Panther Paw Prints: Saturday Edition
by Jaxon on Apr 17, 2010 12:46 AM EDT
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PrintThis edition of Paw Prints starts with some concern with a prospect many consider the #2 WR prospect in the draft.
Five prospects who aren’t worth the love | National Football Post
Golden Tate, WR, Notre Dame There’s no denying that Golden Tate has the compact build and overall balance/burst to be effective with the football after the catch. The guy runs like a former running back –which he was in high school -- and loves to fight and scratch his way for additional yards. However, I simply don’t think he has the size, quickness off the line or overall fluidity as a route runner to beat press and separate on the outside as a legit starting threat. Tate isn’t shifty trying to avoid press, is stiff as a route runner when asked to change directions and overall isn’t a natural catcher. I think his skill set makes him ideally suited to play a slot guy at the next level, but in no way do I think he’s dynamic enough to warrant a first-round pick. Do I think there’s a place for him in the NFL? Yes, but I see him more as a Mark Clayton (Ravens) type than as Steve Smith (Panthers).
I'm always leery of guys that jump up the draft boards simply from the combine. Tate sure looks like the next Steve Smith stature-wise. He's got the speed. But does he has...IT! I'm just not sure who to believe on that.
Everette 'Beefcake' Brown is simply fanning the flames of the 'Freeney Comparison' with this:
Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
When Brown arrived last year he looked, well, normal. Athletic, yes. But not like you'd think an NFL defensive lineman is supposed to look. Now he's added 10 pounds and he's going to have to find a tailor to let his jackets out, since it appears most of it is in his upper half. At 6-1, 260, he looks more like Dwight Freeney than Robert Mathis now, but said he doesn't think he's sacrificed speed for strength.
I'm cautiously optimistic Brown is going to have a good season. Will he make us forget Pep? I doubt it...except that Pep did leave a bad taste in the mouth for the manner in which he left. I'm thinking Brown puts up 8 sacks this year (I'm in the total random prediction mood)...If there is one word for our current DL as a whole its 'potential'. If the next Kris Jenkins happens to be there at 48 though...
I'm almost positive the Panthers use one of their five late round picks on a o-lineman. In particular a G/C combo player. Here's a good candidate:
Carolina Panthers might need middle man - CharlotteObserver.com
Larsen (6-2 5/8, 304 pounds) is said to be rising up draft boards. He's an intense, highly intelligent player who redshirted his first season and completed requirements for graduation before his senior year. Of the more than 300 prospects invited to the NFL scouting combine in February, Larsen reportedly tied for the 11th best score on the Wonderlic test, which measures intelligence and problem-solving skills, with a score of 33 (out of 50).
Panthers RFA actions was minimal this season, several have signed and only three remain to sign: CB Richard Marshall and these two:
Darin Gantt's Panthers Blog | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
LB Thomas Davis and CB C.J. Wilson are the other two RFAs who were tendered, but both have been around the stadium working out.
It's obvious the Panthers didn't blame the Panthers poor Special Teams solely on former ST Coach Danny Crossman. The continued signing of experienced STer's proves the Panthers relied too much on their ability to teach players ST roles. The new approach is sign guys who not only except the role of excel at it. Imagine the Panthers with a top 15 ST performance in 2010...whole new experience isn't it?
Panthers claim CB/KR Witherspoon
Witherspoon, 24, began the 2009 campaign with Jacksonville and averaged 23.7 yards on 24 kickoff returns and 11.1 yards on seven punt returns in seven games before being waived on December 14. After being claimed by Detroit, he saw action in one game, returning four kickoffs for 72 yards and two punts for 10 yards.
This one is about a month old but not sure how I missed it but it points out something we discussed recently:
Carolina Panthers Forum - Carolina Panthers Message Board
How will those changes effect open competition this year? There will probably be more open competition this year with the guys being cut or released. There will be huge competition at the strong side linebacker with Nai’l Diggs being released, between James Anderson and Dan Connor. The d-line is wide open. Plus you have Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey both looking to start at free safety.
So is Martin officially moved to S versus CB? Maybe I missed it but that's big news to me. I like it, it can only make us better. But I also wonder if Martin could be a good outside CB. He has the size and ability.
Let's close with something I'm sure plenty of people will discuss but it's a non-issue in my view:
Observations from the 50-yard Line: Cowher still interested in coaching
Q: What kind of place does N.C. State have in your heart? A: Well, it’s a very special place. Obviously I met my wife here. We both went to school here. We both played sports here. And we decided to come back and make it our home. Regardless of whatever happens with my coaching future, Raleigh will always be my home. That I can say for a fact.
I'm okay with Furney for now.
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Yes, Martin unofficially moved to S
It was obvious last year watching Sherrod Martin play, even in the pre-season, that he does not have the turn and go ability and agility needed to be a man-to-man corner. However, when he was put at safety, he excelled and the position has looked natural and more applicable to his skills, so he has been kept at S. Unofficially he has been moved to S, but his trials at CB indicate that most likely he will never play CB in the NFL.
We do need a guard/center combo, but a center more so than guard
With Keydrick Vincent’s departure and Mackenzy Bernadeau’s elevated play last year, all signs point to Bernadeau being our next RG. While this is great, Bernadeau was our backup center, so if Kalil should have some sort of unfortunate injury, we have to 2 options. First option is to shift the line around, by scooting Bernadeau to center, and filling in RG with someone else like Duke Robinson. This would mean though that we would need a quality guard to backup Robinson and Wharton. Or secondly, we can keep Bernadeau playing at RG and use a backup center. This means though that we have to get a backup center. So, we do need some depth on the interior of our line, but as you can see by this, we need to probably pick up a G/C combo, but more so a center so that we could keep Bernadeau at RG….
Like to see that Everette Brown is really working hard and all, but...
I couldn’t be happier that Brown is working hard and trying to add weight to maximize his playing this year. How has he added 10 pounds though if he is now 260 and he was reported last year at the combine at 256? Was he not 256, and playing at 250? Someone please explain…
8 sacks wouldn’t be unordinary or unrealistic at all. Keep in mind that in the VERY VERY VERY limited role Brown got during SOME 3rd downs rushing the passer, he had 22 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 fumbles and 16 QB pressures. These stats simply indicate that he is getting to the passer! The 16 QB hurries are the most significant stat though, because those could have been close to sacks. Behind JP with 35 last year, Everette is second on the team with QB hurries, and as a full time starter with a full year to prepare and add weight and a year of experience, I expect the tackles, sacks, and especially QB hurries to dynamically increase. Thus, 8 sacks wouldn’t be unrealistic at all with the large amount of times Brown will be hurrying and pressuring the QB. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was higher, even in the double digit range, but 8 seems perfectly realistic.
This guy will be great!
Everette Brown is a workhorse. There aren’t even ways to measure the desire of players that play the way that he does. Fortunately for us….the Panthers are loaded with these types of players. Remember Steve Smith was too small to be a WR! DeAngelo Williams was too small to be a premier RB! Jonathan Beason was too small to be an every down LB! Thomas Davis was too small to play LB! Captain Munnerlyn was too small to play CB! Ryan Khalil was too small to be an elite C! All these claims were made by fans and experts who can only measure a players physical attributes. You cannot measure their desire.
by jdough on Apr 18, 2010 1:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Golden Tate
was a first round prospect before the Combine. I disagree with that scouts assessment, but if some people agree, that’ better for us.
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
Muhahahaha!!!!!!!!!!
This sig is dedicated to those cut in the 2009 purge.
by chinchillas sword on Apr 17, 2010 3:42 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
From some of the scouting reports I've read, I agree with the article.
Some keys as I see it for Tate:
1. he is not very “sudden”, but rather a speed builder
2. height is a concern (not every short WR will be Smitty)
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Apr 17, 2010 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Tate
Tate is another Brian Robiskie. Remember last season’s most NFL ready WR! Mr. Sure Hands! What a joke! Tate doesn’t have sure hands at all. Don’t ever draft a WR in the 1st or 2nd rounds that doesn’t have sure hands. Why Bother? Our guy should be Andre Roberts of the Citadel. He is the most sure handed receiver in the draft. Fast, quick, great after the catch, but most importantly….catches the ball. He would complement Steve Smith perfectly.
Disagree
Tate has good hands, they are strong, and he will catch it away from his body. Just like Smitty, without the leaping ability. He has been compared to the other Steve Smith as well, the one from the Giants. Either one is good, he’s going to be a good player. The question is, will he be scoring for us, or against us as a Buc.
BTW, I like Roberts, but if he has sure hands playing with Citadel, and Robiskie had sure hands playing with Ohio State, who has the better hands?
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 Apr 18, 2010 3:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I was being sarcastic about Robiskie
My point was the experts were claiming Robiskie had sure hands when he didn’t. They clearly overlooked the drops he had at Ohio State.
I don't remember any drops for Robiskie at OSU.
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 Apr 19, 2010 7:15 AM EDT up reply actions
If there is one word for our current DL as a whole its 'potential'
Everyone I’m the NFL has “potential”. That’s just a nice way of describing an area of weakness. A clear sign of this is that everyone considers d-line to be of top importance in the draft… Many even see it as our top need, more than even WR. Atleast at WR we have a proven star. D-line we have proven nothing, just a bunch of potential.
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
by ElBacano on Apr 17, 2010 8:26 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I have potential
if I worked hard for the next 5 years, maybe I can join my local senior football team.
Well I'm sitting on the couch with a bag of cheetos
Yet my potential knows no bounds!
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
Disagree slightly, it's an area that isn't a sure thing.
A weakness would be Delhomme at QB, or Larry Johnson at RB. Potential means you’re not sure whether you have a sure thing, but you think it could be. Or it could bust, and you’re left reloading the position.
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 Apr 18, 2010 3:30 AM EDT up reply actions
I would agree on that
I don’t think anyone believes that Dwayne Jarrett has the ‘potential’ to be as fast as Steve Smith.
I see potential tied to one of those NFL buzz words ‘upside’. I see it as an area where a player has displayed talent in, but there is an acknowledgement that they have not yet reached their pinnacle in said area.
Thus, when you see a player like Arrelious Benn described as having ‘amazing upside’ this indicates that he has several areas where he has displayed flashes of a high level of talent. If he fulfills all these areas he will be an extremely effective NFL receiver, if he doesn’t then he will fall flat.
In order for there to be potential there has to be a glimmer of talent. That’s why I don’t think it’s directly tied to an area of weakness, people don’t describe an area of weakness as an area with ‘potential’.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James Dator on Apr 18, 2010 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
Delhomme had tons of potential
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
No he didn't
You knew what you were getting out of Delhomme every weak.
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 Apr 19, 2010 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions
"every weak"
Intentional? Or subconscious?
Subconscious most likely.
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 Apr 20, 2010 3:54 AM EDT up reply actions
Played above his potential
I’d say Jake played above his athletic gifts. His confidence, heart and guts made him (when he was) good. When he lost that, he became what he was. A physically limited QB with moxie.
Potential is a @#$%^&^^ of a word.
by adamwanderer on Apr 20, 2010 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly
I need to fart, but it could potentially turn out to be much more. Or, it could just be a fart. Do I risk it.
Just a fart (whew).
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