Why in God's name would we pick Bowers #1?

[Carl Spackler]

You are that confident in our CBs...? If we don't keep Marshall CB is a bigger need than WR IMO... and even if we do, I think it's still a bigger need than DE, lol.

I agree with you though. DE isn't even in our top 5 positions of need.

Gamble and Munnerlyn are a good pair. Past them, the draft is deep at CB. Someone can be had there later. But I will say one reason guys gave up catches, like McClain (except when he got punked in ATL) is the lack of pressure generated on the QB. You think Colin Branch was good? Or Dante Wesley? No, but for 2 seconds they could hold off a WR while Jenkins, Peppers and Co. got in the QB's face. With Hayden, Neblett and Co. there the QB has forever to throw, and CBs look worse than they are.

[mav1234]

Gamble and Munnerlyn are a good pair. Past them, the draft is deep at CB. Someone can be had there later. But I will say one reason guys gave up catches, like McClain (except when he got punked in ATL) is the lack of pressure generated on the QB. You think Colin Branch was good? Or Dante Wesley? No, but for 2 seconds they could hold off a WR while Jenkins, Peppers and Co. got in the QB's face. With Hayden, Neblett and Co. there the QB has forever to throw, and CBs look worse than they are.

I agree we can get a good CB later in the draft. I was just saying, CB > DE in terms of need to me right now.

I have heard CB is deep in this draft. I've heard the same about DT. So I dunno. We'll see. I wish we had that 2nd round pick right now.

[Carl Spackler]

Rd. 1: DT

Rd. 3: CB/TE

Rd. 3 (Comp): WR/CB/OG/TE

Rd. 4: owner

Rd. 5: GM

Rd. 6: mayor

[The Saltman]

ha ha haaaa

[Guest Setfree1012]

Draft DB-Peterson, sign DT (this off-season group appears to be deep), sign vet QB. I've been on the A.J. Green train for a good bit (I still think in the 5th-7th we look for one), but we need another DB with Marshall potentially walking. I like CM as much as the next but at 5'8 he's not built to survive as a #2 with the avg size of starting WR's around 6'-6'1.

PP is 6' +, 212 pounds in much of the build that Gamble was when we ttok him out of Ohio State, I personally feel DB is more valuable than DT, and it's harder to find quality DB's over a DT who can eat up space.

Not to mention we can address DT in later rounds, but I don't think you can turn down the BPA DB when there isn't a consensus #1 (Luck).

[Carl Spackler]

Draft DB-Peterson, sign DT (this off-season group appears to be deep), sign vet QB. I've been on the A.J. Green train for a good bit (I still think in the 5th-7th we look for one), but we need another DB with Marshall potentially walking. I like CM as much as the next but at 5'8 he's not built to survive as a #2 with the avg size of starting WR's around 6'-6'1.

PP is 6' +, 212 pounds in much of the build that Gamble was when we ttok him out of Ohio State, I personally feel DB is more valuable than DT, and it's harder to find quality DB's over a DT who can eat up space.

Not to mention we can address DT in later rounds, but I don't think you can turn down the BPA DB when there isn't a consensus #1 (Luck).

We need to stop putting off addressing DT and address it once and for all, have it be a strength for years. This isn't Congress. We can't table poo for years and still be OK.

[MHS831]

DE is about 6th in terms of need. The depth there is much better than DT, QB, WR, TE, and RG.

I agree that it is not a priority. DEs take about 2-3 years to mature in most cases, so it is too soon to scrap anyone except Brayton. I would say that the upgrade would have to be tremendous. If, however, we don't have a DE who can stop the run aside from Johnson...then maybe.

Still, the good part of this weak draft is this: The top players are where our needs are.

If we tag Johnson, we can take Bowers off the board for the most part.

I think QB is our biggest need, but don't want us to draft QB with the first pick. I think WR is a need (others don't), but a true #1-something not found after Green or at least Jones--would take heat off Smith, Gettis and Lafell. If Smith starts begging for a trade, something I expect, then WR becomes a big need.

DT is a huge need, and Fairley is a huge player. However, how critical is Fairley considering the options we have--free agency will provide a DT, (Don't laugh, but Irvin and/or Neblett could improve), Hayden is quietly getting better and would be a solid reserve DT, Landri will do great in this defense because he shoots gaps. Add a third rounder like a Marvin Austin, Drake Nevis (possibly), Jarvis Jenkins, or a dropper, and you are set at DT. You cannot do that at #1 WR or QB.

[theyhateme45]

You can win a title without All-Pros at every position. You can win a title with the DE rotation now. You can't make the UFL playoffs with the DT rotation.

If we had a good offense this year our defense was good enough to be an NFL playoff team this year.

If McShay has Bowers graded much better than Nick then it makes since for him. It's okay for people to have different opinions and not be stupid cause they don't feel the same way as you.

We have picked players at positions we've had before and was like why... only for said player to turn out to be a stud.... Some can argue it's better for long term success to draft BPA.

I don't agree with McShay, but I also believe his opinion is a valid one, and not something insane.

[Carl Spackler]

It's okay for people to have different opinions and not be stupid cause they don't feel the same way as you.

Impossible! ;)

But seriously, I think it's a case of us being small market and no one knowing how good Johnson/Brown/Brayton/Hardy are. Plus McShay I believe has Fairley and Bowers rated equal. He's just assuming the Panthers will be dumb enough to pick a guy at a position they don't need in favor of a huge need. He's reasonable in that thought..

[nationsford]

DEs:

We need to pick the best player available at the position that we need and would improve our team the most,

with your logic we should go qb, why cant you see offence is the way to go... kinda bugs me.

[Carl Spackler]

Sorry I bug you but DT is also at the top of the charts...you'd rather reach for a QB??

[CRA]

Sorry I bug you but DT is also at the top of the charts...you'd rather reach for a QB??

well he was just going off of what you said....

better QB play would have a bigger impact on the overall team than better DT play.

[theyhateme45]

Sorry I bug you but DT is also at the top of the charts...you'd rather reach for a QB??

IF there's a QB the PAnthers Grade out as a top 5 or even top 7 pick then it's not really a reach. Oakland when they draft people projected to go in the 2nd round with a top 10 pick is a reach.

In terms of needs I look at last year and see the offensive side of the ball as a much greater need IMO. So I don't share opinions of you nor Mcshay. I feel our defense was good enough to be a playoff contender.... I feel our offense is very far behind, and can not keep up with the 3 offenses in our own division. But this debate is nothing new on this board... 2 different camps right now.

[carolinarolls]

nobosy would pick DB #1..that would be stupid