Aw man. You just got me all revved up again. Looking at just the Panthers (because what have you done for ME lately, Vikings/Broncos/Cardinals?!) we'd be insane to let Moose get away. Rod Smart also has a home in Carolina, but if he gets a big offer he might as well take it.
The Panthers desperately need depth on the O-Line and to get rid of Matt Willig (how many times can you singlehandedly cost us the game, Matt?). I expect them to make some offers on the O-Line FAs (I'd love to get Rabach or Hamilton) but not actually get any and draft some O-Line talent instead.
Cornerback/Safety is an interesting look. Gamble is growing as a solid #2, but Hawkins could be improved on to give better nickle coverage. Colin Branch was a decent FS, but didn't set the world on fire. Smoot or Dyson would be awesome pickups to say the least, and it'd be nice to load some more experienced firepower into the defence unless there's some *very* promising draft picks available. If nobody makes a move on Darius, I'd be tempted to just because we can. Every second the QB has to spend looking for an open man gives our front seven another chance to hit him.
Steve Smith will be back this season, and combined with Moose, Proehl, and Colbert gives us a decent group of receivers. I'd be most interested in getting a TE who can adding a passing dimension while still being able to be the run blocker we need.
Allen (I thought it was Alex...) Rossum is a free agent? The Falcons would be idiots to let him get away.
-Jag
I look at all the choices I've made these past few years, and it seems like I've been playing "Marty-ball" with my life. Ugh.
Originally posted by JaguarThe Panthers desperately need depth on the O-Line and to get rid of Matt Willig (how many times can you singlehandedly cost us the game, Matt?). I expect them to make some offers on the O-Line FAs (I'd love to get Rabach or Hamilton) but not actually get any and draft some O-Line talent instead.
A lot of the mock drafts have Carolina going offensive line in the first round, which is fine by me. I'd rather have a solid young nucleus that includes Gross and Wharton rather than having to shell out big bucks when there are other positions of need.
Cornerback/Safety is an interesting look. Gamble is growing as a solid #2, but Hawkins could be improved on to give better nickle coverage. Colin Branch was a decent FS, but didn't set the world on fire. Smoot or Dyson would be awesome pickups to say the least, and it'd be nice to load some more experienced firepower into the defence unless there's some *very* promising draft picks available. If nobody makes a move on Darius, I'd be tempted to just because we can. Every second the QB has to spend looking for an open man gives our front seven another chance to hit him.
Getting a #1 corner would be a great move, as that's been the defense's biggest weakness in the Fox era. Aside from Minter, I wouldn't say that the secondary has any playmakers, but a Smoot or Dyson, like you mentioned, would greatly help the Panthers in terms of not having to rely on the front seven to play the pass. I think that they'll go safety in the draft, as you can usually get some quality in the middle rounds.
And then there's Emerson, their captain who was injured for the Cup. Watch out for Germany in 2006. And also, while you're at it, watch out for games at much more reasonable hours of the day. That'll rule.