Draft Grades 2009
April 26, 2009
by Aaron Nance
Print this out and take it to your local coffee shop, along with 2 bucks and you can get yourself a cheap cup of coffee and a ready made place mat…
Everette Brown, DE Florida State: Brown immediately fills the team’s need of an effective pass rusher, and will certainly compete for a starting position. He also lessens the blow and fallout of the Julius Peppers situation, regardless of what happens (holdout, trade, extension, etc). Rated as high as the 6th overall player on some credible draft boards, the Panthers got a real steal in the second round, at the cost of next year’s #1 of course. However, if Peppers is traded, the team likely recoups that selection, and if he stays the defense is bolstered anyway. Thumbs up on this highly aggressive move, that definitely sends a message the front office was paying attention and means business. Grade: A+
Sherrod Martin, DB Troy: Martin effectively addresses two positions for the Panthers: CB and FS. Martin is a highly talented playmaker that the team believes will be an effective nickel back, with the potential to start in the event a starter goes down to injury. Martin is a true ballhawk and a solid tackler. He may need some time to develop, but there is no better place to do that than the nickel slot. This may have been a tad bit high for him, but this was certainly no ‘reach’. Grade: B
Corvey Irvin, DT Georgia: Exceptional athleticism for a man his size. Extremely strong, he gives the Panthers some much needed depth to a defensive line that was clearly guilty of wearing down late in games, and appeared to simply be outmanned late in the season. At worst, Irvin offers depth. At best, he offers a high upside tackle that could compete for a starting slot. Grade: B-
Mike Goodson, RB Texas A&M: The immediate heir apparent to special teams standout and team leader Nick Goins. Goodson, a junior, was a bit of a surprise when he announced his intention to forego his senior year with the Aggies. His best fit will be as a change of pace back, and perhaps a slot receiver (a la Goins). Extremely dangerous in the open field, could see time as a returner as well. Nice selection that offers needed depth at several positions. Grade: B+
Tony Fiammetta, FB Syracuse: Brad Hoover is an outstanding overachiever, but is 32 and will soon start to show the wearing down that comes with the territory. Enter Tony Fiammetta, the best fullback this draft has to offer. Fiammetta, a team captain at Syracuse, is well built for the part, and has been highly effective. Fiammetta is more than a one dimensional blocking back, and should offer the Panthers a nice weapon from the FB slot, as well as a smooth transition to the future of the position and life after Brad Hoover. Grade: A
Duke Robinson, OG Oklahoma: Thought by many to be the best OG in the draft, character and judgment concerns pushed him all the way to the 5th round. Provided he can put his maturity concerns to rest, Robinson has the ability to not only start from day one, but also has the ability to reach the Pro-Bowl in time. He immediately softens the blow of losing Hangartner, and if he keeps his nose clean and is open to coaching at the next level he could be one of the steals of this draft. And if he can’t, he could be a sad story of what could have been. Grade: A+
Captain Munnerlyn, CB South Carolina: Hurt himself by declaring for the draft early. Lack of height hurts him. Loves to play physical. Has the speed to contribute immediately in the return game. Has shown some character concerns in the past. All in all, a late round boom or bust project who could contribute anywhere from the return game, to the nickel and dime packages, or just as a really fast water boy. Grade: C
Panthers Draft Everette Brown
April 26, 2009
Marty Hurney went all in yesterday, pushing his chips to the middle of the table and selecting Everette Brown at a steep price. Trading a 2010 first round selection to move up in the second round of this years draft is a huge gamble. So why do it?
Enter Everette Brown, one of the most respected defensive players to leave Florida State since a guy named Derrick Brooks. Most mock drafts had him as a first round pick, some even a top 20 pick. The Panthers war room had him listed as one of the best pass rushers in the draft, a first round pass rusher. The question now is, how does this undersized player fit on the Panthers Defense?
Last season, Brown would not have fit at all. But this season, the addition of Ron Meeks as defensive coordinator gives us a clear picture instantly. One only needs to review an Indianapolis Colts game tape and watch #98 Robert Mathis. Mathis, at 6′2 and 250lbs, had 11.5 sacks last season. Meeks with take Brown, and instantly transform him into a pass rushing machine, a situational player. Considering the Panthers complete lack of pass rushing ability last season, partly due to an uninspired and uninterested Julius Peppers.
Speaking of Peppers, I can’t help but think the Brown pick was a bonus for the coaching staff. A fun reminder to Julius, that a guy half his size may come in this season and out perform him, in a contract year no less. If that does not light a fire under his butt, I don’t know what will.
Win – Win
Panthers Fans: Hold on to your butts…
April 23, 2009
Jake Delhomme, for better or worse, has been extended five years.
Some love it, some hate it. Either way, its something to discuss during the most boring offseason in Panthers history…
