Bolstering defense; stacking the running game (aka MY review)

[frash.exe]

It's totally obvious what the Panthers set out to make stronger during the draft. With the first three picks on defense, it's clear they felt the same way we did going into it. A hell of a lot of fan mocks on here had CB, DE, DT in some order or another as the first three picks. Comments...

Everette Brown: For those that say Brown is "undersized" take a look at guys like Umenyiora, Robert Mathis, or John Abraham. The 4-3 defense is more and more utilizing guys which are smaller but faster at end. QBs don't sit in the pocket like statues anymore, what was once a rarity in the NFL has become commonplace, where QBs have improved mobility overall. Everette could easily get up in the 260-265 range and he could very well be that size going into training camp, what with weight training and all. Don't forget Meeks as a factor here. Remember he took a guy who was 6'2'' 245 lbs and created a player who can accumulate double digit sacks in a season.

Sherrod Martin: I've seen him described as "physical" and "aggressive". The latter is IMO a desired trait in a DB playing in a zone defense. Martin will be the nickel cornerback to cover slot receivers. And hey, maybe long term, this guy might be a starter for us. You never know. Meeks churned out DB production like popcorn in a fuging pop-secret manufacturing plant.

Corvey Irvin: DT was a crucial need for us in the draft, and while Irvin's not turning heads anywhere around here he does serve a purpose and hopefully can help us where we need help the most (besides QB haha )

Mike Goodson: Situational/change of pace RB, return man, WR? I remember we split out Nick Goings wide against the Bengals in '06 and Delhomme found him WIDE open in the endzone for a 20 yd touchdown. No doubt we confused the Bengals D with that one (though that's not saying a whole lot considering it is the Bengals D) but Goodson has the potential to be a perfect utility player. Kind of like a poor man's Reggie Bush, and seeing as how he plays in our division, Fox knows how much he's had to account for the guy (and, I admit, he's done a pretty good job of keeping him in check), but though Bush is not the best PURE running back, he does get plenty of licks in as a returner and a WR. My only concern is his injury history. He's gotten banged up a whole lot in school.

Tony Fiammetta: This was my one specific pick that actually turned out to be real. This is our fullback of the future and a perfect example of talent replenishment. Hoover's 33, and helped us a great deal over his career but Tony's a better prospect out of college than he was and has the potential to be a better pro.

Duke Robinson: One of those picks that, well, you just knew was coming. A steal of the draft, I saw a lot of people mocking this guy to the Steelers in the first round. Robinson has tremendous talent but we'll have to keep this guy from steering away and running into poo with the law and whatever the hell else.

Captain Munnerlyn: From what I was able to transcribe from Hurney's text during the PC (which isn't easy) they probably planned on taking this guy with their original pick in the sixth. ...then they got a phone call from Oakland who wanted to trade up to get a TE that would've gone undrafted. One of the "home favorites" on this board and I suspect a lot of USC fans started running around the couch and pumping their fists like a guido on ecstacy in a nightclub in Clifton with that pick. In the 7th round there's little drafting for "need" and a lot of teams look for guys that are fits in their system. They say Captain can come up in run support, which generally has been a desired trait here.

[dham278]

Anytime you put a guido reference and the name Captain Munnerlyn in the same sentence, it's a solid post.

[Squirrel]

Nice write up. Was hearing today the main reason Brown fail was because most of the team in front of where we traded up run a 3-4 defense and Brown didnt fit into that scheme. Overall we had a nice draft except for giving up next years #1.

[R0CKnR0LLA]

I'm hoping Munnerlyn makes the team. Then we can start a thing that everytime he makes a play you do a shot of captain morgan. Just what I need... an excuse to drink more

[Snake]

We got a Pass rush DE and a one gap DT that we needed. Im still not sold on Martin and think he will have competition with CJ Wilson this Training camp.

[CatMan72]

Nice writeup!

The major concern with Everette Brown is whether or not he can hold up against run blocking and set the edge. I can see a situation where we rotate him in on passing downs.

I think we stole Duke Robinson in the late rounds and I think we made a really nice pickup of Gerald Cadogan as undrafted FA. Cadogan was projected by some to go in the 3rd or 4th round.

[Urrymonster]

Nice write up. Was hearing today the main reason Brown fail was because most of the team in front of where we traded up run a 3-4 defense and Brown didnt fit into that scheme. Overall we had a nice draft except for giving up next years #1.

Ah but we didn't have a first round this year and had a pretty darn good draft

Do not think of it as what we gave up, look at it as simply this years draft. Chances are we will either get compensation for Pep, or trade the following first to do some work with so what we have going into next year is undertermined.

[dexterpyro]

I'm hoping Munnerlyn makes the team. Then we can start a thing that everytime he makes a play you do a shot of captain morgan. Just what I need... an excuse to drink more

I was thinking the same thing