Depth at safety could become an issue for Panthers

[scpanther22]

The Panthers’ youth movement left them without great depth at certain positions, and Carolina doesn’t exactly have a strong Plan B if the new starting safety tandem of Charles Godfrey(notes) and Sherrod Martin(notes) doesn’t stay healthy or performs poorly. The decision to trade Chris Harris(notes) to the Bears in April led Carolina to move Godfrey from free safety to strong safety, positioning Martin to fill the void left by Godfrey’s shift. Martin made several big plays as a rookie and started five games when Godfrey, who had a disappointing follow-up to a strong rookie campaign, was out because of an injury. The Panthers’ other safeties include veterans Aaron Francisco(notes) and Marcus Hudson(notes) and rookies Jordan Pugh(notes), a sixth-round pick, and Matt O’Hanlon(notes), who went undrafted. Francisco and Hudson are career special-teamers. Pugh and O’Hanlon are unknown commodities. It’s not yet clear who the primary backups will be at each spot, and safety depth could become an issue if the rookies don’t assert themselves.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=pfw-20100520_depth_at_safety_could_become_an_issue_for_panthers

[Wither]

One will be injured relatively early in the season and the rest of the defense will pick up the slack.

Wait, this isn't the predictions thread.

[CBDellinger]

One will be injured relatively early in the season and the rest of the defense will pick up the slack.

Wait, this isn't the predictions thread.

quality.

[Wither]

quality.

Quality... control?

[rmoneyg35]

Is Fransico that bad on defense? I don't see us having that big of a problem at safety. Pugh and O'Hanlon are unproven but I think they will fill in just fine if Hudson and Fransico don't. If Martin and Godfrey get injured/dont perform then we have 4 other guys that could step up. What are the odds that 4 other players couldn't perform well at safety?

[pantherclaw]

Not as bad of an an issue for colts if manning goes down.

Just saying.

[SOJA]

Sherrod Martin had to get more playing time, he might be that big playmaker we are missing. This article, while seeming intelligent, doesn't really tell us anything, yeah we have a bit of a depth issue but what happens if Smith goes down? I'd rather have a safety duo of Martin and Pugh or Martin and Hudson for a couple of games than having no Steve Smith. If your best players get injured your going to be in trouble no matter what. dumb article. next.

[scpanther22]

Is Fransico that bad on defense? I don't see us having that big of a problem at safety. Pugh and O'Hanlon are unproven but I think they will fill in just fine if Hudson and Fransico don't. If Martin and Godfrey get injured/dont perform then we have 4 other guys that could step up. What are the odds that 4 other players couldn't perform well at safety?

Yes he is terrible..

We have no depth at Safety..

[FuzzyPanther]

Seriously? FS and SS are both the definition of hybrids. Free Safety is a CB lacking speed, and SS is a linebacker lacking size... Those are the positions that you put play-makers who don't fit prototype size/speed combo's. A Safety goes down, you put a CB or WLB there... this is a non-issue, and almost silly to worry about. If you've got plenty of LB's and CB's, then you're fine at either S position.

[scpanther22]

Seriously? FS and SS are both the definition of hybrids. Free Safety is a CB lacking speed, and SS is a linebacker lacking size... Those are the positions that you put play-makers who don't fit prototype size/speed combo's. A Safety goes down, you put a CB or WLB there... this is a non-issue, and almost silly to worry about. If you've got plenty of LB's and CB's, then you're fine at either S position.

where did you get this logic from???

[Skip]

The Panthers should trade Mick Mixon to the Steelers for Troy Polamalu.

[SorthNarolina]

where did you get this logic from???

I feel the same way, the nfl is not that simple. With every step up in level the positions get more specialized.

[Cardiac Cat]

where did you get this logic from???

Hes a football expert.. Duhh

[DynastyRTR]

I wonder how much $$ Ken Hamlin would want...He can't be a starter anymore, but can be a very good backup.