I'm getting more and more convinced the Panthers will draft a TE in the 4th or later

[frash.exe]

A few reasons:

1) We've recently heard mumblings about Shockey's possible retirement. Now, I still think he can contribute in 2012 if he wants to play another year, and I think it's likely he won't retire, but a year from now, it's probably going to be an even bigger consideration.

2) Our offense runs a lot of 2 TE sets, much like New England. That means we pretty much need 2 starting TEs and not just one, (I know, it sounds a little crazy, but you only feel that way after 9 years of Foxball and how useless our TEs were in running routes). And, I don't know if you've been paying attention, but NE's 2 TE set, ....fuging ridiculous.

3) I don't think the coaching staff is very high on Barnidge, and I'm not either. As a matter of fact, why is anybody huge on this guy? He caught like 0.75 passes a game in 2009 and has done nothing else the other 3 years. They acquired 3 TEs and put him on IR before the season started.

4) I think Chud has like the Midas touch when it comes to TEs, especially ones with good speed to get open downfield. When he was young Shockey was better at that obviously. Olsen has good speed to get open downfield too but he's kind of an underachiever for how talented he is.

5) They scouted DeAngelo Peterson at the senior bowl. He's one of those (I can't believe I'm using this phrase because I hate it so much) "under the radar" TE prospects, like Jimmy Graham and Aaron Hernandez, although I doubt he'd be even considered to be picked as high as they were. He's not the only option though. LaDarius Green could also be considered.

[HeatCheck]

Wouldn't consider Aaron Hernandez an under the radar pick.

Would love Orson Charles but don't see him making it past the 3rd.

[XClown1986]

Wouldn't surprise me. For this offense to really get rolling we could use another mismatch tightend/H-back, another deepthreat receiver (yes we do need one), and a shifty pass-catching back. I think all of those types could be had in the 4th or later.

I expect us to draft defense early on, and then draft offensive weapons later. (Depending on who falls, of course)

[jtnc]

Michael Egnew?

[Actionman0z]

I think Gary B. fits that role.

[Riverboat Ron]

I wonder if we pull the trigger on Coby Fleener if he's there when we pick in the 2nd? We obviously have needs elsewhere, but I wonder if the coaching staff would opt for a Olsen-Fleener twin TE set. I personally wouldn't take a TE in the 2nd, but I think a developmental TE like Ladarius Green would be smart.

[HeatCheck]

Paul Harris, former Cuse basketball player, is supposedly giving NFL a go as a TE. It's been somewhat of a trend that basketball players convert to a TE. You got Gonzalez, Gates, Graham, that dude from Portland State on Denver.

[pantherclaw]

ragingbull will rage that i'm agreement with him.

This wouldn't surprise me at all.

I've said in the past, i expect them to draft an althete to groom.

There is much room for improvement at the tight end position....especially with an eye towards the future.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I think our coaching is pretty high on Barnidge actually. You have nothing to base your opinion that they aren't high on him on. He was doing incredible in the preseason and he has shown great flashed. He is the only TE that stuck around from the old regime for a reason. I think they really like him. I think he gets a lot of playing time this season to see how he works out. I don't see us going TE this year. If we were going to, it would have been last season when the class was loaded with good TEs. Maybe next season. If we can't get Dwayne Allen then I don't want to waste a pick on anyone when we have much larger needs to address. Besides Naanee is emergency TE.

[Catalyst]

I've been saying this for a while now, but don't be shocked if we get to the 2nd round and Dwayne Allen's still on the board and we take him. Hurney has been known to make some BPA picks (Kalil, Beason) and Allen is far and away the best TE in the draft and a 1st round talent.

If he drops to us in the 2nd it wouldn't shock me one bit if we take him despite having much bigger and more immediate needs on defense.

[DaCityKats]

would not surprise me either. senior bowl we were talking with Deanglo Peterson who is a rocked up WR that plays TE and would really do well in this scheme.

[section543]

Maybe Alshon will keep gaining weight, drop, and we can use him as tight end

[pantherclaw]

I think our coaching is pretty high on Barnidge actually. You have nothing to base your opinion that they aren't high on him on. He was doing incredible in the preseason and he has shown great flashed. He is the only TE that stuck around from the old regime for a reason. I think they really like him. I think he gets a lot of playing time this season to see how he works out. I don't see us going TE this year. If we were going to, it would have been last season when the class was loaded with good TEs. Maybe next season. If we can't get Dwayne Allen then I don't want to waste a pick on anyone when we have much larger needs to address. Besides Naanee is emergency TE.

you have no evidence the staff are high on Gary.

[jramsey4]

I've been thinking the same thing. I think Evan Rodriguez in the 7th or as a UDFA makes a ton of sense. He is a great blocker (in line as well) and has good hands and is a great route runner. He's a bit of a HB/TE tweener because of his size (6'2 250) but I think a creative guy like Chud can find a role for him.