PFW Draft 2011 Carolina Panthers Team Profile

[Icege]

Was in the grocery store tonight and stopped across the magazine rack. I picked up the first three I saw and looked under team needs, then quickly discarded one that listed DE over DT as a position of need and another that said WR was the #2 need (with QB #3).

Ends up the one that I kept was PFW :lol:

Anyways, without quoting the entire page, here are the juicy bits!.

Team Needs

1. DT -They went with a group of serviceable backups at this position during the season, and the only contributor from the DT rotation under contract for 2011 is undrafted rookie Andre Neblett. Carolina will be in the market for a disruptive run stuffer who can also help rush the passer from the interior. There will be plenty of roster turnover at this position for a second straight offseason.

2. QB - Second-round pick Jimmy Clausen's status heading into the offseason is murky following a poor rookie season. Clausen, who led the Panthers to a 1-9 record as a starter, threw three touchdowns and nine interceptions, and Rivera said at his introductory press conference that evaluating the situation at quarterback is one of his top priorities. It's possible that the Panthers will decide to give Clausen another chance, but they aren't certain that he's the long-term answer, and the only other quarterback under contract for next year is 2010 sixth-round pick Tony Pike.

3. CB - While CB Chris Gamble fell out of favor with Fox last season, he's still one of the Panthers' better defenders and should get a fresh start under Rivera. It appears that they will have to replace starting CB Richard Marshall, who has told reporters that he doesn't expect to be back in 2011. Carolina has some decent role players at the position, but no one who wouldn't be a significant drop-off from what Marshall offered.

4. OLB - Carolina has decisions to make on OLBs James Anderson and Thomas Davis, who are both due to hit unrestricted free agency. Davis has torn the same ACL twice since the middle of the 2009 season, but was playing well before his injuries. Anderson led the team in tackles and was tied for second in sacks in '10. Dan Connor, who landed on injured reserve with a fractured hip bone, might replace Anderson on the strong side if Anderson is not re-signed, but there could be holes to fill lower on the depth chart.

5. TE - They have primarily used a tandem of Jeff King and Dante Rosario at tight end for the last few years, but they are both due to become free agents, and Rivera hinted that they could use a more complete player at the position. Tight ends weren't very involved as receivers in Fox's offense, but that could change under Rivera. Having a sure-handed safety valve at tight end would help whoever plays quarterback in 2011.

Draft Rewind

Jimmy Clausen - Future with team uncertain after rough debut.

Brandon LaFell - Solidly productive considering bad situation at QB.

Armanti Edwards - Didn't see field much during difficult transition from QB.

Eric Norwood - Versatile; could carve niche at SLB or DE.

Greg Hardy - Could have bright future as pass-rush specialist.

David Gettis - Great speed but needs more consistent hands.

Jordan Pugh - Can play corner or safety and helps on special teams.

Tony Pike - Will try to hang on as No. 3 QB; coming off injury.

R.J. Stanford - Spent almost entire season on practice squad.

Robert McClain - Will be utilized as a backup, special-teamer.

[KillerKat]

I agree with everything except id add OL at #4 and OLB #5

[Jackofalltrades]

Agree with PFW and KK,

[OchoNueve]

I would have to say WR belongs on that list around #4. I know many of us are high off of the youngsters Lafell and Gettis, and hopeful of Armanti, but the fact is that they are all unproven and could easily be no better than Keary Colbert was a few years ago.

Steve Smith still has a few seasons left but we need a sure thing opposite side of him to make the passing game more than 1-dimensional

[Icege]

I could definitely see WR being argued as a top 5 position of need, so long as it was at best #4 on the list. #2 over QB though? >.>

[Ricky Spanish]

I would have to say WR belongs on that list around #4. I know many of us are high off of the youngsters Lafell and Gettis, and hopeful of Armanti, but the fact is that they are all unproven and could easily be no better than Keary Colbert was a few years ago.

Steve Smith still has a few seasons left but we need a sure thing opposite side of him to make the passing game more than 1-dimensional

...

hater...

jkjkjk

[jramsey4]

I would go QB, DT, CB, ROL (both G and depth at T), WR, then OLB.

[blackcatgrowl]

DT is not our #1 need. If Andrew Luck had declared, they would correctly have QB as our #1 need. PFW hates Cam Newton... I don't know why you people keep slathering their posts all over this forum.

[countryboi]

OLB? its like he got to number 4 and started guessing

[Icege]

DT is not our #1 need. If Andrew Luck had declared, they would correctly have QB as our #1 need. PFW hates Cam Newton... I don't know why you people keep slathering their posts all over this forum.

Absolutely nothing I quoted from the PFW review said anything about Cam. They were critical about what a lot of people here have been critical about in regards to drafting him.

QB would have been #1 need simply because that would be what they took. It's purely logical that Andrew Luck would have been the #1 pick, therefore making QB the primary position being addressed. This year, there is uncertainty whether or not people identifying with Cam (which can be the only explanation for how personal they're taking every insignificant thing) want to acknowledge it.

We had what was the equivalent of our 2008-2009 5th & 6th string DTs as the 1st & 2nd string. That is how much of goatse there is in the middle of the dline. That is a position of need whether or not Cam supporters want to admit it. In fact, those whom aren't in favor of Cam Newton have expressed that QB is still a position to be upgraded, but there just isn't enough out there to merit #1 like Luck did.

tldr; Please don't take offense to what isn't there.