In-depth Off-season + New-Look-Team Mock

[Ruff]

Ruff’s New-Look-Team Mock

In an earlier thread, I brought up the question of how our defense would look, and how our draft needs would change, if we were to get a head coach/coaching staff that favors the 34 over the 43. Again, this is based off of the fact that we would be switching schemes, so keep that in mind.

New GM: Tom Gamble – Director of Player Personnel, San Francisco 49ers

After the Hurney reign, we really need someone to come in who has been a part of all aspects of the front office positions. We need someone who has scouted, who has negotiated contracts, who has been involved in trades. We really need a well-rounded GM. We need Tom Gamble.

Gamble has some familiarity with the Carolina Panthers (being a scout here under Bill Polian) which I really think gives him the edge in the GM race. Sure, Marc Ross seems like a good candidate, but he has done nowhere near the sheer amount of work that Tom Gamble has done.

New Head Coach: Wade Phillips – Defensive Coordinator, Houston Texans

Wade Phillips, whaaaaaaaaat? Yes, Wade Phillips. After seeing how the league is becoming, and watching how defenses are falling by the wayside, it’s easy to forget about defensive coordinators. But, then you see Wade Phillips’ defense play, and it shows you again how awesome a defense could actually be. With a career winning record, Phillips has been an above-average coach everywhere he’s been including Buffalo, where no one has won in years, and in Dallas, putting up with Jerry Jones.

Sure, people will point to his career playoff record, but with this team, Wade will have something that he’s never had before. A true franchise QB. With Cam Newton on offense and Luke Kuechly on defense, Wade has the beginnings of a great, great team.

New OC: John Benton – Offensive Line Coach, Houston Texans

John Benton has been the offensive line coach under Gary Kubiak for the entire length of Kubiak’s stay in Houston. The offense would immediately change from a shotgun-based, zone-read offense (with some sort of Air Coryell in there somewhere) to a stretch run offense utilizing Cam’s mobility on bootlegs and play-action passes, while also pushing out a huge running game. Jonathon Stewart, or any other running back in the backfield, will immediately benefit from the incredible style of the offense.

New DC: Reggie Herring – Linebackers Coach, Houston Texans

Why so many Texans’ coaches? Well, one, the Houston Texans have become a winning franchise over the past few years, and a team that is drafting well and developing talent well. Also, because new coaches bring in their guys, guys they know and trust. If anyone can be said to be Wade Phillips’ “guy”, it’s definitely Reggie Herring.

Herring has been with Phillips since they were both on the Cowboys’ staff together, with Herring following Wade to Houston after Phillips was fired from Dallas. Herring has developed talent such as Connor Barwin, Brian Cushing, Brooks Reed, was instrumental in switching Mario Williams from DE to OLB, and also helped coach DeMarcus Ware up. He even took over for Wade’s playcalling when Wade left the team last season for surgery.

Free Agent Signings

Bradie James, ILB – Houston Texans

Bradie is a player that has followed Wade Phillips for years, knowing the system well. He’s a true veteran, could spell the inside linebackers that we would have now, and could help transition the team to the current system.

Josh Cribbs, WR – Cleveland Browns

Josh Cribbs has been fiending to leave Cleveland for quite some time. He’s been demoted to a lesser role, with the emergence of Greg Little and the other young receivers for the Browns. Couple that with the fact that there could be a new offensive scheme in Cleveland, I’m sure Cribbs comes out. With the allure to play with Cam and our need for special teams and receiving help, it seems like a nice fit for all parties involved.

Jairus Byrd, FS – Buffalo Bills

I know there’s a collection of people who don’t think we could afford Jairus Byrd, but, as all people who play (or have played) in the NFL have said, a contract isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. If you look over my projected depth chart at the bottom, you’ll notice a few names missing. With those missing, I think we can clear up some space to sign a big time free agent, along with the lower-priced free agents above.

Being one of Jonathon Stewart’s best friends, I believe that Stewart can talk Byrd into coming to Carolina. He plays at a position of huge need, fitting well into a 34 that he was drafted into. He can ball-hawk like few other safeties out there, being able to pick off some of the best QBs in the NFL. Byrd is a nice fit for the Panthers.

AND NOW THE DRAFT PICKS!!!

1^st Round: Chance Warmack, OG – Alabama

Some people will see this pick and will question what I was thinking. Yes, I’m absolutely aware that Luke Joeckel is the absolute best lineman in this draft, and probably the best lineman prospect in years. But, with our schedule here at the end of the season, I believe that we won’t be in a position to take Joeckel. With that being said, we look elsewhere for much needed offensive line help. If we can’t get the best tackle in the draft, we can definitely get the best guard prospect in years.

It’s hard to say any one is a sure thing when it comes to the Draft, but Chance Warmack is a guy who definitely brings the words to mind. He’s huge, but not fat. He’s strong, but he doesn’t rely on just that. He’s played in a pro style system. He can move in open space, he can pass block. Chance Warmack can pretty much do it all, and does it at an extremely high level.

Warmack can immediately come in and start, even though I think that he needs to play on the right side in the NFL, because that’s where your team’s best run blockers should be. With a stretch run system, he will be relied on heavily to open up holes either with Kalil or with Bell. Warmack is a fantastic, ten-year-All-Pro type player.

2^nd Round: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE/OLB – Texas

Jackson Jeffcoat could end up being the next Ryan Kerrigan-esque player. He’s tall, lean, can play with his hand in the dirt, can rush the passer from the stand-up outside linebacker position, and can even drop back in coverage from either position. He’s versatile, he comes from a powerhouse school, and he’s played against the best of the best (Luke Joeckel) many times.

There is some concern about his ruptured pectoral muscle, but, by the time the Combine comes around, Jeffcoat should be ready to go. If not, his draft position will be based upon his success through-out his school career, meaning he could drop back a little further (into the early 3^rd). But, in the early 2^nd, Jeffcoat is an absolute awesome pick.

4^th Round: Joseph Fauria, TE – UCLA

If you’re wondering why we would use a pick on a TE, you obviously haven’t ever seen the way the stretch run offense works. It requires a nimble, blocking TE who can both run block down on linebackers, as well as someone who can sneak through the middle of the defense and catch passes sure-handedly.

Greg Olsen is not that type of TE. Joseph Fauria, however, is. With an NFL pedigree, great hands, awesome run blocking ability, and big game performances, Joseph Fauria would be the perfect fit in a system that has made Owen Daniels (when healthy) look like a Pro Bowler. I think that Fauria could be another Daniels type TE.

5^th Round: Johnny Adams, CB – Michigan State

Johnny Adams is an interesting prospect. He has all of the upside you could hope for in a draft pick, it just has never really come together like it should have. He’s physical, even though he’s small. He can play ball-hawk, even though he’s not the fastest guy out there. Most importantly, he could be a huge addition to our special teams.

The one plus to Johnny Adams is that he’s an incredible zone defender. He has the speed to make up lost ground and he can hit hard enough to separate the receiver from the ball. Will Johnny start immediately? No, he won’t. He’ll need a year or so to get accustom to the NFL and a true NFL scheme, but in the end, Johnny Adams could be a steal this late in the draft.

6^th Round: John Wetzel, OT – Boston College

Alex Wetzel is one of the only pieces of Boston College that looks worth anything. Even during their poor season, John Wetzel really shone. He was originally a back-up, then moved to LT and played 12 games, then was moved to RT this season, showing that he has the versatility to play either side. In this case, however, he will primarily be used as a back-up to Jordan Gross while Gross finishes out his career.

After a season or so, Wetzel will know how to play the LT position at this level and play it well, especially under the tutelage of a guy like John Benton as OC.

7^th Round (Compensatory pick for D. Connor): Bruce Taylor, ILB – Virginia Tech

Bruce Taylor is a guy who should be drafted way, way higher than the 7^th round. However, a serious injury to his right foot has took him out of the season this year and will probably make him miss through the Combine and into OTAs next season, if not into Training Camp.

If the injury heals properly, however, Bruce Taylor is worth the wait. He’s quick, he can make tackles, he can play special teams, and he play both zone and man. I think it’s appropriate to take Bruce Taylor, let him sit for a year and learn, while under the wing of a former Virginia Tech linebacker, James Anderson.

Undrafted Free Agent Signings

Casey Barth, K – UNC

Yay, a kicker!

Mike James, RB – Miami

Another running back, this time picked up in free agency, to help spell Jonathon Stewart.

Jordan Rodgers, QB – Vanderbilt

I believe that Clausen will finally be let go, so we turn to an undrafted rookie to fill in for that 3^rd QB/inactive spot. What better QB than Aaron Rodgers’ little brother?

Projected Starting Line-Up

QB: Cam Newton/Derek Anderson/Jordan Rodgers[udr]

RB: Jonathon Stewart/Tauren Poole/Mike James[udr]

FB: Richie Brockel

WR: Steve Smith

WR: Brandon LaFell

WR: Josh Cribbs*

WR/TE: Greg Olsen

WR: Joe Adams

TE: Joseph Fauria[r]/Ben Hartsock

LT: Jordan Gross/John Wetzel[r]

LG: Amini Silatolu/Jeremy Bridges

C: Ryan Kalil/Thomas Austin

RG: Chance Warmack[r]/Jeremy Bridges

RT: Byron Bell/Bruce Campbell

DE: Greg Hardy/Antwan Applewhite

NT: Sione Fua/Frank Kearse

DE: Charles Johnson/Dwan Edwards

OLB: Thomas Keiser/Thomas Davis

ILB: James Anderson/Bruce Taylor[r]

ILB: Luke Kuechly/Bradie James*

OLB: Jackson Jeffcoat[r]/Thomas Davis

CB: Josh Norman/Josh Thomas/Sherrod Martin

NB: Captain Munnerlyn

SS: Charles Godfrey

FS: Jairus Byrd*/Sherrod Martin

CB: Josh Thomas/Johnny Adams[r]/Sherrod Martin

K: Casey Barth[udr]

P: Brad Nortman

KR: Josh Cribbs*

PR: Joe Adams

LS: JJ Jansen

[r] – Rookie

[udr] – Undrafted Rookie

* - Free Agent Signing

[Panthercougar68]

I will hurt everything in this world that is cute if Fua is our starting NT.

[Actionman0z]

You lost me at Wade Phillips. lol

[Jackofalltrades]

Not drafting or signing a DT is a HUGE mistake.

Fua is garbage and I really think he's here so RR doesn't have to hear about both 3rd rounders getting cut. He's worthless AND you have the chance to grab one of several promising young DT's in the draft, or someone like Henry Melton in FA. OG isn't a position I would draft, possibly ever, in the top 15. Even if Jockel is off the board, the OT from Michigan looks pretty damn good and they have a rep for putting out some damn good OL. Even such, I think the interior of our OL is, by far, the most problematic.

As far as Cribbs goes, I'd much rather go with someone younger. If we were like Atl and in a win now mode, trying to beat a closing window then I'd be thrilled with it, but I want a replacement for Steve Smith and Cribbs is a little long in the tooth for such a role.

[Ken]

1. Just to echo the previous comments, Fua as our NT is a DISASTER, not 2 ways about it.

2. Not too upset about Wade but I just think he's a better DC than HC. Like the assistants too.

3. Like Gamble as our GM.

4. Cribbs isn't much more that KR.. rarely wins 1 on 1

5. Love Byrd

Like most of the picks and though I know everything can't be fixed in one season, I just don't like the entirety of this roster and I don't see this roster finishing higher than the Bucs...

Props for the write up.

[Ruff]

The lack of a NT is something I thought about after making this draft, but, when I was done with the picks and looking at the projected depth chart, I really didn't think it was as big of a need as needed. Is Fua terrible? Maybe, he seems pretty bad. But, he's a true 34 NT, and hasn't been given a chance to play in that position. In a 34, we need a guy who basically can just eat up space, and he definitely could do just that. Defenses would be so worried about the capabilities of Jeffcoat rushing off the edges, along with the Davis or Keiser, and the middle could open up.

I don't understand the hatred of Wade Phillips. The guy has an awesome winning record in the regular season, has won everywhere he has gone, and has made his defenses into shutdown defenses. There is a misconception that Wade Phillips is a failure, and I don't necessarily think that's the case. Given the situation here, with Cam, a decent defensive line, a very good linebacking corps, etc, he could really put together a strong defense and a strong contender. Brees, Ryan, and Freeman would sure as hell hate to have Wade Phillips in the NFC South.

I agree that Cribbs isn't much more than a KR at this point in his career, that's why I have him in the 3rd receiver slot. But, he definitely helps on special teams, and when I look at the Free Agent receivers list, I don't see a receiver that would be a) worth his salt or B) would actually leave the team he's at. Cribbs is the only guy I think would actually, and could actually, be lured to leave and to play here. I didn't want to go the route of drafting a receiver, because in this draft (switching to a 34) it would be hard to fill those spots as well as fill the needs on defense.

I'm definitely going to go back to the drawing board, though.

[panthersphan]

Stopped reading at wade phillips

[Ruff]

:(

[carolina-chuck]

Carolina Texans?

Warmack, an OG in the 1st? Insane.

Bradie James? No

Jeffcoat may actually find a way to end up in the 2nd.

Your idea of switching to a 34 D just went from good to $hit with not addressing a NT. Warmack over Star, Hankins or Jenkins? Really. If you really wanted to switch to a 34.

[Bj-Monster23]

Carolina Texans?

Warmack, an OG in the 1st? Insane.

Bradie James? No

Jeffcoat may actually find a way to end up in the 2nd.

Your idea of switching to a 34 D just went from good to $hit with not addressing a NT. Warmack over Star, Hankins or Jenkins? Really. If you really wanted to switch to a 34.

Completely agree with this.