More Panther Pro Day Updates

by Jaxon on Mar 12, 2009 1:56 PM EDT

I realize it's hard to draw any conclusions from which Pro Days an NFL team attends. Given the Panthers could any moment find themselves holding a first round pick via a Julius Peppers trade, they are probably leaving no stone unturned. That said I think you can see some obvious trends in the schools listed below.

Alabama Pro Day

A pair of notable players did do the workout drills and did so in front of all 32 teams, including Packers GM Ted Thompson and Panthers GM Marty Hurney.

Another Alabama prospect making a positive impression is Antoine Caldwell. The 6-3, 310 pound center stood on most of his numbers from the combine, but looked exceptional in the positional drills.

QB John Parker Wilson (6-1 ¾, 215 pounds) also kept his workout drill numbers from the combine, but showed great arm strength and touch in his positional workout (this is prefaced by the fact Alabama offensive coordinator Jim McElwain ran the drill).

TE Nick Walker measured in at 6-4 7/8, 253 pounds. He had a 4.97 and 4.98 40, a 31-inch vertical, a 4.99 short shuttle, a 7.90 three-cone drill and 14 bench press reps.

TE Travis McCall checked in at 6-2, 276. He had a 5.13 and 5.10 in the 40, a 28-inch vertical, a 4.68 short shuttle, a 7.63 three-cone drill and 20 bench press reps.

Of course OT Andre Smith was all the talk on this day but other than Smith the headliners were the QB Wilson, a unknown safety and a couple of TE's. Could the Panthers be looking at drafting a TE for the fourth straight year? I'm thinking they are looking for a back-up C/G like Caldwell.

Western Michigan

There were 21 NFL teams represented at Tuesday's pro day. With safety Louis Delmas as the main attraction, there were defensive backfield coaches from Detroit, Jacksonville, Carolina and New Orleans. The Lions had DB coach Tim Walton and assist DB coach Deron Roberts on hand. The 15 prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf and did the vertical and long jumps in the weight room.

I can't imagine the Panthers would draft a safety now but maybe someone that is listed at S could be moved to CB? Delmas doesn't not appear to be a candidate to play CB.

Deleware

Panthers GM Marty Hurney was among the representatives from six NFL teams at Tuesday's pro day, which featured 10 prospects from Delaware, one from Delaware State and two from tiny Wesley University (including an intriguing return specialist). Players ran outdoors, with temperature in the low 40s and a light a wind.

Ronald Talley, a 6-3 ½, 282-pound DL who transferred to Delaware from Notre Dame, ran the 40 in 5.00 and 5.02, had a 32 ½-inch vertical jump, 9-foot, 4-inch long jump, 4.48 short shuttle, 7.47 three-cone drill, and 19 reps in the bench press.

Larry Beavers, a 5-10, 167-pound WR/KR from Wesley, ran the 40 in 4.37 and 4.43, had a 37-inch vertical jump, 10-foot, 1-inch long jump, 4.40 short shuttle, and 7.27 three-cone drill. Beavers was a phenomenal return specialist for Wesley - he had 10 career kickoff returns for touchdowns and three punt return TDs.

Panthers looking for another return specialist?

Arkansas

Twelve prospects ran indoors on FieldTurf for 12 teams. Panthers general manager Marty Hurney and Panthers offensive line coach Dave Magazu were present.

Center Jonathan Luigs measured in at 6-foot-3 3/4, 300 pounds. He stood on his combine results, but did position drills.

OL Jose Valdez checked in at 6-4 5/8, 319 pounds. He ran a 5.16-second 40-yard dash, a 4.64-second short shuttle, a 7.49-second three-cone drill and 16 bench press reps. He stood on his jumps from the combine.

DL Ernest Mitchell came in at 6-1, 305 pounds. He ran the 40 in 5.18 and 5.16 seconds. He had a 28-inch vertical, an 8-foot, 1/2-inch broad jump, a 4.52-second short shuttle, a 7.93-second three-cone drill and 35 bench press reps.

CB Jamar Love measured in at 6-0 1/8, 191 pounds. He ran a 4.39 and a 4.35 in the 40. He had a 34 1/2-inch vertical, a 10-foot broad jump, a 4.07 short shuttle, a 6.88 three-cone drill and 10 bench presses.