The Sporting News Panther Draft needs

[firstdayfan]

Actually he is at the top of at least 1 draft board:

Same ratings, but they put Dareus at #1.

He is also not even in the top 10 on some...so the point being is that unless we select Patrick Petersen we are gonna reach for a player. IF we pick number one I'd rather reach for someone that can take us to the super bowl year in and year out rather than someone who will make us better against the run.

[Panthro]

FTR:

I will be happy with any Selection (that is not Gabbert, Quinn, or Bowers)

[DaCityKats]

plus the DT pool is deep. we can get great value in rounds 3 and 4.and later on.

[Carolina Husker]

Yeah, you could...

Or you could reach for a QB that clearly isn't worth the number 1 pick.

Clearly how? You're comfortable with the situation we have now I take it?

[Jackofalltrades]

Clearly how? You're comfortable with the situation we have now I take it?

Nope, but I'm even less comfortable with what the draft as to offer at the QB position.

I also think it's too early to write off Clausen and Moore.

[MadHatter]

Matt Ryan "clearly" wasn't worth the #1 pick in 2008.

Aaron Rodgers "clearly" wasn't worth the #1 pick in 2005.

Ben Roethlisberger "clearly" wasn't worth the #1 pick in 2004.

...

Who is or isn't "worth" the 1st overall pick isn't known and won't be for another year or two. QB's are scouted heavier and have more risk and a high profile attached to them. I guarantee you, if Marcell Dareus or Patrick Peterson had been scouted as heavily and subjected to all the double standards that most top QB prospects are, they'd suddenly "develop" a lot more question marks about their game.

Every other position on our team could be manned by a Pro Bowler and we'd still be a 9-7 team at BEST without fixing the QB position long-term. QB's win championships in this league nowadays. It's not 1975 anymore. The steel curtain is a myth these days.

I agree with you that it is imperative that we fix the QB situation. However, drafting the best QB in a bad QB year does not guarantee that you are fixing anything.

It is the same mentality that gets some teams in trouble during FA. I need a WR. The FA class of WR is poor. Therefore, I go pay big bucks for the best WR in FA...even though he is not worth the money.

IF Rivera and Hurney believe that either Gabbert or Newton is the franchise guy, I will trust them and be happy about the pick.

However, if they have ??'s and still blow the #1 pick on a QB that is not worth it (just because we have a QB issue)....then both should be fired.

Remember that the best looking ugly girl in the bar.....is still ugly.

[MHS831]

What bothers me about this? Hurney has no history of drafting successful QBs. Rivera is a defensive Guru with not much offensive experience. Chud is a former TE who may or may not know the art of recognizing QB talent. How much of a voice will Shula have?

[MHS831]

plus the DT pool is deep. we can get great value in rounds 3 and 4.and later on.

I would say the DT crop will be pretty picked through by the end of the third round, however, there are a few DTs who could be good that are projected later in the draft. Terrell McClain, Martin Parker, and David Carter could become solid. Sione Fua doesn't penetrate that much, but something tells me he could be a player. I also think Jerrell Casey from USC could drop rather dramatically because he had a bad Senior year and has short arms, but he is a natural gap shooting DT who can anchor, according to articles I read, and that is what we need.

There is some upside in the fourth to fifth rounds. Good point.

[mav1234]

Shula didn't see Newton's initial pro day, but supposedly saw Mallett's and Gabbert's. He's seen all 3 players first private workouts. I am sure he will see their 2nd.

I bet he has a voice, but how much? Not as much as either Hurney or Rivera, I am sure.

btw, of the above QBs mentioned as "not being worth the #1", only Ryan was the first one off the board so he's the only one that really compares, and I do not really see any comparison between Newton and Ryan and only very limited comparison between Ryan and Gabbert. The other two are very, very, very different draft situations etc, so it is tough to really compare them.

[Pox 08]

QB is still above and beyond the biggest need we have. If they don't draft one, I'm taking it as a sign that they're confident they can develop Clausen into a decent qb, while getting a solid older gent from FA until Clausen is ready.

[Jackofalltrades]

QB is still above and beyond the biggest need we have. If they don't draft one, I'm taking it as a sign that they're confident they can develop Clausen into a decent qb, while getting a solid older gent from FA until Clausen is ready.

I don't think QB is the biggest need and according to the article neither does Gantt.

We have NOTHING at DT and is a two man position.

[TheRealDeal]

Kalil also thinks they have a lot of pieces in place and aren't a typical 2-14 team. Also thinks they can turn it around in a hurry.

Setting this team back is not the answer.

[teeray]

Kalil also thinks they have a lot of pieces in place and aren't a typical 2-14 team. Also thinks they can turn it around in a hurry.

Setting this team back is not the answer.

Get back to work. Or go back to bed. Whatever u were doing go back to doing it.

[TheRealDeal]

Posting on the Huddle?