« Panthers mock draft: | Main | First-round receiver for Panthers? Sources say yes »
March 15, 2007
Draft to visit Rams on Thursday, then possibly Bucs
Here’s the latest on Panthers free-agent linebacker Chris Draft, who’s changed his travel plans several times this week. Draft is visiting with the Rams today. If he leaves St. Louis without signing a contract, he’s scheduled to visit Tampa Bay on Friday. Atlanta also has some interest.
But don’t completely rule out a return to the Panthers. They’re monitoring Draft’s situation and could jump in with an offer if they fear he’s about to go elsewhere.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 15, 2007 at 04:00 PM | Permalink
Comments
Kawika Mitchell, Chris Draft, or the draft, pick-em!!
Posted by: Javery | Mar 15, 2007 11:08:22 PM
How about you tell us since you are The Football "know it all!"
You want to invite comments so you can pick them a part... So, GIDDY UP!!!!
Posted by: bt | Mar 16, 2007 11:04:51 AM
On a different note, why didn't they ever try putting Karl Hankton at FS? Did you ever see that guy hit someone? And he does have a DB's catching ability. If you were that thin on safety, why not try a tenacious WR?
Posted by: Syrpis | Mar 16, 2007 2:06:45 PM
Hey BT or better yet GIDDY UP, I appreciate those nice comments. Are you upset or bitter about something? I promise to be more sensitive to your needs as you think I am trying to pick your insensitive soul a part. Get over dude! Where's your Mock Draft? What have you offered? What do you Know? All I have done is offered suggestions on ways I THINK our team needs. If I hurt your feelings due to your insensitivity, Giddy Up on your horse, do your homework and prove me wrong! Your acting like a little kid who got his lunch pail stolen. And why are you so upset, probably because I have offered suggestions that almost every football EXPERT has already stated. I do my homework, take pride into it, and never once have self-proclaimed myself as a "Know It ALL". Because I don't know it all, and none of do! But I know something, at this point I'll bet the mortgage it's more than you. I am just enjoying myself and you are still trying to find your lunch money. So Giddy Up and BRING IT!
Posted by: Javery | Mar 16, 2007 3:16:26 PM
BT, better yet here's a better idea: Why don't you try to keep this FOOTBALL RELATED! Can you try that one?
Posted by: Javery | Mar 16, 2007 3:22:08 PM
Wow - why in the world would they let this guy go, and then resign Diggs - who DID NOTHING except take up space and tackle whoever ran into him??
Posted by: Joe | Mar 16, 2007 5:53:43 PM
Those signings had to be low-budget, special team fillers. Because I don't understand why in the hell we are looking for a defensive tackle in FA. And that LB, better off w/ Draft!
Posted by: Javery | Mar 16, 2007 7:07:17 PM
Javery
Not bitter, just don't like smartass people. Mock Draft is exactly what it is a Mock, Means nothing and who gives a S&%$!! I'll bet all my Mortgages that I have forgotten more than you know. I will offer more and more in the future as I am new to posting comments. You have a Mortgage and are able to do all this "Homework"! Sounds like to much free time! I don't have time to research and listen and search to see if everyone agrees with me to pacify my insecurities! All these are opinions and so are yours. Which in the end it doesn't mean JACK!!!!!! Fair enough lets keep it about football. I am Finished. No Offense! Javery keeping it interesting!
---Also Syrpis has a point about Hankton.
Posted by: bt | Mar 16, 2007 11:39:46 PM
Both Draft and Diggs are adequate at their position(bodies,space fillers) compared to Morgan and Spoon. Diggs is No MLB. The better of what we had outside of MLB last year. Draft is old and getting slow.
Posted by: bt | Mar 16, 2007 11:53:16 PM
If they are going too keep Thomas Davis beefed up 232lbs or more at 6'ft, they need to think about grooming him to the MLB position. However he has had problems at his LB position. With his speed the mistakes made early he can compensate, he can be in there and learn as he goes. That is a stretch but if Morgan goes down then what? He is the most athletic of the LB. He was the answer(SPY) to Vick before putting on pounds!!!
Posted by: bt | Mar 17, 2007 2:32:32 AM
BT, it's obvious you are new to this, rookie mistake, got it! Not a lot of time on my hands, just a thing called Channel 124 on Sirius and the NFL Network on Direct. In case you have neither with all of your financial obligations, the computer sometimes supplements just fine. I wouldn't bet all of your houses and cars just yet though...b/c moving Thomas Davis to MLB? Not saying it couldn't happen, but that dude doesn't know how to play outside backer or safety. Much less the QB of that defense, which is the MLB. The only thing he has been good at, like you said (SPY) for Vick. So he was basically good for 2 games his rookie year. But it no way, shape or form would I have him quarterbacking my defense in the middle. Bring It!
Posted by: Javery | Mar 17, 2007 8:57:31 AM
I agree that Davis should not be the MLB, but not because he's not smart enough to handle it. The "QB of the defense" can come from any number of positions (one of which IS MLB), but TD was the "QB" of the Georgia defense in college from his Rover (SS) position, calling the plays and making audible/coverage adjustment calls. The Fields and Branch situations of '05 were unfortunate ones, and as a result, Davis has suffered because of his versatility. How many first rounders are forced to switch positions on before their first preseason? And it's not like these were simple changes from one side of a position to another, or even within the same groups. He switched from the linebacking core to the secondary, and then before his second season had to go back to the LB core. As such, he not only had to be continuously learning new assignments in the playbook, but had to be changing his body type and conditioning focuses to fit the skill sets required by the different positions. Davis should not be an MLB because he would be too small to sift through the garbage, and in addition, he is better flowing free in the space provided by being either an SS or (to a smaller degree) an OLB.
PS: BROUGHT!
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 17, 2007 10:46:54 AM
Michael Procton
Javery has the beef with me. His comments are the only comments that are right choices to make.
However You made my point, I agree Davis is not the answer but what are we going to have when Morgan goes out, is my point. Not Move him by choice but out of need.
Javery, RELAX!!
Posted by: bt | Mar 17, 2007 11:29:28 AM
Remember, it's still early. FA is far from over, the draft is still a couple of months away (I think this is how we'll take care of our MLB problem with Willis...I hope we can trade down a bit to get him a little lower, though), and then you've got the training camp cuts. As I've said on other sites, I think the smart thing to do is to stay patient and wait for a good bargain to play itself out. Fans are the people who benefit most from big FA splashes...if you look at the last few SB champs, the biggest FA pickups have been Adam Vinatieri and Cedric Wilson. In today's game, the way to build and develop a team is to draft well and lock up your core. Though people are upset that we're bringing back all but one starter from last year, this says that, in large part, we're doing just that.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 17, 2007 12:28:08 PM
I feel we are fine by bringing so many back we had a very talented team. I hope that they(Panthers) recognize that there could be an issue at MLB and are proactive. Address it NOW! I hope you're right.
Posted by: bt | Mar 17, 2007 1:51:30 PM
If the Panthers aren't able to land a patrick willis, laron landry, then definitely look hard via free agency for a LB...On another note i think Bradshaw is absolutely right...with the talent surrounded here Jake Delhomne has no excuse for his performance. His best football has passed him. Time to bring in someone with a strong arm mobility and toughness. Im not talking about a carr harrington....but it would be nice to get someone like a Kyle Boller type...Please Carolna GM make a move..i know money is tight but Boller is in the final year of his rookie contract and let him audition...I did read a blog earlier and this does have that potential of landing a "favre" type of QB like when he left Atlanta...If the shoe fits then wear it. Lets bring in someone who will fit this system
Posted by: cs | Mar 17, 2007 3:08:18 PM
I think you guys bickering back and forth is a bit childish, however I do agree with BT and Procton. Javery you may listen to satellite radio and a myriad of other resources, but just because you frequent this site (more than most) doesn't make you the resident expert on Carolina Football. Quick tip – you may want to frequent the spell check option for more in-depth coverage, but I'll keep it football for you as well. I do believe that Patrick Willis, ILB, Ole Miss, will fall to us in the first round and we should pay him whatever it takes, either that or give up our first and a third round pick and go for Lance Briggs. Sounds like a bit much but you’ll sign a rookie in the first round for almost the same or more.
Posted by: Caro2daheart | Mar 17, 2007 3:26:48 PM
Caro2aheart, your absolutely right, and I will leave it at that! BT, no offense brother and none taken, we are both just trying to make this team better, having a good time talking about it. What are we going to do with all this cap space we don't spend, turn it in?
Posted by: Javery | Mar 17, 2007 9:24:04 PM
Among the things we could do with leftover cap space: restructure deals to make base salaries higher this years so we don't end up in this situation NEXT year.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 17, 2007 10:33:17 PM
Javery,
Not at all man. I came at you pretty hard and glad no offense was taken. We have got to go for broke this year or GO broke and then some!! We have managed to keep this core of guys as Procton said together and have managed to get better since the Superbowl, Our window of oppurtunity is going to slam shut I am afraid after this year. We spend our money and time and they had better do the same!!!
Posted by: bt | Mar 17, 2007 10:43:08 PM
Dear BT and colleagues,
I think you all are having a great time with this MLB discussion, but whoever made the comment(BT) about Chris Draft getting old and too slow has a shallow view or you must not read the stats. Help me understand your take on Chris Draft having those issues and yet leading the team in tackles, 2nd in Sacks (6 this season, which is more than Dan Morgan in a career), the only defensive player to start all 16 games because all the young and fast players got injured or cried about braking a nail. PLEASE!!!! Looks like they need to replace the entire defense if you think Chris Draft is the weak link or should be in question. It's not smart to go for the new inexperienced MLB (QB of Defense) or injured players to lead your team to a superbowl. You guys can't see the forest for the trees. Last note, most College superstars don't just walk into the NFL up to speed with the PROs. There are a few but not many. So What Thomas Davis did in college isn't a direct transfer to the NFL. Chris Draft was the nucleus of that Defense, but he can't do it all alone!!!!!! The Panthers don't want to give Chris Draft what he deserves, instead they stick with a head case. It doesn't take a Harvard Grad to figure out Dan Morgan needs to stay home and enjoy his earnings and health!
Posted by: Kenny | Mar 19, 2007 1:38:43 AM
Kenny
Fair enough.
If I am not mistaken Draft would be the first point of contact usually after the Line. I would expect that The MLB would have The Majority of the tackles.Draft is a great backup. I don't want Dan Morgan either ,only if he could finish the season. Draft 2nd in sacks all this speaks for itself. OK I understand QB of defense and it is insane to have a Rookie trying to play the position, Which is why I have been wating for them to address the problem. If we cannot get(FA) a very good MLB than I would rather have Draft back than anyone else, He has been apart of the defense and is adequate, compared to other starting LBs out there, as I said. Your kidding that a college LB cannot transition to pros right away!! SO you are saying sit Morgan, Sign Draft to a Long contract because he is our future for The MLB position, no need to look anymore?? Is that what you are saying!?
Also alot of things are "Implied" because if we were all ingnorant to the game of Football we would not be using valuable time posting comments! We all have a fair amount of knowledge about the game we don't need a MAP.
Posted by: bt | Mar 19, 2007 2:00:43 PM
BT, you continue to be confused about the matter of the "defensive QB" issue. Yes, Morgan made the play calls and the coverage adjustments when he was in, but Draft did not assume those responsibilities when he took over the spot. Minter was the one doing those things, and, in reality, any non-line player could potentially take care of these. The problem of making it a priority to resign Draft is that it would likely be a relatively high cost move that would only serve as a short-term solution, unlike a rookie.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 19, 2007 2:24:51 PM
I fail to see how I don't understand the d QB position? I was responding to Kenny did you read his comment???
Posted by: bt | Mar 19, 2007 3:46:00 PM
Michael Procton, I want to give you a little tip on who called the plays 2006 season for the defense so you don't sound like you're confused. Chris Draft called the plays, not Mike Minter. The time that Adam Seward came in when Chris D went out for a play, Mike Minter had to call the plays because Seward could not. So don't state what you don't know. Chris Draft didn't wear the sleeve of plays on his arm for looks!!! The Rams were smart for paying Draft what he's worth. The Panthers are trying to get over on the money situation for the middle linebacker. Dan gets minimum with incentives, knowing he won't make the incentive payout due to injury, and his back up will be compensated as a back up and play as a starter for back up money. Bad business....NO superbowl for the Panthers this year.
Posted by: kenny | Mar 21, 2007 12:42:14 AM
Post a comment
Advertisements
