Receivers need to be #1 priority.

[kungfoodude]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Was he?

Look again.

I will be damned......

Now isn't that some poo.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2016/12/23/alan-branch-still-upset-about-false-report-drug-suspension/JiTif2Wu43oIRyJWRqOEPM/story.html

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, hepcat said:

I mean if you're trying to use the Patriots as an example of why the Panthers shouldn't risk getting guys with potential drug or character issues, using the Patriots just isn't a good idea. I think you're overlooking one really bad guy they had.

Hernandez?  Not really.

Hernandez was a POS for far worse reasons than Gordon.  He's closer to Rae Carruth.  And nobody knew what Carruth was capable of either.

But the Patriots don't often sign guys with high risk profiles.  The teams that most often do are the Bengals, Raiders and Cowboys, none of whom have a Super Bowl trophy in the last several years.

The suggestion that franchises who look at character issues "don't often win" is just silly.

[kungfoodude]

4 minutes ago, hepcat said:

I mean if you're trying to use the Patriots as an example of why the Panthers shouldn't risk getting guys with potential drug or character issues, using the Patriots just isn't a good idea. I think you're overlooking one really bad guy they had.

They do lead us all time in murders committed by current/former players.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, kungfoodude said:

They do lead us all time in murders committed by current/former players.

Not by much though, sadly.

[kungfoodude]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Not by much though, sadly.

Well, supposedly Hernandez might have been involved in more than a couple. We will never know.

 

Also, as for suspensions, there is actually a damn Wiki list if anyone cares to peruse it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suspensions_in_the_National_Football_League

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, kungfoodude said:

Well, supposedly Hernandez might have been involved in more than a couple. We will never know.

 

Also, as for suspensions, there is actually a damn Wiki list if anyone cares to peruse it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suspensions_in_the_National_Football_League

I suspect Hernandez is responsible for way more than what he was convicted for.

(that's probably true of a lot of guys)

[hepcat]

Just now, Mr. Scot said:

Hernandez?  Not really.

Hernandez was a POS for far worse reasons than Gordon.  He's closer to Rae Carruth.  And nobody knew what Carruth was capable of either.

But the Patriots don't often sign guys with high risk profiles.  The teams that most often do are the Bengals, Raiders and Cowboys, none of whom have a Super Bowl trophy in the last several years.

The suggestion that franchises who look at character issues "don't often win" is just silly.

Maybe a new thread should be created about this because it's a totally new topic from what the original thread subject.

But I'm not really seeing your point here. Every player in the NFL comes with some kind of risk, whether it's character issues, drug issues, lack of talent or capability issues, motivation issues, etc. Cam Newton was a huge risk and had his own checkered past. You can't just say that the Panthers should only look at choir boys because the team would probably be awful. And you can't just say roll the dice on big talent players with possible off-field issues either, because you might not have a team to take the field either. It's a mixed bag. Sometimes you roll the dice, sometimes you go safe. People suggesting roll the dice on Josh Gordon aren't wrong, they're just more of a gambler than you are. I wouldn't be upset if the Panthers got Josh Gordon, the payoff could be massive. 

[L-TownCat]

3 hours ago, Rags said:

I'm inclined to agree but I'm just as worried about our Secondary.

All our games were close.  Add more weapons and offensive consistency and they aren't close anymore.

We still have Luke and a dope front 7.

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, hepcat said:

Maybe a new thread should be created about this because it's a totally new topic from what the original thread subject.

But I'm not really seeing your point here. Every player in the NFL comes with some kind of risk, whether it's character issues, drug issues, lack of talent or capability issues, motivation issues, etc. Cam Newton was a huge risk and had his own checkered past. You can't just say that the Panthers should only look at choir boys because the team would probably be awful. And you can't just say roll the dice on big talent players with possible off-field issues either, because you might not have a team to take the field either. It's a mixed bag. Sometimes you roll the dice, sometimes you go safe. People suggesting roll the dice on Josh Gordon aren't wrong, they're just more of a gambler than you are. I wouldn't be upset if the Panthers got Josh Gordon, the payoff could be massive. 

It's pretty easy to gamble when none of the consequences fall on you.

Carruth was a guy who didn't have many red flags but went nuts.  Hard to blame anyone for that one.

But a guy who's failed multiple drug tests (you have to fail several before the NFL actually suspends you) and can be in a program where he knows he's going to be tested repeatedly but still uses? Come on.

Same thing with guys that test positive at the Combine.  You know you're gonna be tested and your future career is on the line, but you still use?  Yikes.

Some guys just can't get their heads straight, even when they know it could cost them severely.

Those are guys you'd be a fool to gamble on.

[NOVA_Panthers85]

If we can get Gordon for a 3rd round pick lets do it! Instantly becomes the #1 WR. Kids got it all, beat you with speed, routes and jump balls. He's had a history with addiction but having followed him and read up on him it sounds like he has gotten his head together. Hell with Cam he could be the best WR in the division and quite possibly the league. 

[mbarbour1987]

1 hour ago, kungfoodude said:

I don't even know that I would take a CB in the first round unless he is a surefire home run. I would rather bring in a good, affordable veteran to give us the ability to shuffle Worley and Bradberry. Now, I would take a very high level safety in the first round.

I agree on the WR, it may only take one guy to really open up that offense. Funchess, if he can stay healthy, is a viable option and hopefully between Samuel and Byrd we can get some consistency from one of them. If not, at least we are one step closer to making our offense more dangerous. Heck, give me a high level route runner with good hands, even! 

My biggest fear is that we end up having to replace guys like Peppers, Star and Norwell with our draft picks and can't adequately address some of our existing roster holes(WR, CB, OT, etc).

I meant DB, not CB. And that’s what I am saying, if it’s the right situation of course. 

Like I have said in other threads, we need someone who has good route running, good NFL speed, and reliable hands. Getting him is priority 1 to me. I feel getting a top FA would ensure those qualities. 

Defense needs work, no doubt. We need to make moves there obviously. I just think those moves won’t matter if we can’t score TDs. 

[trueblade]

1 hour ago, BigBoyDonuts said:

Yeah that is why I think Travis Benjamin is a realistic target. Experienced provides speed, can do returns, basically more experienced Byrd/Samuel. Plus he has shown he can stay healthy. I wouldn't think he'd cost too much, we don't have a 4th round pick so i'd offer a 5th. Honestly i'd go up to a 3rd for him just to the huge need he'd fill. 

Benjamin was with Turner during his one year as Cleveland's OC.

[hepcat]

10 minutes ago, trueblade said:

Benjamin was with Turner during his one year as Cleveland's OC.

So was Josh Gordon

[hepcat]

37 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

It's pretty easy to gamble when none of the consequences fall on you.

Carruth was a guy who didn't have many red flags but went nuts.  Hard to blame anyone for that one.

But a guy who's failed multiple drug tests (you have to fail several before the NFL actually suspends you) and can be in a program where he knows he's going to be tested repeatedly but still uses? Come on.

Same thing with guys that test positive at the Combine.  You know you're gonna be tested and your future career is on the line, but you still use?  Yikes.

Some guys just can't get their heads straight, even when they know it could cost them severely.

Those are guys you'd be a fool to gamble on.

Well you’re kinda disproving your own point man. No one knew what Rae Carruth was capable of. He didn’t seem like a risk. Same for Aaron Hernandez. Every player is a risk, some are just more obvious than others. Would you rather take a low level risk on someone you know can play but might screw up like Josh Gordon? If he pays off, that’s a championship level move. If he doesn’t, what’s the negative? Can’t be any worse than trotting out Brenton fuging Bersin in a playoff game.