Panthers.com Senior bowl article

[rmoneyg35]

link

I read the article about the senior bowl and prospects from NC and SC I think that there are some that I wouldn't mind having that could be picked up in later rounds.

ANTONIO ALLEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

Senior Bowl measurements: 6-1 1/2, 202

Current NFLDraftScout.com projection: Third round – No. 2 strong safety, No. 73 overall

It's a fact: Allen played the "Spur" for the Gamecocks, a fifth defensive back that plays much like a linebacker and takes on leadership responsibilities for the defense.

Allen says: "I don't think you can find anywhere on film where I miss tackles – that's one of my strengths. They want to see what I can do in space, so I've come out here and showed my capabilities."

With Safety being a big position that we need to upgrade why not get a guy who doesn't miss tackles? The only problem is that we don't have a third round pick so I don't know if we will take a risk and get him in the second or hope that he falls to the third. I would love for us to trade down but its not something that you can bank on happening.

Another Good prospect that I think could really help us is Dwight Jones

DWIGHT JONES, NORTH CAROLINA

Senior Bowl measurements: 6-3 1/8, 226

Current NFLDraftScout.com projection: Third round – No. 9 wide receiver, No. 74 overall

It's a fact: Led Cummings High School in Burlington, N.C., to state basketball championships in 2006 and 2007, totaling 47 points and 32 rebounds in the title games.

Jones says: "I just want to show that I can play football, that I'm a good route runner who knows how to get open. I also want to show that I'm coachable and that I love playing football."

I know people here say we need a WR and I agree. Why not get a good WR with a late pick instead of our 1st or 2nd round pick? UNC receivers have done well in the NFL the last couple of seasons and I think that it can continue. The guy is 6'3 and can run routes well so worse case scenario is that he ends up being our #2 or 3 WR. I say get him.

[L-TownCat]

I like the Allen pick. Also I'm intrigued by Jones though I've said all season that he just looks slow and good route runners are sometimes victimized by the nfl jam at the line. Jones never really used his size as an advantage at unc. He mostly relied on his athleticism in most cases. That will not translate well in the pros. His comments that he is coachable are important because he needs coaching. He's no hakeem nicks. To me he's a poor man's alshon jeffreys.

[JawnyBlaze]

Jones will probably be a 2nd round pick, I don't really want to spend a pick on a WR on one of the first two days unless it's Blackmon.

[Ricky Spanish]

i like the sound of the safety kid, if it's actually true that he doesn't miss tackles that is.

[JSouth]

Jones will be a steal in the 2nd round much less the 3Rd. 4.53 40 time and good hands to go along with his size, he will make whoever drafts him happy.

[uscgamecocks]

i like the sound of the safety kid, if it's actually true that he doesn't miss tackles that is.

I can't really remember him missing a tackle in college. Maybe Cam eluded Allen's grasp once or twice but that's not too surprising.

I've seen Allen play quite a bit. Great instincts near the LOS, uncanny ability to be around the ball and make a play. Allen is a very good tackler and excelled at shutting down opposing teams' tight ends.

Case in point -- stats recorded vs. USC -- 2 of the top 3 TEs in this year's draft:

Orson Charles (2011 vs. USC) -- 0 receptions

Orson Charles (2010 @ USC) -- 2 receptions, 17 yards

Dwayne Allen (2011 @ USC) -- 1 reception, 9 yards, TD

Dwayne Allen (2010 vs. USC) -- 0 receptions

My only concern about Carolina drafting Allen is where we would play him.

He has played brilliantly for USC at the "spur" position which, as outlined above, is really a safety playing in the will spot (with more coverage duties). Allen can't play at LB in the pros, he's not big enough (for reference, Thomas Davis played at 240lbs last season).

Moving Allen to a true safety spot seems to be the only option. I'm not sure I like him at FS -- while he displayed great coverage skills for a S/LB covering slot receivers and TEs, I'm not sure how he would fare in a center field, ball hawk type coverage role vs. speedier receivers.

Seems like he would fit best as a SS. His size compares favorably to other SS in the league (Polamalu is 5'10" 209lbs, Godfrey is 5'11" 205lbs). But the Panthers already have Godfrey at SS. If the Panthers draft Allen (likely in the 2nd round, I've seen his as the #2 SS on many draft sites) then my guess is that the plan would be to move Godfrey to FS (which honestly seems more natural than SS for him in my mind) and let Allen play SS.

As a gamecock fan I'd love the move -- but I'm obviously biased. He would certainly tackle MUCH better than Martin. I like that the Panthers are at least scouting him -- he's a really good player who has never gotten in trouble and steadily improved during his college years. Our worst defensive game of the season during 2011 came during the Arkansas game which he missed (neck stinger if I recall correctly).

Just for fun:

Antonio Allen, 2011 stats

3 INTs (1TD)

4 Fumbles forced

2 Fumble Returns (1TD)

88 tackles (led team)

9.5 TFL (1 sack)

[Jackofalltrades]

Jones = poor man's A Jeffrey.

[TylerVagyler]

Jones looked awful all week at the Senior Bowl

[rmoneyg35]

maybe I'm wrong about Jones. I am honestly not a UNC fan so please don't think I am some UNC HOMER. I honestly remember seeing him as a top pick last year and I noticed how just about all UNC WRs have done well in the NFL such as Tate, Nicks, Little.

[killacam]

I am a Gamecock fan too, but I also think it's interesting that Allen ran the third fastest forty on the team. The two that beat him were track athletes that played football as well. His forty was faster than Stephon Gilmore who projects as late first early second as a corner.

[VIP]

cant believe Brian Quick from App has turned himself into a 2nd rd prospect...

hes a freak 6'5 huge vert guy who can go up and catch a deep jumpball with the best of them but hes not that great at anything else and he's not especially fast. I was hopin we'd take a look at him in like the 6th round..lol guess not