Show Of Hands...Who Loved This Pick...?

[SetfreexX]

When we made this selection who loved it, who liked it, who hated it, and who didn't know what to think....?

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/josh-norman?id=2532920

I am by no means a professional talent evaluator so I leave that to the professionals, and by that I don't mean Mayock, McShay, or Kiper. I mean our GM who has 30+ years experience as a scout, and the Panther's scouting department and coaches. 

As I read over the draft reports, look at highlight reels on youtube the choices we make grow on me (I do not follow collegiate football closely at all). But some of the comments have just been asinine, the staff has proven time and time again that they know what they're doing, so let them do their jobs, and in a year or two if they're wrong they're wrong. But in the mean time we have starting quality DBs with experience. You have got to keep in mind the draft is not just to fill needs, or BPA it's to set the team up for the future. 

Norman was here four seasons, and only started one in full his last and best season. Non of us saw this year coming, so let's stop acting like his level of play IS needed to have success on defense when we had top 5 defenses with Munnerlyn, Florence, Cason, White, with Norman mixed in two of the prior years and one in the dog house. 

Both their measurables and scouting reports are ALMOST identical to his.

ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

 Norman can play man and zone equally well and was a physical presence on the outside of the defense at Coastal Carolina. He understands when to take risks and when to play back, and he is physical when he makes his decision to come up. He supports the run well and is a reliable tackler. He works well to feel with his hands to stay on a receiver in-phase, and has the hip mobility to move with his man all over the field.

WEAKNESSES

 Norman has not faced top-level competition at Coastal Carolina and could have an adaption period early on. He will need to contribute on special teams to stick, which he hasn't done much at Coastal. He is taller and can struggle with some hip/transitional movements moving to his left, but it's not a major concern and surely will be part of the adaptation process.

========================================

So before we go bashing / highlighting the Executive of the year who brought us 1) out of cap hell, 2) three time division championship rosters, 3) a superb owl appearance 4) a bevy of talented players the last several drafts >>> Star, KK, KB, Bene, Tre, Turner, Shaq, Ealy; let's let our rookies at the very least hit the practice field. Let our coaches and staff provide commentary, and let Igo provide a level of access many are spoiled by here on The Huddle. 

[Fox007]

Damn that WAS great value for a 5th round pick...sure hope our 2nd and 3rd rounders this year don't take till age 29 to develop.

[Mother Grabber]

I loved it so much, I wanted to pay him $15M/year

[LinvilleGorge]

The Norman pick?  I was screaming for Norman that year.  I wanted two mid-round guys specifically that year and we got both of them.  Norman and Joe Adams.  Hey, 50/50 ain't bad, right?  LOL!

[Rags]

Eh. I was indifferent. Thought he'd be okay and kind of a guy who'd get a ton of ints but burned a lot.

[Jon Snow]

I neither loved nor hated it.  As Dave puts it these guys don't come out ready to go from the jump anymore.  They all take time to develop so thinking you have a stud or a bust on media grades is nothing but idiot banter.  It takes at least a season or two to know whether the player will be valuable to the team or not.

[thennek]

For a 5th rounder?  Sure.  I thought it was a good pick with a player with upside.  If not...it was just a 5th round pick so really not much of a risk.  But we all need to remember that Josh was not really a factor until the last 1.5 years.  

[Norway]

Stayed up to 03.30 AM to watch the 2nd round pick local time (CET). So got a little irritated when they picked someone I had never heard of. That being said, when DG is in charge, you should expect the unexpected

[Norway]

Just now, Norway said:

Stayed up to 03.30 AM to watch the 2nd round pick local time (CET). So got a little irritated when they picked someone I had never heard of. That being said, when DG is in charge, you should expect the unexpected

Haha, never mind. Thought you ment this year

[firefox1234]

I hated it the kid is a bust, he's not on my nfl.com/espn/walterfootball/pff/bleachereport draft board....

[Gin and Juice]

4 minutes ago, carolina-chuck2 said:

Norman was considered pretty high coming out 

I know you are a draft buff, so answer me honestly.....don't you remember having seen Bradbury's name on quite a few mocks prior to all the draft festivities? 

I remember wondering what was up with Samford to be churning out such highly regarded DB's. Then after bowl games and combine....his name started to fade, much like Billings. I remember seeing Billings in top 5 on quite a few early mocks.

[O-Ther]

I was burned out on Hurney before the 2012 draft happened

Picking Luke in the 1st with Beason here puzzled me, picking Silatolu in the 2nd had me wondering, "Who?", picking Alexander in the 4th re-assured me we were addressing DE, picking Joe Adams in the 4th made me think, "we upgraded our punt returner", picking Norman in the 5th looked like we took a flyer on a Carolina kid, picking Nortman in the 6th made me wonder, "Why? We're not the Jaguars, we're the other, more successful expansion team from 1994," and I had no thoughts on 7th rounder DJ Campbell since I stopped listening by then.