top dawg

Hardy was lost once he decided to act a fool, yet again, extending his lack of judgement and maturity for all the world to see. This divorce is not about motorcycles, per se (which are very risky propositions for even those with sound judgement), it is about his pattern of recklessness and lack of appreciation for his team and his opportunity in the NFL. He has proven to be selfish and thoughtless throughout his relatively short career. Though it's a marked loss, it's not as devastating as you are making it out to be. We made strides toward the end of the year, and we will continue to improve. We can bring in some guys that are not only make an impact pass rushing on the field, but are able to pass Hardy's level of foolishness and stupidity off the field.

Well that's really kind of my whole point. You have to judge each player individually. Hardy is responsible for not seeing the bigger picture and definitely hurting the team this past season (as well as hurting himself, even if we don't necessarily see it yet). Hardy is a pro, and as such he is held to the standards of a pro. He got his chance and has tainted his opportunity by getting into little trouble here and there, which culminated into big trouble. Dorial Green-Beckham arguably deserves the same opportunity that Hardy and others have had. Will he appreciate his opportunity and get out of his own way? Who knows? But at least he has seemingly learned from his mistakes judging by the better part of a year. If it gets to that point and G-man pulls the trigger, then I will absolutely support the pick. Until then, I really don't have any dog in the fight regarding DGB (or anyone else for that matter).

Free Bell!

DGB projections are "all over the map", but at least one exec ain't buying before day 3. "The scoop:'I think the consistent problems for Josh Gordon are going to leak over and hurt (Green-Beckham's) draft stock. He couldn't keep himself out of trouble, had no structure growing up and didn't take coaching at Missouri. He's tall and fast and has good hands, but he can't be trusted. Why would you take a guy like that before the third day?' -- NFC director of personnel on Oklahoma WR Dorial Green-Beckham The skinny: Green-Beckham's draft projections are all over the map. While College Football 24/7's mock drafts have him going in the first round, this NFC director of personnel tabs Green-Beckham as a Day 3 pick. Talent obviously isn't the issue with Green-Beckham. He has the size, speed, soft hands and incredible catch radius of an elite prospect. But his work ethic is suspect, and several scouts wonder if the character concerns stemming from his suspensions and arrests make him worth risking a high draft pick. His upside is tantalizing, but his downside has some teams skeptical" http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000466339/article/sources-tell-us-what-were-hearing-about-nfl-draft-prospects

Basically, it's probably gonna be like I said. I would put money on it. We will never know with any surety, but I believe that the FO will evaluate tape. If he has the skills that we covet, I believe the FO will undoubtedly vet him. If that turns out alright, we will probably work him out. If we work him out, I think that this will be a pretty good indicator that there is some interest. From there, it will be all about the grade and risk-reward-value analysis. I don't believe that G-man or J-Rich are in the business of dismissing prospects out of hand, but that's just me. I don't believe that they are going to judge DGB based on Rae Carruth, Josh Gordon, Justin Blackmon, Da'Rick Rogers, Dez Bryant, Sam Hurd, Jerome Simpson, Chris Carter, DeShaun Jackson, Titus Young or anyone else.

Da'Rick Rogers did not have a first round grade by anyone that mattered. Seriously. If some site had him as a first round grade, then that was few and far in between. I said "grade". Sure he had (has) some talent, but as one who pays really close attention to the receivers in the draft (and the last two in particular), there wasn't nearly the amount of hype surrounding Rogers as there is around DGB. In fact, Cordarrelle Patterson really made Rogers a footnote. Rogers wasn't even coveted after getting cut (for the second time), and was finally signed less than a month ago. The comparison may not be "atrocious", per se, but it is most definitely a stretch.

From what I'm reading, people think that DGB's best time will be 4.4 although he is more likely closer to 4.5. I have checked out some of his YouTube video and it doesn't look like he is burning anyone to me. But, his Combine will provide some clarity.

DGB looks like a slightly less physical KB to me with slightly better hands. He looks like he may be faster than KB, but he isn't a speedster. Coates had a 19.1 percent drop rate. That is pretty astounding to me. Devin Smith is intriguing. He needs to get more physical, work on his hands and refine his route running. Although not world class, he does have some speed. We'll see how fast he really is at the Combine.

Don't believe that he is nearly as talented, or has the measurables of DGB. I know that he was no where nearly as hyped, and that's probably for those reasons.

I was reading an article by Chris Piemonte on NFL Spin Zone, and I thought it was going to say how the Panthers should draft Dorial Green-Beckham in the first. I had heard it all before, but the author kind of flipped the script by expressly mentioning DGB in reference to the second round. Now I have heard Huddlers reject the notion that the Panthers would draft DGB in the first because of the character concerns. Inherent in that belief for many is that we wouldn't draft him in any round for those reasons. As for me, I believe that G-man is going to look at potential personnel on a case by case basis. I don't believe that G-man is going to dismiss drafting DGB out of hand, not only because it's not necessarily smart from a need-risk-reward-value perspective in reference to the team, but because Green-Beckham showed improvement by not getting into trouble going on a year now. I think that things would be different if DGB didn't have the skills and upside to be a tremendous receiver in the NFL. Perhaps G-man wouldn't even give him a second thought. But that's not the case or the world we live in, and it doesn't appear to be G-man's style to just skip doing his due diligence on DGB. Now, of course, It's Richardson's team, but I would put money on the fact that if DGB is vetted and performs well leading up to the draft, and G-man gives him the thumbs up, then J-Rich will trust his GM to draft DGB in whatever round (regardless of Greg Hardy and Rae Carruth). I would certainly think that G-man would be hard pressed to pass up on such a talent if DGB fell to us in the second, and wouldn't be that shocked if the closer that DGB gets to our selection that G-man would even pull the trigger on moving up. All that being said, it;s just a hypothetical. From what I've heard about DGB, I would be kind of surprised if he falls that deeply, but with Josh Gordon (and even Justin Blackmon) in the heads of NFL front offices, I certainly believe that there is a chance that DGB would be there for the taking. If he is, and if I am to believe all the hoopla surrounding DGB's talent and sky high upside, then I almost have to think that he just may be the BPA at that point. And, we all know what this may mean. So, even if you hate the thought of DGB in the first, how about the second? Do you believe it would cause a last minute re-calibration of the front office's thinking? Perhaps getting a "steal" would outweigh the negatives at that point, if not in the first.

Nothing wrong with getting a little dirty sometimes.

I love it and hate it. The final dance of the season is great, but we're about to shut down the party 'til September.

These Brown-Smitty comparisons are ludicrous. Brown doesn't have the hands, game speed, tenacity, hops, strength, dexterity, or the ability to get YAC like Smitty did when he first entered the league. Moreover, his durability has to be questioned from the standpoint that he was hurt a couple of different times this year, with limited playing time. Guys, Spam tastes better than potted meat, but it still ain't steak.

Hell, if I had anything to do with it, I'd give that man a statue pounding the drum to immortalize his never-say-die spirit.

LOL I will just say he is salt, and I am pepper. Scot and I are basically the same age, and both of us have been Huddlers for a while (though he has been around a little longer on both accounts). I don't always see eye to eye with him, but we both try and bring a little something different to the table, and we agree on many points. I appreciate him for the information that he brings to the table. I think that I am just a little more judicious and politically correct. He is probably much more impatient and prone to tell you how "silly" or "stupid" you are. Scot seems like much more of a black and white guy, while I am more willing to wander out in that gray area and think outside the box. Just my observations.

That's fine. He would be a solid Band-Aid for a year or two. But Roos may very well retire (from the way he is talking).

That's an interesting thought. Not only cap wise, upside wise, and value wise (inasmuch at it relates to relative productivity, particularly in our offense, along with the opportunity costs related to our ability to fill other holes): Nicks plus Britt is greater than Cobb. I'll have to consider that.

OK depth. Nothing to write home about.

Yeah, man. We've only gotten to experience that one time. Damn! Will be nice to actually feel it again...culminating in a win. I hope we get there before we take our last breath. J-Rich must feel something similar. I would feel bad for the guy, but, in a way, it's hard to cry a river for a rich guy that seems more beholden to shareholders than fans. But, I am babbling...

I fundamentally agree, but I do believe that there is something to be said for continuity and chemistry (as the piece suggests). And, of course, every millisecond counts when you're dealing in protection. But, to your point, slow and/or inexperienced receivers with suspect route running and a marginal O-line do not make for the best situation for an injured QB that isn't as experienced, precise or accurate as a Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers. Good to great athletic receivers with precise route running, chemistry with the QB, and the mental savvy to help out their QB when he is in trouble can cover over a multitude of sins. Of course there has to be half-way decent, situational play calling...

The thing about the O-line though is all it takes is that much to be absolutely awful, mindlessly mediocre, or simply superior . BTW, Looking at the Browns and Jags won't help.

Seriously, I don't believe there is any more or less Super Bowl hype than usual. That being said, there seems to be more hate than usual. To be honest, I am so focused on the Panthers, draft prospects and free agency that I don't even pay attention to all the hoopla. But, I will be front and center watching the Dance.

For casual fans, and people like me who pay more attention to sexier positions and mostly notice the offensive line when our guys allow Cam to get murdered, PFS's Logan Ulrich provides a pretty fair synopsis of the 2014 season and the general state of the O-line. To that last point, G-man is always looking to upgrade (as is any GM worth his salt). http://profootballspot.com/_/nfl/nfc-south/carolina-panthers/2014-carolina-panthers-season-evaluations-offensive-line-r6668 Some may say that they already mostly know this stuff. Great for you. It's really not for the couch scouts. But to try and stem snark, let me give you the TLDR version: Khalil, whose contract you may want to start watching, is still solid and had a steadying presence after some growing pains with his new line. Bell is a team favorite, but he sucks as an OT. The Chandler experiment hasn't panned out. Silatolu, perhaps mentally challenged, may still reach his poetential if he can ever stay on the field. Norwell was an absolute beast in the run game and above average in pass protection. Trai Turner's athleticism and strength, along with his marked growth, is extremely exciting. Velasco provides good versatility and depth for the interior of the line if re-signed. And Remmers, surprise of the line and highly ranked by Pro Football Focus, at the very least provides great depth.

I totally agree.

If Nicks is acquired, he'll be here before May. He flashed his old self toward the end of the year. Just saying http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000459666/native/hakeem-nicks-must-play-big-role-for-colts-vs-patriots?akapp=mobile&akview=phone&akvideo=on