The only thread about team needs you need to be reading this entire offseason

[PantherBrew]

When folks talk about how bad we need lbers and how we really dont need better dline play i smh and wonder ehat Games they were watching

I agree. I believe Dline help to be much more of a pressing need than Dbs.

I want to build the defense around the D-line.

[Ricky Spanish]

this is a damn good write up sir.

[panthers55]

I agree about the D-line but not DT. With Edwards locked up long term, 2 thrid rounders going into year 2 where they should make significant progress and plenty of depth with all the revolving door guys we brought in due to injury, we are more than covered at DT. On the other hand who else do we have besides Johnson and Hardy really?? And even Hardy didn't improve much from year 1 to year 2. Sure we have guys like Applewhite, Norwood, Keiser, etc but where are the dominant bookends like we had with Rucker and Peppers. I don't know if Coples is worth it or not, we will find out much more in the next month or so, but we clearly need a run stopping edge rusher who can give us a dominant pass rush particularly in our division.

We also need one linebacker starter and some depth particularly if Connors leaves in free agency. At least 2 of the guys who started for us some should have been lucky to be on the roster let alone start.

At free safety we need a reliable guy who can make our zone blitz work. Martin is awful plain and simple. We surely don't have a guaranteed number 2 corner and if we are to believe that corners decline at 30, we need to keep in mind that Gamble will be 29 in March. All the pass rush won't help if 3 guys are open on every play.

Defense is where we need to put our resources this offseason just like we did at offense last year with great results. Even if we improve the points surrendered from 26 to 20 we could have won a few more games this year and been in the playoff mix.

[Ricky Spanish]

I agree about the D-line but not DT. With Edwards locked up long term, 2 thrid rounders going into year 2 where they should make significant progress and plenty of depth with all the revolving door guys we brought in due to injury, we are more than covered at DT. On the other hand who else do we have besides Johnson and Hardy really?? And even Hardy didn't improve much from year 1 to year 2. Sure we have guys like Applewhite, Norwood, Keiser, etc but where are the dominant bookends like we had with Rucker and Peppers. I don't know if Coples is worth it or not, we will find out much more in the next month or so, but we clearly need a run stopping edge rusher who can give us a dominant pass rush particularly in our division.

We also need one linebacker starter and some depth particularly if Connors leaves in free agency. At least 2 of the guys who started for us some should have been lucky to be on the roster let alone start.

At free safety we need a reliable guy who can make our zone blitz work. Martin is awful plain and simple. We surely don't have a guaranteed number 2 corner and if we are to believe that corners decline at 30, we need to keep in mind that Gamble will be 29 in March. All the pass rush won't help if 3 guys are open on every play.

Defense is where we need to put our resources this offseason just like we did at offense last year with great results. Even if we improve the points surrendered from 26 to 20 we could have won a few more games this year and been in the playoff mix.

fua and mcclain did not show me anything this past year that would warent confidence in them this coming year. sure, they should improve, but they were a revolving door up the middle, and as a result, made our ends look worse than they played all year. we need more help on the interior more so than the ends.

[iskassim06]

I agree. I believe Dline help to be much more of a pressing need than Dbs.

I want to build the defense around the D-line.

Everyone knows elite defenses start on the line..Once u get pressure on that qb..it makes it easier for the cbs and the lb. Plus if you can stop the run. you make a team one-dimensional..that also starts on the d-line. In short, D-line is a must this draft and we can address other needs in FA. BTW.Neblett and Kearse were beasting at the end of the season..But its hard to tell when yhe D is out there for 60 minutes a game.

[Captain Morgan]

we play in a division where we will face Brees and Ryan 4 times. I'm thinking go with the DT's we have and hope for the best, and draft either DE's who can rush the passer or

a CB in the second round. A first round CB and a 4th round safety would give our line

a lot more time to get to the passer.

[Double34Trouble28]

We need like 5 first round picks.

[Doc Holiday]

Just like every year, we will do things according to the board, while at the same time factoring in where our injuried folks are in their recovery. DT in the first is not something I am comfortable with.. so I like the trade down (if possible) to pick up an extra 2nd or 3rd and exchange firsts if the guys we want are not there at 8/9.

Considering our previous records with first, second and third rounds picks and trading first round pics for second round picks, I should slap you where you stand.

All I really need to do though is thank God that you aren't doing the Panthers drafting.

Drafting time is where a lot of fans think they are smarter about football then they are, and that some how the HC and GM are dumber then them when they have and entire staff of scouts researching every player that could be in the draft for a year.

Now with that said, sometimes you get the "what was the front office thinking?" like the Everett Brown and Edwards picks, which I hated the moment they happened and have been proved correct on both, but luckily doesn't happen too often

[rayzor]

No love for Coples?

if i put him in there, i lose all credibility

yes. you would.

[Match.com]

Wasted my time

[Wither]

Thank god. I had been holding my breath for this thread. Going to analyze this analysis of our teams needs. Stay tuned for my thread on this thread.

[frash.exe]

I disagree with the DL stuff, I just don't view it as a big need.

You did, however, completely ignore LB. We need a starter at SLB and a back up at MLB.

forgot to write that I'd like us to sign one of the hendersons from Minnesota, either Erin or EJ.

as far as SLB I wrote that it should be addressed.

I agree about the D-line but not DT. With Edwards locked up long term, 2 thrid rounders going into year 2 where they should make significant progress and plenty of depth with all the revolving door guys we brought in due to injury, we are more than covered at DT.

fua was pretty much drafted in the fourth round, he was selected 32 picks after McClain. And we are far from covered at DT, we've got a bunch of guys with potential and our only vested vet under contract is coming off a triceps tear and is on the wrong side of 30.

[Cat'sGrowl]

I'm stil waiting for Fiz's report on what happened in our week 17 game.

[MHS831]

No mention of Ron Edwards. Kearse was OK, and Shirley was not bad at times. Fua and McClain were awful.

I disagree about WR. We have a 33 year old little guy, a guy coming off knee surgery, and Lafell, who managed to have a decent year vs. second and third CBs.

I agree with the Brockers comments. He is risky, however, and MH usually plays it pretty safe in the first round.

So much of what we do depends on injury. Davis, Otah, Hogan, Schwartz, Gettis, and Beason.

I agree and disagree with the OL comments. DeCastro? no way. OT, however, way. We really would not be drafting a RT. We would draft a LT. Gross is 32 and might be ready to move to the RT. Even if we put our pick on the right side, we have our LT of the future. We could then cut Wharton and his $8 million contract. (he was average with a pro bowler salary). Sign a LB and S in free agency. Let Bell, Schwartz, Z. Williams, Gary Wiliams, Ziemba compete for the G jobs. You would then have depth at LT. Tired of watching Wharton play out there. If Otah plays, then great. Let him play. He is a free agent at the end of the season, and if he stays healthy, he will want big money. You need a T anyway.

THANKS for this. YOU PUT IT OUT THERE. I appreciate reading other's views. I agree with a lot of this--something that should scare you a bit.