A different look at needs

[MHS831]

1. Safety. Both of them. Martin was pathetic and Godfrey not far behind. Godfrey is due $5 million if not cut. S makes the CBs better. Look for the Panthers to shop for S. The top FS should be available in the second round.

2. Offensive Tackle. If Otah comes back healthy and ready to play, then we only need to think about LT. However, due to Gross's age, he has slipped some--still solid. Otah's work ethic is questioned by coaches at times, even though they say he is on track. Can we go into the season with a 33 year old LT and a RT who has played 4 games in 2 seasons?

3. Outside Linebacker. Like Otah, we cannot bank on Thomas Davis returning. Besides, we need to restructure his contract first. We were literally killed by teams going at Senn. Good special teamer, not a starter. We should draft 2 LBs, the first being WLB. Fortunately for us, there seems to be some talent at 4-3 WLB projected for the fourth round.

4. Defensive Tackle. We need run stuffers, but we also need a pocket collapsing rusher. I think we got better at run stuffing toward the end of the year. Since I expect 4 players to improve (Fua, McClain, Shirley, and Kearse) and we have Neblett and Edwards, maybe all we need is a free agent. I do not see another rookie doing anything to help. We need a guy who can play while our youth develops, not a youth to develop while the youth develops.

5. Kicker. Mare is 38 and rumor has it, will be 39 next season. He will not improve.

6. Punter. Baker was not good. Making too much $ for "not good"

7. Wide Receiver. But we have Lafell, Gettis, and Smith. Here is why. Smith will hit the wall in a year or two. WRs take a year or two to develop. If a top WR falls to us at #8, I wonder what we would do? Even if Smitty is still effective, another threat would take away double teams. If Blackmon falls to us at #9 and Kirkpatrick is on the board, we take Blackmon. Imagine Blackmon, Smith, Lafell, and Gettis. However, I doubt he falls. No other WR in the first round is worth the pick.

8. Offensive Guard. If Bell moves inside when Otah comes back and Schwartz comes back strong, it could be we are fine.

9. Defensive End. Charles Johnson is solid and effective, but he would be more effective with a number 2 DE who was getting after the passer. 4-3 DEs are like salt and pepper shakers-you need 2 or they are worthless. You can simple double one side and problem is done.

10. Middle LB. Gaither is a good, versatile LB, but we need a MLB to run the second D at practice, to know the position. Beason needs a Connor behind him.

[jackal]

Charles Johnson is effective, but for all the coin he makes he needs to be a lot more than that. The GM has thrown around a lot of money locking up guys who shouldnt be locked up. One thing is certain, to win in the division you need to score more than 26 points a game. A stud WR is a must. A guy like that will do more for the Panthers than the best defensive player on the board. I say trade down a few spots to try to get that 3rd round pick back and draft Michael Floyd. To me he is a taller version of Steve Smith. He will be a red zone maniac. He breaks tackles like crazy and will fight for the ball. With a QB like Cam who throws the ball a bit high, you need a guy with size who will go up and get it. The defense really is so bad the only thing that might help is a match. I think the GM should be on the hot seat.

[Jackofalltrades]

I've never heard Otah's work ethic questioned by anyone within the organization. Gross is still a very good LT and that's a position where longevity isn't really an issue.

Mare can, in fact, get better. People have down years and while I'm disappointed in Mare I'm not naive enough to think he can't improve. Same with Baker, who had a rag tag group of back ups deciding his avg.

People are obsessed with moving T's inside to play G. It's not that easy, this isn't Madden. It takes a different skillset to play inside. I'm perfectly happy with Wharton, Schwartz, Hangartner and whomever else at G.

Hardy was a more effective pass rusher this season than Johnson, he just didn't have sacks to show for it. Keiser also played well and I do expect Norwood to be replaced.

I agree with some of what you said, just bothered by the explanation and/or reasoning.

[frash.exe]

first of all, Gross will be 32 by next season, not 33, and who said that it was old for a tackle? Jon Runyan, Flozell Adams, Walter Jones, all franchise tackles, started into their mid 30s. Matt Light is 33 and is still starting for New England. I think OT is a need to address in the coming years, but not this year. While I don't trust Otah enough to think he can start 16 games next season (i don't even trust him to start 12 right now) we can't just keep shelling out our first round picks on the same positions. There are other areas that need to be addressed with talent. The defense needs a lot of help, if we're going to have a shot at beating these high scoring teams we'll need to keep the points down to like the 30s at least, and this defense has let high powered offenses march down the field at will too many times this season to not think it's a cry for help in the form of a talent infusion.

[chknwing]

7. Wide Receiver. But we have Lafell, Gettis, and Smith. Here is why. Smith will hit the wall in a year or two. WRs take a year or two to develop. If a top WR falls to us at #8, I wonder what we would do? Even if Smitty is still effective, another threat would take away double teams. If Blackmon falls to us at #9 and Kirkpatrick is on the board, we take Blackmon. Imagine Blackmon, Smith, Lafell, and Gettis. However, I doubt he falls. No other WR in the first round is worth the pick.

Sooo, do we have the 8th or 9th pick?

[unicar15]

I think Coples is more in play than people realize. I don't love the guy because I think that he was a slacker this year but you can't deny his ability. Mario Williams had the same wrap coming out of NC State (that he was underproductive) and he has turned out great. We need more of a pass rush and the Giants model of drafting a stockpile of talented DEs and pass rushers is working so IMO Coples could be the guy at #9.

I don't see Godfrey or Martin going anywhere this year. Its difficult to play safety when you have to come up an extra 7-8 yards before the snap because the DL and LBs aren't going to stop the run. Get that problem fixed and get some pressure on the QB and I think you see the DB problem fixed.

He is 6'6'' 285 which is the size of Mario. He could probably play DT with Johnson and Hardy in there on certain down and distance. If you motivate him he becomes great.

[Bj-Monster23]

The way I look at it is like this. If the defensive player that they target isn't there when we pick they go OT in the first round.

[SOJA]

Godfrey has improved tremendously, plus he just got a new deal

[Devoid]

Good read and felt like adding my thoughts.

1. Godfrey is good and will stay. Martin should be cut, but will stay and competion will be brought in though FA and/or draft.

2. Otah will get one more year. He was placed on IR because he was not fully recovered since there was no offseason. Gross has 3-6 years left more or less if he moves to RT then more, but I will agree if Kalil falls then take him if not then Blackmon, Claiborne, Kirkpatrick, and Coples are gone then take one of the other 2 OTs. Also Bell is enough of a stop gap to keep the OT need low.

3. Ageed and best of luck to TD.

4. Fua, McClain, Neblett, and Edwards will be starters/rotation and Shirley and Kearse inactive. There is no room for another DT barring an injury or competion to be cut. I could also see Neblett and Edwards as the starters.

5. and 6. Agreed although I can see Mara getting another year because he is a 3 mil cap hit no matter what. Here is to Adi Kunalic having a great off season to justify cutting Mara.

7. Agreed Blackmon if he falls would be to good to pass up. Also I would add re-sign Shockey.

8. Not sure about Bell playing guard. Also not sure if Schwartz is the answer. I consider it to be a need. Hanganter needs to be kept as a versatile backup.

9. Agreed. DE should be drafted later in the draft.

10. LB's are great for special teams and is why we almost always draft one needed or not.

11. Should also add CB it is a major need unless Hogan is the answer. Not sure, but drafting Kirkpatrick could solve both CB and FS. Most people think due to his size Kirkpatrick would make a better FS and Hogan would rock as a FS.

[DoWorkBson]

Why would you want to move probably the second best corner on this team (sad I know) to safety? You need more then 2 servicable corners on a team.

Also the fact that op didnt even list corner but about every other position on the team is laughable.