Panther Paw Prints: Sunday Edition

by Jaxon on Feb 14, 2010 7:03 PM EST

We've got a few choice offseason Paw Prints for you. Let's start with a mock draft that gets off to a good start in my opinion. After taking WR Mardy Gilyard in the 2nd round, the Panthers make this selection in the 3rd:

Third Round (14): Jevan Snead, QB, Ole Miss. | 2010 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers Edition | Bleacher Report
Moving on starts with drafting a new quarterback. That quarterback is Jevan Snead, who has great height at 6'6", and a great arm, posting 5,765 yards and 48 touchdowns in his three year career at Mississippi.

Snead reminds me of Big Ben up in Pittsburgh so I would have no problem letting him sit in the 3rd QB slot for a season or too...this next one I mentioned in a comment somewhere but its worth linking up again. There's a perception that with no cap teams will break the bank signing away the big names like Peppers.

Richmond County Daily Journal - Vantress Busy NFL offseason is ahead
As it is, there won’t be a salary cap in 2010, so when free agency gets going in a few weeks, the haves of the NFL are going to be able to stick it to the have-nots. That’s going to be a bad deal for the small-market teams of the league - like the Carolina Panthers.

I'm not so sure....more after the jump...

There's growing sentiment that the Panthers will not tag Peppers and instead let him walk with no compensation.

Report: Panthers Won't Place Franchise Tag on Julius Peppers - NFL - NESN.com
According to ProFootballTalk.com, the Carolina Panthers will not place the franchise tag on Julius Peppers, thereby making him an unrestricted free agent.

Regretfully I now think that is exactly what will happen. Sucks...

This is a characterization of Jake Delhomme that just makes me shake my head.

Blown Coverage: You Should Retire
There's also no shame in retiring for Delhomme. He's overachieved massively in his career. A Super Bowl and a Pro Bowl appearance are way beyond what someone with his talent level can expect to achieve - most guys with his talent level never get past backup status. Hard work and intelligence got him to the top level, albeit briefly.

Overachieved 'massively'...for seven seasons? Someone with his 'talent level'?

Seems the Panthers are never going to shake 'Michael Vick landing spot' label until Vick finally lands somewhere. I find most of this link bogus except for maybe this scenario:

Where does Michael Vick fit best?
Lastly it seems that the Oakland Raiders need a viable option should Al Davis figure out what most of us already know that Jamarcus Russell is not a NFL starting QB. Having Vick on the roster would give them a viable option should Russell continue to struggle. While Brad Gradkowski was the best Raiders QB in 2009, he is a restricted free agent.

Oakland seems the logical place for Vick.

The Kemo brothers give a little back:

Kemoeatu brothers to hold clinics, events | honoluluadvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser
Kahuku High School players can see coach Reggie Torres to participate. Registration is online only. Deadline is Feb. 16. Each site will offer three sessions with NFL players teaching football skills. The players will be available for autographs afterward.

It will be interesting to see which RFA tender the Panthers drop on LB Thomas Davis. I would think he is worth the 1st and 3rd round tender

Who stays and who goes? A closer look at Carolina's 2010 free agents
LB Thomas Davis (5th year): Any other year and Davis would be getting a multi-million dollar contract. But because 2010 will be an uncapped season Davis is a RFA since he has five years of experience, rather than the six required to be a UFA. Physically, Davis should be fine after tearing ligaments in his knee last year, so expect the Panthers to sign him to a tender. The big question will be which one. Because Davis was a first-round draft pick the Panthers may be able to get away with using the low tender on him (assuring a first-round pick as compensation should they lose him). For Davis, that would be about $2.52 million, which is 110 percent of his 2009 base salary last year plus a $100,000 workout bonus. The highest tender Davis would get is $3.268 million, which would bring first- and third-round compensation in return. He’s worth that money.

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Comments

Snead is a project.... but an absolute steal in the 3rd

He had a horrible junior season, but Ole Miss is being strongly critiqued for not being able to coach up QBs. Picking him smells exactly like the Falcons taking Matt Shaub.

They didn’t need a QB, but he was the value pick in the 5th. They flipped him into a 2nd rounder two years later .If the Panthers take Snead at that position they can sit back and give Moore the reigns while Snead learns a pro offense. If Moore handles the job, you swing Snead somewhere else… if he doesn’t you have a great project sitting who knows the offense.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James Dator on Feb 14, 2010 9:19 PM EST reply actions

PS

I would be very scared if the Panthers gambled just using the low tender on Thomas Davis. I know he’s coming off injury, but a team like Indy at the bottom of the first round could definitely see Davis as a perfect fit for their Meeks’ stacked personnel.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.

by James Dator on Feb 14, 2010 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed about the low tender

And to add to the comment about Snead, I do think he would be a steal in the 3rd round. However, I have a hard time believing Snead will even be there by the time the Panthers pick comes up. While some mock drafts might have him going in the 3rd round, I’m sure you know many teams in the NFL pick QB’s a round or 2 earlier than they should be.

by SmithnCompany on Feb 14, 2010 9:32 PM EST up reply actions

I'd love to get Snead

He has accuracy issues, but a strong arm, and would be good to sit on the bench and learn. I wanted him before the season, but I thought he’d be a top ten pick. Oh how far the mighty have fallen.

The early bird catches the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese.

by Flowing Willow on Feb 15, 2010 12:51 AM EST up reply actions

About Peppers possibly not being franchised

I think it’s just as risky to offer him the franchise tender as it would be not to. He’s a dynamite player when he is “on” and can be a game change (without a doubt). However you just cannot tie up that much money to just one player.

So with that in mind, I’m going to assume Peppers will leave Charlotte and the Panthers will move on. And if that is the case, I think management needs to look hard at free agency and the draft to upgrade the receiving core and the defensive line. If Peppers is out, those two areas of the team I think need the most work.

by SmithnCompany on Feb 14, 2010 9:36 PM EST reply actions