Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Draft Nervousness

Mr. Scot

By Mr. Scot,
in Carolina Panthers

Recommended Posts

Mr. Scot Grand Master

Mr. Scot

Posted
Posted

A while back I talked about things that make me nervous when they come up with the Panthers. Why? Because of history. Certain situations just haven't generally yielded good results for this team. As the draft draws nearer, those things start creeping into my head again.

Here are the ones that come to mind...

PICKING BETWEEN TWO PROSPECTS

When the Panthers have faced a choice between two draft prospects with similar grades, they've had an unfortunate tendency to pick the wrong one. Examples:

1995: Kerry Collins over Steve McNair

1996: Tshimanga Biakabutuka over Eddie George

1998: Jason Peter over Vonnie Holliday

2002: DeShaun Foster over Clinton Portis

2007: Dwayne Jarrett over Steve Smith (USC)

In fairness, they haven't always been wrong in this spot. Picking DeAngelo Williams over LenDale White in 2006 was definitely the right call. Likewise, the 2002 selection of Julius Peppers over QB Joey Harrington was the correct one. And you could argue that the recent choice of Jonathan Stewart over Rashard Mendenhall has panned out (though objectively, that argument isn't completely settled just yet).

Why is this a concern now? Because if the Panthers decide to take a quarterback, they'll likely be choosing between two guys, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. Which one is the wrong one? Don't know. I just hope whichever one it is, we don't take him.

CATCHING A FALLING STAR

Sometimes teams catch a break with a guy inexplicably falling in the draft. The Packers definitely lucked out with Aaron Rodgers, as did the Bills with Thurman Thomas. In Panthers history though? When a guy has fallen to them, they've tended to find out - a little too late - that there was a reason why he fell. The examples here:

1997: Rae Carruth falls to #27

Other Available Players: Trevor Price, Jamie Sharper, Tiki Barber, Derrick Mason

2000: Rashard Anderson falls to #23

Other Available Players: Ahmed Plummer, Chris Hovan, Anthony Becht, Jerry Porter, Jason Webster

2009: Everette Brown falls to #43

Other Available Players: Mohamed Massaquoi, Andy Levitre, LeSean McCoy

2010: Jimmy Clausen falls to #48

Other Available Players: Taylor Mays, Javier Arenas, Carlos Dunlap

In fairness, Brown and Clausen still have a chance to show they can contribute under the new staff. And again, not every example is bad. Nobody expected Ryan Kalil to drop as far as he did, and the Panthers got a steal. Likewise, Greg Hardy has looked good (at least so far).

This year, there's not as much chance of this early unless the team trades down, way down. In the unlikely event that DaQuan Bowers lasts until our third round pick though, I'll probably be nervous.

TRADING AWAY HIGH PICKS

And here's the final area where history hasn't been kind. Let's go straight to the examples of what was traded, what was received, and what could have been:

1999 Draft

Redskins got: #5 Overall Pick, traded to Saints who got Ricky Williams.

Panthers got: Sean Gilbert

Could have had: Torry Holt, Champ Bailey, Chris McAllister, John Tait

2000 Draft

Redskins got: #12 pick, traded up to get Chris Samuels

Panthers got: This one also went for Gilbert

Could have had: John Abraham, Julian Peterson, Chad Pennington, Shaun Alexander

2008 Draft

Eagles got: #43 pick (traded to Minnesota, took DeSean Jackson at #59) and #109 pick, used on Mike McGlynn

Panthers got: #19 pick, used on Jeff Otah

Could have had: Jackson, Matt Forte, Ray Rice (2nd) Tashard Choice, Ryan Torrain, Tim Hightower, Owen Schmitt (4th)

2009 Draft

Eagles got: #28, traded up to get Jeremy Maclin

Panthers got: The other pick traded for Otah

Could have had: Ziggy Hood, James Laurinaitis, Brian Robiskie, LeSean McCoy

2010 Draft

49ers got: 2010 #17 pick, used to select Mike Iupati

Panthers got: 2009 #43, used to pick Everette Brown

Could have had: Maurkice Pouncey, Jermaine Gresham, Dan Williams, The Golden Calf of Bristol (if you're a The Golden Calf of Bristol fan)

2011 Draft

New England got: 2011 #33 pick overall, the top pick of the second round

Panthers got: 2010 #89, used to take Armanti Edwards

Could have had: yet to be determined

Now, what does everybody and their brother want the Panthers to do this year? Trade down. And yeah, I'm on that bandwagon too. Sadly though, when you look at who's been taken with some of the high picks that this team has traded away, and who they could have had if they'd kept those picks, it hurts.

It should be remembered that not all of this falls on Marty Hurney. Only things from 2002 forward are on him. As I've said before, I still have faith in Hurney. Plus, as the commercial disclaimer says, past history is not necessarily an indicator of future performance.

But it is still enough to make you nervous :(

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pox 08 Newbie

Pox 08

Posted
Posted

How does Carolina rank vs. the other teams with round selections since Hurney took over?

I think Carolina has been one of the best in the NFL.

Go get Cam, Marty!!!

I cringe thinking about all the research (from every team) that will go into getting that information.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • musicman
      High look overview...

      By musicman · Posted

      Start with Bryce, this is like his rookie year. The 1st 2 games proved her was wired wrong and it looks like (we hope) he needed a time out to reset and be the player that was drafted. He's still about a year or more away from being a top 15 QB, if the Panther give him another playmaker or 2 (a top WR and a decent TE) and maintain that line. Canales deserves credit as playing that card correctly to motivate (or refocus) his QB for one last shot to decide his and the Panthers immediate future. As a Panther fans we should hope he keeps improving as we invested so much to get him. CJ Stroud will never have a season like he had, even if he stays a top 10 QB. He's got great character so I'm rooting for Bryce to continue on his positive journey. Canales is playing the week to week thing with bryce perfectly. Nothings guaranteed, earn it weekly which builds consistency and consistency is greatness.  Keep the O-line. They've got to extend Brady C, along with Mayes that have a real good 7. Great job Morgan starting with the big guys upfront.  I really hope they draft a DE or OLB in the 1st round. Getting Brown back with A Robinson and what DJ has shown that we can have a decent D-line. Need a CB in the early rounds/ or a time FA to go with Horn.  The future as to next year being good enough to challenge for the division is within reach. Just show progress (win or lose) every week. Kudos to Dan Morgan. Plays GM like a LB. Tackle the problem and move on, don't just hope it works out. Find guys with your playing mentality and work closely with your HC to share a vision. Teamwork starts at the top and flows down. 
    • Panthers Fan 69
      First Goal Game 2024!!!

      By Panthers Fan 69 · Posted

      Carrier
    • Panthers Fan 69
      Canes vs Panthers(Back to Back Games Thread)

      By Panthers Fan 69 · Posted

      Since we play the Panthers today and tmrw, we will have one gigantic double thread for both games. Today’s game is at 3pm and tmrw is 7pm.    After beating the Rangers and sending the those yankee bastards back to Cary, we get the Champs in the house.  Clean up the defense, no more lazy clears, and score baby score.  LFG CANES!
×
×
  • Create New...