Running Back

I have heard from a reliable sorce that the Panthers are looking for a big bruising back.

No discussion of anyone staying or going, free agency or draft, only that they want a big one.

I gathered that this may have been part of what came out of the sleep over at Jerry's.

So what FA big backs are available and what studs would be there in the late first or second round?

 

matt forte, tulane

kevin smith, ucf

 

Isn't Smith undersized and Forte the same size as Foster?

 

.

 

Jonathon Stewart would be ideal, if by the fat chance they felt they either fixed the line in FA or could later in the draft.

 

Took a FA list, eliminated FB, RFA, This is what is left, not a lot. I think Collin suggested Musa Smith previously, he'd be a good target.

RB Michael Bennett UFA Tampa Bay Buccaneers
RB Chris Brown UFA Tennessee Titans
RB Aveion Cason UFA Detroit Lions
RB Ron Dayne UFA Houston Texans
RB T.J. Duckett UFA Detroit Lions
RB Justin Fargas UFA Oakland Raiders
RB Verron Haynes UFA Pittsburgh Steelers
RB Maurice Hicks UFA San Francisco 49ers
RB ReShard Lee UFA Oakland Raiders
RB Jamal Lewis UFA Cleveland Browns
RB Reno Mahe UFA Philadelphia Eagles
RB Travis Minor UFA St. Louis Rams
RB Mewelde Moore UFA Minnesota Vikings
RB Musa Smith UFA Baltimore Ravens
RB LaBrandon Toefield UFA Jacksonville Jaguars
RB Michael Turner UFA San Diego Chargers
RB Derrick Ward UFA New York Giants
RB Shaud Williams UFA Buffalo Bills

 

michael turner seems pretty damn good.

 

I don't see a big back as necessarily the solution.

Then again, I also doubt seriously that the team's going around making that decision and telling people about it.



Anyway, Musa Smith's not terrible, but he's a lower end solution. For similar money, I like a smaller shiftier Mewelde Moore.

I certainly like Chris Brown, though. Derrick Ward wouldn't be bad but is less tested.

 

I understand why people want a big bruising back but we've never really had a Bettis or Brandon Jacobs type. Stephen Davis was a much better runner than anyone gives him credit for. I guess we could use a guy to push the pile, but more importantly we need to run the ball effectively. There is no reason we can't have the type of backs we have and not be effective running the ball. I don't think a big bruiser would have faired any better than our two guys this year. If we do decide to go RB hopeully they get a talented back and not just the largest

 

Yeah, he's a good one, but I was thinking more realistically. He'll probably end up being the top FA and will cost a lot.

And I don't feel like we have to have a bruiser either, but that was the premise TP was going on.

We need an alternative to Foster, apparently, though I'd be glad to keep him if a pay cut were involved but that's not very likely. I really feel like the backs we have are fine, it's the OL that needs to get better.

Fargas would be a good option too.