We will have more on the scouting combine after it wraps later this week but here's some mid-combine reports about players the Panthers might target earlier in the draft, plus a few other odds and ends.
Let's start with DT and some possible options early in the draft:
Combine Watch List: The top seven defensive tackles - Shutdown Corner - NFL Blog - Yahoo! Sports
Brian Price (UCLA): Price has a quickness off the snap as a one-tech or nose tackle that reminds me of Shaun Rogers(notes) -- he's got a furious straight-ahead pursuit gear. He can be ridden out of the play after that first step, but he has a good supply of moves to counter those blockers who use his strength against him. He struggles in recovering and redirecting to make a play -- it is perhaps this attribute above all that separates the Ndamukong Suhs of the world from everyone else. A good rotational player who could surprise and make a serious dent as a Rocky Bernard(notes)-style disruptor.
At WR this guy has to be considered just on speed alone:
Inside the Panthers: Clemson WR Ford betters 4.3 in 40 at combine
Clemson wide receiver Jacoby Ford ran a pair of blazing 40-yard dash times in testing this morning at the NFL combine. He was timed unofficially at 4.28 and 4.27 seconds, respectfully, according to the NFL Network.
Seeing this guy rise up draft boards into the Top 15 shows the Heisman voters are idiots:
Clemson running back Spiller's multiple skills wow some NFL analysts - CharlotteObserver.com
"He gives you so many dimensions and so much versatility as a runner, receiver and return man," Kiper said. "He can do all those things and give you the all-purpose yardage and be a great decoy, too. Run him on a reverse, or fake a reverse and he'll take (defensive) guys with him."
More interesting prospects, including local a local favorite who might have to change positions, a la Randle-El:
Edwards will settle for just playing - CharlotteObserver.com
"He’s going to have to adjust to being a slot receiver," said Kiper. "You don’t draft him as a wildcat quarterback either (although) you (could) utilize him in that area when need be. "You’ve got to see what kind of hands he has in workouts and whether he can adjust to being an Antwaan Randal El" (a receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, who also was a college quarterback).
If the Panthers don't go DE early then here is a late round local product who also has the pedigree:
Geathers' prospects under draft scrutiny - CharlotteObserver.com
"I'm probably a little bit bigger than him," said Geathers. "We probably run the same speed. Everything he does, I do."
Well that might be a bit of stretch on his part with his comparison to Peppers but hey, I'd use a 6th rounder on him just to see if he can live up that....Speaking of Peppers, I couldn't help but link up this this quote from a former GM saying what has been obvious to us fans for years.
Peppers' move draws interest at NFL combine - CharlotteObserver.com
"I don't know what Carolina's final numbers were, but Carolina has never been cheap with players," said Casserly, who now works as an analyst for the NFL Network and CBS Sports. "They've always paid the market (value) and maybe a little bit above to make sure it gets done.
Thanks Charlie...Back to prospects, here's a QB that might interest the Panthers:
Top quarterback prospects grounded at scouting combine
Dan LeFevour, Central Michigan (6-3, 230) He has good size, strength and athletic ability. His arm is strong, and he's able to throw with authority on short and longer patterns. LeFevour runs extremely well and his powerful frame makes him difficult to bring down. He does an excellent job of making reads before and after the snap. However, like Bradford, he has worked from the shotgun formation. He must demonstrate to scouts that he's able to work from under center and can see the field and process what he's seeing dropping back as well as he does when standing several yards behind the line. The other big questions about LeFevour concern his mechanics, but that's something he is trying to correct before his pre-draft workouts.
And another QB:
To raise draft grades, these six need to ace exams - Dennis Dillon - NFL - Sporting News
Mississippi QB Jevan Snead His mission: Show he can throw accurately and make good decisions. The skinny: Snead was a top prospect heading into the '09 season, but a disappointing performance and some questionable decision-making in games has caused his stock to fall.
In non-Combine news, the NFL is weighing much-needed changes to OT rules:
More on the modified overtime proposal | ProFootballTalk.com
"Both teams would be guaranteed a possession unless first team with the ball scores a touchdown," Aiello tweeted. "If the first team to get the ball kicks a field goal, the other team gets the ball. If it doesn't score, the game is over. If the second team with the ball ties it with a field goal, the game continues until someone scores."
From the bad news - good news category, the Panthers lost the coin flip with the Titans for the #16 slot in the 1st round, which was actually good for the Panthers.
Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
Panthers general manager Marty Hurney lost the coin flip with the Titans, but that affected Carolina's first-round selection, which was traded to San Francisco last year. As a result of the flip, the Titans will pick 16th and the 49ers 17th. The draft order is reversed in subsequent rounds, meaning the Panthers (47th) will pick ahead of the Titans' selection (48th), in Round 2, which Tennessee already has dealt to New England.
Last is a quote from RB Deangelo Williams that is sure to strike a cord with the Delhomme bashers:
Williams says Delhomme should remain starter - NFC South Blog - ESPN
"The confidence is still there,’’ Williams said. "The great quarterbacks aren’t the quarterbacks that just come out and light up a game and throw for 500 yards and four or five touchdowns. The great quarterbacks are the quarterbacks who can throw six or seven picks the day before and get back in the huddle the next day and still be the leader of his team. Jake can definitely do that.’’
Again, more to come on the scouting combine later.
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