UDFA: John Clay, RB, Wisconsin, Panthers RB Coach: John Settle, Wisconsin.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Is it just me, or does anyone else think undrafted free agent, running back, John Clay out of Wisconsin would be a good fit here in Carolina?

Clay came into the season with weight issues and his inability to decrease his weight may have cost him a spot in the 2011 NFL Draft. However, one man's trash is another man's treasure, and while 31 teams will pass over Clay, I think the one that takes a chance on the Wisconsin superstar may get a real steal.

John Clay, the 6-1, 248 lb. bruiser back put up huge numbers at the University of Wisconsin (Mark Ingram type numbers, so to speak). In three seasons with the Badgers, Clay racked up 3,413 yards and 41 touchdowns on 629 carries (Clay averages 5.4 yards per carry) and maybe even more impressive is the fact that he has done all that without a single fumble. When it comes to hardcore, smash mouth, smack you in the face running, Clay is one of the best and he was taught well. After all, the Carolina Panthers new running back’s coach; John Settle was Clay’s coach for all three years at the University of Wisconsin. Settle made a work of art, if you will, in the way that he brought up Mr. Clay. John does not shy away from contact and he was one of the better blockers in NCAA this year. If Clay sets his mind to it, I think he could be a really good running back in the NFL for a long time and eventually take over as a starter.

To put things into perspective I will provide you with some of Clay’s statistics compared to the statistics of the running backs taken in this year’s draft.

1. Clay had one more touchdown and 137 more yards than Mark Ingram this year (Ingram and Clay both played 11 games).

2. Clay had one more touchdown than Shane Vereen this year (Vereen played one more game than Clay).

3. Clay had three more touchdowns than Roy Helu this year (Helu played in three more games than Clay).

4. Clay had five more touchdowns than Delone Carter this year (Carter played in two more games than Clay).

5. Clay had three more touchdowns than Bilal Powell this year (Powell played in two more games than Clay).

6. Clay had 252 more yards and seven more touchdowns than Jamie Harper (Harper played in two more games than Clay).

7. Clay had one more touchdown than Dion Lewis (Lewis played in one more game than Clay).

8. Clay had eight more touchdowns than Evan Royster (Royster played in two more games than Clay).

9. Clay had 218 more yards and nine more touchdowns than Allen Bradford (Clay and Bradford both played 11 games).

10. Clay had 304 more yards and nine more touchdowns than Da’Rel Scott (Scott played in two more games than Clay).

11. Clay had seven more touchdowns than Anthony Allen (Allen played in two more games than Clay).

12. Clay had two more touchdowns than Jay Finley (Finley played in two more games than Clay).

Note: He also out performed Shaun Chapas, Shane Bannon, and Baron Batch

Now I know we have four running backs on the roster right now in DeAngelo Williams (assuming he is re-signed), Jonathan Stewart, Mike Goodson, and Tyrell Sutton. Last year us fans found out that Mike Goodson can indeed play some football and real good football at that (when he hangs on to the ball), but Tyrell Sutton seems to be losing his place out on the field. The coaches did not give Sutton the time of day as they brought in Josh Vaughn after Williams and Stewart went down with their respective injuries. However, with the addition of Clay, the Panthers would not lose a beat because they would have in their own right their miniature Double Trouble Tandem with Clay taking on the bruiser role (Stewart) and Goodson playing the speed back (Williams). I think that if the Panthers added Clay they would, with no doubt in my mind, have the best group of running backs in the NFL.

I am officially endorsing John Clay to be signed by the Panthers as a UDFA when the lockout is over.

DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Goodson, and John Clay = WINNING!!!

What do you guy’s think?

Maybe this video will persuade some opinions.

(Sorry for the quality)

[Catalyst]

Bring him in. Low risk, high reward with all UDFAs.

[SuperLego5]

As long as he can play his part on ST's then I don't see what harm it will do having a look at him.

[Shermdog]

Chad Span is a UDFA RB I want us to grab. Clay has some really good stats but he doesnt seem to drop his shoulder and run over people in any of those clips which is what he would have to do to make up for his lack of speed in the NFL. JMHO.

[JawnyBlaze]

I fully agree with this endorsement. While Stewart (and to a lesser extent Deangelo) are tough guys to bring down, I wouldn't call either of them real bruisers. Clay would add an element we don't currently have. I like it. Sorry Sutton, he showed flashes, but he just doesn't do anything unique. With Clay, we actually have four different running backs with four different skill sets and running styles. That'd be a pretty good thing to have for different situations.

And as has already been said, if he doesn't work out it's no big deal.

[JawnyBlaze]

Watching that video, I gotta admit though, a large part of his success is the gaping holes his line gives him to run through.

[OchoNueve]

If he is that good then I trust out new RB coach would convince the staff to bring him in for a visit.

[chknwing]

Well, if they dont end the lockout soon, you can kiss any decent UDFA goodbye as they will goto the UFL.

[rayzor]

because we need another RB...

[MWCarolina]

Wouldnt mind Clay, but i think the Panthers should get Noel Devine over Clay so they can have a back that can catch passes and return punts/kicks.

[Lout]

He is a huge RB that acts like a finesse back... he tries to cut it back like an elusive. Something wrong here.

[jtnc]

No we're good, As long as Williams, Stewart, Sutton, and Goodson is on this team.

[rayzor]

so you guys would seriously go out and get ANOTHER RB to add to our corps of williams, stewart, goodson, sutton, and fiammetta?

we're going to be a pass heavy team now and we'll need a lot of receivers. gone are the days of only having 3 active WRs. count on having 4-5 active WRs and probably 6 on the roster. also, we'll need a couple TEs, 2-3? we still have depth problems on the Oline. we'll be going with probably 10 on the Oline so that brings us up to 19 not counting the QBs (which we'll probably have 3) and then the RBs.

we can't be RB hoarders anymore.

[Miaoww]

I really like John Clay. I can't believe he wasn't drafted, the guy produced on the field.