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2013 NFL Offseason: NFL and NFLPA in talks to push back draft and change start of league year

2013-05-20T18:26:03Z

If you're a draft junkie who has date lines marked on your bedroom wall to count down the days before the draft like you see prisoners do in movies, you probably won't like this news.

Adam Schefter is reporting that the NFL and NFLPA are in the process of moving the date of the NFL Draft to sometime in May. They are also considering moving up the start of the league year to sometime in February, before the start of the NFL Combine.

Here's a tweet from Schefter with the details:

NFL and NFLPA are on verge of pushing back draft to May and moving up start of league year to before combine, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 20, 2013

This doesn't really move the radar for a lot of fans, but for some it will be torturous to see the draft moved even further back from the completion of the Combine. The current system with a little over a month between the events is painful enough, but in a way it does make sense to have the draft a little closer to the start of OTA's so teams don't have to wait as long to get their rookies out on the field.

If you're adamantly against this change, keep in mind that the NFL and NFLPA are currently in the "discussion" stage. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, so it's still possible that they decide not to do this.

As always, stay tuned to CSR for any breaking updates to this story.

NFL.com Ranks Cam Newton #12 QB in NFL

2013-05-20T18:00:06Z

We've grown accustomed to Newton getting slighted in the national media. Marc Sessler is the latest writer to place Newton below less accomplished QBs who instead had winning seasons last year. I guess having the best two first seasons by a QB in NFL history is not worth a mention, simply that his 'physical tools' is apparently all that he has going for him:

Ranking the NFL quarterbacks - NFL.com
The future, Part II

10. Colin Kaepernick

11. Russell Wilson

12. Cam Newton

Gregg Rosenthal informs me that I've given too much love to the newbies. I disagree. Last year's rookies -- and the schemes they operated -- altered the game. Wilson is a thing of beauty: technically clean, a fiery leader, never cowed by the moment. Kaepernick won me over during that chaotic first half of the NFC title game. He never panicked. Nothing about either player tells me they'll regress. Newton -- entering a huge year three -- sits at No. 12 because his physical tools are insane. So much pure ability. Cam can chart his fate, for better or worse.

Will Newton ever get the respect he deserves? Probably not if the Panthers don't ever put together a winning season. Obviously I'm very hopeful this is the year we get back to the playoffs, ten years removed from our improbable Super Bowl run in 2003.

I guess my biggest gripe is ranking Newton is the second group of 'The Future' where Luck and RG3 are in the first group. We've well chronicled the fact the Colts played the softest schedule in the NFL which was proven when they got roundly pummeled in the playoffs. Newton and the Panthers beat Redskins and RG3 straight up in week 9 but that win obviously didn't count for much.

We just need to get over this lack of respect right? Win 10 to 12 games and the respect will come you are probably thinking. Maybe so but I'm betting Newton will have to string together several winning seasons to get the respect already being upon these younger players.

The Sween's Reflections: Panther's Early Offseason

2013-05-20T16:00:06Z

As some have probably noted, I've been a little quiet since the draft, but now that everything is finally starting to cool off, I've had time to really sit down and reflect on what the Panthers have done and how they are looking as we move into the early off season.

Strength at Defensive Tackle

With one swooping draft, the Panthers look to have solidified their interior for the first time since Kris Jenkins was sent to the New York Jets. Fua and McClain were nothing if not underwhelming and never really developed into solid contributors for this team, but by all accounts it appears that our new double-down on DTs looks to be cut from a different cloth. Before his heart scare, Star Lotulelei was considered by many to one of if not the best draft prospects overall. Likewise, Short is also an added pick up whom I expect to see contributions from early on in the season by the 4th week, if not sooner. In any event, a previous weakness now looks to be a strength.

Running Back Quandry... or lack thereof

As some of you may have noted, about the only thing I've really spoke up recently on is the status of DeAngelo Williams in the future of our offense. Personally, I was really inclined to believe that the drafting of Kenjon Barner in some way spelled the end of DeAngelo Williams's time in Carolina. Quite frankly, Barner is not a poor man's DeAngelo Williams and to think that the new 6th round pick could be replacing the best RB in Panther's history is a long shot by far. No, I think Barner is more likely a project who can step in for to special teams roles, particularly PR and KR after Ginn leaves.

As it stands, I really don't think there is any changing of the guard here at RB. Williams finished the season on a strong note, proving that he is more than capable still of being the lead back. The benefit of having Stewart was always that they were great compliments to each other. I think we'll be keeping the status quo of an equal split between double trouble, and that's really the way it should be. Each back is talented enough to be used in any package on offense we throw at them, but last season we saw both pigeon holed into very specific roles, which really made them less effective.

Besides, DeAngelo's restructure makes it a lot harder to cut him because his base salaries are really low. He'll be with us for the long haul. And speaking of Williams's restructure...

Let's Re-sign the Kraken

Not only should this be a priority, but we can actually do it. In conjunction with a few moves, some of which might not be so tasteful, it would be really easy to lock up Greg Hardy. He is young, productive, and positively insane. Quite frankly, I like that. Besides, who doesn't wanna see a Hardy Short Star Johnson defensive line for the next 5 years?

To do this, there are likely going to be some more deals that need to be addressed similar to what DeAngelo received. In particular, Jon Beason is going to have to accept a diminished role in our defense and take a pay cut that is equivalent to said role. If not, he's probably the best option to trade going into next season. I wouldn't cut him, but I'm sure there are many teams out there would would love to acquire a Pro-Bowl MLB if Beason is unwilling to do what it takes to stay with Carolina.

We need another WR

Speaking of personnel moves and their team salaries... Why are we paying a 34 year old WR $7 million a year when even he says he wouldn't pay one that much? Steve Smith is perhaps the best Panther in franchise history, but like Jon Beason, he's just a little too expensive for the services he provides. If I had one thing I disliked about this past draft, it would be that we did not attempt to address the deficiency at WR. In the event that Brandon LaFell goes elsewhere next season, we're left with a lot of really unproven and underdeveloped WRs... Unless you really think that Ted Ginn Jr is finally going to make that leap. Doubtful.

So we're going to really need to look hard for that WR. The problem is that if we do re-sign Hardy, we can't really pursue a topflight WR agent, which means we'll have to target a WR in the draft next season... Oh and there's one other problem there...

We really need another OT

We all know that Jordan Gross isn't going to be on the team for much longer. I don't know what they are going to do when his contracts ends. As it stands, we're looking at Bruce Campbell and Byron Bell as our starting tackles and that quite frankly scares me. Who knows, maybe Campbell has stepped it up a notch since coming to us from the Raiders, but I really am not holding out hope for that.

Our offensive line was one of the worst in the league last year, and rest assured no amount of help from C Ryan Kalil returning to the line up will alleviate the need for solid offensive tackles to keep edge rushers off Cam's flanks. And like I said, if we re-sign the Kracken, where is the money going to come from to pick up the rest of the players we need? Well, it's not that it isn't there... it's just that there's probably a $20 million elephant staring at us in 2015 and we sure as hell aren't going to let that one get away...

Wrap Up

That's really about all I had to share this week. If you enjoyed the random nonsensical thoughts that have been churning about in this authors head, let me know and I'll be sure to keep it through the summer and into the season.

Keep it classy Panther Nation.

Cam Newton is a leaner leader in 2013

2013-05-20T13:20:13Z

Cam Newton will look a little different come this fall, but it's all in an effort to further improve his game. An article by Joe Person, he details how Cam has lost 5-6 pounds this off-season. This puts him at around 245 lbs, which keeps him as one of the largest quarterbacks in the league -- but also allows him to be a little faster on the field.

"I don't know if he did it intentionally or it's a matter of how active he's been," Rivera said, but it's hard to imagine this is a wild coincidence. If anything, the likelihood in being away from Charlotte would have added weight, not lost. Newton didn't look heavy in 2013, but his weight loss points to the larger facet to Cam -- self-improvement.

It's this adherence to honing his game that's often glossed over when discussing Newton as a quarterback. Sure, every QB does work in the off-season, but most fail to realize that he shares the same sensibilities as Peyton Manning when it comes to preseason preparation. He might fall short during the regular season when it comes to getting his team to the playoffs, but Cam is taking the next step to change that.

More encouraging are a few simple words from Person that make a world of difference:

"Rivera said Newton has taken on more of a leadership role in his third season."

This is the final step Cam needs to take in order to transcend being a physically gifted player, and become a dominant quarterback. The towels, the pouting, the sideline spats with Steve Smith -- this is where all that gets erased, and if the light-bulb has come on for Newton as a leader, well, it could be very special.

It remains to be seen whether this weight loss and burgeoning leadership will result in the best Newton we've seen -- but at least he'll be running on well-maintained feet.

My sister is getting a pedicure across from Cam Newton and his Mom. cc @wexler twitter.com/ericaelliott/s…
— Erica Elliott (@ericaelliott) May 18, 2013

CSR Saturday Night Open Thread

2013-05-18T22:00:06Z

This is Now an Open Thread!

Bruce Irvin suspended four games, will miss week one vs. Panthers

2013-05-17T21:19:05Z

Seattle Seahawks pass rusher Bruce Irvin will miss the first four games of the regular season due to a positive test for performance enhancing drugs. One of the Panthers' toughest games of 2013 has become a little easier.

While the league hasn't officially announced what the suspension is for, Dave Softy Mahler is reporting that the suspension is for Adderall -- which has become quite the theme for Pete Carroll's team.

While the Seahawks have plenty of defensive talent, they're not quite as deep as edge rusher as you may think. Cliff Avril will start along with Michael Bennett, but there are no guarantees that Bennett's 9.0 sack season in 2012 was anything buy an anomaly. If you know much about how Seattle's defense operates you'll know about the importance of the Leo linebacker role -- which is now taken away without Irvin.

Obviously it's still a brutal game, but in 2012 the Seahawks only managed to beat the Panthers by four points, and in that game it was Irvin who contributed two of the team's four sacks.

Former Panthers RB Mike Goodson arrested on drug/gun charges in New Jersey

2013-05-17T16:41:25Z

Well, this isn't good for Mike Goodson. According to a tweet from Adam Schefter, the former Panthers running back and kick returner was arrested in New Jersey last night on drug and weapons charges.

Here are Schefter's tweets with the info:

Jets RB Mike Goodson was arrested this morning on drug possession and weapons charges, NJ state police spokesperson Stephen Jones said.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2013

NY RB Mike Goodson charged with possession of marijuana under 50 grams, possession of drug paraphanalia, unlawful possession of loaded gun.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 17, 2013

According to sources, not only was Goodson in possession of illegal drugs and an unregistered gun loaded with hollow point bullets, but he also was so drunk that he had to be taken to the hospital in an ambulance. It's really hard to find a bright side to this story, but if there is one it's the fact that Goodson was not driving the car at the time of the arrest.

There are two conflicting reports as to whether or not Goodson was the owner of the weapons and drugs that were found in the car, but according to Will Brinson - who spoke to the NJPD - Goodson is in a lot of trouble.

Here's Brinson's tweet on the situation:

NJSPolice to me: Michael Darryl Goodson Jr charged w/ poss of marijuana, poss of firearm, hollow point round, loaded gun
— Will Brinson (@WillBrinson) May 17, 2013

As stated in this tweet from Brinson, Goodson is being charged with a crime of the fourth degree. According to New Jersey state law, that means Goodson can spend up to 18 months in prison if convicted. The bad news for Goodson is it appears that New Jersey has some of the strictest laws in the US regarding hollow point bullet possession, so it's highly unlikely he will avoid jail time for this incident.

As for what it means for his NFL career, it's likely over. Plaxico Burress was able to find a job in 2011 (with the Jets, strangely enough) after serving his two-year sentence for illegal gun possession, but Burress is a better football player than Goodson, so Goodson has most likely squandered any chance of a future in the NFL with this recent run-in with the law.

If you want to keep up with this developing story, feel free to check out our fellow SB Nation site Gang Green Nation, who I'm sure will provide any new details as they're made available.

Can Steve Smith make the Hall of Fame?

2013-05-17T13:07:57Z

Steve Smith has over 11,000 receiving yards for the Carolina Panthers, but despite those yards, two All Pro selections, and four Pro Bowls he's on the outside looking in to make the Hall of Fame.

Comments this week by Ronde Barber solidify how Smith is viewed by NFL players. A tenacious competitor, and rare-talent -- but this isn't enough to get recognized by the national media who vote. Furthermore, for all the great work he's done off the field, they're accomplishments that are easy to overlook in the wake of widely-known issues like his run in with Ken Lucas, and most recently his comments about Mark Sanchez.

In Carolina we know that Smith is one of the most misunderstood players in the league. A (mostly) humble, quiet, family man who relishes his privacy. Nationally he's seen as another diva wide receiver with a 'me first' attitude, and issues with past teammates. Reconciling these two faces is key to getting him noticed when he retires, but even then it's a long road.

Twelve wide receivers have been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and only three from the modern era: Jerry Rice, Michael Irvin, and Cris Carter. Of these three, the only player worth making the comparison to is Irvin.

	GP	REC	YDS	AVG	TD	All Pro	Pro Bowl	SB Wins
Michael Irvin	159	750	11,904	15.9	65	1	5	3
Steve Smith	167	772	11,412	14.8	63	2	4	0

Super Bowl wins matter. While it's not fair to evaluate individuals so heavily on a team-based metric, it's just the way things are. Irvin is in Canton because of his rings, and while Smith may manage to win one (knock on wood... please), he wont win three before his career is done.

Here is where it gets a lot more tricky. Smith currently sits 23rd on the all-time receiving list, and only two active players are ahead of him. However, it becomes difficult to fight for him in relation to other modern-era receivers.

- Terrell Owens: 15,934 yards, 153 TDs -- 5-time All Pro, 6-time Pro Bowl

- Randy Moss: 15,292 yards, 156 TDs -- 4-time All Pro, 6-time Pro Bowl

- Isaac Bruce: 15,208 yards, 91 TDs -- 4-time Pro Bowl

- Tim Brown: 14,934 yards, 100 TDs -- 9-time Pro Bowl

- Marvin Harrison: 14,580 yards, 120 TDs -- 3-time All Pro, 8-time Pro Bowl

- Torry Holt: 13,382 yards, 74 TDs -- 1-time All Pro, 7-time Pro Bowl

- Andre Reed: 13,198 yards, 87 TDs -- 7-time Pro Bowl

- Reggie Wayne: 13,063 yards, 78 TDs -- 1-time All Pro, 6-time Pro Bowl

- Irving Fryar: 12,785 yards, 84 TDs -- 5-time Pro Bowl

- Hines Ward: 12,083 yards, 85 TDs -- 4-time Pro Bowl

Ten receivers, all of whom are more likely to make it to Canton before Steve Smith -- and some of these players are hardly locks. You're really looking at only a few who are guaranteed to add to that list of 12, and Smith is on the outside.

Add into the fact that younger receivers are nipping at his heels, and it becomes a more problematic pursuit. Andre Johnson is under 200 yards behind Smith, and is two years younger. Larry Fitzgerald will pass Smith also before his career is over, and it's likely Calvin Johnson and Brandon Marshall will do the same.

Look at the HoF in a vacuum and it's easy to compare Smith to Irvin and find a way to put him in, but when you match him to the guys waiting in line, and those yet to come -- it becomes impossible. While he'll remind the greatest Panther of all time for a while, don't hold your breath for Canton. It's just not in the cards.