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Carolina has a number of options.......of course, some of us will say one of their best and most predominant ones is to "lose"......I digress.
Sure, they are in the 2011 Draft Driver's Seat. But not having a 2nd round pick is an issue, because that puts a whole loot of stock on their one and only pick in the first 2 rounds. And not knowing how they will fare in FA, a place that they better be primed up for, they do have to think over their options with a great deal of discussion.
Taking Fairley is the best bet, based on "the fans", and if you believe that Rivera will want to continue in his Defensive ways. Fairley looks like a stud, and nothing like anchoring your dline with a long term superman. There is always a chance that dliners develop slower than what is forecast, but I believe this guy has Suh like adaptability to the NFL.
But Rivera already noted the need to fix the O.......32nd in the NFL (dead last!) with 12. something points per game. That's horrendous! Even the Steelers and the Ravens would not be up to the task of holding opponents down to less than 12 points per game......in their banner years. Of course Luck is gone, so the QB options are not as exciting as Carolina would wish. Do they put some confidence in Clausen, even though he did little to verify his future talent? More likely, they will show their cards in FA, if a decent QB is out there. With no trades until the CBA is settled, it's FA or Draft. But lets be clear, their O is in a shambles, and Nick Fairley (and no 2nd pick) don't ensure much of anything in that regard.
Again the CBA and FA are critical factors in the 2011 offseason, as it is for all teams.....but right now I believe the best move for the Panthers is to trade down. This team is last in O, and 18th or so in D.......they need lots of help, and they only pick once in the first 64. How do you reinvent yourself, other than good coaching and leadership, with few quality picks. If I were them, I'd look for someone who is hungry, maybe for Fairley (not good for us if that's who we want), and who will offer a solid one and two, maybe more!!!! Sure, I like a stud in my fold, but if a team does their personnel homework, they can acquire two studs (or more) with a smart trade down. Why not nail down a high level D and O player, in their first 2 picks? Then they have options at pick #65.
Problem is, if they trade down, we may lose Fairley, as mentioned, unless we are the team they trade down to.......we have 2 second rounders right now. Not sure I'd pay that price for #1. They could be bluffing. Regardless......lets see whose stock rises and falls. There are some really nice dliners ready for the taking. I wouldn't mind trading down...not too far, to get another 2nd rounder. We could score big with a dliner and a host of 2nd rounders. This could be the draft that propels us into a different plateau. I don't like to give Belichick all the accolades, because in fact he has not always been successful in the draft......but look at the makeover he has done with all those 2nd rounders. It appears the Pats will be dominant until Brady slows down, given that all those young men are learning and growing each and every game.
So.......Fairley may be available to us, pending a lot of scenarios......the Panthers take on O stud or trade down (which may mean Fairley is available or gets picked up in the process). OR.....we may trade down with Fairley sitting at our doorstep. Typically however, with the current Agreement in place, teams look for guarantees, and that means going with as sure a thing as possible in those first 10 picks or so. Too much guaranteed money to take a chance.
Regardless, if I'm Carolina, trading down may be the fastest way to turn this team around.
Stay tuned!
Sure, they are in the 2011 Draft Driver's Seat. But not having a 2nd round pick is an issue, because that puts a whole loot of stock on their one and only pick in the first 2 rounds. And not knowing how they will fare in FA, a place that they better be primed up for, they do have to think over their options with a great deal of discussion.
Taking Fairley is the best bet, based on "the fans", and if you believe that Rivera will want to continue in his Defensive ways. Fairley looks like a stud, and nothing like anchoring your dline with a long term superman. There is always a chance that dliners develop slower than what is forecast, but I believe this guy has Suh like adaptability to the NFL.
But Rivera already noted the need to fix the O.......32nd in the NFL (dead last!) with 12. something points per game. That's horrendous! Even the Steelers and the Ravens would not be up to the task of holding opponents down to less than 12 points per game......in their banner years. Of course Luck is gone, so the QB options are not as exciting as Carolina would wish. Do they put some confidence in Clausen, even though he did little to verify his future talent? More likely, they will show their cards in FA, if a decent QB is out there. With no trades until the CBA is settled, it's FA or Draft. But lets be clear, their O is in a shambles, and Nick Fairley (and no 2nd pick) don't ensure much of anything in that regard.
Again the CBA and FA are critical factors in the 2011 offseason, as it is for all teams.....but right now I believe the best move for the Panthers is to trade down. This team is last in O, and 18th or so in D.......they need lots of help, and they only pick once in the first 64. How do you reinvent yourself, other than good coaching and leadership, with few quality picks. If I were them, I'd look for someone who is hungry, maybe for Fairley (not good for us if that's who we want), and who will offer a solid one and two, maybe more!!!! Sure, I like a stud in my fold, but if a team does their personnel homework, they can acquire two studs (or more) with a smart trade down. Why not nail down a high level D and O player, in their first 2 picks? Then they have options at pick #65.
Problem is, if they trade down, we may lose Fairley, as mentioned, unless we are the team they trade down to.......we have 2 second rounders right now. Not sure I'd pay that price for #1. They could be bluffing. Regardless......lets see whose stock rises and falls. There are some really nice dliners ready for the taking. I wouldn't mind trading down...not too far, to get another 2nd rounder. We could score big with a dliner and a host of 2nd rounders. This could be the draft that propels us into a different plateau. I don't like to give Belichick all the accolades, because in fact he has not always been successful in the draft......but look at the makeover he has done with all those 2nd rounders. It appears the Pats will be dominant until Brady slows down, given that all those young men are learning and growing each and every game.
So.......Fairley may be available to us, pending a lot of scenarios......the Panthers take on O stud or trade down (which may mean Fairley is available or gets picked up in the process). OR.....we may trade down with Fairley sitting at our doorstep. Typically however, with the current Agreement in place, teams look for guarantees, and that means going with as sure a thing as possible in those first 10 picks or so. Too much guaranteed money to take a chance.
Regardless, if I'm Carolina, trading down may be the fastest way to turn this team around.
Stay tuned!
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