Panthers Sign DT Ian Scott

Scott, 26, has good size as well at 6-6 and 302 pounds. He played in 49 games with 33 starts with the Chicago Bears from 2003 to 2006. He was signed as an unrestricted free agent by Philadelphia last year, but was placed on injured reserve before the start of the season with a knee injury. A fourth-round draft pick in 2003, Scott had 155 tackles, two sacks, and one interception with the Bears. "Ian's a guy we have always liked," Hurney said. "We had been talking (with his agent) for some time."

This guy was injured most of last season so don't get your hopes up too much.

==========

Kiper Gives the Panthers a B Grade

I give Kiper props for being the only mock out there that I saw that correctly picked Jonathan Stewart going to the Panthers. Here’s what he had to say of the Panthers draft.

ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. says he would have given the Carolina Panthers an "A" grade for their picks last weekend if they hadn't given up a 2009 first round pick to acquire Pittsburgh offensive tackle Jeff Otah with the 19th selection this year. So he gave them a "B" instead.

Kiper has this to say about our day 2 picks:

"I think (third-round pick) Charles Godfrey can play corner or safety," said Kiper. "He's a very good pickup. I thought he was the best player available on Day 2.

"Dan Connor (Penn State linebacker and third-round pick), we all know about him. I think (sixth-round pick) Nick Hayden will make it as a defensive tackle. (Seventh-round defensive end) Hilee Taylor had a great year at North Carolina. (Seventh-round Oregon tackle) Geoff Schwartz, at one point in time I thought he could be a fourth- or fifth-round pick. (Seventh-round guard Mackenzy) Bernadeau from Bentley will make the team and could be a starter down the road.

"They did the best job on Day 2. There's no question."

Now that is serious props for a staff that has struggled to find impact players on day 2 of the draft. If only three of these guys turn into starters that would be huge. Of course they still have to perform on the field this fall but at least other guru’s agree with the selections. It gives us a lot of hope going forward that Fox and Hurney will turn this thing around this season.

==========

Nick Hayden at the Combine

I was reviewing my combine tapes hoping to get a glimmer of any of our second day draft picks and sure enough I remember Nick Hayden very well. He was the slow, plodding white boy I was laughing at. Seriously, he’s not a natural athlete by any stretch as evidenced by the position drills but the guy is strong for sure. If he has the proverbial ‘non-stop motor’ as some claim then he has a shot to make the roster even with the addition of Walker and Scott.