Team needs(PFF)

[jtnc]

Primary Need: Safety

The Panthers ran with young Charles Godfrey (-13.7)

and Sherrod Martin (-6.8) as their starting safeties in 2011, with Jordan Pugh (-11.6) as the primary backup. Neither has fully panned out, but Godfrey in particular has seemed to regress–in 2011, he had the fourth highest yards per play in coverage by a safety at 1.03. Although Pugh is young, he didn’t look like the answer either allowing nearly every ball thrown his way to be caught. The answer at safety doesn’t look like it’s on the roster, and the Panthers haven’t been the best at finding defensive back talent in the draft before, so free agency might be the way to go.

There are a handful of safeties that are available, most of which have an injury history or haven’t proven they can stay consistently playing well. One match who might fit is LaRon Landry (+2.7), if he can get healthy. The Panthers played Godfrey within 8 yards of the line of scrimmage on 63.3% of plays, while Landry is one of the few safeties who lines up that close an even higher percentage of the time. Landry had a stop rate of 7.8% which is a bit higher than Godfrey’s 4.6%, and he is an improvement in coverage as well. The only question is if he can stay on the field.

Secondary Need: Wide Receiver

Since Muhsin Muhammad first left the Panthers after the 2004 season, the only viable replacement across from Steve Smith was bringing Muhammad himself back for the 2008 season. Their most recent attempt was giving Legedu Naanee a one-year contract. However, they apparently wavered on the experiment, as he played 88% of snaps for most of the season, but over the last five weeks that decreased to 45.5%. The Panthers could use someone to be the No. 2 receiver, and someone to put in the slot while Brandon LaFell goes out wide in three receiver sets. While the Panthers do need a lot on defense, another offensive weapon could work wonders.

While there are a number of talented wide receivers are available, only a few are experienced and talented playing as a slot receiver. One of them happens to play in the same division as Carolina, and that’s Marques Colston (+21.2). He has been a dominating force for years, and is only getting better. Over his last three games, he had 23 catches for 396 yards and three touchdowns. Teams always like bringing in players from division rivals, and with the Saints’ cap problems, Colston may be free to walk. The connection of Newton-to-Colston could become one of the best known quarterback-receiver duos for years to come if a deal gets made.

Tertiary Need: Cornerback

The Panthers have Chris Gamble (+7.4) at one cornerback spot, and he had his best year in the recent past in 2011. The problem is when you’re in a division with Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, you need more defensive back depth than that. We saw the worst we’ve seen from Captain Munnerlyn over the last few weeks of this last season with a -4.4 coverage rating in the final six games. He was also one of the most penalized cornerbacks with eight called on him. The depth behind him isn’t that strong, and cornerback is a position where you can never have enough depth.

One man who seems more likely to be ready to switch teams than others is Brandon Carr (+2.7) of the Chiefs. Kansas City already brought in Stanford Routt, making Carr free to sign elsewhere. In 2011 Carr allowed one of the lowest catch rates in the league at 49.4% which would pare up nicely with Gamble’s 45.0%. He plays the right cornerback spot, so he would be able to let Gamble stay on the left, and have Munnerlyn just come in for nickel situations to play in the slot where he moved last year for nickel plays.]

http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/02/28/team-needs-2012-carolina-panthers/

[Fiz]

I do not like that article.

[panthers55]

Not a bad read but they don't figure in guys like Hogan or Gettis who didn't play due to injury. But that said, I would have no problem picking up a safety and corner in free agency if we could afford them. Problem in free agency is that every time you pick someone up you have to be under the cap. We are going to have to do some serious manipulating if we plan to do anything in free agency. I just think that if NO can't afford Colston, neither would we be able to either.

[MHS831]

Not a bad read but they don't figure in guys like Hogan or Gettis who didn't play due to injury. But that said, I would have no problem picking up a safety and corner in free agency if we could afford them. Problem in free agency is that every time you pick someone up you have to be under the cap. We are going to have to do some serious manipulating if we plan to do anything in free agency. I just think that if NO can't afford Colston, neither would we be able to either.

I am not a fan of the article either, but when I said the Godfrey contract was stupid, nearly everyone on here claimed that Godfrey had a solid 2011. Most expert, objective articles I have seen suggest he sucked. Now, you could blame poor corner play for pulling him out of position etc. and you might have a point. However, Hurney is a bit out of control on this "protecting the core" crap. We need to improve the core too.

Maybe they think firing Meeks can help.

Good point on Hogan. He is like a draft pick. Gettis is forgotten because his potential is not being considered. A lot of outside opinions look at stat sheets without knowing the team.

[panthers04100]

I would love to have brandon carr, doubt we could afford him though.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Sherrod Martin had a higher grade than Godfrey? Alrighty then

[UNCrules2187]

This article and its suggestions would make a lot more sense if they were actually, ya know, feasible under our current cap situation. As it stands, there's no way in hell we could sign Colston or Carr.

[rayzor]

one of the few times i don't agree with PFF.

[Udogg]

So basically..this article is saying that Sherrod Martin is our best safety? ...................

I mean..if ..pfftt.. nevermind. Not even worth it. I'll just say I disagree.

[Peppers90 NC]

pff is right as in the sound effect

[koolkatluke]

one of the few times i don't agree with PFF.

It's like they didn't think DT was a problem last year.

WR did they forget we had 2 TE put 45 rec.

[panthers55]

I am not a fan of the article either, but when I said the Godfrey contract was stupid, nearly everyone on here claimed that Godfrey had a solid 2011. Most expert, objective articles I have seen suggest he sucked. Now, you could blame poor corner play for pulling him out of position etc. and you might have a point. However, Hurney is a bit out of control on this "protecting the core" crap. We need to improve the core too.

Maybe they think firing Meeks can help.

Good point on Hogan. He is like a draft pick. Gettis is forgotten because his potential is not being considered. A lot of outside opinions look at stat sheets without knowing the team.

I was not a big fan of Godfrey or Martin this past year. I wouldn't mind an upgrade at both positions. Maybe it is me but I thought Martin was a bigger problem than Godfrey last year. As for corner I think we need to upgrade if Hogan isn't able to step in and start right away. But we did spend a draft pick on Hogan and there was some speculation that if he didn't have the ACL injury he would have been a first or second rounder.

As for improving the core, I think Rivera agrees with you. He is not wedded to these players given he is a new coach and showed last year with Brown that he is willing to part with a player if he doesn't think they belong here. I think Hurney listens to him.

[koolkatluke]

I was not a big fan of Godfrey or Martin this past year. I wouldn't mind an upgrade at both positions. Maybe it is me but I thought Martiin was a bigger problem than Godfrey last year. As for corner I think we need to upgrade if Hogan isn't able to step in and start right away. But we did spend a draft pick on Hogan and there was some speculation that if he didn't have the ACL injury he would have been a first or second rounder.

As for improving the core, I think Rivera agrees with you. He is not wedded to these players given he is a new coach and showed last year with Brown that he is willing to part with a player if he doesn't think they belong here. I think Hurney listens to him.

I think Rivera and staff like Godfrey as well or he wouldn't have the new contract.

[jtnc]

Godfrey isn't going anywhere he signed a 6 year contract.