Carolina Panthers Discussion

[ShutDwn]

Originally Posted by stlouisfan37

I hope you are right...because I will be ecstatic to see Austin Fall to the Rams at #16. He is the most explosive, game-ready receiver in this draft. He will make an immediate impact wherever he goes. He has great hands, runs excellent routes, and his speed and quickness will demand respect from defenses. This will open things up for receivers on the outside. He is also a dynamic returner who will give his team an immediate boost in the field position game. There are few players that can score at any given time from anywhere on the field, and he is one of them.

That's all nice but he isn't worth a top 20 pick. Too many drawbacks people want to ignore. Size is what makes WRs impossible to cover, not just speed. Speed also doesn't help at all in the redzone. Flacco didn't win a superbowl throwing high passes to tiny receivers.


The Panthers need size and speed not finess players who can't break arm tackles. Watch his highlights, none of the players ever touch him. Makes you wonder what happens when they do.


How come Percy Harvin is the only player people compare him to that was drafted in the first round? Because you can find players like him later on and it's a better risk-reward strategy.

Darren Sproles was nuts in college and he was picked in the 4th. Also, it's crazy that Sproles is 15 lbs heavier than Austin and only 2" shorter.

[gpngc]

Originally Posted by ShutDwn

That's all nice but he isn't worth a top 20 pick. Too many drawbacks people want to ignore. Size is what makes WRs impossible to cover, not just speed. Speed also doesn't help at all in the redzone. Flacco didn't win a superbowl throwing high passes to tiny receivers.


The Panthers need size and speed not finess players who can't break arm tackles. Watch his highlights, none of the players ever touch him. Makes you wonder what happens when they do.


How come Percy Harvin is the only player people compare him to that was drafted in the first round? Because you can find players like him later on and it's a better risk-reward strategy.

Darren Sproles was nuts in college and he was picked in the 4th. Also, it's crazy that Sproles is 15 lbs heavier than Austin and only 2" shorter.

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[stlouisfan37]

I do appreciate what you are saying, and he definitely isn't for everyone. But just because he isn't the type of receiver you are looking for doesn't mean he won't be productive or have a successful career.

I just watched a 9 minute video of his 2012 highlights. For starters, the fact that you can compile such a lengthy highlight video of him says a lot. More than that, he is extremely difficult to get a hold of. He shakes loose like very few players I have ever seen. So the fact that he goes down from arm tackles doen't carry nearly as much weight as it would with a running back who would be asked to run between the tackles regularly, in my opinion.

[Cigaro]

I would take Austin. He's not my first choice, I'd prefer someone of the following first: Star Lotulelei(slight chance he still falls), Chance Warmack, Sheldon Richardson(if Dwan isn't resigned), Xavier Rhodes, Cordarrelle Patterson. But if those guys are gone, taking Austin is something I could deal with. I'd probably prefer even then to trade back, but I do think Austin has a future in the NFL.

My main problem with Austin would be his fit with Cam Newton. He's quite short, and Cam is prone to highballs. With a big receiver like Hopkins it wouldn't be a big deal, but now sure how it would fare for Austin.

[Cigaro]

I like the Ted Ginn signing. Presumably brought in for his returning ability, where he should provide an immediate upgrade. Armanti Edwards, Pilares and probably Joe Adams have been made redundant by this move, although Adams is unlikely to get cut so soon.

It will be interesting to see him in the offense. I know he was basically frozen out in San Fran, but I think there's still some promise for him. I don't expect much from him beyond a #3 guy, but at that I like his chances. His explosiveness may make Cam Newton pretty happy.

[SchizophrenicBatman]

The Ted Ginn family!

[Cigaro]

Dwan is back. Judging from their reported contracts, I already like what I see when it comes to Gettleman and his approach to resigning players. I'd hate to imagine the money Hurney would have tried to dish out to keep them here.

[ShutDwn]

My last comment on Austin -- My point about people not touching him is that, that will not happen in the NFL like it does college. Nobody who relies completely on making people miss is going to have a consistent career. As a preemtive counter argument let me say that Steve Smith doesn't not do this. Smith's physical style doesn't compare at all.


It's not that Austin isn't a good player, it's that he isn't worth the 14th pick. Every player that compares to Austin is proof of that.



We've resigned Captain and Dwan to one year contracts that have to be pretty favorable to the Panthers. This probably never happens if Hurney is still here. I love that they're both coming back. I'm actually OK with our secondary as it is and we can still draft a CB/FS.


Picking up Ginn is interesting. I don't know what he'll bring at WR but we know he's consistent and the safe player Rivera has been hoping for at PR. He's a combo replacement for Armanti and Gettis. I think we'll have Smith, Lafell, Ginn, a rookie, Adams and Pilares.

[Cigaro]

Well, by pre-season SOS, we have the hardest schedule next year.

[JPF]

So sick of mocks with us taking Sheldon Richardson.

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by JPF

So sick of mocks with us taking Sheldon Richardson.

The epitome of mock draft laziness. I'm almost certain those who give him to use have nothing more than see that DT is listed as a major need, and thus given us their highest rated DT, regardless of scheme needs. I'm actually a big fan of Richardson, if Dwan didn't resign I'd be more than fine with taking him, but we have other needs as is. But luckily today we'll hopefully get to see how ignorant everyone was when drafting him for us.

Overall, unlike past years, I don't really have any idea of who we'll go after in the first. I think Austin would be atop our realistic board, but looks like he may be gone before us. If Star falls, I think he's the automatic pick. Even though Sharrif isn't a NT, I could also see him being selected as well. Vaccaro also been heavily rumored to be on our radar.

[Cigaro]

[kBuc5]

Nice first round, didn't see Star falling that far.

[Cigaro]

The fact that we now actually have the key pieces for an elite defensive line (although Dwan will admittedly still need replacing soon) is just so...strange.

[ShutDwn]

Originally Posted by Cigaro

The fact that we now actually have the key pieces for an elite defensive line (although Dwan will admittedly still need replacing soon) is just so...strange.

Well, Hardy stepped up, we found Dwan in a stock heap and caught a falling Star (zing!!!)


Can't wait to see the LBs behind this line. So long, Fua!!!

I wonder what we do in the 2nd. I highly doubt Cyprien is there. I think it's WR/CB/S

[Don Vito]

Star was such a great pickup for you guys. Can't wait to see Hardy dominate this year, your front 7 is going to be so damn stacked.

[Cigaro]

Originally Posted by ShutDwn

Well, Hardy stepped up, we found Dwan in a stock heap and caught a falling Star (zing!!!)


Can't wait to see the LBs behind this line. So long, Fua!!!

I wonder what we do in the 2nd. I highly doubt Cyprien is there. I think it's WR/CB/S

The 2nd is stacked perfectly for us. Warford, Allen, Hunter, Woods, Patton, Jamar Taylor, Poyer, Cyprien, Swearinger are all potential plays. Not going to get to watch the draft tonight, but my preference would be one of Allen, Hunter or Cyprien, with Allen being the most likely pick IMO.

[Cigaro]

I have no idea what the **** we are doing.

[villagewarrior]

I love what the Panthers did. Star and Short give them an A in my book right off the bat. Not many picks, but Klein and Barner are steals that late and Kugbila is real intriguing. I'd be very excited if I were a Panthers fan.

A.

[ShutDwn]

Originally Posted by villagewarrior

I love what the Panthers did. Star and Short give them an A in my book right off the bat. Not many picks, but Klein and Barner are steals that late and Kugbila is real intriguing. I'd be very excited if I were a Panthers fan.

A.

I thought overall it was good for the future of the team.

The fans have a problem with it because they didn't address WR/CB/S. In reality the only chance they had to do that was in the second round. Star was as much of a steal as you could get in the first round. I didn't think the CB/S class was good in the second I like Short.



We had Dwan Edwards on a 1-year deal at DT and NOBODY else. Even after drafting Star, we would have another hole at DT next year. I'll have to see them, but Star/Short seem to be good compliments. They've established a beastly interior of the defense set for the next four years. Frank Alexander is essentially our 3rd rounder this year and if he plays well he could make it easier if Hardy demands too much.


I can't act like I know anything about the OG but I'll trust Gettleman on this one. I really liked the Barner pick. I doubt Pilares sticks around and Armanti is gone.


Sorry Panther fans, it's gonna be another year till we draft a WR/CB/S high. Even then, I bet we go OT. LOL

[JPF]

Nitpicking here but Dwan's deal was a two year deal, not a one year deal. But the point remains valid that we needed more DT's than just Star in the first.

Honestly looking at what we have right now, and considering that Bell is a RFA next off-season and that Gross can void the final three years of his contract next off-season, I fully expect an OT early next year.

As for this draft, the Guard kind of jumps out but I can't say I really know a lot of him. But taking him while Barrett Jones was still on the board has me interested in watching to see what they saw in him to make them pick him over Jones.

Barner, well, I expected an RB at some point in the draft honestly. DeAngelo or Stewart one won't be in Charlotte next season given the cap situation. I'd imagine it would be DeAngelo that's let go.

ETA- It also feels damn good just to come out of a draft still owning all our picks in the next years draft (except our 7th rounder)!

[Don Vito]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/93...-goal-50-sacks

You lucky SOB's