Panthers sign Brayton to three-year deal.
Brayton said he would have been 'heartbroken had he not returned to Carolina. Dollar value not reported but its safe to say the Panthers didn't over pay.
4 months ago
bravesfan91
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E. Brown is going to have to start
You don’t invest a second round pick in a guy that is just their for passing rushing; E. Brown needs to play and get better against the run.
LE- E. Brown
RE- T. Brayton
Universal backup for both DE’s is C. Johnson.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I disagree
If Johnson hasn’t bulked up and improved against the run then you absolutely start those two. It’ll be Brown’s second year in the league, its not like its a make or break season for him.
I disgaree
E. Brown has to replace Peppers and he needs to be on the field for the whole game. I like C. Johnson and seems to me to be a Mike Rucker type player one day but I like Brayton more and Brayton is a much better tackler and quicker of the line in our system. E. Brown is going to start b/c you don’t want C. Johnson starting in Peppers place sorry and R. Meeks isn’t that dumb, plus he is the best DE pass rusher on our team and the Panther will teach him more about tackling and assignments now that he has a year under his belt.
A sleeper in H. Taylor could also make a big impact this year so don’t rule him out either. H. Taylor has been a favorite of Meeks since he arrived so look out for him this season.
I never said that E. Brown was in a make or break it year I was just saying that he is the only DE on the roster capable of replacing Peppers production so he needs to be on the field every snap or as close to it as we can get.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
It all depends on how solid Brown is against the run
If we can get away with spelling him with either Johnson or Brayton only when he’s tired, then we’ll do it. But if he isn’t solid against the run, Johnson will be in his spot.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 17, 2010 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions
If Brown bulks up, as I imagine he will..
I’d start he and Johnson. I’d use Brayton for relief and short yardage downs.
I don't think...
…any of the 3 should be listed as de facto “starters.” I think they are roughly comparable in ability when you average out their strengths, but situationally one will be more effective than another.
Thanks!
You never know if disagreeing (mild as it was) with an established and respected member of a message board will bite you in the ass. I appreciate your positive response. :-)
"D-Ranged1" -- don't let the name fool ya!
He’s one of the most reasonable, level-headed posters here.
There are few here who can’t take disagreement, and honest debate.
Exactly as I see it. This is great news, as Brayton was a high energy positive factor in our defense.
Rotation and situational options for the DC is a big plus. Keeps guys fresher to play their specialty.
This should calm a lot of us who felt we were weaker on the DLine.
Welcome to the blog Mr. Sticky
My nephew once had a lizard named Mr. Sticky!
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
On the field for the whole game?
Peppers didn’t play the whole game at any point in his career. It’s effectively impossible for any defensive lineman to hold up for the whole game (or even 75% of one). That’s why depth is so important for the defensive line (DTs being more susceptible than DEs, obviously). Now if you’re suggesting that E. Brown be capable of playing ANY given down (obvious running or throwing situation), then I whole-heartedly concur. We may have reached a little too much drafting a 265 lb DE for a 4-3 alignment, but we have to find a way (through the weight room or drilling exceptional technique) to MAKE him an all-purpose 4-3 DE. And Meeks’ Tampa 2 is about the only scheme that can accommodate this.
I DO believe that his athleticism (and hopefully by association, conditioning) will allow him to take a higher percentage of snaps against pass-first teams…although I expect substitutions will be more common for him against running teams; the drain of constantly shedding run blocking, 300+ lb tackles would be a bit much to ask of any DE…much less someone his size.
"We may have reached a little too much drafting a 265 lb DE for a 4-3 alignment"
That didn’t seem to hinder Jevon Kearse with the Titans, did it? Or of course, as has been mentioned several times, Dwight Freeney or Robert Mathis.
Speed, moves, technique, and energy can overcome weight at DE.
I completely agree...
…but a great, hell, even serviceable, 265 lb DE in a 4-3 seems to be the exception rather than the norm. I’m just hoping E. Brown can become the same kind of game changing force Freeney and Mathis are.
I think he has the potential…and he certainly has the motor/determination. Here’s hoping it all comes together for him…and us.
I think he's closer to 255
But regardless, if he can stack and shed well, he’ll be effective.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 18, 2010 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Thanks
That is kinda what I was trying to say just should have worded my post differently I agree and see what your saying Mr_Sticky.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions
right on...
…good to know we’re on the same page. And honestly, I was saying a whole lot of obvious things anyway. That’s sort of my schtick. ;-)
You mean Brown at RE and Brayton at LE.
That was their positions last year, barring a few tweaks in packaging.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Mar 17, 2010 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually like Johnson pass rushing
You’ll see a heavy rotation of all three at both end positions I think, with some tackle mixed in.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 18, 2010 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions
AWESOME
Love it, Love it, Love it.
Gives us tremendous flexibility concerning where to go with our first draft pick.
Do or do not. There is no try.
I could not agree more!!
This is a great signing. Brayton is a good player and person. I expect he is very well respected in the locker room too. I have read some of his interviews and love his attitude.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Mar 17, 2010 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
+1
By bringing Brayton back into the fold, our greatest area of need, IMO, is no longer as great a concern. I’m not overwhelmed by our talent at the position, but I think it’s solid. Now the Panthers can draft the best available WR, DE, DT, QB…even DB if the brass is so myopic as to let Marshall go…whatever seems to be the best bang for the buck.
My optimism is growing.
This is great!
As long as the Panthers don't trade for Michael Vick, sign Derek Anderson, or draft Tim Tebow; my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
Fantastic news
As far as I’m concerned the Panthers have made nothing but smart moves this offseason.
Nice to see they’ve made a popular one too.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 17, 2010 3:29 PM EDT reply actions
Finally now maybe people will relax alittle.
Well I will take G. Hardy off my mock draft now their is no need, Brayton is a work horse and his sack totals have went up both years he has been here. He loves playing here, living here, and really we needed him back. Expect a big battle for starting time between C. Johnson and T. Brayton during camp plus Brayton can slide inside and play DT if needed.
Great job now alot of “band wagon fans/haters/media” can rest easier like I said don’t push the paniac button just yet or close the book on this upcoming season either.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 3:34 PM EDT reply actions
*in a Dick Vitale voice
Oh yeah baby, it’s getting hot in here!
Can you guys tell it’s time for March Madness? :) My Wildcats got a good shot at the Final Four this year!
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
My Tar Heels have a hell of a shot at the final 4...
of the NIT
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James The Aussie on Mar 17, 2010 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions
It's alright James
I feel your pain.
I’ll just go cry some more into our national championship trophy from last year.
agreed!!!
i’m actually quite excited to watch them win a game, especially one where they were forced to score points!! I like them playing in Carmichael.
by SouthernPanther on Mar 17, 2010 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll admit...
…I’m a lifelong Duke fan and I’m cautiously optimistic about Duke’s chances for a deep run in the tournament this year. Don’t worry though, I’m not a smarmy, snotty, petty, anti-UNC sort of Duke fan…although generally speaking “smarmy,” “snotty,” and “petty” are 3 of my more sterling qualities.
of topic but...
Bears just released Nathan Vasher. Thoughts on him?
id love for vasher to make his way over
But we aren’t in that business.
Richardson you better not screw this up for me!
by STEVEN 785 on Mar 17, 2010 3:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed Steven.
N. Vasher would be nice but he is not really needed with S. Martin just looking to move into R. Marshall #2 CB spot. However I would like to have Vasher is Marshall is picked up, he would be a great nickelback corner for us but I seriously, seriously doubt we will show any interest in him.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
i think we should move godfrey to cb if anything
Isn’t vasher young tough? Like 26 or so? Maybe just maybe…what is he used to getting paid?
Richardson you better not screw this up for me!
by STEVEN 785 on Mar 17, 2010 4:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Vasher is a 6 year veteran
This article details his release and goes into his contract status. He was scheduled to make $2.95m this season. He was released due to injury and a falloff in productivity, however, the article states a change of scenery may help him immensely.
http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/Bears-release-former-Pro-Bowl-CB-Nathan-Vasher.html
Godry will be the starting corner if Marshall is not here
Sherrod Martin will start at FS.
Vasher would be an excellent pickup if his health warrants it. He is great at forcing turnovers. However don’t hold your breath on this idea…clearly there is something wrong physically with Vasher because when he is playing he’s had a monumental drop in production.
Godfrey as the starting corner?
I dont know about that one……..I think the Captain might have somthing to say about that. I agree that Martin will be the starter at FS.
Personally I think Marshall will be back, just as Brayton has been signed.
The front office has put a reasonable 2nd round tender on Marshall, but no team has jumped to sign him for that yet. He’ll probably be a Panther.
But if he’s not, I see Munnerlyn as an adequate CB replacement, as he covers aggressively. However, I don’t see Godfrey as having lost his staring job. He played very effectively, forcing several fumbles, after returning from his injury. As of now, Martin’s still just a good backup, and there’s nothing wrong with having those.
I see your points
I think my impressions of Godfry always go back to the begining of the season where he played terrible. I sometimes forget that he did play better when he came back from injury. I still think that Martin outplayed him in the few games he started and will bring more to the table as a starter than Godfry.
I have been reading several people mention Godfrey at CB and Martin at FS.
Interesting speculation, but unfortunately for your prediction the facts do not support the conclusion.
The Panthers moved Martin to FS b/c of injury to Godfrey. When he was healthy again, Godfrey got his job back. Plus Godfrey has been starting at FS since he got to minicamp before signing his deal. The FO has stated that they view Martin as a CB too.
So basically I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Mar 17, 2010 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
that comes from their college positions
In college, Godfrey was a corner and Martin was a FS. So that’s why you get people saying that.
not really...
those were both their natural positions in college, and I think they should move both back to their natural positions.
by SouthernPanther on Mar 17, 2010 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe you should watch some games D-Ranged1.
Plus he is the only one on the roster that can. Munnerlyn isn’t the answer as of yet and to block a player such as Martin with C. Godfrey is crazy.
Trust me once you see Martin play CB you will not be sorry or complain and forget completely about R. Marshall who is only slightly better than K. Lucas was in his early seasons with the Panthers when he still had some speed.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 17, 2010 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, really?
Which game did I miss? Because I didn’t see Martin line up at CB this season, despite his tagged position, and I thought I had seen most of them.
You didn’t quite answer my question. I was just looking for clarification on when Martin, or anyone, made the statement that he would be looking to play CB in the future (as it seemed you had suggested), despite his success in limited playing time @ safety. According to the stats, Dante Wesley took more snaps at CB than Martin, and he only had two. I wasn’t looking for you to tell me to watch some games because, frankly, you wouldn’t know what I do or do not watch (unless you’re spying on me and that’d just be pretty weird). However, if at some point during the off season I end up delusional due to lack of football and declare Goodson our best running back or Charly Martin our best wide receiver, do feel free to offer the same suggestion.
Also, once again referring to stats, if Marshall is only “slightly” better than Lucas was, where does that put Gamble and Munnerlyn? Equal to and worse than? Coverage wise, Marshall ranks 32nd, Munnerlyn ranks 73rd, Gamble ranks 77th, and Lucas ranks 89th. If a younger Lucas was only slightly worse than Marshall was last season, that’d still put Lucas a good ways ahead of Gamble & Munnerlyn.
The only way I can see Gamble being statistically better than Marshall is against the run. I’d, personally, much rather have a CB that was good in coverage than one that was good against the run. It seems stats are being ignored here in favor of names.
Anyways, to return to point, I would never say that Martin would be a bad CB without first seeing him play the position in the pro’s, but I just don’t see the point when we have excellent depth at FS. Just because we have a great wealth of something doesn’t mean we have to get rid of it. Flexibility is great.
agree
as far as Martin at CB goes. He played well at safety but struggled playing CB and in fact was only the dime back (4th CB). I don’t think Martin has much of a future at CB but he is a great “center field” type safety as evidenced by his 3 INTs in 3 starts
by SouthernPanther on Mar 18, 2010 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions
“Trust me once you see Martin play CB you will not be sorry or complain and forget completely about R. Marshall who is only slightly better than K. Lucas was in his early seasons with the Panthers when he still had some speed.”
We didnt see him play(at CB), because he stunk it up at CB at training camp. He had 3 ints in 3 start as Southern Panther stated, how much better does he need to play at FS for us to start(or at least let him back up the other starters at S) him there? Ken Lucas was pretty darn good the first two years he was here, so if Marshall is better than that……….I dont know what games you were watching
Oh, and Lucas got six picks his first season
I’m going to have a hard time forgetting Marshall if he’s better than that.
There’s nothing wrong with a rotation at FS, Godfrey is a better run support guy, a la Bob Sanders, but Martin is an excellent C1 safety, in coverage at any rate.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 18, 2010 1:54 AM EDT up reply actions
I HAVE seen Martin play corner.
Color me unimpressed. He plays the position like me. I can play corner, I’m long and lanky and hard to get away from. But my best fit is at FS, where I can sit back, read the play, and make my move. Same with Martin. He can play corner, but his killer instincts are minimized at that position, and he’s forced to rely on his good but not great athletic ability.
Jake Delhomme, QB Carolina Panthers, 2003-2009.
120 TDs+16000+ passing yards=Good
89 INT's+27 lost fumbles=Bad
Most comeback wins since 2003=Priceless
by Flowing Willow on Mar 18, 2010 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions
friggin sweet
I feel a lot better now.
Richardson you better not screw this up for me!
by STEVEN 785 on Mar 17, 2010 3:47 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
This makes me happy
Now I wish we would resign Moose and Hoov
by dcflw on Mar 17, 2010 4:16 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Great.
I’m glad we resigned him, though not as “relieved” as some. I figured we’d get along just fine without him worst come to worst. Still glad to know he’ll be back, though, I like the guy.
man this is good news
i was hoping we would get him back. thank god for our front office
You know you've had a slow offseason when...
the Tyler Brayton signing is being treated like the move that’s going to win us the Super Bowl.
lol
Sad but true….but he does fill a major void.
Richardson you better not screw this up for me!
by STEVEN 785 on Mar 19, 2010 4:41 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYTOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This sig is dedicated to those cut in the 2009 purge.
by chinchillas sword on Mar 18, 2010 6:30 AM EDT reply actions
On the surface...
…some people might not think retaining Tyler Brayton is that big of a deal. However, with the purging of every other starter on the entire defensive line (i.e., Peppers, Kemo, and Damione Lewis), Tyler Brayton is the one guy who can help us at least a little with continuity.
Will Brayton play every down? No. None of the DEs or DTs play every snap. But, among all of the other DEs on the Panther roster (i.e., Charles Johnson, Everette Brown, Hilee Taylor, etc.), only Brayton saw the field with consistency. Johnson and Brown came in on passing downs to try and rush the passer or to spell Peppers and Brayton last year. Counting on them to step up and take on a bigger role is a bit of a gamble. Everyone’s hoping Brown improves in his sophomore year with the Panthers. And, people are also hoping Charles Johnson can contribute more fully by probably doubling his snaps from last year. At least with Brayton, you already know what he’ll provide.
In addition, Brayton gives flexibility because of he kick inside to play DT on passing downs. That lets Johnson and Brown both get on the field alongside Brayton with all three getting after the opposing QB. As long as we get effort out of all three, I don’t think we’ll necessarily miss Peppers on-again-off-again play. And, again, given that everyone’s still adjusting and acclimating to Ron Meeks’ system, which uses undersized DEs to maximum effectiveness, that kind of pass-rushing package on 3rd and long could come in really handy for us.
So, I take the Tyler Brayton signing as a positive step. Is it the crowning deal of the Panthers’ off-season? Not exactly. But, given that they’re looking for value free agents right now, it’s still good to see them also thinking about maintaining some level of continuity on the defense, despite jettisoning so many of the D-linemen from seasons past.
My two-cents,
—Neil
Somewhere out there, John Fox and Marty Hurney are recovering from their hangover.
“WE DID WHAT?”
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
That's right....
You cut one of my favorite players, and then you resigned him.
Good job nonetheless xD
"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn
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