Greg Cossell talks top WR's and DT's for this draft.

[LinvilleGorge]

I disagree. With the right moves, this team can compete for a playoff berth right now. On average there's a 50% turnover in playoff teams year to year. We have a franchise QB. We have two good RBs. We still have an elite WR in Steve Smith and a very good TE in Greg Olsen. Gross is a still a serviceable LT and we'll be getting our All-Pro center back. On defense, we have a very good LB corps and two very good DEs. We've added some pieces to compete in the secondary and brought back a solid DT in Dwan Edwards.

Add another WR, RG, and DT and I honestly think this team can compete for a playoff spot RIGHT NOW. We lost a ton of games by one TD or less last year. Hopefully Rivera and company are better this season in late game situations and hopefully some young guys currently on the roster will take a step forward.

But, I refuse to be a part of this defeatist attitude that we're a lost cause and we are years away from competing. We aren't. We competed last year, we just didn't finish games.

[nickzz]

we've been rebuilding for the past 2-3 years. anyone who says we're not close to being a playoff team is a fool. we finished 7-9 last year and with a little luck it could have been 8-8, 9-7 or even better.

[LinvilleGorge]

Also, don't forget that we basically threw away the first half of the season when Chud had his head up his ass and was trying to run that triple option bullshit. We were a MUCH better team when we went back to running our standard offense.

[carpanfan96]

The team's LB corp is a stone away from being down to just Kuechly and scrubs. The team has no safety on the team that should be starting in the NFL, a bunch of backup CB's and nickel guys. A aging we don't know what were getting cause the wheels could fall off at anytime WR and then no one. (we've got a QB, a TE and 2 RB's who have the worst rush OL in the league to run behind)

The defense also has no NT (unless you count Kearse) and an aging DT in the other spot. (We've got DE's and a LB here)

So that's a QB, a TE, 2 DE's and a MLB, Can't count on smitty (He's my favorite player on the team) but each year he's slower and slower and drops more and more passes. As much as I like Kalil (one of the best Centers in the NFL) He's a pulling guy to be effective in the run game and with no one on the right side he isn't likely to be effective at that. The right side of the OL is horribly porous and suck's in Pass protection and is likely to get cam killed.

Can't count on TD and Beason, no telling if they can stay healthy. Team hit the lotto once with Davis, not sure it can happen again. (Hope it does though) The last few years Beason seems to get injured from tackling..lol

What part of that sounds like playoff's? This team even with added players from the draft is relying on players to fill key roles that are just as likely to get injured as they are to make a tackle.

As for the rebuilding the last 2-3 years, yes the team has. It be closer to being done though if the 2011 draft wasted wasted minus Cam and it's still to early to call on last years draft. The failure of adding other players around Cam in the 2011 and 2012 draft delays the rebuilding project at least another year though

[DaCityKats]

he can develop and contribute at the same time. his potential is through the roof, he could come in and be your #3 WR in Training Camp.

[LinvilleGorge]

The team's LB corp is a stone away from being down to just Kuechly and scrubs. The team has no safety on the team that should be starting in the NFL, a bunch of backup CB's and nickel guys. A aging we don't know what were getting cause the wheels could fall off at anytime WR and then no one. (we've got a QB, a TE and 2 RB's who have the worst rush OL in the league to run behind)

The defense also has no NT (unless you count Kearse) and an aging DT in the other spot. (We've got DE's and a LB here)

So that's a QB, a TE, 2 DE's and a MLB, Can't count on smitty (He's my favorite player on the team) but each year he's slower and slower and drops more and more passes. As much as I like Kalil (one of the best Centers in the NFL) He's a pulling guy to be effective in the run game and with no one on the right side he isn't likely to be effective at that. The right side of the OL is horribly porous and suck's in Pass protection and is likely to get cam killed.

Can't count on TD and Beason, no telling if they can stay healthy. Team hit the lotto once with Davis, not sure it can happen again. (Hope it does though) The last few years Beason seems to get injured from tackling..lol

What part of that sounds like playoff's? This team even with added players from the draft is relying on players to fill key roles that are just as likely to get injured as they are to make a tackle.

What part of that sounds like a fan? If that was my outlook, I'd just quit.

Blackburn was signed for insurance on Beason and TD. Bell was a lot better last year than he was as a rookie and hopefully he'll take another step forward this year. I don't expect that our RG is on the roster yet. We had a lot of no name CBs that stepped up and played solid football for us last year.

The offseason isn't over yet. I think there's at least three starters that aren't on the roster yet or who come out of nowhere on the roster to claim a starting spot.

I mean, damn man, if you can't be optimistic in the offseason, then I don't know what to tell you. Everyone is 0-0 right now and trying to improve. No one should be writing their team off right now.

[carpanfan96]

What part of that sounds like a fan? If that was my outlook, I'd just quit.

Blackburn was signed for insurance on Beason and TD. Bell was a lot better last year than he was as a rookie and hopefully he'll take another step forward this year. I don't expect that our RG is on the roster yet. We had a lot of no name CBs that stepped up and played solid football for us last year.

The offseason isn't over yet. I think there's at least three starters that aren't on the roster yet or who come out of nowhere on the roster to claim a starting spot.

I mean, damn man, if you can't be optimistic in the offseason, then I don't know what to tell you. Everyone is 0-0 right now and trying to improve. No one should be writing their team off right now.

Blackburn is slow as a snail and is ST help and that's about it. The Giants seriously improved their defense just by letting him walk. Those were drafted kids for the most part that played to end the season, not no names. Bell was still horrible last year and one of the worst RT;s in the NFL, that's two years in a row he was either the worst or one of the worst.

We didn't fire Ron Rivera, that's good enough reason based on what he's shown so far...... He can't light a sense of urgency under his players if his life depended on it. It's either him or the Player's that don't have a sense of urgency. Either way this team isn't in a good spot since most of that team is back.

I'm still here hoping that JR let's Gettleman do his job and fire Rivera after his typically 0-3 start. If he doesn't get fired then I know that Gettleman is still A puppet head for JR to place blame on. Just like Hurney was. None of this let's wait and fire him after the season because it's already a lost cause in week 3 crap that was done with Fox and seifert.

[LinvilleGorge]

I agree with you in wanting Rivera gone. Just gonna have to hope he's learned how to be a better in-game coach. Some of our late game meltdowns were just brutal to watch.

[saX man]

Cossell made two awesome points that I think relate to us quite well:

1-The potential with the guys who can play 1 through 3 tech. I think these players are the key for us. I.E. Star, Jesse Williams, Sylvester Williams, & Brandon Williams. They can be a good compliment next to Dwan and at the same time be able to stay in there when we move Hardy or Alexander inside. The more consistent one's out of these guys imo in Star and Brandon are very appealing for our defense. I'd be cool with John Jenkins but the point about how much he can handle per game is a big question mark.

2-The fact that offenses have changed so much this whole idea of a #1, #2, etc. are becoming, if not already irrelevant. If you have an offense that can utilize different player types including every type of hybrid from a Harvin to Casey to Tolbert to Sproles to Cobb, getting an effective guy in which you know how to utilize in your given offense is the biggest key.

Obvious points but far overlooked in the pre-draft period.

[koolkatluke]

Steve Smith credits Proehl for making him a better receiver and route runner. As do Tory Holt and Issac Bruce. I'd say that's a pretty good track record for helping young WR's out and making them better.

Dwill credits Vinny Testerverde for making him a better RB. Should he develop and coach RB's.

Again I love Ricky as a WR coach but I'd rather him not have to get impact out of a raw player his 1st year on the job.

[Ivan The Awesome]

interesting take....I got that Tavon should be taken if he's still there for us. And our new GM says he wants playmakers.

That said, I will reiterate what I've been saying since last year.....any wr we get better have hands, because Cam rockets the ball. He is not a touch guy. No point in getting open if you can't catch the ball.

seems like Hopkins can do that.

Very true. Hopkins has "vice grips" for hands according to scouts and cosell. He would be ideal for that attribute. It doesn't hurt he wos has speed and is a decent route runner.

[koolkatluke]

The team's LB corp is a stone away from being down to just Kuechly and scrubs. The team has no safety on the team that should be starting in the NFL, a bunch of backup CB's and nickel guys. A aging we don't know what were getting cause the wheels could fall off at anytime WR and then no one. (we've got a QB, a TE and 2 RB's who have the worst rush OL in the league to run behind)

The defense also has no NT (unless you count Kearse) and an aging DT in the other spot. (We've got DE's and a LB here)

So that's a QB, a TE, 2 DE's and a MLB, Can't count on smitty (He's my favorite player on the team) but each year he's slower and slower and drops more and more passes. As much as I like Kalil (one of the best Centers in the NFL) He's a pulling guy to be effective in the run game and with no one on the right side he isn't likely to be effective at that. The right side of the OL is horribly porous and suck's in Pass protection and is likely to get cam killed.

Can't count on TD and Beason, no telling if they can stay healthy. Team hit the lotto once with Davis, not sure it can happen again. (Hope it does though) The last few years Beason seems to get injured from tackling..lol

What part of that sounds like playoff's? This team even with added players from the draft is relying on players to fill key roles that are just as likely to get injured as they are to make a tackle.

As for the rebuilding the last 2-3 years, yes the team has. It be closer to being done though if the 2011 draft wasted wasted minus Cam and it's still to early to call on last years draft. The failure of adding other players around Cam in the 2011 and 2012 draft delays the rebuilding project at least another year though

This is the stupidest poo you've ever posted. Now I see why you don't mind wasting picks.

If we don't lose leads in the Atl, 2nd Tampa Game or Chicago game that's 3 wins. Giving us 10 wins and a playoff berth last year. That with 18 players on IR. Let's not even count the Seattle and Cowboy game we should have won also.

Plain and simple if the Vikings and Colts can make the playoffs last year. Why can't we this year?

[Cpt slay a ho]

i think people overlook the fact that you will not have all pros at every position but you do need in the most important positions(qb,wr,de ect). We have to compete every year regardless, to me rebuilding is overrated and just a term to get fans aboard a purging of fan favs and older players. IMO we should fill a position that doesn't come every year in the draft but also the bpa but obviously at a position of need. I would rather take a wr in the 2nd but to say a good one would to fall to us is high hopes but we should not reach for one in the first. we are not rebuilding we are competing now so i hope we add pieces to help us reach the playoffs

[koolkatluke]

Again it is stupid to say this team is rebuilding when.

1. They were literally 3 min from a 10 win season.

2. The Redskins, the Colts, and The Vikings made the playoffs and we have a better roster then those teams.

3. We were really only blown out in 2 games. The 14 others we had a chance to win and had leads in the 4th.

4. We did all this with a OC who half the season had his head up his ass and 18 players on IR. A lot being defensive starters.

It's asinine to say were rebuilding and even more when using it as a reason to take a gamble in the 1st round.