Brockers to visit with the Panthers

[Fiz]

Also trading away the 2009 first rounder looks bad because of what they did in the 2009 draft.

If they'd held tight and not traded up for Everette Brown, no one in the world would be complaining about spending an extra 2nd and 4th to get two first round talents in two drafts.

[Cat'sGrowl]

so he wasn't worth the 13th overall pick, but he was worth our 2008 2nd and 4th, and our 2009 first?

As Fiz said everyone affiliated with the Panthers organization knew beyond the shadow if a doubt we'd have a great team that year. You're trying to quickly inject as much talent as possible when your preparing for that kind of run.

The price for Otah wasn't horrid anyways, when you look back and see that the depth in the draft the next year wasn't considered to be elite in any regard, which I'd assume Hurney factored in.

[frash.exe]

I know for a fact that the Panthers were going to draft Clady, but he went the pick before. At that point they likely would have drafted Forte in the second. Obviously that would have been better all around, but it didn't work out that way.

Unfortunately, tackle was too big of a need to ignore, especially with a team that was convinced (correctly) they'd compete in 2008.

i figured that's who they wanted which is why i was pissed that denver took him right in front of us, because I don't think they would've taken Stewart over him

BPA assumes that the core of your team will be built cheaply through the draft, and that free agency will be a way to fill holes, and it's a solid strategy if you look at the more successful teams in the league over the last few years. You assume that almost every position can be upgraded and you take them.

I like going strictly BPA in the later rounds. It's how we've gotten Hardy and Gettis. If the cards fall a certain way in this draft Trent Richardson would be the BPA, and as talented as he is, we kind of have no use for him with a backfield full of talent. Also, in recent years we mostly don't pursue starters in free agency unless they're already our starters.

If Hurney can be faulted anywhere it's in overvaluing his own players. However, looking back at some of the most egregious contracts given to drafted players (Wharton, Gamble) it's hard to argue they weren't worth it.

most of them are worth it

[frash.exe]

As Fiz said everyone affiliated with the Panthers organization knew beyond the shadow if a doubt we'd have a great team that year. You're trying to quickly inject as much talent as possible when your preparing for that kind of run.

Nobody thought we were odds-on favorites to win that year. A QB on the wrong side of 30 coming back from a surgery players usually don't return from was a huge question mark going in. The 2008 offseason was more of a re-focus on what players were essentially dead weight and weren't going to work out for us (Foster, Morgan) and who should be pushed in their place (Williams, Beason) while we look at other needs.

The price for Otah wasn't horrid anyways, when you look back and see that the depth in the draft the next year wasn't considered to be elite in any regard, which I'd assume Hurney factored in.

if it wasn't horrid the way we did it, it wouldn't be horrid just to pick him at 13 either, and wait till the 2nd to pick a back.

[methodtoll]

Don't know how anyone can justify this as "breaking news" when we all figured he would talk to Carolina at some point, just like they will most likely talk to all players who are on their draft board.

[Dpantherman]

Don't know how anyone can justify this as "breaking news" when we all figured he would talk to Carolina at some point, just like they will most likely talk to all players who are on their draft board.

It was his agent.

[panthers55]

BPA makes a lot of sense if it is at a position of need. Like this year we need an OLB, DE, DT, CB and some say an OL. There is nothing wrong with BPA at one of those positions. But you wouldn't pick a QB even if he were the BPA. Once you get past the third or 4th round you can go BPA regardless of position.

[Cat'sGrowl]

Nobody thought we were odds-on favorites to win that year. A QB on the wrong side of 30 coming back from a surgery players usually don't return from was a huge question mark going in. The 2008 offseason was more of a re-focus on what players were essentially dead weight and weren't going to work out for us (Foster, Morgan) and who should be pushed in their place (Williams, Beason) while we look at other needs.

if it wasn't horrid the way we did it, it wouldn't be horrid just to pick him at 13 either, and wait till the 2nd to pick a back.

Outside of the organization, perhaps there were doubts. But you wouldn't find a single fan that felt way, and the team appeared to feel the same. We stunned others that year, but not ourselves. I was never more sure we would have a great season than in '08.

[MHS831]

Brockers will vist 20+ teams, don't get to keyed up about it. Players do a lot of this after the combine.

Yes, but after Luck, RGIII, Kalil, Claiborne, Blackmon, and Coples are gone in the top seven or so, the other teams will not have the first crack at Brockers-

Brockers is a mystery--he is raw, and has only played DT for about 20 months. They want to bring him in early to get a look. DT is a need.

Do you think the guys we have are problems for Evans and Nicks in New Orleans? To attack your biggest rival's strength, you need solid DTs. Brockers and Edwards is a good start.

[frash.exe]

Outside of the organization, perhaps there were doubts. But you wouldn't find a single fan that felt way, and the team appeared to feel the same. We stunned others that year, but not ourselves. I was never more sure we would have a great season than in '08.

i agree that there was a lot of optimism going into 2008, but it wasn't like before the 2006 season began where we really thought we were a complete team with no weaknesses

[nagai]

Impossible to say until after combine/workouts.

Hurney is BPA regardless of position.

Yeah that's what history teaches us. However, we drafted in a very positionally driven way last year. Drafting in the top 10 also changes things. Wouldn't be surprised if the huddle got it right 2 years in a row (for the 1st round anyway). Shocking, I know.

[CPF4LIFE]

Mario Williams said today that his new contract wouldnt be about the money, just the right situation. Not saying im buying it and you can take it how u want, but freeing up enough money to get him and drafting Brockers would be a nasty D line for at least the next couple years. :D

[Fiz]

i agree that there was a lot of optimism going into 2008, but it wasn't like before the 2006 season began where we really thought we were a complete team with no weaknesses

Uh people that knew what was going on (me) werent excited at all.

[Marguide]

Brockers, Neblett, McClain and Fua would be a good group long term. Edwards may do great things this year but his career will be on the downside.

DE would be great, but there may not be a viable candidate at 8-9.

I will be happy with the best available DL or CB in the 1st. That very well may be Brockers.