimmage as a tackler, and can cover equally as well. At the most, Gamble would have to make 6-8 tackles a game, and he can concentrate more on zone coverage than checking a man and getting burned.

In a perfect world, I would like to see a premier FS come to Carolina via FA or the draft and really solidify that defensive backfield, instead of moving players around.

[simms]

Isn't the knock on Gamble usually that he can't wrap up or tackle consistently well? Do we really want a guy like that as the last line of defense on a potential breakout long play?

[Utalkin2BDM]

Originally Posted by simms

Isn't the knock on Gamble usually that he can't wrap up or tackle consistently well? Do we really want a guy like that as the last line of defense on a potential breakout long play?

The way I see it, I'm more concerned about covering the guys over the top as opposed to wrapping up at the FS position; that's what the SS is for, IMO. And if the CBs cover well enough, there won't be as many plays where the receiver has to be wrapped up by the S down field.

[magnus]

Originally Posted by Utalkin2BDM

I think I would rather see Gamble move to S. Marshall is better on the line of scrimmage as a tackler, and can cover equally as well. At the most, Gamble would have to make 6-8 tackles a game, and he can concentrate more on zone coverage than checking a man and getting burned.

In a perfect world, I would like to see a premier FS come to Carolina via FA or the draft and really solidify that defensive backfield, instead of moving players around.

with the growth I saw out of Gamble this year, I think he could. Hand injury and occasional mistake aside, he's been better at tackling, and more instinctive. Still think Marshall would be better, but it'd be fun if they tried either.

[HSCoach]

Sorry I haven't gotten back to everyone. With Christmas, been sick, and some other things have kept me away.

I agree with what a lot of you are saying about OT in the 1st. I would say we would take an OT in the 1st if we hadn't resigned Gross and signed Starks in FA.

After watching Charles Johnson play Sunday I think he could develop into a starter. He showed more strength at the POA and has a great motor. McClover needs to improve more. Right now he is nothing more than a situational pass rusher.

I do believe Moore is the #2. I think that Basenez will remain the #3 but we'll bring in a vet to compete during training camp/preseason.

Now that my season is over and the holidays are over, I'll have more time to go back and look at all the games I recorded during the season.

I'm trying to find a big bodied RB to compliment DeAngelo. Most of those type of RBs are going to be selected earlier than when I see us taking a RB. Most of the later round guys are 3rd down backs/returners.

At TE I think they are happy with what they have. History shows that they wait until later rounds to select those players. I'm looking more at mid-round TEs to see if anyone jumps out but if they don't I assume they stay with what they have.

I'm also going to do another mock that doesn't include FA. I guarantee OT will most likely be the 1st pick in that one.

[magnus]

I agree with what a lot of you are saying about OT in the 1st. I would say we would take an OT in the 1st if we hadn't resigned Gross and signed Starks in FA.

I don't like the idea of giving Gross tons of money, but he's a better player than Starks. Who isn't starting.

After watching Charles Johnson play Sunday I think he could develop into a starter. He showed more strength at the POA and has a great motor. McClover needs to improve more. Right now he is nothing more than a situational pass rusher.

McClover wasn't even good enough to see the field situationally this year, so I'm worried about our rush. Which is a shame for Johnson, because he can start in this league but isn't that explosive guy either.

I'm trying to find a big bodied RB to compliment DeAngelo. Most of those type of RBs are going to be selected earlier than when I see us taking a RB. Most of the later round guys are 3rd down backs/returners.

Having a 3rd RB who has some size won't be that hard to do, IMO. If Foster goes, that 2nd guy should be the bigger guy, just to replace Foster's inside carries. Which leaves that 3rd guy to be anything, really.

At TE I think they are happy with what they have. History shows that they wait until later rounds to select those players. I'm looking more at mid-round TEs to see if anyone jumps out but if they don't I assume they stay with what they have.

This should really be a solid, utilitarian blocking veteran.

[Utalkin2BDM]

That big-bodied back could be Johnathon Stewart. I know he probably won't get selected by the Panthers (he has first-round written all over him), but he has quick feet and power. Someone like that could really help this team; and finding a guy like that who will be available later in the draft (say 3rd or 4th round) would be extremely valuable for the Panthers, especially if they decide to trade Foster for more draft picks.

[Schroll]

13 is too early for Stewart, but I doubt he's there in the 2nd. I'd love to trade down with the Cowboys and be able to get both Stewart and an OT.

[Utalkin2BDM]

Originally Posted by Schroll

13 is too early for Stewart, but I doubt he's there in the 2nd. I'd love to trade down with the Cowboys and be able to get both Stewart and an OT.

That'd be something. I don't think we need to "waste" the 13th pick on him, but I think that someone like him would be ideal for this team. Maybe a "poor man's" Johnathon Stewart, if you will. If we can get him and a quality OT, however, that'd be interesting to see 1) who we're going after at the OT position when it's increasingly more possible that we could call Sam Baker's name in April and 2) how Stewart would react to sharing time with another 1st round pick in DW.

[HSCoach]

[quote=magnus;154372]I don't like the idea of giving Gross tons of money, but he's a better player than Starks. Who isn't starting.
QUOTE]

You do realize that Max Starks has been hurt for the past few weeks.

[NinersLacking]

Max Starks lost his starting job to Willie Colon this year. He ended up starting four games late in the season as a result of Marvel Smith's back injury. Starks, though, ultimately sustained a season-ending knee injury (meniscus damage that will require surgery) in week seventeen.