Yasinskas thinks one "starter" needed at DT

[ncbobcat]

In Pat's NFCS mailbag, a question was written about DTs on current roster and whether they are starting quality or not. I feel the same way Pat does:

Al in Washington, DC writes: I'm intrigued by your take on the Panthers' DTs. I feel good about a starting rotation of Louis Leonard, Tank Tyler, and Ed Johnson. Corvey Irvin is a project with a lot of upside, which would give us 4 guys. Ron Meeks likes to move DTs inside anyway, and Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson can handle that. Granted, I wouldn't like to see Nick Hayden and Derek Landri pressed into significant service at this point, but I won't be upset if this is our opening day roster. Am I putting too much faith in those first three, or undervaluing experienced depth?

Pat Yasinskas: In my opinion, Leonard, Tyler and Johnson aren’t guys I’d want to count on as the definitive starters. Yes, they have some good qualities. But the John Fox defense always has been built around the defensive line. Right now, the Panthers have “just guys’’ at defensive tackle. I think they need to add one quality defensive tackle.

Comfortable at DT or one solid starter definitely needed?

http://espn.go.com/blog/nfcsouth/post/_/id/9004/nfc-south-mailbag-15

[mick eye]

I am siding with Al in Washington. If i have to choose between a DT or WR in the 2nd i pick WR. Smith and Matt Moore need help. We all seem to forget that Moore is pretty close to a rookie. What pieces do teams always try to give a young QB?

1. Run game- In spades

2. number 1 WR- Check

3. Oline- Check

4. TE's- Check

5. Reliable 2nd and 3rd option at WR- Nope.

[ncbobcat]

I agree on the need for a WR to compliment Smitty, BUT we are looking for a starter at DT and not (in a famous line by Moose) a "decoy" for Smitty. I think we can get a good pick up in the 3rd round for a solid #2 WR. I don't think we get a starting quality DT in in round three.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I agree. I think that DT is a bigger need than DE right now.

[ncbobcat]

I agree. I think that DT is a bigger need than DE right now.

With Brayton back I am less worried about DE. Until he re-signed, I was uneasy about that position too. Right now, I think most agree that DT and WR should go in rounds two and three, it's just the order that is being disputed.

[Swarly]

Meh.. the guys we cut were 'just guys' if that's what he is getting at. I definitely agree that we need to get a DT.

I would even go as far to say that trading next years 1st&4th to pick up a DT in early 2nd if one were to drop further than he's supposed to(such as Brian Price, man that'd be awesome) would be a smart idea.

When it comes down to it though, WR is a bigger need because frankly, WE HAVE NO ONE. At least at DT we have some guys with potential. At WR we have Smitty and.......... Jarrett as our #2.. yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhhhhh..

[rayzor]

i would absolutely love it if brian price miraculously dropped down to us. i could see us moving up to get him and then going WR-DE-WR in the next few rounds.

[ncbobcat]

As far as value goes, is there a huge differece between the WRs slated to go in the second and third rounds? I don't think so, but DT has more value in the second than the third, IMO.

In other words, apples to apples, I think the best DT left on the board at our selection in the second holds greater value than the top WR left at the same pick.

[mick eye]

I am trying to figure out what "starter" you guys are thinking will be there in the mid 2nd at DT. SUH, MCCOY, WILLIAMS, PRICE and ODRICK are going 1st round IMO. CODY and CAM THOMAS will be gotten by teams reaching for a NT. ( Bills and Chiefs) Really the only talent i see there to choose from is Tyson Alualu and Lamar Houston. Maybe a reach for Geno Atkins. At WR i could easily see Taylor Price, Demaryuis Thomas, Carlton Mitchell, Mardy Gilyard, Jordan Shipley, and Andre Roberts there when we pick. I don't see the value. In case all of you have not noticed with the rule changes that protect the QB and tie the hands of Cornerbacks the passing game is a bigger part of the game than ever. If you think Jarrett, Smith and whoever is left after 64 picks have been made with only 12 WR prospects with first three round value is good enough in today's NFL fine.

[rmoneyg35]

I would like to see us get Hollis Thomas back or a player that can play nose tackle. I have enough faith in our scouts and coaches that the current defensive tackles we have now will get the job done. Last year we played well without Kemo and Lewis was no big star in my eyes so I don't know why he thinks we need a starter at DT.

[rayzor]

we did pretty well with stop gap guys at DT/NT the last half of the season.

while i would like to have brian price i think we could do alright filling in with stop gap rotational guys.

they do so much scheme changes i don't see it as a huge priority to get a "starter". there will be plenty to choose from through the offseason. price would be more of a BPA acquisition.

[ncbobcat]

I would like to see us get Hollis Thomas back or a player that can play nose tackle. I have enough faith in our scouts and coaches that the current defensive tackles we have now will get the job done. Last year we played well without Kemo and Lewis was no big star in my eyes so I don't know why he thinks we need a starter at DT.

I'm not sure about "well", but they did the job adequately enough and the guy that plugged the massive leak in the dam...big Hollis as you mentioned, will not be back.

Without Peppers getting double teamed and Thomas plugging the "A" gaps, I'm not sure how "well" these guys will do.

[rayzor]

lol at peppers getting double teamed.

[ncbobcat]

I am trying to figure out what "starter" you guys are thinking will be there in the mid 2nd at DT. SUH, MCCOY, WILLIAMS, PRICE and ODRICK are going 1st round IMO. CODY and CAM THOMAS will be gotten by teams reaching for a NT. ( Bills and Chiefs) Really the only talent i see there to choose from is Tyson Alualu and Lamar Houston. Maybe a reach for Geno Atkins. At WR i could easily see Taylor Price, Demaryuis Thomas, Carlton Mitchell, Mardy Gilyard, Jordan Shipley, and Andre Roberts there when we pick. I don't see the value. In case all of you have not noticed with the rule changes that protect the QB and tie the hands of Cornerbacks the passing game is a bigger part of the game than ever. If you think Jarrett, Smith and whoever is left after 64 picks have been made with only 12 WR prospects with first three round value is good enough in today's NFL fine.

Exactly! If there is a run on DTs that's exactly why we have to get one in the second because by the third the pickings will be slim. On the other hand, I can't remember there being huge runs on WRs once the top dogs are off the board in the first. Some of those WRs will be there in the third. Shipley definitely will, IMO.