Those bucking colts

[The Cat]

• RETURNING THE FAVOR: The Panthers trumped former general manager Bill Polian in the first round of the draft Saturday, but his team returned the favor in the second whether they knew it or not.

Knowing the Indianapolis Colts were likely to take Gamble with the 29th overall choice in the first round Saturday, the Panthers traded up to 28 to grab him. Polian and the Colts, acknowledging Gamble was their target, promptly bailed out of the first round, trading the 29th pick to Atlanta.

Polian then stuck it to the Panthers, perhaps without realizing it.

When the second round rolled around, the Panthers had targeted Georgia's Sean Jones to be their 62nd pick, according to league sources. However, the Colts prevented him from getting that far, trading the 59th pick to Cleveland so the Browns could take the Bulldogs free safety.

Had the Panthers landed Jones, he would have had a strong chance to be the opening day starter at free safety. Instead, they'll go with youngsters Travares Tillman or Colin Branch, or possibly move cornerback Terrance Shaw to the middle.

 

[magnus]

That sucks.

But why not attempt something otherwise? Jones was by far a better S than most IMO, obviously behind Taylor, but there were still quality players there. Allen, for instance, would've been there in the 3rd. Granted, other than my preference to Washington, who finally ended up going in the 7th, there wasn't a ton of value otherwise, but had Schweigert fallen he would've been a fine pick as well.
And of course, not having a 4th, we couldn't match to trade up. Wasn't, I guess, worth it to try, but I know that Sean Jones would make a big difference on this D, and much as I like Colbert he's more steady than dynamic.

 

[The Cat]

I like the Colbert pick, but Jones and Gamble might have moved us into a legit Dominant Defense. We still may get there. I like our front 10 now at least.

 

[tenaciousD90]

I don't buy any of that crap. Had Foxy wanted Jones as bad as this piece says, he would have gotten Jones...the same way he traded up to get Gamble.

 

[magnus]

I don't buy any of that crap. Had Foxy wanted Jones as bad as this piece says, he would have gotten Jones...the same way he traded up to get Gamble.

Not worth losing the 3rd to do it, in theory. Honestly, having already traded the 4th (that we could've used to trade up to get Jones with) it wouldn't have been possible.

 

[The Cat]

It would have if we burned a future pick or threw in a player from the roster.
AND For all we know he did try and the price was too steep.

 

[VOR]

It would have if we burned a future pick or threw in a player from the roster.
AND For all we know he did try and the price was too steep.

I dunno getting 2 keepers in the draft is worth busting the rest of it.

 

[magnus]

I dunno getting 2 keepers in the draft is worth busting the rest of it.

Gamble, Jones, and nothing else probably looks as good as Gamble, Colbert, and Wharton, maybe so.

 

[LarryD]

I dunno getting 2 keepers in the draft is worth busting the rest of it.

good thinking, ditka.

 

[VOR]

good thinking, ditka.

mock me if you must, but getting two studly guys guaranteed is still worth busting the lower rounds for. Sure every couple of years you get a surprise but still sometimes it's good to go for the gusto.