A few things on my mind

[frash.exe]

Jake Delhomme

First of all if you still can't get over it then play this video, let Paul, John, George and Ringo help you out, sing along, and get the message.

Ok now I'm going to break character. I haven't said a whole lot of positive crap about Delhomme, well, partly because there was no shortage of such the past year. I don't know why I must say this or that it can't go without saying but Delhomme is a class act. You only wish the NFL had more team players like himself. And if he didn't electrify you every once in a while when he was in his prime I'm not quite sure this was your favorite team. I was an avid Delhomme supporter a few years ago, ...when he gave the team a shot. To me the road to the end of his career started somewhere in the middle of the 2006 season. He started throwing picks late in the game at last chance drives. Up until that point he never really did that. Then his arm gave out in 2007. 2008 was more of a "last hurrah" than a comeback. It should've ended there, after Arizona. I hate to say "I told you so" but I genuinely wasn't thinking retaining an over-the-hill QB coming off a very bad performance long term for that kind of money was going to end pretty. I'm not going to elaborate further.

Whatever memories you have of Jake, which I'm sure is extensive, you can now reminisce on all the good he provided. It's what I've been waiting to do since he's proven he could not perform at a high level anymore.

Trim The Fat

I say this alot when offseason transactions are at their peak and it is beneficial for your franchise. We let go of some dead weight that has been hindering the team. It reminds me of what we did in 2008 except on a grander scale. The players who replaced DeShaun Foster, Mike Wahle, Justin Hartwig and Dan Morgan are presently the cylinders that keep this engine churning. Besides Jake, this interior line wasn't going to get any better with Maake and Damione. Lewis was never a good 3 down lineman, and Kemo doesn't get any kind of push in the running game, besides the fact that run defense wasn't even that good in 2007 or 2008, so I don't get that his "run-stuffing capabilities" or lack thereof, were an asset to the team for all the money he was getting. With Diggs it wasn't so much that he was doing the wrong things it was more that the two guys backing him up are maturing as players.

First round pick this year?

Tendering Marshall with a 2nd got me thinking about what exactly they're trying to do. Panthers scouts are probably getting high on the thought about some of the guys in the late first, enough, that maybe, just maybe we trade up in the draft for the third time in a row. I mean, why not? You might not think you can get any kind of immediate impact from any prospect that you'll find at 47. If it's a high 2nd you can package it with a pick in a later round, and presto you're in the first round. "Worst" case scenario if this is our plan is nobody takes the tender, and then you trade next year's first with something else to get a higher pick. Is there even going to be a 2011 draft? (if there isn't i suspect the trade to be enforced simply in the next draft) IDK about any of you, but we require a WR that can catch at least 50 balls and stretch the field this year. A well-rounded defensive linemen wouldn't hurt either if the value at WR isn't there.

Orange (And Blue) Julius

I'll admit, seeing #90 in a not-panthers uniform will be weird but you must adjust. Last year the Bears got burned on another high profile acquisition (at least for now) and they just might have dropped a poo ton of money on a lemon. Even if Peppers can get that EVER IMPORTANT SACK TOTAL stat in the double digits can he consistently get pressure? Can he contain the run? Will he need to be double teamed?

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

Agree 100%.

[IlliniPantherFan]

Great post!

[SorthNarolina]

I think we're very likely to make trades on draft day.

Honestly I see us trading our 1st round pick for a 2nd and a 6th. I could also see us trading down to the bottom of the 2nd round with #47.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Here is a thought to follow up your trimming the Fat. So far none of the players we coveted so much have barely got a phone call. Brayton by Seattle and that is about it. I am sure most will end up somewhere but they clearly aren't the "OMG Carolina cut who" list.

I like the idea. If they choose to spend money, they have it. If they choose not to then I think we have enough talent right now to fill those voids and drafting depth is critical. Well other than addressing DT and WR.

Just my Opinion.

[KillerKat]

[hank pimple butt]

great read!

[PantherBrew]

First round pick this year?

Tendering Marshall with a 2nd got me thinking about what exactly they're trying to do. Panthers scouts are probably getting high on the thought about some of the guys in the late first, enough, that maybe, just maybe we trade up in the draft for the third time in a row. I mean, why not? You might not think you can get any kind of immediate impact from any prospect that you'll find at 47. If it's a high 2nd you can package it with a pick in a later round, and presto you're in the first round. "Worst" case scenario if this is our plan is nobody takes the tender, and then you trade next year's first with something else to get a higher pick. Is there even going to be a 2011 draft? (if there isn't i suspect the trade to be enforced simply in the next draft) IDK about any of you, but we require a WR that can catch at least 50 balls and stretch the field this year. A well-rounded defensive linemen wouldn't hurt either if the value at WR isn't there.

Good post, however,

Yes, there will be a draft in 2011 no matter what. If we get a 2nd rounder for Marshall, and wanted to package a deal from THIS years picks to move into the first round then I am cool with that.

But, I am not cool with a lame duck coach and possibly GM trading away picks from a future head coach. I don't think JR would allow that to happen this season.