Panthers Eyeing Free Agent Tackles?

by Jaxon on Jan 23, 2008 1:51 PM EST in Panther News

The first thing I notice when I peruse this list of free agent tackles is the names Jordan Gross and Travelle Wharton. I think there is no question the Panthers will do everything to resign Gross. Wharton I'm not so sure about. Many pundits around the league think Wharton will be a hot commodity this off-season. That begs the questions then "Why would the Panthers be in pursuit of a (high-priced) tackle when all they need to do is resign the ones they already have?". It comes from the realization that the Panthers need a top tier left tackle to protect Jake’s blind side. We do not need another blind-side hit on Jake by John Abraham among others. Maybe I’m overreacting on Wharton. After all he had a good season in 2005 when the Panthers made it to the NFC Championship. The Panthers could very easily decide Wharton is their guy and give him the raise he is surely to get.

If not, the Panthers may go after one of the following players:

Flozell Adams – Adams should still have a couple good years in him which is just what the Panthers need. Adams will command a lot of money though so he may be out of reach. He is easily the best available this year.

Max Starks – Steelers – The Steelers were terrible in pass protection this season so I’m not sure Starks is an upgrade.

Sean Locklear – Seahawks – If the ‘hawks allow him to hit the free agent market expect a number of bidders. I think he would fit in nicely.

Nat Dorsey – Browns – (My homer pick) Dorsey is a former Yellow Jacket who was a great college player. All he needs is a chance to shine in the Pro’s.

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Another Mock Draft – Panthers select OT Ryan Clady – Boise St.

Here’s a mock draft scenario I love. It has the junior offensive tackle Ryan Clady dropping in the Panthers lap. If we lose Wharton then you can bet the Panthers wouldn’t hesitate to announce this guys’ name. I’m seeing him ranked the #2 tackle behind Jake Long. If he gets past the Bills at #11 we have a shot.

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the offseaon is underway

Wow! There is a lot of action already. We have a solid team, and with more efficient play, fewer injuries, and a couple new guys, the SUperbowl is waiting for us. With that said, what to do, what to do?

I think we really should trade down in the draft, and end up with a DT/LB, OT and safety in the first two rds. Clady looks good, but we could probably get Sam Baker or Gosder Cherilus later in the 1st, and then get a safety and DT/LB in the 2nd rd. I think we don't need to go after anymore offensive players in the draft. We should get an OT in the 1st rd, a safety and DT/LB in the 2nd. We should also get one more OT later in the draft. The key is going to be free agency. I don't think there is a single OT who is ready to come in and start as a rookie. If Wharton is gone, we need to bring in a veteran to at least play the first 8-12 games if the rookie isn't ready. Every year there is a Marcus McNeill, Tony Ugoh or Joe Thomas, but it's hard to tell from where I'm sitting who that guy is this year. Getting a DT and starting Lewis and Jenkins allows us to cut Kemo, or trade him for a 3-4th rd pick. The free agency market is going to be critical to all this, though. Justin Fargas and Julius Jones will be free agents. I would love to have Justin Fargas and D-Will, and trade Foster for a 4-5th rd pick to anyone. I would also like to trade that O-coordinator for Al Saunders since the Redskins are going to let him go for Jim Zorn. I would also like to let our D-coordinator go since the Redskins are looking to get rid of Gregg Williams. I would be interested to see if Warren Sapp would be a good D-line coach. Imagine Sapp coaching and motivating Peppers - unreal.

So picture this, we've got Jake and Smith healthy from training camp till February for the first time since 2005, Jarrett has another year of training camp and experience, D-Will is the starter and splitting carries with Fargas, sometimes lining up at WR or in the slot when Fargas is in the backfield, McGlover and Peppers starting at DE, with Al Saunders getting D-Will 25 TDs the way he did with Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes.

by usana_gaines on Jan 24, 2008 10:51 AM EST reply actions