Woodie

Not if Arizona grabs him first, and I've heard they are very high on him.

Not necessarily, we still don't have a slot guy. Funchess can play slot, but he's better suited to the outside. And neither Ginn nor KB are made for the slot either. But if Coleman drops, he fits the slot quite well, and could add a dynamic element to our offense that we currently don't have. But other than him (or maybe Shepard, who doesn't look to be in play at 30), I agree that no other receiver will come in and start. Nevertheless, unless someone drops, I think either Butler or Ogbah will be the pick. DL is probably our biggest need when you consider Gettleman's philosophy of defense starting with pressure upfront...and the fact that Ealy is now our most reliable complete DE. We can't count on CJ's health, and other than Ealy, we really don't have anyone else that can play both the run and pass effectively.

I've gotten the sense lately that if he's on the board that Butler will be the pick. Unfortunately, That would also mean that he's likely Star's replacement (even though we would still have Star for two more years). If Butler is gone, though, I think Ogbah will be the pick. I feel fairly certain that one of them, at least, will be there at 30. Both would strengthen our DL, but Ogbah is a bigger current need. I think both Henry's could be good players for us, I just don't think either are first round values. Hunetr is being propped up because it's a weak TE draft, and Derrick is being pushed because he is a traditional downhill runner, which fits our MO.

I think all these workouts with 1st/2nd round receivers means WR is definitely in play at 30. They've taken a close look at all of the top receivers, and most of them are not expected to make it to our 2nd round pick. So, I do think they are seriously considering a receiver in the 1st. Of course, a pass rusher or someone they have highly rated unexpectedly dropping would probably trump receiver, but despite some people dismissing it as a possibility, it very well could happen. I believe the Super Bowl exposed our receiving corps a bit and I think lost some of the team's confidence in them for big games. As a result, I expect a minor overhaul (Cotch already gone, and Ginn & Brown having diminished roles).

While I do think the team likes Brown, I think it's only as depth (as in 4th receiver or so). I don't get the sense they view him as a core primary target. Shepard will likely be gone by the middle of the 2nd. So, if the team wants him, they'll almost certainly have to take him at 30 (which I'd be happy with). Generally, I tend to agree with you that the team won't be focusing on WR, but slot is still a need. And if they feel a guy is there that is dynamic and can complete our WR trilogy (KB, Funch, slot guy) for the foreseeable future, I could easily see them pulling the trigger.

If we go offense, it will likely be for either a versatile WR like Coleman that can go deep and play in the slot or outside (if he drops, of course) or an OT like Spriggs that can develop for a year and slide into Oher's LT spot next season. A dark horse would be a Center like Kelly if Kalil has let the team know he is about done and ready to pull a Gross after the season. Defense is probably the more likely choice at 30 with a DE like Ogbah or Bullard being the pick. However, if the team really does like Cravens as much as has been reported, then he could be a surprise pick since there is almost no chance he'll get close to our 2nd rounder. Two position I keep seeing people talk about as possibilities in the 1st that I think are extreme longshots are DT and CB. Unless a DT they have rated as a top half of the 1st drops, I think they'll wait until the 2nd or 3rd to take one. Gettleman has made it clear he has every intention of re-signing both Star and KK, so I just can't see him using a 1st on a backup, even with the way we rotate. And Gettleman has also been very clear that he believes that pressure upfront allows DB's to make plays, and his drafting/FA acquisitions have born that out. I just don't see him taking a CB any earlier than the 3rd.

Don't think either Henry will be the pick. Derrick is big, runs far too upright for his style...he also doesn't have great burst and has to build up to speed, so he will likely have some problems quickly hitting those fast closing holes he'll see in the NFL...not to mention that between high school and last year at Alabama he was used and abused (and his style leads to a lot of big collisions), so longevity and health will likely be an issue. From everything I have read and heard, Hunter is being talked as a potential high pick because he happens to be the best TE in a bad TE class, not because he is anything special at the position. Most seem to think he will just be a solid capable TE, not a star. The impression I get is that if this was even a decent year for TE's, he'd likely be a 2-3 round pick...definitely not a consideration for the 1st.

I think (not 100% certain, but pretty sure) that there is a cutoff date for signing other teams FA's. And if I'm remembering correctly, it is usually about a week before the draft. So, if I'm correct, then any compensation will be for this draft unless otherwise negotiated.

The threat of a holdout is really the only leverage Norman has. Nobody's going to offer him a monster contract and give up two first round picks for him...he knows it and the team knows it. Therefore, the only threat to the team is if he holds out. So, he doesn't want to state absolutely that he won't do it. He has to at least maintain the possibility that he might hold out, otherwise there is no reason for Gettleman up his offer.

Make no mistake, Gettleman is a big picture guy. That means that he is not looking at Josh, his monetary value, and his on-field value in a vacuum. He's looking long-term, and I'm sure he has a plan mapped out on a schedule of who are priority re-signs and who we may have to let walk. It doesn't mean he doesn't value these guys, or that he doesn't think they are worth what the market would pay them, just that they may not fit financially within the bigger picture for Carolina's cap health. And that's where I think Josh fits. He's a very good player who is worthy of a 12-14 mil./year contract, but with all of the other core players that will soon be needing an extension, I think Gettleman has Josh as a lower priority than guys like Star and KK. I think it's clear from both what he has said and his actions thus far that Gettleman places more value on the front seven and skill positions (i.e. touchdown makers) than he does the secondary. That doesn't mean he doesn't want good players back there, just that he believes that a strong front seven makes them better, and that a solid, but not necessarily spectacular guy back there can flourish if you get pressure up front. Bottom line, IMO, if Josh stays, it's going to be at a discount from what he wants, and probably closer to 10 mil. a year than the 12 or 14 he probably deserves.

OBJ has legitimate anger management issues. Unfortunately, at his age, it's unlikely he'll completely resolve them, so it is likely that he will have another meltdown at some point. The problem for him now, though, is that with this being so public anything he does in the future will be highlighted and discussed by the talking heads and won't be swept under the rug. No matter what he does, his reputation and the perception of him has been forever changed.

This picture was my favorite. All the Saints fans looking at Cam like "I really don't like that man," but as you say, the guy in the green jacket looks like he wants to go over and punch him in the nose, but realizes he probably wouldn't wake up for a week if he did. Although, the thing that really made me chuckle is the guy in the striped shirt just behind the photographer on the right. A big ole smiling face in a sea of Saint misery. Classic!!

Much like Jacksonville, we are the better team. However, the OL hasn't quite come together and injuries are a concern. Offensively, they really don't have much for us. Hopkins is good, but with two less than mediocre QB's throwing him the ball, he shouldn't be enough to beat us. And with Foster out, we should be able to control their run game...especially if Star does in fact play (albeit likely with limited snaps). Defensively, I expect they will put pressure on Cam. But I think the receivers will have chances to make some big plays. So, it really comes down to them catching the ball. If Olsen wouldn't have been called for the questionable PI, and Ginn had made that easy TD catch last week, we all would be talking about how good the offense looked and that they can't overlook that side of the ball for us. And as always, Cam is the X-factor in the run game. Designed runs are ok, but it's the improvised ones that can break the back of a defense. I don't know how disciplined their defense is, but if they lose gap control at all, they could have a very big problem on their hands.

Really, if Brown gets over the yips, and Funchess' hamstring clears up by the regular season, then much of this panic would have been for naught I've never been on the Corey Brown hype train, but nobody can deny that he has shown the ability to get open this preseason, and last year he showed he could catch the ball. Now he just needs to put the two together. I agree with Rivera in that it's a mental block for him, so I really do believe if he could have just a couple of good catches, he can and will get his head straight. As for Funchess, he's not going to be KB good this year, but we really don't need him to be. We just need him and Brown (or someone else) to be solid. Remember, last year our OL and running game was so bad that it was impossible for us to have any kind of balance. This year the running game should be exponentially better (just give the OL a chance to gel with their run blocking), which will ease the need for our passing game to carry the offense. It's pretty clear we won't have a dynamic offense, but it should be good enough to win with our defense.

Not sure where to put this point, so this looks as good as spot as anywhere. One problem with preseason is everyone gets all worked up about a series or two. But just think about how many times in the regular season you see a team start fast and take a 10-14 point lead only to have their opponent adjust and come back and win. It happens all the time. There is ebb and flow in every game, but in preseason the 1st team isn't out there long enough to change an ebb to a flow. They don't have time to adjust to and counter what the opponent is doing. So reading too much into what we see is not only pointless, but sometimes not fair to the team or the players.

1) I agree with much of this list, but I think we will keep Fozzy and only 9 OL. 3 RB's would leave us too thin at the position, especially with Stewart's injury history. 2) Byrd's and Ward's chances hinge on their play in preseason games. If they both stand out and make plays throughout the preseason, then there is a chance Ward beats out Brockel and Byrd beats out Berson (or maybe Boykin if he wins the job instead). But neither will make the team by looking great in practice but average or mediocre in the games. Their practice play must translate to game play for either to have a chance. 3) On defense, there is no way they will only keep 5 LB's. I think Trusnik will make the team. And Mayo, IMO, will not be a casualty. The coaches saw something in him, and are certainly willing to be patient as he adjusts. 4) I also don't see 6 CB's. Maybe on a roster without so many quality players on the bubble, it might be possible, but on this team, I just don't see any way they keep that many. I believe Byndom, White, and Heath are competing for 1 or maybe 2 spots. One of them will be left out in the cold.

A lot will change once we get into he preseason games though. Right now, most of the young guns are still learning the system, and many haven't really had an opportunity to stand out. Once the games start, some of these guys will have an opportunity to show something (ex. Wegher and/or Ward can earn more reps with the big boys with impressive showings against real opponents). Also, as they get more comfortable with the system, some will begin making more plays and earn promotions. Over the years, I've learned that reading too much into these early reps is pretty pointless. You have a core whose positions are set, then you have a group that will need to be clearly beaten out to win the position, and finally, you have the guys that have a hold on a position only because of experience or familiarity of the scheme, but the spot is there for the taking once the young guys get up to speed. So, IMO, Ward, Wegher, and Byrd do have legitimate shots to make the team. However, each will need to stand out in the games and continue to be impressive as their reps increase. Average won't get any of these guys on the team, but consistently making plays very well may.

He's a LB, not DB. He fits quite well in Klein's spot.

Absolutely! Two things stand out to me about this offseason: first is that we were determined to improve our 3 point shooting, the second is that we wanted to get bigger and have a versatile team. Most of our pickups have been guys with size that can play competently at multiple positions and can also shoot the three. This will allow us the flexibility to match up well whether teams go big or small. The only thing we really lack is a tough interior defender. Should be a fun year.

I've read that Batum was the SG for the French National team, so has a lot of experience at that spot. As others have said, I think the only reason he played SF at Portland was because of his size and their roster. But it sounds like he has the skillset to be a quality SG for the Hornets.

​I don't really see this comparison. Ward is much more of a bulldozing FB than Goings (and Hoover, for that matter). To me, Goings was more of a less stout Tolbert type of FB...both are do it all utility backs.

​I think it could easily come down to Boykin's ST ability or Cotchery's vet presence. KB (lock) Funchess (lock) Ginn (a lock as the PR) Brown (the added weight could be huge for staying healthy) Hill (if his improvement is real and he shows consistency) Boykin/Cotchery (if the winner would just be the #6 receiver -thus won't suit up on game days-, expect Cotchery to win if the competition is close since he can still add veteran insight from the bench, but Boykin's ST prowess would be worthless in street clothes).

​Ok, first week of practice...point still stands.

​That's the thing, people are putting way too much into one non-padded, non-contact practice...and the first real practice of the year at that. While it's nice to hear that Hill and Brown did well, it won't matter if they can't do it consistently...and against the actual starting DB's. To be honest, I won't fully trust Hill's improved hands until he shows it in game conditions. One other point; Hill and Brown both already know the offense, so can just go out and play, whereas Boykin is still learning it, and developing some kind of chemistry with the QB's. I think this competition will go down to the wire in TC. Each player will have ups and downs, it's whomever can show the most consistency that will make the team.

So far I've been somewhat lukewarm on Dorsett. 2nd or 3rd round is about where I thought he should go. However, I just went back and looked at some of his clips on draftbreakdown, and I'm starting to re-think my position. I'm not 100% sold on him as a 1st round pick yet, but it's not as outlandish an idea as I once thought. Not that I think he's the greatest receiver since Jerry Rice or anything, but for me it's about fit. Last year, I felt our biggest need was a guy that could turn nothing into something. Yes, we need speed, but we need more than just the type of speed that can take the top off, we need the kind of speed that can take a short 5 yard reception and turn it into a 30 yard gain in the blink of an eye. And that's the kind of speed Dorsett has. That's what was so enticing about Brandon Cooks last year. It's not the deep ball, it's the danger a player like this causes the defense. Now, you can find all kinds of track guys with that kind of speed, but usually they can't catch, so are useless on the football field. But the thing I find most impressive about Dorsett is not his speed, but the fact he is a good hands catcher. He's not going to give you much as a blocker, but as a receiver, I think he's the exact type to open things up for KB (and our run game) and would perfectly compliment Benjamin's strengths. He's a guy you have to pay attention to, or he can make you pay dearly for the oversight. And that, IMO, is the biggest missing ingredient for our offense. If we added nothing but him to what we already have, I think our offense will be exponentially better than last year...not just because of what he would do, but what his presence would allow the rest of our playmakers to do as well. Sometimes it's not who's the better overall player, but who's the better fit for your team.