Martin or Smith?

[rko396]

Shortly after the draft, everyone was complaining about selecting CB/S Sherrod Martin over CB Sean Smith out of Utah. Smith has looked decent all season where as Martin has shown greatness over the last few games. Now, just over the half way point in the season, I was curious if everyone is still doubting the pick or are we all happy about it now?

[House]

I don't think that eveyone was upset that we picked Martin, but that we picked a college safety to turn into a CB.

[Baschski]

I haven't really followed Smith this season so I can't say much about his ability, but it's way too early to tell with Martin. He's done well so far and has amazing potential, but three good games could just be attributed to luck. I'm excited to see how he plays for the rest of the year--hopefully we have a new defensive stud.

We got a heck of a nickel corner out of the 7th round in Munnerlyn, so I think our secondary is looking pretty solid right now.

[CRA]

I don't think that eveyone was upset that we picked Martin, but that we picked a college safety to turn into a CB.

yep, if you want a CB draft a CB and if you want a S then draft a S.

[Fox007]

Depends on if Martin can sustain this level of play.(and if Fox is smart enough to leave him as the starter)

We have needed a good FS for so long, it would really be great if Martin can hold down that spot for the next 10 or so years.

[Jackofalltrades]

My thing is this- last year we drafted a good college cb to play fs, this year we draft a good college fs to play corner. Why not just draft the position you're locking for?

I like Godfrey, but his struggles and Martins success don't treally surprise me given their respective backgrounds. I come from the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school of thought and I shutter to think that Godfrey may come back to fs while Martin is doing an incredible job. As for other draftee's, ireally couldn't care less. I prefer to look forward rather than theoretical second guessing.

[SnarkAttack]

Greatness? Come on.....

[chbright]

so we drafted a FS, when we drafted godfrey the previous year? only 1 spot for both. if martin was drafted as a CB (like where they tried to play him for TC, where he was horrible), then hell no, sean smith all the way. as a safety, martin is looks comfortable likely cause thats the possition he has played in college and it clicks at this point. problem occurs if/when godfrey returns.

i am glad we covered our ass and got the captin though.

[prowler2k8]

so we drafted a FS, when we drafted godfrey the previous year? only 1 spot for both. if martin was drafted as a CB (like where they tried to play him for TC, where he was horrible), then hell no, sean smith all the way. as a safety, martin is looks comfortable likely cause thats the possition he has played in college and it clicks at this point. problem occurs if/when godfrey returns.

i am glad we covered our ass and got the captin though.

Makes me wonder what would happen if the coaching staff decides to switch Godfrey back to his natural position? Worse case, he'd be a decent nickel, but I suspect Godfrey would flourish as a CB, especially in this defensive scheme.

[tight lines]

Makes me wonder what would happen if the coaching staff decides to switch Godfrey back to his natural position? Worse case, he'd be a decent nickel, but I suspect Godfrey would flourish as a CB, especially in this defensive scheme.

If Godfrey continues to tackle as poorly as he has he wont flourish in any defensive position in my honest opinion.

ps he cant catch either.

[prowler2k8]

If Godfrey continues to tackle as poorly as he has he wont flourish in any defensive position in my honest opinion.

ps he cant catch either.

I hear ya and agree with the exception of him not being able to catch. However, I'm basing that off his college production (I think he had 13 INT during his career at Iowa). Would love to see him translate that to the pro game.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

Greatness? Come on.....

I think Carolina fans, so accustomed to years of mediocrity at the safety position, are quick to proclaim anyone who looks remotely good "great."

This is also why the next quarterback not named Delhomme who actually has a "great" game will be proclaimed the savior of the franchise.

Martin has looked really good, but it's way too early to deem him as a good draft pick, or even a better pick than Smith. It will take at least a full year or more to determine that.

[monstercat]

Once again, when Godfrey was drafted the Panthers didn't need a CB, they needed a safety, and all the scouting reports said that Godfrey was better suited to play safety in the NFL.

Also, I disagree that Martin was awful at CB. He did make some plays in the pre season even though most people didn't notice for some damn reason, and even if he wouldn't have, the pre season was not a big enough sample size to make a judgement one way or the other anyway. Hell, he only played in a couple of games because he got hurt. Anyway, I'm pretty damn confident that Martin could step in and do as good a job or better than Munnerlynn is doing at CB right now.

[rayzor]

i just like having a FS (or any DB) who has a nose for the ball and actually has the ball land in his hands and is able to hold on to it.

he's averaging 1 INT a start...of course it's only 3 INTs in 3 games but it's better than anything we have had for a long time.

whats funny is he almost had another one in the endzone yesterday.

now if we could just get chris harris to start forcing those fumbles again.