Places to upgrade you may not have thought of yet

[MHS831]

Some areas we need to upgrade if we want to take it to the next level (that would be level 2):

Tight end: King has become a decent blocker, but is no offensive threat, unless you take advantage of the fact that the other team does not consider him a threat as evidenced by his TD Sunday, followed by his between the leg spike and "Oops, I think I soiled myself" squat. He is the only TE who blocks out of a stance; the others are motioning into a trap of sorts, or lead blocking. Maybe the new coach lets Barnidge a shot. He is a tremendous athlete who is being wasted on special teams, where he dominates. If not, An all around TE can be found late in the draft. I wanted Kevin Boss, so there.

Reserve Center: If you think this season was a bust, imagine how laughable it would have been if Kalil had not been healthy. Remember Bernadeau's rainbow snaps in preseason? You think the extra time it takes for the ball to get there doesn't seem like a month to the QB when the rush is coming? Do you think it doesnt mess up timing? Besides, Kalil could test the FA waters--we will not tag a guy who would be paid with the top 5 LOTs. This should have been considered last year. Another reason? It speeds up practices when you have 2 centers.

Safety- I want to see Pugh play more and Godfrey less. However, a new coach may move Pugh to CB to cover the Marshall vacancy. I doubt it, but I am not real happy with Godfrey's play. He seems slow to react and takes bad angles. Godfrey can be upgraded-maybe not next year, but it will happen unless he gets it together.

Defensive Tackle- Ok, everyone knows that we need a stud DT. Wrong! We need 2 stud DTs. We need a nose-tackle to play the one technique, collapse the pocket, and draw double teams. We also need a pass rushing DT. If Marvin Austin and Jarvis Jenkins fall to the third round, I would take them, although one should be a veteran. As for backup DTs to rotate in, I like Landri and maybe Johnson gets in shape this season.

Left Offensive Tackle:- No, I am not crazy. I don't like having our RG move out to LT in the event of an injury because you become weak at 2 positions instead of one. Gross is getting old, evidenced by his apparent loss of hearing. An athletic project to groom for the LT job would be nice. If he is good enough, Wharton can stay at LG should Gross go down. If Otah goes down, you have the option of putting the rookie LT on the right side or moving Gross to the right side. Giving us another option, if the rookie plays well and gives Gross a run for his money, move Gross to R Guard. Imagine the right side of the line with Kalil, Gross, Otah? DW can.

Kicker: Kasay has been the greatest Panther ever. But it is time. We need the active roster spot. Get a kicker who can do both. Give Kasay a statue.

[Matthias]

I'm definitely tired of seeing the same three tight ends every year, yet if we cut any of them, I doubt many teams would pick them up. We need a star TE to help Steve Smith out in the passing game. Gary Barnidge is a wide receiver, not a tight end. Who knows, he may be a temporary answer to the number two receiver vacancy, but we need to make him a receiver to get his full potential.

[HSCBandit07]

LOL at the Gross to RG

[MHS831]

LOL at the Gross to RG

You are right. Never been done before. Just an option to show the flexibility of drafting a LT. lol at people who misinterpret and criticize without points.

[mick eye]

I appreciate your analysis. I agree on the spots many are overlooking.

I actually am gonna cop some of your ideas.

TE- Barnridge and Rosario need opportunity. Dante could actually be a top TE with a more TE friendly offense. We are gonna still need a blocking specialist who can make plays though. ( Zach Pianalto anyone? )

OC- Kalil is a HUGE issue. He needs resigning. But a backup has been ignored for years. ( Zane Taylor)

I don't see a big issue with our safeties. I honestly think if our front four were getting more pressure they would make plays more often.

DT- You think? This is the biggest weakness of our defense. Jenkins, Peppers, Rucker and Buckner can be copied and repeated. Brayton, Hardy or Brown plus two more guys could be dangerous. Give me Austin and Jarvis and i would be happy. But also FA's like Brandon Mebane or Alan Branch and a draft pick and i am equally excited.

OL- Yeah, i would LOVE to see a Demarcus Love or Derrek Sherrod joining our oline. But again a FA add of a top guard would be cool too. Add Carl Nicks ( a guy i have liked since college ) and we are on track.

K- Let Kasey play as long as he can make the kicks. Kicker is on the radar of positions we need to get younger at but it is not a major blip on the radar yet.

I will personally add two you may have not thought of or considered.

1. A new numero uno receiver. Sorry Smitty is no longer a number 1 WR in the league. In a league of Megatrons, Andre Johnson's, and Greg Jennings, and half a dozen more he is past his prime. Everyone wants to replace Clausen but neglect the fact Smith is on the verge of being replaced. Give me V-Jax ( if he reaches FA) or AJ green and you will see our offense hit the boosters.

2. A new CB across from Gamble. Sorry Gamble is a number 2 CB. A Patrick Peterson could easily leap frog him as top secondary defender in three years or less.

So above are two reasons why we should pass on Luck. Peterson and Green. DT and OG is available in FA. Tackle is unfortunately a lottery pick type of option but it is not paramount CUZ Gross is not that bad.

[Matthias]

I don't think there is too much wrong with our O-line, add in a good RG (Mankins) and we return to 2008 football. We need to hit the free agent period hard and fast, that way our needs going into the draft will be taken care of except franchise QB.

Steve Smith is still a top ten guy, only some of the worst QBs in the league have been throwing to him for the past two years. Steve Smith still have a 2,000 yard season within him. (He would have came close in 2008 had he played the entire season) Get another QB, a decent number 2 receiver, Steve Smith will be back to his old self.

[MHS831]

I appreciate your analysis. I agree on the spots many are overlooking.

I actually am gonna cop some of your ideas.

TE- Barnridge and Rosario need opportunity. Dante could actually be a top TE with a more TE friendly offense. We are gonna still need a blocking specialist who can make plays though. ( Zach Pianalto anyone? )

OC- Kalil is a HUGE issue. He needs resigning. But a backup has been ignored for years. ( Zane Taylor)

I don't see a big issue with our safeties. I honestly think if our front four were getting more pressure they would make plays more often.

DT- You think? This is the biggest weakness of our defense. Jenkins, Peppers, Rucker and Buckner can be copied and repeated. Brayton, Hardy or Brown plus two more guys could be dangerous. Give me Austin and Jarvis and i would be happy. But also FA's like Brandon Mebane or Alan Branch and a draft pick and i am equally excited.

OL- Yeah, i would LOVE to see a Demarcus Love or Derrek Sherrod joining our oline. But again a FA add of a top guard would be cool too. Add Carl Nicks ( a guy i have liked since college ) and we are on track.

K- Let Kasey play as long as he can make the kicks. Kicker is on the radar of positions we need to get younger at but it is not a major blip on the radar yet.

I will personally add two you may have not thought of or considered.

1. A new numero uno receiver. Sorry Smitty is no longer a number 1 WR in the league. In a league of Megatrons, Andre Johnson's, and Greg Jennings, and half a dozen more he is past his prime. Everyone wants to replace Clausen but neglect the fact Smith is on the verge of being replaced. Give me V-Jax ( if he reaches FA) or AJ green and you will see our offense hit the boosters.

2. A new CB across from Gamble. Sorry Gamble is a number 2 CB. A Patrick Peterson could easily leap frog him as top secondary defender in three years or less.

So above are two reasons why we should pass on Luck. Peterson and Green. DT and OG is available in FA. Tackle is unfortunately a lottery pick type of option but it is not paramount CUZ Gross is not that bad.

Very oood points. I would love to get the #1 pick and trade down. However, if Luck is as good as advertised, we would regret it for years because I don't see a top quality free agent QB available. I think Peterson is going to be as good as Revis, and I think Green will be a special WR who will be a #1 WR as a rookie. Both would be great additions.

We have to consider getting the best bang for the buck with free agency, and they are going to have to spend a few coins. I like the DT free agents you mention-I don't see two third round draft picks helping us now.

Smith is no longer a #1, but I was hoping that he could return to form for another year with a significant upgrade to his supporting cast, specifically QB. If we don't draft Luck or trade down, I would be interested in Green or Peterson. They are the best two football players in the draft, after Luck.

On the other hand, it is very popular to be down on Clausen. I look at the great Bradford, whose yardage per attempt is below 7. Stafford has not done much in Detroit (last year's first) and The Golden Calf of Bristol has done nothing. Clausen is a second rounder and we are hammering him as if he was supposed to be the savior. Why did teams like Minnesota pass on him in the first and second rounds? He had severe questions. Yet the fans who are getting similar results from their rookie QBs who were taken in the first round seem to understand that patience is necessary. Clausen will be OK. Never a superstar, but a game manager at best. I thought that is what we wanted. With a new coach, however, the offense will expand and we need a QB who can expand with it. Clausen is probably not that guy, especially after the beating his confidence took this season.

If we get the first pick, it has to be Luck because we can find a solid CB and possibly WR in free agency. There just arent good QBs out there. Luck gives us the biggest upgrade. I think better DTs will make our DEs and LBs much better, lessening the need for elite CBs. I also think WRs we have will be much better next season with a healthy, deeper OL. So would QB, but Luck will give a face to the frachise, a leader. We have never had a player with as much star potential since Kevin Greene. I see him becoming great, and I think he will think Carolina is a great place to land.

[MHS831]

I don't think there is too much wrong with our O-line, add in a good RG (Mankins) and we return to 2008 football. We need to hit the free agent period hard and fast, that way our needs going into the draft will be taken care of except franchise QB.

Steve Smith is still a top ten guy, only some of the worst QBs in the league have been throwing to him for the past two years. Steve Smith still have a 2,000 yard season within him. (He would have came close in 2008 had he played the entire season) Get another QB, a decent number 2 receiver, Steve Smith will be back to his old self.

I agree with everything you say except the need for a #2 WR. I think our roster has 2 already in Gettis and Lafell. Smith is the #1, but at his age, he should go to the slot with A. Edwards. However, since we can't get everything we want now, we need to squeeze another year from him as the #1, as you suggest. He still has enough speed and the fire is there.

[Raskle]

Honestly am fine with Gettis/LaFell at this point. Both look to be improving every week (Tolbert is the one good coach we have left). Smitty has lost a step or three, but when you're as tough and fast as Smitty is, that still puts you above mere mortal. I'm hoping to see us move Gettis to #1, LaFell goes to #2, and Smitty lines up in the slot and takes on the "Proehl" role we've been lacking for years now. Just not sure if these guys are ready for that or not, and how much the new coach will be up for 3 WR sets.

RG needs help, but we could use an OT and/or OC in the draft as well to groom to backup a freshly re-signed Kalil (I hope). I miss Hangman.. he was solid for us. FA is where I'd address this the most though, with starters. Too many other needs to worry over in the draft (like a fuggin QB yet again.. since the ones we have are sh*te).

DT... nothing else need be said. We need em.. 2 or 3 of em, imo.

Gross has never been, imho of course, that terrific. He's been servicable, and his best feature has been that he's almost always healthy. Past that, not sure how the hell he got into the Probowl. With his imitation of a New York Subway turnstile this year (or Todd Steussie, you pick), I'm not so sure we are such a lock at OLine. Could be the QBs have made em all look worse than they are, but at some point, you have to wonder what the hell happened to our dominant line there. Sure Otah went down for the season... but that doesn't wholly explain the left side pre-Wharton IR.

Not sure I'd rate Gamble as a #2, honestly. He's confusing - one moment he makes a stellar play, and the next he looks like he's just popped out like a Pillsbury Strudel. Marshall... keep him unless he wants rediculoous money. Captain would be great if he grew about 6 or 7 inches in the offseason.

Godfrey? I keep wanting to Jim Mora rant over that guy... he just pisses me off 75% of the time. The other 25%, I can't bring myself to care. Martin... he's the mofo man. We'd be 10 times more screwed were he not playing, imo. I agree with Pugh getting more play time, he looks like there might be something there, but we cant tell without him getting some reps.

TE? Barnidge.. nuff said. Not many guys come out of college being compared to Jay Novacek, and that to me, would be a friggin huge bonus if he's developed into that type of player. Too bad we don't have a friggin clue cause Fox uses his tight ends about as much as he uses brand-new cliches... It is what it is... for 20 years... and gagging on it. Rosario continues to impress in his limited time too, so I'm not opposed to seeing either take the lead spot, but I'm pulling for Barnie.

Kicker can and will have to wait til we have less of a blatant need oh... everywhere else on the team. If Kasay is up for it, let him have another two years or so, then worry over drafting one in the later rounds, once we've shored up all other positions rather nicely.

I don't think I have to tell you who I want as our #1 pick though... sig says it all. We pass on him, we'll be kicking ourselves for a very, very, very long time.

[Actionman0z]

I think that Both Rosario and Barnidge need more of an oppertunity. I think they are both pass catching threats. I do like the idea of upgrading reserve C, DT, and the rest of the OL. We do also need help at CB and I think that 1 vet type WR may help us.

[MHS831]

Honestly am fine with Gettis/LaFell at this point. Both look to be improving every week (Tolbert is the one good coach we have left). Smitty has lost a step or three, but when you're as tough and fast as Smitty is, that still puts you above mere mortal. I'm hoping to see us move Gettis to #1, LaFell goes to #2, and Smitty lines up in the slot and takes on the "Proehl" role we've been lacking for years now. Just not sure if these guys are ready for that or not, and how much the new coach will be up for 3 WR sets.

RG needs help, but we could use an OT and/or OC in the draft as well to groom to backup a freshly re-signed Kalil (I hope). I miss Hangman.. he was solid for us. FA is where I'd address this the most though, with starters. Too many other needs to worry over in the draft (like a fuggin QB yet again.. since the ones we have are sh*te).

DT... nothing else need be said. We need em.. 2 or 3 of em, imo.

Gross has never been, imho of course, that terrific. He's been servicable, and his best feature has been that he's almost always healthy. Past that, not sure how the hell he got into the Probowl. With his imitation of a New York Subway turnstile this year (or Todd Steussie, you pick), I'm not so sure we are such a lock at OLine. Could be the QBs have made em all look worse than they are, but at some point, you have to wonder what the hell happened to our dominant line there. Sure Otah went down for the season... but that doesn't wholly explain the left side pre-Wharton IR.

Not sure I'd rate Gamble as a #2, honestly. He's confusing - one moment he makes a stellar play, and the next he looks like he's just popped out like a Pillsbury Strudel. Marshall... keep him unless he wants rediculoous money. Captain would be great if he grew about 6 or 7 inches in the offseason.

Godfrey? I keep wanting to Jim Mora rant over that guy... he just pisses me off 75% of the time. The other 25%, I can't bring myself to care. Martin... he's the mofo man. We'd be 10 times more screwed were he not playing, imo. I agree with Pugh getting more play time, he looks like there might be something there, but we cant tell without him getting some reps.

TE? Barnidge.. nuff said. Not many guys come out of college being compared to Jay Novacek, and that to me, would be a friggin huge bonus if he's developed into that type of player. Too bad we don't have a friggin clue cause Fox uses his tight ends about as much as he uses brand-new cliches... It is what it is... for 20 years... and gagging on it. Rosario continues to impress in his limited time too, so I'm not opposed to seeing either take the lead spot, but I'm pulling for Barnie.

Kicker can and will have to wait til we have less of a blatant need oh... everywhere else on the team. If Kasay is up for it, let him have another two years or so, then worry over drafting one in the later rounds, once we've shored up all other positions rather nicely.

I don't think I have to tell you who I want as our #1 pick though... sig says it all. We pass on him, we'll be kicking ourselves for a very, very, very long time.

Agree, especially about Gross. When reputation exceeds performance in rating players, time to step back. In fairness, Schwartz was moved to RG mid season and has improved. He looked good Sunday.

And of course, Luck is the only player in this draft with the potential of turning us into a winner right away. He is that good. He would be the biggest upgrade from what we have and/or what we could get. NO BRAINER!

[MHS831]

jeff king needs to be run out of town.

I hear ya. He is a Fox golden boy. He will be gone next year.

[Baschski]

WR - Smith is a #1 and if you don't think so gtfo. Watch the games, the man is wide the f*ck open all the time.

Safety - Godfrey is fine as a starter and will thrive when we get a DT who can pressure the QB. No idea why anyone would want Pugh to start over him...Pugh has shown nothing to suggest he is ready for that. Also, Marcus Hudson has actually done a good job as a reserve S in addition to tearing it up on special teams.

CB - Guys...there are only so many Revis', Asomugha's and Woodson's in the league, and not every team gets one. Gamble is not a shut-down corner but he is top ten. He rarely gets beat and, again, when we have a legitimate pass rush in place our secondary will look great. Gamble is absolutely a #1 corner. As much as people like to hate on him, Marshall is good too and it would be to our benefit to re-sign him if we could go it inexpensively. If we do let him go, I'm of the opinion that Captain could be a full time starter. If not, we can draft or sign a #2 corner and be fine.

[DynastyRTR]

1-Draft Luck with the 1st pick

2-trade dwill for a mid to high 2nd round pick, draft Kyle Rudolph, take Marvin Austin or Jarvis Jenkins with our 1st 3rd round pick.

3-fill the needs with the rest of the picks, etc, etc, sign Barry Cofield, Mankins if possible. next year if LaFell doesnt pan out, draft Alshon Jeffery.

superbowl...

maybe