Priority Number 1 - Offensive Line

[carolina-chuck]

Yes, because you know exactly what he is going to do.....NOT!!!!

 

Yes I do . I have a very good source that work inside the organization. The same source that told me Gman/Rivera were high on Eifert. tada...

[micnificent28]

Kug hasn't played a game yet...would not depend on him yet.

 

How much longer would you put off drafting some weapons for your franchise qb? Don't get me wrong i see the need but,I don't think the line is in worse shape than the skilled positions on offense. Ginn couldn't even get n the field in SF and here he's practically the number 2 wr. Our receiving core is an terrible in my eyes and i don't see a worse core in the nfl. Our line atleast held it's own this year,we've not had a number 2 since moose this has to end and i mean like this season. Smith isn't even a number 1 anymore in my mind so the need is now. I would suggest going wr first and second round and grab a project in the 3rd if gross returns.

[Peppers90 NC]

Keenan Allen was a third rounder last year, he contributed nicely for the Chargers.

thats why i said you would find more guys drafted in rounds 2 or 3 thru 6 than in the first... at least in their rookie years that have made major impacts.  im not suggesting not taking one because this years draft seems pretty strong at the top with a couple guys that look like they could play right away, compared to last year, where those first rounders were almost project players(Austin and Patterson).  

[micnificent28]

When is the last time we went WR in the first round Rae Carruth? i mean come on... 

[FootballMaestro]

So just recently as yesterday Pro Football Focus released their 2013 Offensive line rankings and the Panthers were rated as the 8th best in the league. Now they do mention that upgrades could be made on the right side but overall they give praise to the Panther Offensive line performance.

 

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/01/13/2013-offensive-line-rankings/4/

 

They are not the only one's that seem to think highly of them. Many analysts (and ones I respect such as Greg Cosell) have also given praise to the O-line throughout much of the year. This won't go over well with some but one thing that is mentioned is that Cam is holding on to the ball too long even when receivers are getting separation and are open. They also mention that he has to improve when it comes to "throwing open" his receivers. They aren't saying this in a negative Cam bashing way, but just giving assesment of what they see when breaking down film. They of course point out his abilty to extend plays with his legs and overall strength when protection breaks down.    

 

I am not a big football stat geek and especially not when it comes to offensive line but it's odd when many people seem to have such a negative view of the o-line while the very few "experts" I take seriously that spend all their time breaking down film tend to see other issues (not just Cam) with the offense  that are not O-line related.  

 

I don't pay close attention to O-line play and really don't have on opinion on the subject but I just thought I would throw that out there because I have heard so many others praising the O-line for overachieving in many ways throughout the year.

Are these guys really watching game and film; or are they just reading stats from afar, or were passed on to them?

 

If so, that can explain the discrepancy. Facts don't always tell the whole story compared to people/fans who actually watch the games, especially when you have a QB that can hide many of  your O-Lines deficiencies. 

 

For example, Cam threw an INT early in the playoff game. So that goes down as an INT for Cam, right? Yes. However, the ball was actually being thrown to Olsen, while Lafell tipped the ball, and Willis held Olsen so he couldn't get to it, resulting in an INT, instead of simply an incomplete pass. 

 

So that INT was actually on the receivers (specifically Lafell), but it will go down as an INT for Cam (and probably not even a target for Lafell).

 

And of course they're better, many other examples, such as Cam escaping a rush, then completing a pass, even when the Offensive Lineman gets beat or is being pushed backed into him, and Cam is tall and strong enough to get the pass off. 

 

In addition, if a team schemes more short pass plays, runs and trickery successfully, it doesn't take away from the fact that they could still be poor down field pass blockers, though it won't show up in the stats. 

[Mr. Scot]

Veldheer is a good tackle when healthy, hope we can get him cheap along with gross coming back. Then we could go more receiver heavy in the draft, maybe pick up an olineman in the mid rounds for depth

 

Looked up a little more info on Veldheer for the heck of it.

 

Dude is 6'8 (and ironically wears #68) 325 or so and looks like a tank.

 

 

Achilles heel?  As mentioned, he's had some injuries.  Otah was massive too but it didn't matter much when he couldn't stay on the field.

 

He reportedly wants to stay in Oakland.  If they don't keep him, I'd give him a look (and a very thorough medical evaluation) but I'd be gun shy on paying too much.  My sense is that someone else might offer him more than we would.

[Semaj]

You don't think signing Nicks and drafting a mid round wr would address the wr position?

I'm just not that excited about Nicks.  Don't want him at this time.  I  would rather get a Kelvin Benjamin in the first round if there or another wide out.  Eiter way, our first 2 picks should be WR and OL in whatever order has BPA at each position.

[DaCityKats]

David Yankey and Cyril Richardson both started an entire year at LT. They possibly could make the move back out to OT in the NFL, kinda like Cordy Glenn. But they might not have the value of someone like Lee if he drops.