Panthers can't and won't draft defensive lineman worth a shit

[Fiz]

During the John Fox era, the Panthers have neither emphasized spending early draft picks on defensive linemen or developed the ones they did. Jovan Haye didn't turn into anything until he left the Panthers and had his position changed.

Why is this a problem, besides the fact it's a fashionable way to poo on the coaching staff? John Fox's scheme relies on pressure by the front four. Outside of drafting Julius Peppers, they've done nothing to bolster this ability. Instead they've relied on free agent signings, and with only one exception they've never signed elite talent.

Here's a brief recap.

2002

1st - Julius Peppers - a no brainer. I don't really give them credit for this pick, since he was the most hyped defensive end coming out of college since jevon kearse.

2003

5th - Kindal Moorehead - good rotational guy, nothing more. not starter material here or elsewhere.

2004

Nothing

2005

3rd - Atiyyah Ellison - some dude

6th - Jovan Haye - played out of position here, flourished at DT in Tampa Bay, starting in tennessee and producing.

2006

7th - Stanley McClover - sucked

2007

3rd - Charles Johnson - situational guy, kinda good.

2008

7th - Hilee Taylor - worthless pick to please fans. probably a wolb in a 3-4

2009

2nd - Everette Brown - looks awful

3rd - Corey Irvin - sucked before he got hurt. project.

during the Fox era, the panthers have had 29 top three round picks. They've selected 5 defensive linemen. This may seem like a lot, but they've selected 4 running backs in an age where you can find running backs everywhere. 4 corners for a team that started reggie howard and dante wesley in the super bowl. a billion linebackers.

the success of the giants, patriots, chargers, steelers, and ravens have shown that it takes high picks invested in the defensive line to maintain success. Positions like running back can be filled at any point.

the line has rotted from the inside out, and that's why the panthers are in the position they're in.

now here's a gif

[Zod]

Interesting points.

[robtrox0]

Can't argue with that.. now cue the slurpers.

[SCP]

I've always been one to believe that a team should be built around the offensive and defensive lines. We have all but ignored our d-line. Good post Fiz.

[Jangler]

Maybe we should get Seifert back?

[frash.exe]

All the panthers seem to care about drafting is runningbacks, oline, and linebackers often because they felt weak at those positions because they can't draft quality depth because they can't scout their way out of a fuging paper bag

[PanthersFanNY]

Agree 100%. Hurney sucks and can't manage the cap situation for crap.

[Zod]

I hear he writes a fab sports article though.

[cgarsmoker]

I read somewhere that Atiyyah Ellison is a back up in Jacksonville.....and he still sucks.

We also had Tony Brown in 2006 and let him go after 1 year. He has since started 35 games with 10.5 sacks and 93 tackles as a starter on a very respectable Tennessee Titans d-line.

[scpanther22]

Didnt fox say he would fix the defense like he did the offense last season..

[thefuzz]

Umm, I have been saying this for quite some time.

[Kurb]

WR and D-Line

Exactly what is killing us.

[thefuzz]

WR and D-Line

Exactly what is killing us.

Could do a little better with the QB position.:eek:

[Kurb]

Could do a little better with the QB position.:eek:

Indeed.

But a strong WR core and a Dominate O-line could mask said problem.

It did for most of the Fox Era.