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Mocking the Draft- Rev and Aussie choose in the 3rd and 4th rounds

Today Revshawn and myself proceeded with selecting for the Panthers at mockingthedraft.com where the 3rd and 4th rounds were decided today. 

There was a run on defensive tackles in the 3rd round, and we really didn't like the value we saw there. Towards the end of the 3rd round we were seeing DT's going off the board who I liked in the 4th round, so we looked for value and played the BPA game

Rev and I are rather pleased with what we did today, so read after the jump to find out who we selected.

Star-divide

In the 3rd round the Panthers selected: Jermaine Cunningham, DE- Florida

- We loved this pick. Cunningham is big, he's fast and he's a hard worker. Though Carlos Dunlap may have been the sizzle, Cunningham is definitely the steak of the Florida line. He was a steal in the 3rd in my opinion.

 

In the 4th round the Panthers selected: Dennis Pitta, TE- BYU

- While TE might not be the biggest need for the Panthers, there was no way we could pass up grabbing this 1st team All American. In fact, we swapped 4th round picks with Jacksonville and gave our 7th round pick to get Pitta. He's an elite pass catching TE breaking every record for TE's at BYU and breaking Austin Collie's record for receptions. Furthermore, he had more reps than any other elite TE.

 

We looked at DT prospects all day, but it wasn't happening with the value we liked. They were simply going too early to be worth getting any of them, meanwhile other players of value were falling greatly.

The Panthers now wait for their 6th round pick to select again. 

Here is how the Panthers' draft looks in totality over at Mocking the Draft

2nd round: Arrelious Benn, WR- Illinois

3rd round: Jermaine Cunningham, DE- Florida

4th round: Dennis Pitta- TE, BYU

6th round:

0 recs  |  Comment 51 comments |

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BYU Tight Ends always have their fair success in the NFL, so Dennis Pitta is an awesome pick.

Jermaine Cunningham represents the best chance that the Panthers have at developing a speedy edge rusher to help fit in with Ron Meeks scheme. Remember Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney? That could be Everette Brown and Jermaine Cunningham one day. Playing in the style of defense that the Gators use really helps him out in the long term in the NFL as well.

Dennis Pitta was a definite value pick, like James said. DT’s were flying off the board like crazy, and there were a lot of DT’s with big question marks among the ones that were left. While he’ll be an elite pass catcher at the second level, chances are he’ll have to learn to block a bit better before he can score a starting position with our Panthers. Still, if given the opportunity, Dennis Pitta represents the best chance for the Panthers to revive the ghost of Wesley Walls during the NFL Draft. He’ll be a brilliant target for Matt Moore, given a time and chance to develop.

Ah crap. I just remembered….this is a mock draft. Lol!

"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Mar 20, 2010 2:55 PM EDT reply actions  

TE

why are we drafting TE though. We already have three on the roster, who all see playing time. Barnidge and Rosario are both good pass catchers, I think we need to have a taken a DT in the 4th.

by SouthernPanther on Mar 20, 2010 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

That's hard to say..

Being they mentioned DT’s were flying off the board early, there’s no telling who would’ve been available at our pick.. If we there were only 6th round talents or worse left, would you have reached for one in the 4th?

by D-Ranged1 on Mar 20, 2010 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Neither Barnidge nor Rosario is a better pass catcher than Pitta and over time he will be better at blocking than King.

Elite teams draft the best player available then work out how to fit them in, teams who always draft need find themselves playing catchup.

The most ‘elite’ DT’s available when we picked were:
- D’Anthony Smith- Louisiana Tech
- Mike Neal- Purdue
- Arthur Jones- Syracuse
- Jeff Owens- Georgia

I had Smith rated late in the 5th round, wasn’t willing to reach when a TE was on the board who I was had at the top of the third round.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 20, 2010 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd have liked D'Anthony Smith in the fourth

that’s pretty good value there. But if you had him ranked differently I can’t really complain.

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 21, 2010 1:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

I like all of them except

Neal!

This sig is dedicated to those cut in the 2009 purge.

by chinchillas sword on Mar 21, 2010 4:20 AM EDT up reply actions  

First I would like to say that I call only imagine what it is like to make thise picks.

It would be really hard to even come close to a legitimate draft being that we all are recreational mock drafters at best.

With that said, I do not like the Pitta pick especially giving up another pick to get him. If there is no value we could trade back (in a perfect world). We have 3 TE already who we have invested draft picks in and time to develop. Plus, we do not value/utilize the TE in our offense like other teams. Wesley Walls was under a different coaching staff and was asked to do a much different job. Fox wants an extra OL as a TE for the running game more than he wants another passing threat. Right or wrong, that’s want Fox wants.

I would have liked a DT yes, but that has been addressed and I fully agree with the idea of not reaching. However, what about a LB, OL (LT or C), CB or S? Was there no value with any of those positions? Again, this is not a real draft and you don’t have dozens of stat guys and scouts to give you the ins and outs of each player, so I understand.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 20, 2010 4:32 PM EDT reply actions  

Actually...

With Hoov gone, I can see the Panthers switching base offensive sets this year to a 2TE/ 0FB alignment. That opens up passing options while still keeping guys in to block.

I say this because I’m still not sure what we have in Fi, and I’m not sure that our multiple WR looks will be very good.

by the bomb dot com on Mar 20, 2010 10:09 PM EDT up reply actions  

I agree

I like the 2 TE set. I am just not sure how Fox and co feel about it. Even if they did like it, I doubt they would emphasize the TE in the passing game.

Don’t get me wrong, I have been wanting the offensive coaches to give more touches to the FB and TE as change of pace options, on 1st down especially. Whether it be the flats, a 5 yard out, hook, or whatever, I think it would make opposing defenses think a little more and react a little less. Plus they are high percentage passes that can help build Moore’s confidence early in games and get him in rhythm.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 20, 2010 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions  

Seems

like something the panthers would do…
How many times have they gone for value when all of us “experts” see a glaring need at other positions…
Like when they drafted Stewart/Kalil, we were like why are we drafting a _________ we already have quality ones why do we need these… seemed to work out pretty well for us!!!
Although really I question they value of a TE in our offense, seems like fox/davidson sees the position as another OL… but not a question of your draft pick being accurate b/c I could def see the panthers doing the same thing and me asking the same questions…
But then again depending on how accurate the picks were b4 you the draft could go completely different ie. a run on DT in your draft.

by ClaytonFire on Mar 20, 2010 9:35 PM EDT reply actions  

TE in the 4th nope aint gonna happen

We have drafted our TE’s in the past three drafts so why in the world would you select a TE in the 4th round with Rosario, King (if he signs a tender and he will b/c he has no value outside Carolina), and Barnidge. I don’t mind the DE in the 3rd but I am not crazy about the 4th round pick with some TE out BYU and I could care less that TE’s out of BYU have a high success rate in the NFL.

THe draft is so way overhyped especially this year with all this splitting up of it and the TV coverage being split up on different days etc… The fact is the NFL draft is a total crap shoot b/c you have no idea that any of these players are going to pan out you can scout and talking them and their agents all you want but really you have no clue.

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Mar 21, 2010 1:04 AM EDT reply actions  

You can have a fairly good idea though

and if you hit on a pick you have someone for a lot longer than if you picked him up as a free agent.

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 21, 2010 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions  

Just to clarify Hotly

Pitta isn’t just ‘some TE from BYU’ he was a 1st team all American.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 21, 2010 2:34 AM EDT up reply actions  

While it's true we don't exactly have a need at TE...

I can’t argue with the BPA strategy. There’s no need to pass up on a potential game changer (assuming we decided to utilize him as such) just to reach for a potential need. WR and DE had already been covered, so I can’t say taking a potential 6th round DT in the 4th is better than taking a potential second round TE in the same round.

by D-Ranged1 on Mar 21, 2010 3:27 AM EDT up reply actions  

The draft is some what of a crap shoot, but much more more reliable than you make it out to be.

Teams scouting, interviewing, clocking, etc does help the overall evaluation and prove to be more right than wrong. Sure there will be some statistical outliers like Tom Brady and Terrell Davis, but how often does that happen? And how often do 1st rounders end up starting or making Pro Bowls?

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 21, 2010 9:42 PM EDT up reply actions  

If the other teams draft anything like this

…I would hope that we make the following picks

2nd: Vladimir Ducasse OT/OG
3rd: Geno Atkins DT
4th: Andre Roberts WR/RS (don’t think he will slide)

There is still the possibility of picking up Riley Cooper or Scott Long in the 6th Round as one of the big WRs.

by pieterzen on Mar 21, 2010 6:43 AM EDT reply actions  

I'd love that!

Except Jeff Ownes over Atkins he ran .1 seconds slower and bench pressed 44! He’d be great! I might want some WR or DE over Ducasse.

This sig is dedicated to those cut in the 2009 purge.

by chinchillas sword on Mar 21, 2010 7:26 AM EDT up reply actions  

Production

I like Atkins because a DT who can rush the quarterback will be money this season. We have some run stoppers at the moment. That said Owens would be nice to have too.

Ducasse would be a great backup in his first season and soon could takeover as a starter – this guy is a beast.

Apart from Eric Decker, Andre Roberts is probably the best option for a receiver who could contribute immediately. Frankly I am not sure WR is a critical need but Andre Roberts is going to be awesome. He can also contribute as RS.

by pieterzen on Mar 22, 2010 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

Pitta makes no sense, on the surface

Just like Kalil made no sense, Marshall made no sense, and Connor made no sense.

BPAs have a way of becoming useful at some point. :)

by Cyberjag on Mar 21, 2010 9:00 AM EDT reply actions  

Jeff King – 25 receptions for 200 yards – 3 TD’s – 15 games started, time in 16 games
Dante Rosario – 26 catches for 313 yards – 2 TD’s – 8 games started, played in 14 games
Gary Barnidge – 12 receptions for 242 yards – 0 TD’s – 3 games started, played in all 16 games

Combined = 63 receptions for 755 yards and 5 TD’s

What I get out of this? The Panthers want to use the tight end, but there isn’t really a break-out star among our TE group. I still think that Daunte Rosario should be given the starting job. He’s a better blocker than the administration gives him credit for, and he’s a excellent threat/mismatch against most of the linebackers in this league.

But Dennis Pitta, he’s simply too beastly a playmaker to pass up in the 4th round. He was projected to go in the 2nd round, and when you look at what he brings to the table, he can be a starter on Day 1 if he picks up the playbook and learns it quickly as well as improving his blocking.

I know what’s happening here is that you’re looking at the pick on the surface and thinking “TE? WTF? We don’t need a TE.” But when you study up on the guy, and you start pondering about how much of a mismatch he’ll be in the backfield, and how it would give Matt Moore another target and a playmaker in the backfield, he was really too much of an appetizing target to not go after. Especially in the 4th round, when a player of his caliber has already fallen quite considerably.

"Once again the trousers of evil are yanked down by the mocking hands of justice!"-Revshawn

by Revshawn on Mar 21, 2010 10:01 AM EDT reply actions  

One thing I have not read from anyone yet is quite important. Jake is no longer our QB.

This is by no means a fact, but Jake did focus on Smitty (which is smart, to an extent) which from most of our perspectives led to the lack in development in other players. Just a thought.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 21, 2010 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions  

"if he picks up the playbook and learns it quickly as well as improving his blocking.'

A lot to ask from Pitta, to beat out the 3 TEs we’ve already got.

I checked out his Combine results, vs those that Barnidge, Rosario, and King produced, at the same Combines they ran in.

I don’t see much advantage in his stats, vs Barnidge’s especially.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings/TSX/2008_TE

Barnidge is 1" taller, same weight, so where’s the bigger target? Barnidge was faster in both the 40 and the 20 yd runs, and 4" longer in the Broad Jump. Pitta only outperformed in the Bench Press by 5 reps, and was marginally better in the Shuttle and Cone drills. I saw enough from Barnidge to not see any advantage in taking Pitta, where we’re already covered adequately at the position..

Just my observations.

by bigdavis on Mar 21, 2010 1:55 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

I agree with Big Davis here...

I like Pitta, I really do, but I just don’t think we need to draft him. We have Rosario and Barnidge who, if used, would be great weapons in the offense.

As long as the Panthers don't trade for Michael Vick or draft Tim Tebow, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.

My Panthers Blog
My Twitter Page

by bwsmith25 on Mar 21, 2010 5:36 PM EDT up reply actions  

Not to mention..

As WillParker touched on above, Delhomme is no longer our QB. While I won’t get into who targeted who, I think we definitely need to give Moore training camp and pre-season to see if he “clicks” with any of them more so than the others. Just as Jarrett didn’t look so bad with Moore under center, we could see one or more of our current TE’s blossom with him.

I still can’t argue BPA though.

by D-Ranged1 on Mar 21, 2010 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions  

Most of your arguments have some validity

But as I recall, Jarrett was considered a risk on draft day…they knew he was slow and ran poor routes. They picked him up anyway b/c he was young and great production at USC but I think they knew he was a bit of a project. While I hope he has turned the corner and will finally live up to expectations this season (and have a feeling he will) I would not shy away from Williams. His skill set is great and he truly seems to be ready for the big league. If they go with him, that could mean trouble for my boy DJarrett.

Can’t wait for the draft!!!

by rawjem01 on Mar 22, 2010 8:53 AM EDT reply actions  

I’m going to chuckle when the Panthers do not draft a single WR in the draft. Their will be outrage in the draft pundit community.

They have much greater needs along the D-line to be drafting a WR and TE with 2 of the first 3 picks. I like BPA, but not when our D-line is completely devoid of a second-string.

Good teams have the luxury of drafting BPA, teams with glaring needs, such as the Panthers, do not.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 9:16 AM EDT reply actions  

Feel free to head over to mockingthedraft.com and take a look at who Rev and I had to choose from. There wasn’t much talent left for the D-line.

We do have 2nd stringers, so I don’t know if the ‘completely devoid’ comment really pertains:

DE: Brayton, Johnson, Brown, Hillee Taylor, Eric Moore
DT: Ed Johnson, Louis Leonard, Tank Tyler, Corvey Irvin, Hayden

Granted, none of them are established- but they’re all certainly more established in the league as a rookie.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 22, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions  

Here are a few guys I would have liked instead of Pita bread

107. Taylor Price (WR, Ohio)
- A fast big WR to further complement Smitty. He has great value in the 4th as a projected 2-3 rounder. Plus we were well represented at his Pro Day.
bq. 3/19/2010 – PRO DAY RESULTS: A contingent from the Carolina Panthers were among 15 teams who came to Ohio University’s pro day on March 11 to watch 17 players ? 10 from Ohio University and seven from local small schools ? work out outdoors on FieldTurf. Panthers offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and GM Marty Hurney were all on hand to direct a 30-minute workout with WR Taylor Price (6-feet 3/8, 202 pounds), who stood on all of his numbers from the Scouting Combine but ran position drills and caught passes from Ohio University QBs Brandon Jones and Theodis Scott. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

110. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah (CB, Indiana(PA)
- Another value pick 2-3 round projection, especially if Martin does move to FS as many are speculating. He fits our defense as a big fast CB at 6’ 207lbs running a 4.32 forty.

114. Austen Lane (DE, Murray State)

119. Greg Hardy (DE/OLB, Mississippi)
- Both Lane and Hardy are value picks projected at 2-3 and 3 rounds respectively. Plus if you consider we lost a top end DE in Peppers, we will most likely need high quality through and through to make up for what was already an average pass rush with Peppers. Either of these guys would be significant upgrades over Hilee Taylor or Eric Moore. Plus if we continue to move Johnson and Brayton inside to DT on passing downs, they will need some rest at some point.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 22, 2010 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Akwasi Owusu-Ansah was our bonafide backup if Pitta was taken. I am really high on the kid.

Thanks for the other ideas.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 22, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions  

No doubt it was tough. Ultimately, on my personal board I had Ansah as the top of the 4th round and Pitta as 3rd in the 3rd round.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 23, 2010 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

I stand firm

You guys don’t have to defend your selections…they are your selections. I like Hughes, Norwood, or Wooten with 47, and then a Shipley or Decker type in the 3rd/4th myself. I’m thinking about immediate contributors, and I’m not sure your picks would be expected to do that, unless Benn can beat out Jarrett and Moore, and Pita can beat out at least 2 of the TE currently on the roster. My point is, we do not have the luxury to draft BPA like the always competitive teams in the league do.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 10:00 AM EDT reply actions  

It's not about defending our position.

I just wish people would take a look at what we had to work with before commenting on how we picked.

The #48 was a default pick, we had no control over who was taken.

Hughes was taken 35 overall
Norwood was taken 58 overall
Wooten was taken 44 overall.

So, even if we could have chosen the 2nd rounder we could have only gotten Norwood. Personally, I don’t like an OLB with our 2nd round pick given that our needs are greater at WR and on the D-line.

As for WR:

Shipley was taken 61 overall, before our 3rd round pick
Decker was taken 91, but we couldn’t justify taking two WRs.

There is a definite question whether Benn could beat our Jarrett or Moore year one, but I think it’s possible.
I definitely think Pitta could beat Rosario and Barnidge in camp. Not King due to his blocking ability.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 22, 2010 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions  

I looked at it, but didnt take the time to analyze before commenting

I want Norwood before Benn. Just one idiot’s Carolina-homer opinion. He looks like he could be the perfect fit across from Brown in pass-rush situations. I think we need to get better at rushing the quarterback (hence the pass-rusher selections) with our first pick, and then try to find value in a DT in the 3rd…but I do not overly like the DT’s you had to choose from aside from Jones.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions  

Do you think Norwood could effectively line up at DE? Did he play any in college?

He looks like an amazing OLB, but I honestly don’t know enough about the kid to know if he’s able to play DE.

I really like the Cunningham pick in the 3rd. He’s lean, really fast and can get to the QB.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 22, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions  

I have no problem adding both of them

And Norwood would lineup at end with his hand in the dirt on most 3rd and longs, and is the all-time sack leader at USC with 29, I believe. He can lineup at either end spot, as well as any of the linebacker spots, more aptly on the outside.

Because Brown is our only DE or LB on the roster now that can really get after it with the speed rush, we need to add at least 2 more guys who can lineup wide on 3rd and 9 and get to the QB…Johnson and Brayton, I feel, are our DTs in long yardage situations.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

I wouldn't be surprised, but I think it hinges on a few things:

1. Has Everette Brown put any bulk on his frame?
2. Do early workouts indicate that Corvey Irvin can be a factor?
3. How much does Ron Meeks like Ed Johnson and Louis Leonard?

If the answer to all three is ‘yes’ then I would be surprised if we did go defense with both picks.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 22, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions  

My guesses...for what they're worth

1. A little—262 maybe?

2. Probably not, never liked this pick, thought it was a reach. We just haven’t seen anything to get excited about yet with ole Corvey. I think he’s an upgrade to our #4 over Hayden.

3. Johnson yes, which is why he is here, Leonard not as much, being that he is 330lbs. But unfortunately Meeks and Fox probably have contrasting opinions on what a DT looks like, and I tend to side with Foxy on this one. I’ll believe that Johnson will be a contributor in 2010 when I see him in a uniform that first game in Sept.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions  

I thought Irvin looked good in the preseason before his injury.

Yes, it was preseason and yes it most likely was against other rookies or backups, but he was still getting penetration and disrupting things as a rookie. He would have improved tremendously throughout the year by being in the rotation and more than likely will be a little better purely by osmosis, learning the play book, getting a feel for teammates, learning how to watch film better, etc. Unless a bad report comes back from the doc, I see no reason why he cannot be in the rotation at DT.

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Mar 22, 2010 10:50 PM EDT up reply actions  

I think you gusy have made a good case for taking the TE Pitta

If he could become the all-around TE we need instead of using 3 guys then there is value in that selection.

I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com

by Jaxon on Mar 22, 2010 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions  

I saw this guy at the combine

He looks like a fluid athlete, regardless of his workout measurables. I’m not totally opposed to selecting a TE if management thinks he is an instant upgrade over everyone we have at the position. But there is just no way he’d be a better blocker than King this September. Down the road, well maybe, but right now, couldn’t be.

At this point, inserting a single TE in our offense to take over 75% (many less snaps for King) of the plays might be tinkering too much with our running game—especially when you consider that we’ve already lost Vincent and Hoover.

I do like the kid as a receiver, so maybe he can come in on passing downs and work the middle. But to me, this selection is synonymous with giving up on Gary Barnidge.

Do or do not. There is no try.

by ERL on Mar 22, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

James, on what do you base your statement "I definitely think Pitta could beat Rosario and Barnidge in camp."?

Please read my comp of their combine stats, made above, and then tell me where Pitta’s better than Barnidge. Thanks.

by bigdavis on Mar 23, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions  

Combine stats show only a miniscule amount of a players' potential.

Lets look at all three’s career college stats:

Barnidge: 108 receptions, 1,491 yards, 16 TD
Rosario: 94 receptions, 1,003 yards, 11 TD

Pitta: 221 receptions, 2,901 yards, 21 TD

All three players were three year starters at the respective programs. Based purely on their potential out of college Pitts doubled Barnidge’s receptions and yards and almost tripled Rosario’s yardage.

Now, let’s look at some key combine differences:

Bench press (key in evaluating strength/ blocking)
Barnidge: 22 reps
Rosario: 20 reps

Pitta: 27 reps

3 cone drill (vital in evaluating cuts)
Barnidge: 6.92
Rosario: 6.96

Pitta: 6.72

Shuttle (vital for short speed/explosiveness)
Barnidge: 4.23
Rosario: 4.47

Pitta: 4.17

I picked the bench press, cone and shuttle because these are the three most important drills for tight ends. 40 time is irrelevant because most TEs don’t need a great deal of straight line speed. What appears to be a tenth of a second here or there often means the difference between the top 3 at the position and the 10-20 range. In all three areas Dennis Pitta exceeded the combine totals of both Gary Barnidge and Dante Rosario, particularly in the bench press. In the bench press he also exceeds Jeff King’s 21 he posted in 2006.

Ultimately, I believe at this early juncture Dennis Pitta shows that he has more potential than either Barnidge or Rosario had at the same time period; furthermore, I believe he could develop into a better blocker than Jeff King.

I know people see TE as a position of strength for the Panthers, but I see a lot of weakness. It telegraphs the offense too much. Teams know when King is on the field it means a run (most of the time) when Rosario is on the field it means a pass (most of the time) and when Barnidge is on the field more often than not it also indicates a pass. I believe Dennis Pitta could ultimately exceed the abilities of all of our tight ends and become an insanely valuable weapon for Matt Moore.

Teams understand the need of a solid ‘do everything’ TE for a young QB. It’s for this reason the Lions took both Matthew Stafford and Brandon Pettigrew in the 1st round last season.

Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com

by James The Aussie on Mar 23, 2010 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions  

You've convinced me James

I was against Pitta because we have three tight ends, but now I say we go after him

As long as the Panthers don't trade for Michael Vick or draft Tim Tebow, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.

My Panthers Blog
My Twitter Page

by bwsmith25 on Mar 25, 2010 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions  

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FILE -- This is a Feb. 3, 2008, file photo showing New York Giants receiver David Tyree (85) catching a 32-yard pass in the clutches of New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison (37) during the fourth quarter of Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz. Tyree is back in the NFL, hopeful his health won't be an issue in his quest to earn another Super Bowl ring, this time with the Baltimore Ravens. (AP Photo/Gene Puskar, File)

David Tyree To Re-Sign With, Retire As A Giant

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth signs autographs during the NFL football team's training camp and fan appreciation day, Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Va. (AP Photo/Nick Wass) +3 updates

NFL Training Camps News: Albert Haynesworth Fails Conditioning Test

Photo +8 updates

Free Agent OT Flozell Adams Has Four Standing Offers, Seeking $4 Million

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