Panthers 2012 Draft CSR Fan Poll Results

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 2:48 PM EST

I have to admit that I was skeptical about how well the turn-out would be for this draft exercise, and I was pleasantly surprised. My idea continually evolved as I was able to see where CSR nation stood when it came to who they had their eyes on in the upcoming draft. It will certainly be interesting to see how the draft ultimately turns out because some of these very players that you voted for may actually don the Panther's blue and black next season. Let's go ahead and get to the results, which were fairly close. Drum roll please.

1st place- With 19% of the vote

1st round: DT Michael Brockers LSU

2nd round: CB Chase Minnifield Virginia

4th round: OLB Sean Spence Miami

More results after the jump...

2nd place- With 12% of the vote

1st round: CB Dre Kirkpatrick Alabama

2nd round: NT Alameda Ta'amu Washington

4th round: OLB Sean Spence Miami

3rd place- Tied with 11% of the vote

1st round: DT Michael Brockers LSU

2nd round: DE/OLB Vinny Curry Marshall

4th round: FS George lloka Boise State

3rd place- Tied with 11% of the vote

1st round: CB Dre Kirkpatrick Alabama

2nd round: NT Alameda Ta'amu Washington

4th round: DE Cam Johnson Virginia

As you can see, the most popular players to draft were all on the defensive side of the ball, which wasn't surprising. Brockers, Kirkpatrick, and Ta'amu were the clear winners among the voters, and I expected as much. The obvious sentiment among the majority of CSR nation and beyond during the season was that the Panthers needed the biggest upgrades at the DT and CB positions. However, I will say this: If we do pass on Jonathan Martin, among other offensive lineman in the first three rounds, I wouldn't be upset, but the tackle and guard positions cannot be completely ignored. I look forward to the next couple of months as reports of individual player interviews and workouts are revealed at the combine and pro days. We can only hope to get a better sense of what direction the Panthers might go as we get closer to draft day, when anything can happen. In the meantime, I may spit out another series similar to this one after the combine, where players will rise and fall faster than it takes to finish reading this post(About 4.3 seconds). Until then, never forget to love without condition, and enjoy the journey my CSR friends.

The content of these posts are those of the user/fan making the post only

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Comments

I Love Your Last Line, & Hope That Everyone Follows Your Advice

by PanthersRoar on Feb 6, 2012 11:37 PM EST reply actions

I have to continue to remind myself everyday to practice this.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 12:37 AM EST up reply actions

I REALLY dont like taking Brockers

to much risk, besides, I dont think our DTs will be to terrible. We saw a lot of improvement in our young group and Edwards should be back which will help. Still pulling for Kirk or trade back

I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was

by pcroadrage on Feb 6, 2012 11:45 PM EST reply actions

I'm with you.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 12:36 AM EST up reply actions

Like everyone, I love Brockers' upside.

But I just don’t see the “now” that we need from a top-10 pick. Likewise, I’m not enamored with Kirkpatrick.

Follow me on Twitter at @JakeHumphrey91

by Jake Humphrey on Feb 7, 2012 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

After the Giants win, Brockers stock will rise

It’s a copycat league, and all the teams out there are now trying to figure out how to generate a monster pass rush with their front four.

Not sure he’s the best fit for Carolina, but I bet his stock is higher than it was Saturday through no doing of his own.

Follow me on Twitter

by Cyberjag on Feb 7, 2012 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not so sure, He doesn't really offer much of a pass rush ( 2 in his entire career)

And if the Panthers don’t choose him, he may fall into the late 20’s.

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 Feb 7, 2012 4:11 PM EST up reply actions

I saw the MOST improvement when the young tackles went on IR.

Kearse and Neblett were the most effective inside linemen stopping the run.
Brockers is three hundred and five pounds, has room to gain twenty more easily and was recruited to play linebacker at LSU. He’s QUICK & AGILE !! He fits “The RivERA Doctrine” … Young, Talented, Needs Coaching.

by criolle on Feb 7, 2012 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

Brockers is the kind of raw athlete a good team can take a flyer on.

They can get him and give him time to develop. We don’t really have that luxury with our first round pick. We need a guy who is an immediate upgrade.

We need a nose tackle.

by ERL on Feb 7, 2012 4:00 PM EST up reply actions

+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 Feb 7, 2012 4:10 PM EST up reply actions

The draft is certainly a journey...

Just think about last year. Even this year I’ve found myself changing from DT to CB, expanding to consider OT, and now even seriously thinking about a dynamic WR in the first round (gasp). Many days to go until the end of April, enjoy the ride my friends.

"You know the new iPhone? It’s faster, more powerful and smarter. It’s revolutionary. Why can’t the quarterback be like that? Why can’t you be a big, tall, fast, quick, strong, smart, mobile quarterback who’s unstoppable?"
-Cam Newton

by carolinapillpusher on Feb 7, 2012 10:28 AM EST reply actions

I'm really starting to like the idea of taking Jenkins

i dont like it at 8, but if we trade back i would be happy with him

I wanna be the very best, like no one ever was

by pcroadrage on Feb 7, 2012 2:19 PM EST up reply actions

Me too.

Weeks ago, not a chance. As the time has passed, I have slowly become more open to him. Plus his skillset as a pure cover corner could actually benefit us more than Kirpatrick.

by carolinapillpusher on Feb 7, 2012 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

i'm with yall!

more because of skepticism bout dre k than anything, but jenkins looks natural covering, for real. i’ve said it before on here, dre k’s strong suit is tackling, and i want that in a safety to play more of the field. you can take a corner out of the game, though it would be tough with gamble on the other side.

by bylinebrown on Feb 9, 2012 1:58 AM EST up reply actions

I'm fine with any of these drafts

However, if we don’t address safety and RT in FA, then we absolutely need starters in those 2 positions. At least with CB, we have Hogan and we have Fields coming back at DT. There is no way that I would not assume that TD will never be able to play again, so I’m glad we address that need in the draft.

by Deuceklinco on Feb 7, 2012 2:40 PM EST reply actions

I would list Neblett, Kearse and Shirley as assets at DT before mentioning Fields, and Schwartz could play RT if needed.

Agree on Hogan, but they’ll have to make some decisions on the CB position (well, really every position) before mini-camps, which is when they could see how Hogan is coming along.

We need a nose tackle.

by ERL on Feb 7, 2012 2:59 PM EST up reply actions

Who is this Fields? The guy we kept for a few then cut because he frankly sucked? Did you mean Edwards?

For our DT position I would rank it: Edwards, McClain, Neblett, Shirley, Fua/Kearse.

Yes if Schwartz is re-signed then he’s a guy who will be our RG, but can easily switch to RT. He’s done it before and last year prior to the season he WAS our RG until he got hurt and we were fine with that. People should remember that.

by daviddemont on Feb 7, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

Uh, was this in reply to Duece?

’Cause I pretty much said the same thing.

We need a nose tackle.

by ERL on Feb 7, 2012 5:00 PM EST up reply actions

Both of you since you both mentioned "Fields"

by daviddemont on Feb 7, 2012 9:27 PM EST up reply actions

The way I see it now, he will be fortunate to be a camp body in August.

We need a nose tackle.

by ERL on Feb 8, 2012 11:24 PM EST up reply actions

Improvements in secondary and DL inevitable

I think we’re going to see a lot of improvement in both areas on defense even if we don’t bring in any new players. With a full offseason, the defense will be more knowledgeable of the defense. They will do more things like being where they are supposed to be. It’s nice to have more talented players, but it doesn’t take a whole lot of talent to simply be where you’re supposed to be according to the defensive gameplan. We gave up a lot of big plays because guys were simply out of position. Run defense is the same way. Guys have to hit the right holes and take on the right blockers from the right angles. That will improve with coaching. I don’t even know how mant DL we had that were rookies, and we have no DL that were drafted higher than the 3rd round. They will get better with more experience in the system.

Another big factor, IMO, was conditioning. Our guys are simply going to be in better shape with a full offseason, especially the 2nd year players.

With that said, that’s why I’m all for drafting BPA in the 1st rd, and throughout the draft. I don’t think we have holes on defense so big that we should ignore a potential 10 year starter on the OL if available. If the BPA is a DL or DB, I’m fine with that, too. I just think that conditioning, experience, and discipline are going to be bigger factors for us next year than the 2012 draft.

by usana_gaines on Feb 7, 2012 3:26 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I like how you're thinking.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

Considering the fact that Rivera had a #1 defense with most unrecognized players and no Pro Bowlers...

I’d say there’s very good probability that the team will get better even without bringing in new players.

"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"

by Efury on Feb 7, 2012 5:42 PM EST up reply actions

Precisely!

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 7:04 PM EST up reply actions

yup! i been screaming this from the rooftops.

let the coaches coach. they’re gonna make it work.

by bylinebrown on Feb 9, 2012 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

We definitely need someone who will make an immediate impact from day 1, and IMO, Brockers isn't that guy.

However, I do like the selections of Minnifield Spence, and Curry.

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 Feb 7, 2012 4:14 PM EST reply actions

There are a lot of players I like here.

Ta’amu, Curry, Minnifield, Spence.

I think all four of those guys have a great chance at having successful NFL careers.

We need a nose tackle.

by ERL on Feb 7, 2012 4:20 PM EST up reply actions

Ditto.

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 Feb 7, 2012 6:22 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed, especially Minnifield and Ta'amu

Minnifield is a solid corner. I was impressed by his play in the games I watched of him. Ta’amu has that look of a player that will end up being 10 year big’un that makes tons of cash throughout their career because GMs recognize how important they are for a defense.

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 7, 2012 11:20 PM EST up reply actions

The one guy that I am starting to warm up to that hasn’t been mocked to us is Ingram. I watched him play a couple times and they say he pretty much dominated Senior Bowl practices. I think he could be a run stuffing DE on 1st and 2nd down, and on third being Hardy off the bench and have Johnson and Ingram on the outside with Hardy and insert name here on the inside. I really believe you gotta build a football team from the inside out . You will always have a chance to win with good lineman on both sides of the ball.

by JStewart28 on Feb 7, 2012 4:35 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Like you, I'm really looking hard at Ingram right now.

He would really give Hardy a run for his money at that starting LDE position in practice, which would force them to compete harder and they would seemingly only become better players in the process.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Hardy's play recogntion

Is SO bad. He bats down balls, but at 280-5, he should be good at stopping the run. Yes that’ll come with experience, but you can never have too many good and fresh pash rushers (see Giants)

by LeventiJ on Feb 7, 2012 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Hardy Played At Around 260 Pounds In College, So Maybe He Learned To Play Small & Is Still Learning To Addapt His Playing Style To His Increased Weight?

by PanthersRoar on Feb 7, 2012 6:16 PM EST up reply actions

I concur.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 7:05 PM EST up reply actions

to me, our first pick should be a gamecock.

i like either ingram or jeffrey. they fit.

by bylinebrown on Feb 9, 2012 2:02 AM EST up reply actions

Sherrod Martin

Cannot start the season at FS. We have to draft a SS at some point (preferably the 2nd round to get a guy that can start). He can’t tackle and Godfrey can move to FS.

That said, our pass rush is pretty terrible. Coples, Ingram, or Brockers would help, but that really depends on the combine. IF we trade back in the 1st round, we should take Mark Barron IMO and a DL prospect in the 2nd.

by LeventiJ on Feb 7, 2012 5:50 PM EST reply actions

My prediction and desire is still the same thing.

CB Kirkpatrick, the resident weed smoker himself. We should do our due diligence on him to make sure he’s a good player and his drug stuff isn’t a problem. If he doesn’t work out, we should go after a DT of some kind. That’s been my desire and it’ll continue to be my desire right up until draft day.

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

by Revshawn on Feb 7, 2012 6:37 PM EST reply actions

My top two choices for #1.....................

are Coples first, Kirkpatrick second.

in the 2nd round, I like Bobby Wagner at OLB and Kevin Zeitler at OG.

I love Taamu, but don’t think there’s any way he’s there in the 2nd.

by magicman56 on Feb 7, 2012 6:39 PM EST reply actions

I really like Wagner and Zeitler too.

However, I’d wait to see if Wagner was around for our 4th round pick. Zeitler would be an excellent value pick in the 2nd round because I think he’s a first round talent. I think Coples will be off the board when we pick, but you never know what could happen. I’d, personally, love to see Claiborne or Blackmon fall to us.

by Derek Leazer on Feb 7, 2012 7:12 PM EST up reply actions

Ingram>coples

More skilled, athletic, can play 3 positions at a top level, AMAZING character, high motor.

WHY would we want to draft a lesser Peppers? I HATE players who don’t play full motor

"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Feb 7, 2012 7:12 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Dido on the "High motor" comment!

I Hate guys that play lazy[see Peppers]. If they play lazy without getting paid…… whats he gonna do with some money? he's really gonna play harder now that he's getting paid

by TheWhite Mamba on Feb 7, 2012 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

remember friend, just because u play college ball doesnt mean ur not getting paid to play. lol

"Don't tell me about the pain, just bring me the baby" Cam Newton

by braves&panthers4ever on Feb 7, 2012 9:21 PM EST via Android app up reply actions

Actually, Coples has the more diverse pass rushing repertoire.

With his ability to bull rush any Tackle, as well as beat them through the gap with his speed, Coples provides a unique combination of strength and speed not present in many DE’s.
Not to mention, Coples can also play 3 positions well. 4-3 DE, 4-3 DT, or 3-4 OLB.
And as for the lack of motor complaints, tons of players have had their motivation questioned coming out of college, i.e. Ngata, Suh, Trent Williams, not all players with ‘questionable’ motors turn out to be lazy players.

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 Feb 7, 2012 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed. Coples and Ingram are both much more of 50/50 guys than I think either "Carolina"

fanbases want to admit. Coples may never find his motor and Ingram might end up getting swallowed up by NFL tackles and never possess quite the elite speed on the edge needed to go around the elite tackles.

I love Ingram’s fire and I think he’ has a chance to be a really good player. But you can’t teach size and while he’s no Peppers (who the hell is?) he is an incredible athlete for his size.

From an athleticism standpoint, dismissing him because he’s a less talented Peppers is like dismissing Dwyane Wade because he is a less talented Michael Jordan.

I an NOT saying Coples is going to be the Dwyane Wade of defensive ends. I’m saying he is extremely athletic, just not once in a generation athletic.

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 7, 2012 11:46 PM EST up reply actions

can't teach Coples' size

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 7, 2012 11:48 PM EST up reply actions

Suh was overwhelmingly dominate, same for ngata

Coples was against bad teams

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Feb 8, 2012 2:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I'll grant you Suh...he's a freak. But even though Ngata and Coples are different styles of player - Just a comparison

Ngata – 2 seasons 107 tackles, 17.5 tackles for a loss, and 6.5 sacks
Coples – 2 seasons 113 tackles 40 tackles for loss 18 sacks

Season while playing predominantly defensive tackle for both players:
Ngata – 59 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3 sacks
Coples – 59 tackles 15.5 tackles for loss 10 sacks

As for saying Coples performs only against bad teams, did you know Ngata only has 3 tackles his entire career against USC? No sacks, tackles for loss…nada. As for performance in bowl games….his whole career? 2 assisted tackles.

Jared Allen didn’t do much of anything against “quality” opponents in college, neither did Michael Strahan. For all we know Ingram will be the next Terrell Suggs and Coples will be the next Jared Allen…or they could both be the next Vernon Gholston and Andre Wadsworth.

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 8, 2012 10:39 AM EST up reply actions

Vagus, you're wasting your time.

To MT, if you didn’t play in the SEC, you’re not worth drafting.

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.

Follow me on Twitter! @bdubsmitty

by BW Smith on Feb 8, 2012 12:12 PM EST up reply actions

If we are basing things off of conference history I sure as hell hope we don't draft a D-lineman

from the SEC…

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 8, 2012 2:54 PM EST up reply actions

Coples was consistently double teamed, and he put up more TFL's almost as many sacks, as Ingram.

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 Feb 8, 2012 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

Honest question: What 3 positions?

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 7, 2012 11:47 PM EST up reply actions

De,DT, lb

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Feb 8, 2012 2:16 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

It would be extremely tough for Ingram to play DT in the NFL

He has short arms (31 inches) and low weight 270’s…the average arm length of an NFL DT is over 33 inches. I do think Ingram has the potential to be one helluva rush LB though.

Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques

I don't always dress like a pirate...but when I do, I do it in this picture.

by Vagus on Feb 8, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions

agreed. i like him at lb though.

he’s agile. you see him returning that intercept last year. could be our new td. they’re diff, but both would make a move to weakside and both are STRONG and ATHLETIC!

by bylinebrown on Feb 9, 2012 2:05 AM EST up reply actions

He can gain weight.. I see him easily getting to 290 without a problem

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Feb 10, 2012 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

we should go with Ingram in the first/ without a trade back

and the we need to either go OL or LB[BPA] we need to make sure Cam is Safe! and we can draft some WR/CB/etc. later rounds. but i truly believe we need to draft for our OL/DL/LB then eveything else.

by TheWhite Mamba on Feb 7, 2012 8:59 PM EST reply actions