Mr. Scot

Good answer, but one question. Does the defense absolutely need him to become 'elite level' in your estimation? Are there others who could also make that happen, maybe in a later round?

But do we have a 'coverage' type safety in the fold with him (or without him, for that matter)?

Even when coverage issues have been an Achilles heel for this defense?

Keeping Hardy was never really financially possible. I knew that the day I heard he'd turned down an offer for 8 million a year. But beyond that, you have to keep in mind that the climate in the NFL took a hard left turn with the Ray Rice story, and frankly the league is still reeling from it. Anybody with a domestic violence rap against them is gonna find it tough sledding. Heck, Hardy's off field shenanigans scared the Seahawks (a team whose brain trust obviously knows how to win the big games) and the Raiders (a team with loads of money to send) out of pursuing him. And the team that did is taking a load of bad press right now. This is how it's gonna be in the post Ray Rice NFL. And let's be real. Regardless of how you feel about his guilt or innocence, Hardy is a guy who's shown plenty of bad judgement in his history. It was pretty clear to anyone who heard Gettleman say "who needs a time bomb" that he had Hardy in mind as one of those. So it wasn't gonna happen anyway. Heck, I loved Hardy's on-field 'Kraken' persona as much as anyone, but it just wasn't meant to be. And no, losing him will not cripple or doom this team as some have suggested. Defense is still a team effort. Yes, what he could do on the field might be difficult to replace... ...but it's not impossible.

If that makes you feel better...

You give yourself way too much credit. Once in a while, I feel the urge to point out silliness and stupidity. You just happen to be a frequent poster of that sort of material. And again, if you hadn't gone to the trouble to build yourself up as a phony insider, that issue wouldn't be here to discuss, would it?

Fair enough, but it is legit that many of the DBs drafted from that program (Barron, for example) haven't proven to be good in the pros. What makes Collins different?

So, Marlon McCree type?

Your mistake is thinking I care what you believe. I care what Voth believes. I care what Igo believes. Heck, I even care what Person and Jones believe because those guys are all legit. And I care what numerous posters on here who have shown themselves to be knowledgeable and reasonable believe. You, I only talk to to point out how off the mark your posts are, such as your supposed proof that Richardson threatened to move the team. Thus, I don't care if you change because I already know what you say can't be trusted or taken seriously.

Gotcha. What's your response to the folks saying Alabama DBs are overrated?

What your opinion is, is not fact. Stop acting like it is and maybe that'll help. And the phony source thing, again, you did to yourself. Frankly, I'm not really sure how you thought you'd get away with that.

Pretty sure compensatory picks never go higher than the third round.

Appreciated.

Other than the runningbacks, this seems like one of the most debated prospects on this board. So a question to the pro and anti Collins posters: Why should I support, or not support, taking him?

I don't have to 'get you'. You do that to yourself. You spent a lot of time building yourself up as an insider. When that was exposed as phony, you took off, but came back later with a new shtick. So now it's "I hate Jerry Richardson" all the time, which frankly is pretty boring. Of course, it also means you're pretty heavily invested in the Panthers being lousy as long as Richardson is in charge, so I'm guessing if the team is actually good this year, you'll probably disappear again because that would make you look pretty stupid. That, plus the guy who owns the board and actually does have access to real inside sources instead of made up ones, has already said your ideas about what it's like inside the Panthers are off base, so...

Cheap, high quality draft picks?

So, your ass. Got it.

Same source that told you Nnamdi Asomugha to the Jets was a done deal?

Mathis is gone from here at least in part due to the fact that he and the OL coach we had when he was drafted really didn't get along. Now? Good as he is, we don't really need a guard. And he'll probably command more money than we have to spare anyway.

What do your inside sources tell you?

Steve Smith was cut last year. You think Jerry Richardson initiated that? As to Hardy, if you've watched the things they've said and read Bill Voth, it's been said many a time that we weren't keeping Hardy anyway. Rivera might have wanted to keep him, but there's no indication Gettleman did. Anyone taking this story to mean that Richardson is suddenly 'hands on' again is probably somebody who just wants to believe that anyway.

You mean like these guys? Seahawks were nervous about Greg Hardy and his price

You're referring to that guy we cut last year?

I think if we ever put together an offensive line, you, JOAT and SCP would all probably be on it. (I'd coach it)

Good description