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Round 1 - The Carolina Panthers select Ikem Ekwonu

Zod

By Zod,
in Carolina Panthers

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MadHatter Rookie

MadHatter

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We were sitting at a restaurant tonight in Tallahassee FL for my daughters graduation from FSU and were talking about the draft. I told them we drafted a stud LT from ncsu name Ekwonu who was from Charlotte. My wife looked at me and asked his first name.  I said it was Ikem.  She looked at me and my kids and said…..that’s Ickey from the neighborhood.

Ekwonu and his family are such nice people.  Ickey grew up in our neighborhood in Weddington NC.  I still remember him as this quiet 8 yo who could barely swim but desperately wanted to be on the neighborhood swim team (my wife ran the team).  My son was 11 at the time and was a competitive swimmer (along with a few other boys in the neighborhood who swam on year-round teams).  They took Ickey under their wing and worked with him all summer teaching him how to swim.  The final meet, he actually won his heat and got his first ribbon.  I still remember the big grin on his face as he ran to show his parents.  

His parents made sure to seek out all 3 of the boys that helped him that night (my son being one) to thank them for their kindness.  He abs his entire family are the nicest people you will ever want to meet.

 

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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4 minutes ago, MadHatter said:

We were sitting at a restaurant tonight in Tallahassee FL for my daughters graduation from FSU and were talking about the draft. I told them we drafted a stud LT from ncsu name Ekwonu who was from Charlotte. My wife looked at me and asked his first name.  I said it was Ikem.  She looked at me and my kids and said…..that’s Ickey from the neighborhood.

Ekwonu and his family are such nice people.  Ickey grew up in our neighborhood in Weddington NC.  I still remember him as this quiet 8 yo who could barely swim but desperately wanted to be on the neighborhood swim team (my wife ran the team).  My son was 11 at the time and was a competitive swimmer (along with a few other boys in the neighborhood who swam on year-round teams).  They took Ickey under their wing and worked with him all summer teaching him how to swim.  The final meet, he actually won his heat and got his first ribbon.  I still remember the big grin on his face as he ran to show his parents.  

His parents made sure to seek out all 3 of the boys that helped him that night (my son being one) to thank them for their kindness.  He abs his entire family are the nicest people you will ever want to meet.

 

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1of10Charnatives Mentor

1of10Charnatives

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19 minutes ago, MadHatter said:

We were sitting at a restaurant tonight in Tallahassee FL for my daughters graduation from FSU and were talking about the draft. I told them we drafted a stud LT from ncsu name Ekwonu who was from Charlotte. My wife looked at me and asked his first name.  I said it was Ikem.  She looked at me and my kids and said…..that’s Ickey from the neighborhood.

Ekwonu and his family are such nice people.  Ickey grew up in our neighborhood in Weddington NC.  I still remember him as this quiet 8 yo who could barely swim but desperately wanted to be on the neighborhood swim team (my wife ran the team).  My son was 11 at the time and was a competitive swimmer (along with a few other boys in the neighborhood who swam on year-round teams).  They took Ickey under their wing and worked with him all summer teaching him how to swim.  The final meet, he actually won his heat and got his first ribbon.  I still remember the big grin on his face as he ran to show his parents.  

His parents made sure to seek out all 3 of the boys that helped him that night (my son being one) to thank them for their kindness.  He abs his entire family are the nicest people you will ever want to meet.

 

These are the kinds of people I want playing for the teams I pull for. I know a lot of people can support players on their team even when that player is an obvious jerkhole. I can't. At most I can do a Smitty who has his ups and downs, but who you at least can see is trying to be the best version of himself. Sounds like we got a stud for the OL AND the kind of person who is easy to cheer for. Can't ask for much more than that.

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MadHatter Rookie

MadHatter

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5 minutes ago, 1of10Charnatives said:

These are the kinds of people I want playing for the teams I pull for. I know a lot of people can support players on their team even when that player is an obvious jerkhole. I can't. At most I can do a Smitty who has his ups and downs, but who you at least can see is trying to be the best version of himself. Sounds like we got a stud for the OL AND the kind of person who is easy to cheer for. Can't ask for much more than that.

He is my new favorite player on the team. 

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45catfan Grand Master

45catfan

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42 minutes ago, Pakmeng said:

Fitterer said they were going to take one of the 3 tackles. This angle doesn't make any sense.

What doesn't make sense is the Giants had their pick of ANY, repeat A-N-Y of the big 3 OTs.  We had no interest in a defensive player at #6.  So they could have easily taken the tackle of their choice at #5 and came back at #7 and still got Thibadeaux.  That's the very reason why EVERYONE was shocked that Ickey fell to us.

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CPF4LIFE Grand Master

CPF4LIFE

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On 4/29/2022 at 5:03 AM, Aussie Tank said:

Not a big fan of playing BC beside him on the left I’d rather pair him with a mauler 

Agreed. I just dont think BC is a guard and him being out there is not putting the best line up on the field with Brown and Mays now on the roster. Ultimately  it will probably happen because they want to justify using a 3rd round pick on him. 

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Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

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Posted
7 hours ago, 45catfan said:

What doesn't make sense is the Giants had their pick of ANY, repeat A-N-Y of the big 3 OTs.  We had no interest in a defensive player at #6.  So they could have easily taken the tackle of their choice at #5 and came back at #7 and still got Thibadeaux.  That's the very reason why EVERYONE was shocked that Ickey fell to us.

They wanted Thibodeaux too.

Their fear was that if they let Thibodeaux fall to six, someone might make the Panthers an offer they couldn't refuse.

As it worked out, they got the tackle they had the highest grade on anyway.

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45catfan Grand Master

45catfan

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19 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

They wanted Thibodeaux too.

Their fear was that if they let Thibodeaux fall to six, someone might make the Panthers an offer they couldn't refuse.

As it worked out, they got the tackle they had the highest grade on anyway.

The worst kept secret in this draft was we were taking a tackle if any of the big 3 fell to us.  I listen to sports talk radio on the way to work in the morning and literally everyone said tackle was the pick at #6 if still there and the QB talk was mostly smoke out of the Panthers' camp (unless there was a run on OT).  When all 3 were there at #5, there was no reason for the Giants to fear someone jumping them at #7.  Also, how did they know we preferred Ickey over Neal?  We just as well could have drafted Neal. 

Again, it doesn't make sense, but I'm not complaining because I got my #1 rated player as a Panther.  I was just 99% sure Ickey would be gone by #6.

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Personally, I like the Center position in this draft--let Mays walk.  Re-sign Corbett, and draft a C in round 3.   Linebacker:  I am not sure what we should do here.   I think Morgan will fall in love with Cincinnati's Golday, and we would take him at #51.  Rodriguez (Texas Tech) in round 3 could be a steal.  However, I am not sure that I see value after Styles in round 1.  I think Devin Lloyd will want elite meny and he is not elite--he is good.  He will ask for $15m per season.  Leo Chenel (KC, 75.1 PFF, est. $5m) is a much better option. Safety:  I think Kam Curl would be a great fit here. (Rams, 2 Ints 87 tackles) he is very versatile. Expected to get between $10m and $12m per year, however.  In the draft, I think they like Bud Clark who should be there in round 4.  Are Moehrig, Ransom, and Simmons enough?  Tony Adams (63.7 PFF) a deep safety known for his range.  He is expected to get a 3-year, $20m deal on the market. 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