Flattering comment about Fairley.

[PantherPride52]

If the Panthers don't think Blaine Gabbert is a future franchise QB then they have to draft Nick Fairley. They've got to know they can't go into next season with Nick Hayden and Derek Landri as their starting DT's.

[Stumpy]

If the Panthers don't think Blaine Gabbert is a future franchise QB then they have to draft Nick Fairley. They've got to know they can't go into next season with Nick Hayden and Derek Landri as their starting DT's.

QB and DT are obviously our number 1 needs at this point. However, it may be best to address neither with the #1 overall pick. It doesn't seem that there is a QB in this draft that would be an immediate upgrade over Jimmy. And DT seems to be one of the easier positions to fill via free agency.

That being said I have no earthly idea who we should take #1. And usually when I think I know who we are going to draft, Hurney throws a curveball so who knows.

[JawnyBlaze]

*cough* free agency *cough*

Fox is gone, I think Hayden is gone. No more Fox to protect his garbage ass.

If the Panthers don't think Blaine Gabbert is a future franchise QB then they have to draft Nick Fairley. They've got to know they can't go into next season with Nick Hayden and Derek Landri as their starting DT's.

[PantherPride52]

QB and DT are obviously our number 1 needs at this point. However, it may be best to address neither with the #1 overall pick. It doesn't seem that there is a QB in this draft that would be an immediate upgrade over Jimmy. And DT seems to be one of the easier positions to fill via free agency.

That being said I have no earthly idea who we should take #1. And usually when I think I know who we are going to draft, Hurney throws a curveball so who knows.

I don't think there are any QB's in this draft that can come in and be good right away either. The only reason I would take Gabbert is because I have no faith that Clausen will ever be our franchise QB. I didn't like him at all at Notre Dame and I held my head in shame when we drafted him. If Hurney considers Gabbert a future franchise QB he should draft him and sign a veteran QB to play for a year or two while Gabbert developes.

Are there any good DT's in free agency this year? The only guy I can think of is Ngata from the Ravens and I'm pretty sure they aren't going to let him get away.

[Stumpy]

If Hurney considers Gabbert a future franchise QB he should draft him and sign a veteran QB to play for a year or two while Gabbert developes.

Hurney felt the same way about Clausen. He will get his chance whether we like it or not.

Are there any good DT's in free agency this year? The only guy I can think of is Ngata from the Ravens and I'm pretty sure they aren't going to let him get away.

Not sure, but once all is said and done with the CBA, I would bet that the free agent list is going to look a lot different than it does now.

[jayflip]

People say suh was dominant his SENIOR year, and Fairley wasn't Suh in his JUNIOR year... I'm starting to think given one more year maybe Fairley might be just as dominant... But I don't follow college ball in the slightest, and I've never heard of Suh until last years draft analysis... But maybe that does make a difference in comparing those players.......

[carpanfan96]

Suh - junior year - 76 tck, 19 tfl, 7 1/2 sck.

Fairley - Junior year - 60 tck, 24 tfl, 11 1/2 sck.

On top of that, this was Fairley's first season as a starter at Auburn. Not saying they are the same player or that Fairley will be better then Suh. Just that Fairley if anyone is worth the first pick in the draft.... Not really too many solid choices for the #1 selection in this years draft.

[ChinaPanther]

Was Fairley a disrupting force in the middle? Absolutely. Was he a game changer on D? Without a doubt. Was he the dominant force that Suh was his senior year? No.

Suh was not only a beast at getting in the backfield and making plays, but he was also a tackling machine. He had more tackles (82) than many starting linebackers, to go along with his 12 sacks. Those numbers were astronomical for a DT.

I like Fairely, not sold on him #1 yet (not sold on anyone else either) But comparing him to one of the best CFB DT's of the last decade is a bit of a stretch.

Suh in his senior season had 82 tackles 24 Tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

Fairley in his junior season had either 55 or 60 tackles by a couple of different draft scouts so Suh has him beat in that respect but Fairley had 24 TFL and 11.5 sacks in his junior season so Fairley is just as good as Suh in that respect. I guess that might be what the reporter was saying.

[bleys]

I'm not sold that Barry Cofield won't be as much of a difference maker out of the gate than Fairley... Giants won't be able to out bid for him, we have a very real chance to go after him.

so with that said, Fairley isn't the end all, be all.

[OneBadassCat]

Here are my thoughts on this. Fairley may not be as good as Suh but he would have a similar impact on our defense. If this guy is anywhere near Kris Jenkins caliber then we are a top 5 defense. Even if the offense became stagnant again our defense would be able to win some games. The benefits he would provide would do absolute wonders for Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy, and E. Brown. He will have to work at it though for sure. If there is a risk that this guy is going to be a lazy ass then I wouldn't take him. Let's just draft him and sign Mebane or Cofield too. Kick ass.

[unicar15]

Suh plays with the strength of a nose tackle and the speed of an edge rusher. Fairley is going to be a good DT but Suh is in a different plane. Fairley looks heavy in the midsection and Suh's legs look like redwood tree trunks compared to Fairley's legs.

[Lumps]

Wasn't Suh playing much harder competition?

and lol you can't compare them Fairly is nothing compared to Suh. Suh is a much better prospect. Fairly is a nice DT prospect. Suh is perfect DT prospect.

[Peppers90 NC]

Sorry, meant DROY for Suh, agree completely about Mathews.

I'm just reporting what I read from a very credible and widely respected source.

Do I agree? Dunno, but I think our entire D gets far better with him in the middle.

Our d will get better with Fairly, Bowers or Peterson. Question is, who makes us better the most, the quickest and for long term?

[Peppers90 NC]

Wasn't Suh playing much harder competition?

and lol you can't compare them Fairly is nothing compared to Suh. Suh is a much better prospect. Fairly is a nice DT prospect. Suh is perfect DT prospect.

sec>>>big 12