There are a lot of armchair quarterbacks who believe the Panthers should draft a defensive tackle in the first round next year. Rivera is not convinced.
"That's a little bit of a stretch in light of the way guys have played. We've had a number of guys who have stepped up and played well for us," Rivera said. "To me, the tackle position is not really a concern. We'll see. We'll evaluate."
5 months ago
Revshawn
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So if we don't go DT, then what? Corner?
Anyway this from the latest Joseph Person article, shattering my dim hopes of ever landing Brandon Thompson from Clemson. Woe is me. Life cannot go on living!
ACC Championship Member Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
Clemson 2011 ACC Champions! Look forward to doing it again next year! :D
Gotta be a corner, or maybe a WR if one slips to us.
I’d be shocked though if DT is BPA and he passes on it.
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
+1
Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."
by Son of a Newton on Dec 30, 2011 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
our pick would have to be pretty low for DT to be BPA
none of them are any good this year – if you watched the bowl game, A’lamu (not sure if I spelled it right) got tossed around and showed nothing to impress
Yep.
Devon Still
Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."
by Son of a Newton on Dec 30, 2011 3:28 PM EST reply actions
Part of that is the fact that there aren't any DTs worth taking in the top half of round 1.
Makes it a little easier to stand on that comment.
But as it has been for the last three+ years, to me, our DT situation is a glass house, or whatever the cliche is. I don’t see one guy on the roster who has a history of successful, full, injury free seasons at that position.
The situation has been the same since we lost Jenks and Kemo. We think we have some solid guys at the position, but they come in to camp the next year and don’t make the team or are given an injury settlement and a free bus ride. Frankly its getting a little old.
I think Neblett, Kearse, Shirley, McClain and Fua are all fine rotational guys, but none of them are proven difference makers. It would be nice to at least try and get one so we can actually have some semblance of an interior pass rush.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
I couldn't agree more
Well, I could, but I see no reason to. I assume they think a DT won’t be at the top of their board when they pick. But if there IS a DT at the top of their board I bet they take it.
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
LIAR! BRANDON THOMPSON~ BLARRRRRRRRGH!!!!!
ACC Championship Member Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
Clemson 2011 ACC Champions! Look forward to doing it again next year! :D
I agree with this
There’s no DT i’m in love with before the second round
"What do want to say to those critics now?"
"Just sit back and watch the show." -Cam Newton
Smart coaches....
Agree, and can’t say that I am in love with any of the DT candidates at the top of round 2 compared to what talent may be available. I thought Fua was a stretch at the bottom of round 3 last year, and I would hate to see us do it again. Fua would likely have been available at the top of 5. Besides, Fua and McClain now have a year under their belt, thus all we need is a couple veteran free agents. Use the draft to pickup playmakers.
For those who believe some of the DT prospects are worthy of round 1 selection, compare their highlight reels to the DT of years past and I believe you will agree.
by Jon Zimmerman on Dec 30, 2011 5:14 PM EST up reply actions
I know not 1 person agrees with me, but I just have this feeling that Hurney and Rivera really have a hard on for getting a stud WR. Me personally, i still want Dre K or Claiborne but i just have this feeling we go WR in the 1st round like it or not. I mean you really cant blame them considering this is one of the most stacked WR draft classes in years.
I think its pretty much a given we go CB and WR. The other day when Joe asked Rivera about a update on Otah, Ron was quick to start praising Otah’s progress and how he is itching to get him back next season, so i doubt we even go O lineman.
Just because you have a hard on for a stud WR doesn’t mean Rivera/Hurney have a hard on for getting a stud WR.
With the exception of last year, the M.O. for Hurney has always been BPA, and I believe it will be BPA this year now that we have a franchise QB.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Yeah, I don’t really care how its done, but the defense has to be upgraded and depth needs to be added. Sure we could go offense with the first pick if a WR or T is BPA, but at some point this offseason we HAVE to improve the defense.
If they sit there and say that “once we get our guys back we’re a great defense” I’m going to throw up in my mouth a little bit. To me that is akin to settling for mediocre—which is what our defense was with Beason in 2010—‘cause let’s face it, when we talk about ‘injuries to our defense,’ we’re really only talking about Beason. Yes, having him back healthy is going to help, but that would be like adding a Porsche to a fleet of Hyundais.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
You must have not read all I typed, I said I want a CB like Dre or Claiborne but wouldn’t be suprised one bit if we take a WR
by PantherTrain on Dec 30, 2011 4:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Don't make me do a power search of CSR.
You change your opinion as often as the wind changes direction.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
No I read it all...
I’ve also read countless posts of yours where you’re practically creaming your pants while talking about Blackmon…and Jeffery…and Still…and Upshaw…and Claiborne…and Brown….and Coples.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Not to defend PT here
I get and agree with everyone, but I get a wierd sense he may be right if Blackmon or Jeffries is there. I honestly think it will be one of them or Claiborne or Dre. I just get a wierd feeling that if one was there they would take them. I could be wrong but it is just a feeling. I personally hope Kalil falls, but Kalil is my pick, lol. However wierd it is, I think he has a valid point, if one of the wr’s is there they might just take them to groom.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try , no try. Do or do not!"
by gdhood on Dec 30, 2011 10:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
kalil wont fall, blackmon wont fall
We maybe have a shot at dre and jeffery’s but that’s it. My initial feeling was lb, but senn has been playing solid. I get the bpa argument I really do but how can you ignore the difference between our offence and defence? It the gap is just too big to justify spending a pick on wr (imo)
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Dec 31, 2011 6:06 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Oh I agree with you guys
I want kalil, serious man crush i would also rather have a there. I would also rather have a stud db but something just tells me they haven’t learned their lesson on first round wr’s.
As the great philosopher Yoda said "Try , no try. Do or do not!"
We have THE stud WR in pro-bowler Steve Smith
I don’t care how old he is, his play has not slipped in the least. I would be shocked if we took a WR in this draft before the 5th round or so, and that’s only if a guy is the BPA on our board. I just don’t see it…
The only thing that will shock me...
Is if we take Andrew Luck or a QB early. Other than that, from what Rivera has said, it doesn’t seem like he and Hurney are locking themselves into taking certain positions before the draft.
I doubt Rivera's had time to get a "hard on" for a draft pick yet
I bet the thought has yet to even cross his mind
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
Couldn't disagree more
On both aspects of your comment: (1) that they want a stud WR with their first pick and (2) that they get erections about it.
My hunch is they want the best LT possible at the time they pick (unless they can trade down and garner more picks). The Reiff kid from Iowa would fit the bill nice.
My hunch is they want the best LT possible at the time they pick
This I disagree with. I really dont think they are looking at OL. I think they have faith in Otah, they knew he was healthy enough to play but still shut him down, it is my belief that they did this so he could be 100% next season. Even if he doesnt pan out they still like Bell. Gross isnt too old or deteriorating to look for a replacement yet.
Everything we've heard from within the organization disagrees though...
Reports were coming out that the Panthers brass were getting fed up with Otah’s constant injury issues.
Where'd you hear that?
Rivera was quoted last week about admiring Otah for his work ethic in rehabbing, and that it was going well. Why bother to compliment him if they’re ‘fed up’ with him?
decastro
Would be a better pick up than LT at our pick
Save us Pilares
by LimeyPanther on Dec 31, 2011 6:14 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
I dont have a problem with a WR
Just not Floyd or Jeffrey. I think Floyd is good, just not elite, and I just plain don’t like Jeffery, he looks like Jarret .02. I would be open to Jones, Wright, or Streeter in the 2nd 3rd (I know we don’t have a 3rd but who knows what will happen by then)
Just because we may not take a DT in the first round
Doesn’t mean we won’t take one later… I would be shocked if we take a DT somewhere…I know we had quite a bit of interest in Phil Taylor before the draft last season. If they still want a big monster that can move, Poe could be an option in round 2. Bigger than Taylor with better agility…Pretty scary prospect that could fly up draft boards after the combine…
I like Poe in the 2nd too
Gotta love the ones who live in the weight room. His work out coach says that he is the strongest players he has coached, and has still yet to reach his full potential. For such a big man he can shed a block to make the tackle. DWill would love the Memphis comp’ny too
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXMku4m3twI – very soft spoken for a mammoth of a man
I don't anticipate Poe making it all the way to 39, 40, 41--where ever we are picking in round 2.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
I agree
It’ll be hard to sneak him past the gauntlet of last picks in the first round (GB, NE, Pit, SF, NOt, and maybe even Hou.) If he is there though no doubt he’d be BPA on our big board. What do you think about Crick? He’d supply that interior pass rush that’d held out our DEs. I also think part of Suh’s success came because he was playing next to Crick. O-lines had to pick their poison. HIs stock fell with the injury so he could be staring at us past round 1
I would take Crick in the second if he checks out medically.
A DT who can rush the passer has a lot of value now.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
I agree...Crick is a pretty dominant player if you ask me
sure he doesnt have the size that you would like but a nfl strength and conditioning program will handle that. He has the frame where he could put on about 20 lbs easily…
And let's face it...in today's game you can be 265 and rush from the 3-tech on passing downs.
Applewhite’s been doing it for us this season.
I like to think of myself as a one-man wolfpack.
I like Crick in the 2nd
He would need to lose weight to play DE or gain weight to play DT, Either way i think he could be effective. I like him as a potential 3 technique or LE
I'm not a big fan of Poe.
He doesn’t have any documented success against BCS schools.
Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."
by Son of a Newton on Dec 30, 2011 6:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
So no one thinks that Rivera would play the misdirection game? Or that the man isn’t going to throw any players under the bus? At this time of year not even guys like Luck are subject to draft slides. I understand he’s the next Manning and all, but if he interviews poorly has a bad combine/pro day things can change in an instant.
Right now there isn’t a high 1st round DT, but after the combine one or two might come out of the woodwork and Rivera is smart for not revealing who he wants to take.
Seeing how well Newton has done this year amid all the crap that said about him from his mental ability, his college scheme, his mechanics, to his freaking smile Rivera saw past all of that and according to most analyst he reached on Newton. Rivera proved why all of us and the analyst at ESPN is coaching the game we’re left to watch. Until he busts on a 1st rounder I will fully support any pick he and Hurney make be it a WR, DB, DT, LB, RB whatever this man knows more great player then any of us ever will.
"I kinda just sling it" -Jake
I agree man
Until they prove me wrong…I will trust whatever they do in the first round.
I don't see why he'd throw a smokescreen on one of this draft's DT's
What like he’s worried Poe will go top 10 or something, and he’ll miss the opportunity? Doubt it.
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
Yea he shouldnt be throwing a smokescreen
probably just showing his players that he has confidence in them
Or probably just being straight forward like he usually is
There’s likely not a great DT where we are picking, so fah-get-about it!
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
I'll lean towards whatever Rivera's decision is about our defense
Gotta trust the guy, he’s been an outstanding DC. But another year of sucky defense and I’ll be raising an eyebrow.
This is how I roll, animal print pants out control.
Don't start talking crazy.
I didn’t see anyone at that position I was comfortable moving forward with as our starter. They did make some good progress in the last few weeks so I guess you’re counting on them improving, but I just don’t know how good they can be as a unit.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Dec 30, 2011 4:56 PM EST reply actions
Last year if I asked you who were San Diego's starting DTs in Ron Rivera's #1 ranked Defense, would you be able to tell me?
Rivera knows how to coach them up and maximize their abilities. I think that he sees a solid group in this current crop of DT that the Panthers have however, who knows maybe they’re going to target someone in free agency.
"Hope for the best plan for the worst"
"They laugh at me because I'm different, I laugh at them because they're all the same"
Or maybe he's just giving the guys confidence.
Either way, there are reasons I’m not a head coach or gm. If Rivera sees potential, then that’s on him. But it won’t be hindsight for me if our line struggles again and we’ve failed to make upgrades on the inside.
I'm gonna live forever, I'm never gonna die. The only thing I fear is I'm never gonna fly.
by Charlotte Bobcat on Dec 30, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions
I don't see a better time for it! Here it comes!
ACC Championship Member Brandon Thompson is the new Jacoby Ford. You better pick him Panthers or you will be doomed to relive the 2010 season over and over again in the Twilight Zone.
Clemson 2011 ACC Champions! Look forward to doing it again next year! :D
Maybe I am wrong
But wasn’t Jenkins a 3rd rounder?
I’ve talked with my buddy about this. He has always felt that it takes DT’s around 3 years to get to NFL playing form. Unless of course you’re Suh. That being said I really don’t think we go DT because of our two rookies showing promise and getting Edwards back.
I wouldn’t be surprised though if we went DE believe it or not. I love the Hardy and Johnson but an upgrade there is not out of the question.
Personally I feel they take CB/WR with their first pick if Blackmon/Claiborne/Dre Kirk are there IF not it wouldn’t surprise me if they try to trade down and I for one wouldn’t be upset. I saw a 4 round mock today that had us trading our 1st with the Bengals so they could move up for the RB from Bama for both of their 1st rounders. One can dream right?
Catches Bullets With His Teeth?
2nd rounder.
Taken during our epic 2001 draft:
Morgan – 1st round
Jenkins – 2nd round
Smith – 3rd round
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
yea
i dont think that you could do much better than those first 3 picks, especially the steal of the draft in the 3rd round(smitty)
by panthersFAN52 on Dec 30, 2011 7:10 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
Forgot about that lol
Point is we don’t need to take someone in the first to be great…. although we have had a lot of good 1st rounders. To the best of my knowledge if you take out those that are injury prone we have hit homers on all of them in the 2000’s on
Catches Bullets With His Teeth?
by KissMyConverse on Dec 30, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions
Our O-line has solid depth with Schwartz and Gary Williams, as well as Otah coming back next year.
And as far as DT goes, Rivera himself said that DT wasn’t as big an issue as everyone thinks.
Cam Newton, when a reporter asks him who will win the Heisman Trophy on Saturday: "I'll tell you Sunday."
by Son of a Newton on Dec 31, 2011 2:51 PM EST up reply actions
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