Interesting interview with Mike Tannenbaum on Sirius today.

[koolkatluke]

Hopkins, Lafell, Hixon looks alot better to me in case of an injury to Steve than Lafell,, Hixon, Pilares. Steve, Lafell, Hopkins, and Hixon sounds great. I agree with another poster who said earlier that Hopkins is used to playing with a mobile QB and that is a big plus.

Gettleman is considered great at talent evaluation. The fact that he looked at our Wr's and immediately said we need to upgrade should mean something to the people who think we are ok.

I don't think Ginn or Hixon mean we won't take a WR 1st or 2nd rd. Ginn is a special teams bandaid and Hixon is a number 3 WR at best. Those signings mean that Pilares, Gettis, Adams, Edwards are all on the chopping block. Gettleman didn't draft them.

We have brought in just about every top WR prospect. More visits than any other position. We are taking one high. I hope it is Hopkins or Hunter.

Another backwards reason. What does the DT line up look like if Dwan gets hurt? How about Oline if Gross gets hurt? Or safety if we lose Godfrey? You can make this argument about most of the position on this team. I got a good one what happens if Olsen gets hurt? TE might be the way to go in the 1st or 2nd round.

[CRA]

Another backwards reason. What does the DT line up look like if Dwan gets hurt? How about Oline if Gross gets hurt? Or safety if we lose Godfrey? You can make this argument about most of the position on this team. I got a good one what happens if Olsen gets hurt? TE might be the way to go in the 1st or 2nd round.

A difference worth noting....you are building a team not playing a season.

Olsen isn't at the same spot in his career as Smith....it is past time to find Smiths's replacement bc generally those careers don't start off like AJ Green's and it takes some time

[poorboysrev]

We have no consistant vertical threats in a deep vertical passing O.

Ginn doesn't count b/c he isn't good enough to play much....

Steve Smith was one. He isn't anymore. He is more the crafty old man who schools fools using his experience at this stage. He is loosing steps and that is evident the past 2 years....should lose another this year. He can still play at a high level and be an impact WR....but can't go vertical consistantly

Well put. We need someone who can go get a 30 yd pass, clutch 3rd down passes, and redzone passes. Our passing offense is streaky as hell.

Murphy dropped numerous 3rd down and big play catches. The end of the Dallas game comes glaring to mind. Lafell dropped that TD bomb in KC that would have won the game. I'm sure if we looked at key dropped 3rd down and endzone passes there would be many from last year.

[koolkatluke]

That was a response about WRs....he asked why would we draft a WR since we brought some in via FA....

The high drafted kid and the FA WRs would serve different functions therefore the FA WRs don't impact the decision.

A first round draft pick....would be selected to be our future and a starter. Ginn is a return man who can be depth and Hixon pretty much the same but a better WR option. Both FA moves are about improving the depth....they weren't brought in to be fixtures and starters for this offense.

Ginn and Hixon are basically one year rentals to hopefully rid ourselves of the unimpressive bottom of our WR depth chart. Maybe one turns out to be little more but niether are here to suit the purpose of what drafting an early WR would

You also draft a player in the 1st round to have instant impact on the team.

A 3rd WR on a team that isn't the Saints, Greenbay , or the Patriot is not having a instant impact.

So Unless you think we will be running 3 wr sets (under Shula) 60% to 65% of the time then a 3rd Wr isn't the impact you look for in the 1st round.

I'm sorry if I'd rather have a day 1 starter at DT, CB, FS and maybe OL before a #3 wr.

[koolkatluke]

We have no consistant vertical threats in a deep vertical passing O.

Ginn doesn't count b/c he isn't good enough to play much....

Steve Smith was one. He isn't anymore. He is more the crafty old man who schools fools using his experience at this stage. He is loosing steps and that is evident the past 2 years....should lose another this year. He can still play at a high level and be an impact WR....but can't go vertical consistantly

We have no vertical threats but some how Cam is able to lead the league in Yards per attempt and passing play of 20 yards or more. We have no vertical threats but some how Cam has passed for more yards then any QB in NFL history thru his 1st 2 seasons.

Some how this poo is not adding up.

Maybe it's magic.

[koolkatluke]

A difference worth noting....you are building a team not playing a season.

Olsen isn't at the same spot in his career as Smith....it is past time to find Smiths's replacement bc generally those careers don't start off like AJ Green's and it takes some time

1.Ahhhhhh I think Rivera is playing for a season.

2. And most good teams build from the inside out.

3. At least Lafell and others has a slight chance in producing "some" of Smiths numbers.

What TE on this roster can even where Olsen shoes let alone replace any of his production??

4. When are we going to get Jenkins replacement how much time has passed since that poo should have happen? At least we tried to get WR. 2 3rd rounds and a bunch of bandaides is all we done for that position.

[DaCityKats]

We have no consistant vertical threats in a deep vertical passing O.

Ginn doesn't count b/c he isn't good enough to play much....

Steve Smith was one. He isn't anymore. He is more the crafty old man who schools fools using his experience at this stage. He is loosing steps and that is evident the past 2 years....should lose another this year. He can still play at a high level and be an impact WR....but can't go vertical consistantly

i agree, smitty is not what he used to be. he beats guys with route running and sometimes he struggles to seperate vs some CBs, or slips on a route. we need another vertical guy who can take the top off a defense and help take away some of that coverage away from him.right now, smitty role should be that as a #2.Nuke is not the fastest WR, but he does have the ability to get vertical up the field.

[CRA]

You also draft a player in the 1st round to have instant impact on the team.

A 3rd WR on a team that isn't the Saints, Greenbay , or the Patriot is not having a instant impact.

So Unless you think we will be running 3 wr sets (under Shula) 60% to 65% of the time then a 3rd Wr isn't the impact you look for in the 1st round.

I'm sorry if I'd rather have a day 1 starter at DT, CB, FS and maybe OL before a #3 wr.

A first round WR could take LaFell off the field by midseason if things go accordingly....

And you don't draft first round WRs and expect them to be AJ Green always...becoming the starter week 1 isn't always realistic and a must criteria to draft one

Steve Smith could be done after this year and no longer a Panther....the time is now to be working on that future.

A day 1 starter at DT is exactly why Steve Smith says we always struggle...we don't plan and therefore forced to start rookies bc we wait until we have no option

[CRA]

1.Ahhhhhh I think Rivera is playing for a season.

2. And most good teams build from the inside out.

3. At least Lafell and others has a slight chance in producing "some" of Smiths numbers.

What TE on this roster can even where Olsen shoes let alone replace any of his production??

4. When are we going to get Jenkins replacement how much time has passed since that poo should have happen? At least we tried to get WR. 2 3rd rounds and a bunch of bandaides is all we done for that position.

1. Gettlemen isn't. NYG have consistantly loaded up early on WRs and pass rushers. He has some young pass rushers.....and no threatening young WRs. If going by the NY trend....that makes WR an attractive move

[koolkatluke]

A first round WR could take LaFell off the field by midseason if things go accordingly....

And you don't draft first round WRs and expect them to be AJ Green always...becoming the starter week 1 isn't always realistic and a must criteria to draft one

Steve Smith could be done after this year and no longer a Panther....the time is now to be working on that future.

A day 1 starter at DT is exactly why Steve Smith says we always struggle...we don't plan and therefore forced to start rookies bc we wait until we have no option

1. How much are you willing to bet not 1 WR in this draft could take Lafell spot this year?? I'm willing to put $50 on the line the that even if we do draft a WR's he sits behind Lafell for at least this season.

2. Times have change if you're drafting in the top 20 to 25. You are wanting a day 1 starter.

Hell it's gotten to the point that teams expect a starter out of their second round pick. The time of sitting a 1st round pick on the bench his 1st season is over.

3. Steve Smith is the one who brought up drafting a DT when asked about the draft.

[CRA]

1. How much are you willing to bet not 1 WR in this draft could take Lafell spot this year?? I'm willing to put $50 on the line the that even if we do draft a WR's he sits behind Lafell for at least this season.

2. Times have change if you're drafting in the top 20 to 25. You are wanting a day 1 starter.

Hell it's gotten to the point that teams expect a starter out of their second round pick. The time of sitting a 1st round pick on the bench his 1st season is over.

3. Steve Smith is the one who brought up drafting a DT when asked about the draft.

1. I don't bet money on such things. You are saying not one WR in this draft has the potential to out perform Brandon LaFell this year? If that was true....this would be a historically poor WR class debut in recent history....

2. I don't think Luke was even a true starter week one. Yeah, he started but they essentially made him a roleplayer at first...a 2 down LB playing a spot he wasn't really drafted for.

3. Steve Smith also said starting the draft picks right away puts the team in a hole....a flaw of the Hurney era

[koolkatluke]

1. Gettlemen isn't. NYG have consistantly loaded up early on WRs and pass rushers. He has some young pass rushers.....and no threatening young WRs. If going by the NY trend....that makes WR an attractive move

New York has also drafted DT and DB's early as well. If we're going by the Giants nobody has a clue of what pattern they go by.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/draft.htm

Last 5 years They've drafted 5 DB in the 1st 3 rounds and 5 WR with 3 Dlinemen. What the history of NYG drafting really shows is they don't draft OLine much early. Everything else is fair game.

[TANTRIC-NINJA]

That punk ass in Cleveland is the reason we didn't score like we should have at the beginning of the season. It's crazy how some people here blame the players for his dumb ass play calling and game plans at the start of the season. You're crazy if you don't think we have weapons.

That punk ass would be a genius if Louis Muphy is Jeremy Maclin and Brandon Lafell is Even Eric Decker bc they would get seperation and catch passes..but they are not.

I never said we do not have weapons..most every team does. We just do not have enough and are banking on Smitty to continue his production at an age where WRs fall off the map suddenly..no signs.

I guess Joe Adams is the key for you then.

Someone had an interesting thread about Cam holding the ball too long waiting for WRs to get open..Louis Murphy could not gain seperation or make tough catches..Lafell is solid but noting special.

If Smitty goes down its yet another staff for Cam and added frustration for us.

[koolkatluke]

1. I don't bet money on such things. You are saying not one WR in this draft has the potential to out perform Brandon LaFell this year? If that was true....this would be a historically poor WR class debut in recent history....

2. I don't think Luke was even a true starter week one. Yeah, he started but they essentially made him a roleplayer at first...a 2 down LB playing a spot he wasn't really drafted for.

3. Steve Smith also said starting the draft picks right away puts the team in a hole....a flaw of the Hurney era

1. Just because you have a low opinion on Lafell doesn't mean others do. Like I've said in many other threads. Lafell with more targets and more opportunities will make plays and be a solid if not top level #2 WR. This is not a poor WR class there is a lot of depth in the class. But there is no sure fire elite WR in this class. IMO Only 3 to 4 Wr's in this class have the skills to be #1 WR. The rest are 2's and 3's. So like I've said early I doubt any WR in this class will be able to take Lafell spot this year.

He has the advantage of knowing the system.

Knowing the QB.

Has Pro game time Exp.

Is a great Blocker (and we will still run the Ball a lot people) so this is important.

And if you look at his Draft Profile. He would be rated pretty high if he was coming out this year.

http://www.nfldrafts...=2010&genpos=wr

3. Everybody picking in the top 25 is looking for a starter right away. We don't have the Luxury of not getting a starter with at least our 1st pick. Really we need to get a starter with our 1st 2 picks.

So I would like to see a link where Steve said that stupid poo.