Panther's Team Needs

[mountainpantherfan]

So looking over the entire roster, what exactly are the team's needs? I'm looking at replacing players we have lost to free agency but also positions on the team that need an upgrade or need a young player to replace an aging player in the near future. Here is what I have come up with so far...

QB - Depth is good but an upgrade at starter is needed

RB/FB - Need to replace Goings; possible replacement Birmingham?

TE - Set

WR - Smith, Moose, Jarrett, Robinson. Need would be a 5th WR for development for when Moose leaves

OT - Starters are set; are Schwartz and Palmer good enough?

OG - Only have one starter for sure returning and the only backup is Bernadeau; big need here even if Vincent is able to return as he is an aging player

C - We only have Kalil; big need here for a backup

K - Set

P/KR - Jones is gone but Robinson would be his replacement?

LS - Kyle is gone, who replaces him?

DE - If Peppers stays is there a need? Maybe another vet backup?

DT - Kemo, Lewis and Hayden are the only returners. Kemo may be good to go but an upgrade for Lewis and another backup is needed

LB - Set for this season, Diggs is aging so a replacement could be a need

CB - If Lucas stays then no needs here this season, his replacement could be a need

S - Starter are set; backup upgrade could be needed but not a huge need

Out of the 22 starting positions I only see two positions, QB and DT, that need an upgrade this season. The bigger needs this season though are backups on the offensive and defensive lines. Of course if Peppers and/or Lucas end up being traded or released then a needs at those position for a starters would develop.

I don't see the defense as a whole being in need, only the defensive line. After that the defense is set at least for this upcoming season. The offense on the other hand may have a lot less question marks but there are more needs and they spread out across the entire offense.

Any insight on something I am missing or something others disagree with?

[mantal]

Actually a pretty good assessment. You should post that on Yas's blog, that would shut him up...

[Murph]

I'm guessing that Fox/Hurney feel they are 100% set at QB with the only need being a #4 for camp fodder.

DT is huge, Lewis really needs to be moved back to a situation role.

DE and CB totally depend on what happens to Pep and Lucas. Fox and Meeks have shown to value CB's with early round picks even if it is only to replace a nickel back so if Lucas leaves and CJ is still not ready, look for a high draft pick there (especially with Marshall being an UFA after the next season).

Salley is a hard hitter on special teams but his time on the field as safety has been poor most of the time. The fact he is the primary backup bothers me. Spending their 5th or 6th round pick on another one would be a priority in my eyes.

[Kyle82]

Good analysis on our needs....our OL is the best we've ever had; just need more depth but that will be addressed through the draft and FA.

No comment on the QB....lets just say it's time to start thinking about the future.

[mountainpantherfan]

I'm guessing that Fox/Hurney feel they are 100% set at QB with the only need being a #4 for camp fodder.

DT is huge, Lewis really needs to be moved back to a situation role.

DE and CB totally depend on what happens to Pep and Lucas. Fox and Meeks have shown to value CB's with early round picks even if it is only to replace a nickel back so if Lucas leaves and CJ is still not ready, look for a high draft pick there (especially with Marshall being an UFA after the next season).

Salley is a hard hitter on special teams but his time on the field as safety has been poor most of the time. The fact he is the primary backup bothers me. Spending their 5th or 6th round pick on another one would be a priority in my eyes.

I adjusted the need at safety in my original post. As for the QB situation, you may be correct that Hurney/Fox may feel the position is set but for me it isn't. Until they actually extend Delhomme I will assume that there is a chance that they may not see it as set. Hey, I can hope.

[mantal]

Good analysis on our needs....our OL is the best we've ever had; just need more depth but that will be addressed through the draft and FA.

No comment on the QB....lets just say it's time to start thinking about the future.

Wise move my friend, wise move. It's just not prudent to talk QB around here regardless of which side of the fence you're on...

[DaveThePanther2008]

I like your views for the most part.

The 5th WR you speak of, why not Jason Carter. I think he was on the team last year until he got injured.

The offensive line has been stripped of depth but I believe we have one of the best OL coaches in the league and Dave M. will develop some quality depth. I did read last year that Bernadeau was being groomed as a center. I am sure that he will be like Hangartner and be a dual role player as will Schwartz

According to the Free Agent Draft Tracker on NFL.com neither have been picked up and I know Kyle is very valuable LS and not sure whether Bainridge is ready to pick those duties up. Jones had good season so I think we might try and bring him back to compete with Robinson. Either way we only keep one or the other.

Jones, Mark WR UFA 5-9 185 5th Season CAR TBD

Kyle, Jason LS UFA 6-3 242 14th Season CAR TBD

I think we need depth at DT. We just paid Kemo and Lewis identical paychecks so hopefully they are full time. Of course the depth is critical for this position as I believe a decent rotation is pretty good for the health of our D.

I would like to see Conner be available to take Diggs position. It is funny though over that last couple of season we keep trying to get Diggs out of there and no one steps up to take is. Is this the year L. Johnson or D. Conner takes is position?

I don't know why we haven't cut Lucas yet. That could free up some funds for at least one decent F.A. that is out there.

Go Panthers

[panther4life]

Good post (since i agree with most of it)...i'll just say this if u say an upgrade at qb is a "need", then an uprgrade at cb is a "need' as well.

[Kurb]

Not a good year to "upgrad" qb through the draft, unless you go with Project guys like Pat White/Tex Tech kid.

[mantal]

Not a good year to "upgrad" qb through the draft, unless you go with Project guys like Pat White/Tex Tech kid.

QFT, but it is time to start thinking about it and that's all I'm suggesting... I've not dumped on Delhomme, he had a bad game, but it is time to consider it due to age...

[mountainpantherfan]

I like your views for the most part.

The 5th WR you speak of, why not Jason Carter. I think he was on the team last year until he got injured.

The offensive line has been stripped of depth but I believe we have one of the best OL coaches in the league and Dave M. will develop some quality depth. I did read last year that Bernadeau was being groomed as a center. I am sure that he will be like Hangartner and be a dual role player as will Schwartz

According to the Free Agent Draft Tracker on NFL.com neither have been picked up and I know Kyle is very valuable LS and not sure whether Bainridge is ready to pick those duties up. Jones had good season so I think we might try and bring him back to compete with Robinson. Either way we only keep one or the other.

Jones, Mark WR UFA 5-9 185 5th Season CAR TBD

Kyle, Jason LS UFA 6-3 242 14th Season CAR TBD

I think we need depth at DT. We just paid Kemo and Lewis identical paychecks so hopefully they are full time. Of course the depth is critical for this position as I believe a decent rotation is pretty good for the health of our D.

I would like to see Conner be available to take Diggs position. It is funny though over that last couple of season we keep trying to get Diggs out of there and no one steps up to take is. Is this the year L. Johnson or D. Conner takes is position?

I don't know why we haven't cut Lucas yet. That could free up some funds for at least one decent F.A. that is out there.

Go Panthers

Carter is a free agent so unless they resign him then he isn't on the roster and not available.

[panthers55]

So looking over the entire roster, what exactly are the team's needs? I'm looking at replacing players we have lost to free agency but also positions on the team that need an upgrade or need a young player to replace an aging player in the near future. Here is what I have come up with so far...

QB - Depth is good but an upgrade at starter is needed No upgrade available in FA, need future starter if not Moore, look at draft in later rounds

RB/FB - Need to replace Goings; possible replacement Birmingham? Agree on Birmingham- look to draft one in later rounds.

TE - Set

WR - Smith, Moose, Jarrett, Robinson. Carter, and Jones may be re-signed. Also look at draft for more options

OT - Starters are set; Schwartz will be primary backup- will add in FA and in draft

OG - Only have one starter for sure returning and the only backup is Bernadeau; big need here even if Vincent is able to return as he is an aging player. Vincent will be back and should be fine. Guards are actually pretty easy to find, shouldn't be a problem.

C - We only have Kalil; big need here for a backup Agreed

K - Set

P/KR - Jones is gone but Robinson would be his replacement? I expect that we will sign Jones and perhaps Carter in the next few weeks.

LS - Kyle is gone, who replaces him? May sign him again as well. I think Kalil has snapping experience as well.

DE - If Peppers stays is there a need? Maybe another vet backup?

DT - Kemo, Lewis and Hayden are the only returners. Kemo may be good to go but an upgrade for Lewis and another backup is needed. Lewis is fine as long as he returns from injury. I see us bringing in some guys to compete at DT and DE.

LB - Set for this season, Diggs is aging so a replacement could be a need

CB - If Lucas stays then no needs here this season, his replacement could be a need. Marshall will fill for Lucas if he is gone. We will have several guys who can play nickel. I expect us to pick up a corner in FA or the draft in April or May.

S - Starter are set; backup upgrade could be needed but not a huge need

Out of the 22 starting positions I only see two positions, QB and DT, that need an upgrade this season. The bigger needs this season though are backups on the offensive and defensive lines. Of course if Peppers and/or Lucas end up being traded or released then a needs at those position for a starters would develop.

I don't see the defense as a whole being in need, only the defensive line. After that the defense is set at least for this upcoming season. The offense on the other hand may have a lot less question marks but there are more needs and they spread out across the entire offense.

Any insight on something I am missing or something others disagree with?

Agree that the d line is the weak area this year as it was last year. Without Peppers we will have a big hole but hopefully will have the money and picks to fill it.

The secondary should be fine. The bottom line is that a cover 2 doesn't need great athletes with good man skills.

[mountainpantherfan]

Not a good year to "upgrad" qb through the draft, unless you go with Project guys like Pat White/Tex Tech kid.

Agree. That doesn't mean a need isn't there. I think that DT could also not get an upgrade due to available talent in FA and the draft.

[Kurb]

Draft has alot of COAL in it that could be changed into Diamonds, especially at DT I think.

This year is alot like the Thomas Davis 05 draft.

None of the prospects really jump off the page.

I honestly wouldn't mind if we didn't have a 1st even after the pep trade, talent is REALLY similar across the board after about pick 15 IMO.