ESPN Insider comments on our players.

I'm glad I don't pay for a lot of the "insider" info, cause some if it is just bad guesses, but this was interesting.

Name: Muhsin Muhammad
Position: Wide Receiver
Grade: 70 | Key
Alert: A

Comment:
Muhammad has good size and can still stretch the field vertically, he has big play skills, he has strong hands, he will go and get the ball, he tracks it well in the air, and he is dangerous after the catch because he is big and physical and he is tough to tackle in the open field. He is a little bit of a long strider and you get the feeling that he surprises DB's by getting on them in a hurry but not looking overly quick, and he seems to build speed as he goes, and as a result he will run by DB's that misjudge his speed. He is not afraid to come over the middle to take a big hit, and he really seems to be comfortable in this offense. Muhammad lacks great overall quickness; he is not real nifty in terms of his route running, at times you think you are looking at a little bit of a one dimensional vertical receiver. He is still a receiver that can certainly make a lot of plays on the perimeter.

 

Name: Kris Jenkins
Position: Defensive Tackle
Grade: 96 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Jenkins has outstanding overall size, and for a big DT, he is a well proportioned athlete, and he stays in good shape. He has really improved in terms of his ability to play with leverage, he has good knee bend, he plays low, and his is almost impossible to knock off the ball and because of it, he is one of the best run defenders in the NFL. He has a variety of pass rush moves, and he can really change up in terms of his ability to work offensive linemen. He can either play one gap penetration techniques where he uses his quickness to get through the hole, or he can play two gap read and react techniques where he simply uses his power. His recognition skills seemed to improve, and his awareness and ability to locate the ball were outstanding. Durability and fatigue are probably minor concerns. Overall, Jenkins should continue to improve as his maturity and experience grows and he should play at a high level for years to come.

 

Name: Julius Peppers
Position: Defensive End
Grade: 86 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Peppers is explosive. He has a good array of pass rush moves, he can use a swim move, he can use the club move and he is almost impossible to stop if you can get him on an island in terms of his athleticism. He does a nice job of coming out low off the snap of the ball, he gets his hands up into the throwing lanes, and he uses his outstanding vertical jump to knock down passes at the line of scrimmage. However, when he does get into trouble, it seems to be that it is when he is standing up and trying to locate the ball and that is when he can be overpowered. He just doesn't seem to have a lot of patience for disengaging blocks and getting away from contact and making plays. He wants to win with his first step quickness and if he has to fight his way to make the play, he is not going to be nearly as effective.

 

Name: Jordan Gross
Position: Offensive Tackle
Grade: 85 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Gross is a great technician for such a young player, he takes excellent angles on all of his blocks, and he rarely makes mistakes. He really plays under control, although he does have a mean streak, and he is very competitive, but he never seems to let it get away from him. He will simply mirror the defender, ride him past the pocket, or make the necessary adjustments but this is not a player that lunges or over extends himself or gets in bad positions. If there is a concern about him, it is the fact that he's not a dominating run blocker. He is not really a power player, but again, it is not really a weakness in his game because of his ability to bend, play with leverage, and deliver a blow. He should play for a long time at a very high level because he will take care of his body, he will be prepared, and all the physical tools are already in place.

 

Name: Mike Rucker
Position: Defensive End
Grade: 83 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Rucker is a relentless pass rusher that never quits, he is steady, he is productive, he is smart, and he may work to finish plays as well as any defensive end in the NFL. He is at his best when he is on the move and can use his athleticism, speed and burst to get to the QB, and a lot of his battles are won with his first step, where he can simply run by the offensive tackle by beating him off the snap of the ball. He loves to rush off the edge and close down inside to make the play, he does an outstanding job of not rounding off his pass rush. He makes a lot of plays vs. backside cutback runs because of his intensity and aggressiveness, because his motor is always going, he runs into a lot of plays. However, he can be neutralized if you can get your body on him. He can be neutralized and it is tough for him to get off a block. Rucker has good but not elite athleticism and speed, he hangs around, he has a great work ethic, he fights to finish the play and all of the sudden, at the end of the game, you have great production from him.

 

Name: Jake Delhomme
Position: Quarterback
Grade: 74 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Delhomme is a smart QB that is always prepared; for the most part he makes good decisions. He is efficient, appears to have good overall vision, and manages the offense very well. Is an outstanding competitor, is vocal, and appears to have excellent overall leadership qualities. His excitement and enthusiasm appears to rub off on his teammates and give them confidence. Does a nice job on the deep out, puts good air on the vertical ball, and is getting better at that part of his game. Also has good pocket awareness, will move around the confines of the pocket, and while he is not necessarily a threat to run, he feels the pressure, avoids it, and can make all types of throws from all different angles. He still has a tendency to force the ball at times, and will make some questionable decisions, but you almost get the feeling that it's his competitiveness taking over. He is the perfect guy for this offense, he has won over the players and organization with his play, confidence and character, and there is no reason to think that he won't be a solid starter for years to come

 

Name: Will Witherspoon
Position: Linebacker
Grade: 72 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Witherspoon isn't a big and physical player, he plays with good overall athleticism, he is instinctive, and he always seems to be around the football. He does a nice job of slipping blocks, making plays on the move, and he is better in space than he is in close. His athleticism and range was negated when he had to play MLB, and he was not as natural at taking on blocks and getting engulfed by big offensive lineman as he is when he is on the outside where he has more room to work and he can make plays in space. He is an east and west type linebacker that loves to play sideline to sideline, he does a great job of tackling and breaking down in space, he has good overall coverage skills, he can turn and run with tight ends and backs, he does a nice job of blitzing and coming off the edge, he seems to have a natural feel for locating the ball, getting through trash, and avoiding contact. He has also been outstanding on cover teams for Carolina, and he does an excellent job of going downfield and covering kicks.

 

Name: Steve Smith
Position: Wide Receiver
Grade: 80 | Key
Alert: B

Comment:
Smith is an undersized speed receiver that has outstanding speed and explosiveness and he is very effective on crossing routes and quick hitches. He can catch the ball on the run and in traffic. He has great vision after the catch, has great change of direction skills and shows a good burst in the open-field. He wastes very little motion. Will go over the middle, make the tough catch in traffic, and is not afraid to take a hit to make a big catch. Has outstanding hands, can snatch the ball away from his body, and has excellent concentration. However, size is always going to be a factor for Smith as he will wear down over a long season, especially if he has to pull double duty as a punt returner and receiver. In addition, bigger DB's that try to jam him and get very physical, can give him some problems, and if there is an area that he needs to continually work on, it is his ability to beat the press. He is not going to win a lot of jump balls, although he will make the spectacular catch. Durability is always a consideration

 

Name: Jeff Mitchell
Position: Center
Grade: 80 | Key
Alert: None

Comment:
Mitchell has excellent upper body strength, he has a great combination of good overall size and quickness, and he may be the best OC in the league of sustaining his blocks. He is tenacious as a run blocker, when he gets his hands on a defender he rarely falls off or lunges, absolutely knows how to finish a block. He has excellent overall intelligence, he seems to understand blocking angles, he rarely has wasted motion. Can make all the line calls and get everybody in the right spots. Gets good pop at the point of attack, has strong hands and can control the defender. He also does a nice job of getting to the 2nd level, he is especially effective when he is uncovered, because he will not only get to linebackers and get good position and wall off, he is also able to chip and help his OG's. Mitchell is not going to dazzle you in any particular area, but at the end of the game, he has very few mistakes.

 

Name: Mike Minter
Position: Safety
Grade: 76 | Key
Alert: B

Comment:
Minter does not have great size, and that is probably his biggest liability. Athletically, he is what you want in a safety in terms of range, speed, and quickness, and when the Panthers play their cover 2 scheme, he is very natural at covering the deep half of the field. He can track down almost any ball. He has outstanding change of direction skills, he has good quickness, he doesn't have a lot of wasted moves or motion, and he takes great angles to the ball. You really like his instincts and the ability to track the ball when it is in the air, and he seems to be very natural at reading routes, and being around the football. He has good closing speed when the ball is in the air, and he is very competitive when he is going for the ball. He is a solid range safety, but he will probably never become an elite player, mainly due to the fact that his size will limit him.