Random thoughts on 2010 draft

I am glad to see multiple receivers drafted and in camp. It should be a clear signal to Jarrett to get his ass in gear or he'll be getting that knock on the door "Coach wants to see you and bring your playbook"

 

have to wait 2 years to know if the loving feeling will last, but for now very sexy draft and affordable. if clausen busts at least he will have been a pretty cheap date.

 

I don't think there's any doubt in my mind that the gunshy feeling of drafting later guys (Fasani, LaFors) that easily would've been good depth defenders or linemen went away once we put effort into a young guy. So Pike made sense.

But I imagine the Jake thing changed the whole equation for what effort we'd put into things there anyway. And it really is somewhat striking that we started March the way we did with letting him go, and now we have a whole different ballgame.



There's always the chance that you have a Shuler/Frerotte thing with Clausen/Pike, but I don't anticipate it.

 

I think Delhomme's collapse had a lot to do with the decision. On the other hand, if Pike weren't available I don't think we'd have gotten another QB.

It's not Fox's faith in Moore. Let's face it, Moore didn't look good in preseason and was the 3rd QB at times. As fans, we don't know if they had to change the offensive game plan to help Moore. I do know when he played the year Delhomme was injured, he could have had a lot more interceptions. This year, he looked much better, but its hard to tell with just 4 games. Claussen and Pike give us an immediate safety blanket. I imagine Moore will start and give Claussen a chance to learn the first year unless he is needed to pay. Pike will be a third and will most likely be inactive the first year.

At receiver, it had to be a scary sight last year when Smith broke his arm. We'll find out this year if Jarrett's lack of ability is his fault or Delhomme preferring to wait on Smith. I've always thought Jarrett looked ok when he was thrown to. If not, we have yet some more insurance. I've never seen Lafell play, but he sounds like a Muhammed clone. If we get a younger Muhammed, I'm very happy with that.

I don't mind giving a second next year for Edwards. Edwards is a risky pick, but very high rewards if he pans out. At best, he becomes a Slash type player that gives us flexibility, insurance and depth at 3 positions and can be a defensive coordinators worst nightmare.

 

the past several years I have been optimistic and pumped following the panthers drafts . . . this year not at all

. . . which can only mean that it's going to be an excellent crop. )

 

Must comment... true, on the multiple picks at a position but didn't that come down to need? There is no way this team thought Clausen and Pike would be there. Gettis is a luxury, and a damn good one at that spot. Good call. I am wondering whether Pike has a shot...and I love Pike as a development guy but Armani could allow them to keep 2 QBs with him as the emerg. Jarrett is gone...maybe unfairly but seriously if you don't show urgency in todays day an age you just don't cut it.

 

Gettis was about the only player we drafted that I was excited to get at the time. I'm warming to Norwood and a couple of others, though.

 

I'm not so sure about that. Yes, Moore came in last season and performed exactly as needed - and then some. I do some work for someone very close to Steve Smith and they intimated that Smitty was happy Jake finally got benched.

But what keeps coming back to me is Fox's general hesitancy to bench Delhomme in the first place. I remember reading a blurb here or there about how the coaching staff seemed put off by Moore's lack of dedication. Maybe Fox want Moore to be more like Jake (in terms of putting in the effort, leading the team).

I am pulling for Moore...I just don't always get the feeling that Fox and the coaching staff have the utmost confidence in him. There's more to this than we're seeing, for sure.

 

I never really thought Fox's job was in jeopardy, but if there was doubt... this offseason as whole should erase all doubt... I think if you're going to do something, come big or stay on the porch, and Fox made a decision to clean house , add youth & speed, and he's done that. Should be a very entertaining year. I'm actually excited again about football. He's addressed our biggest needs through players & coaching changes.... the pathetic passing game, special teams, and secondary. I think if you're going to grade this year's draft, you have to look at it in combination with last year's draft.


What really bothers me is Sapp on NFLN saying we got a D+ in the draft... all we got was a QB in the second round and didn't address Peppers leaving until the 6th round... seriously Sapp? Then Woodson saying no other players on the board can start.

Sapp is a fucking idiot and just another ex-jock that thinks it's okay to beat women as long as you can get away with it.... so much for the face of the NFL keeping it clean

 

Sapp probably does not know that we addressed Peppers leaving last year by taking Brown. Lafell will have a good shot at starting.