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April 26, 2008
Double dippin' in Round 1
The Panthers move to trade next year's first-round pick to get back into the first round this year for big OT Jeffrey Otah is reminiscent of last year when Cleveland picked LT Joe Thomas early then traded a future No. 1 to get quarterback Brady Quinn.
The Browns viewed Quinn as a future first-rounder. They figured they had an opportunity to get a franchise quarterback, which is something they'd do with a No. 1 pick a year later anyway.
Ditto for the Panthers. GM Marty Hurney said it's rare to have the chance to get a premier offensive tackle. Since it's something Carolina might have wanted to do next year anyway, they went ahead and sprung for the deal now.
The Panthers landing Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart at 13 and Otah at 19 in the first round is the type of bold move this organization needed to to revitalize a team that's lacked energy the past two seasons.
Stewart and Otah fit together almost perfectly. Otah is known as a mauler who can clear out defenders in the running game. Stewart is a tough inside runner who not only can bull his way for yards but also can get free with his speed.
-- Charles Chandler
Posted by Observer Sports on April 26, 2008 at 06:56 PM | Permalink
Comments
bunch of unintelligent panther fans as of lately on all these blogs condemning the trade... all the panthers really gave up were two picks.. they basically just swapped 1st rounders... got an extra one this year for theirs next year.... simple as that... really only gave up a 2nd and
4th rounder dummies
Posted by: Panthe R ican | Apr 26, 2008 7:01:44 PM
And that is PANTHER FOOTBALL!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: PantherHead | Apr 26, 2008 7:03:52 PM
this was a great move, perfect combo!
Posted by: Cameron | Apr 26, 2008 7:04:54 PM
Good move, guys...GREAT move! All the naysayers out there need to just relax and see what else happens this weekend.
Posted by: Panther Fan in GA | Apr 26, 2008 7:05:15 PM
It was expensive but i think this was the right move. We need to win now, not next year. Nobody likes giving up their first round pick, but we moved up a lot. But every time I read this blog during the season everybody wants to complain how we can't control the clock, can't convert on third down, cant score any points. So how do fix that? You get a power back that can run between the tackles to compliment your home run guy, you get help on the offensive line to block for your backs, plus the upgrades at receiver will improve the passing attack. D.J will take the heat off Smith, and the whole pass game will take pressure off the run since every team in the NFL knew we couldn't throw the ball last year. So what did the panthers not do that was necessary to improve the offense that everybody was complaining about last year???? Besides if we are any good this year our 1st pick next year wont be worth that much in the end. We certainly didn't get over on the Eagles but we were bold and did what we had to do. Our defensive needs can still be met with our two third round picks and we can probably trade up again to get into the fourth or at least another fifth. If not there is free agency after the draft. I agree I would like to see the panthers use one low pick on J Johnson if possible but otherwise its gonna be all defense from here on out. Overall I'm pretty pleased as long as the guys we selected are as good as advertised.
Posted by: Easy | Apr 26, 2008 7:06:36 PM
Posted by Easy - that's not what I typed in and contributed when I hit 'submit'! Either there is another 'Easy' and my post got deleted, or my post was edited.
Posted by: Easy | Apr 26, 2008 7:15:33 PM
The secomd i saw the trade come up i knew it was Jeff Otah and my first reaction was excitement. When i saw what we gave up that excitement came down somewhat....but i still thinks its a great move
Posted by: BronxMike | Apr 26, 2008 7:22:22 PM
Panthe R ican - you dont have a problem with nations defecit do you. You dont touch the money! These guys reached b/c they might be here next year to use that draft anyway. And for Charles and Stan...you guys are way overdoing this draft...no one on ESPN or NFLN are agreeing with you...but they are probably stupid too...national media losers, right?
Posted by: Whacky Cat | Apr 26, 2008 7:31:24 PM
I think it was a bold and great move also. As long as these guys are as good as advertised as someone else already said. This is going to be a really INTERESTING season for Panther Football! :-)
Posted by: Panthergrrl | Apr 26, 2008 7:31:25 PM
I like this trade, overall. This team has the ability to win now, they just need to put the pieces together. Solidifying the line, getting a power runner that will open the game up for Jake, Steve, and D.Will... A great first round.
The problem is, the defense is still a major worry. Pepp needs to have a huge bounceback season, and hopefully the panthers can profit in 3rd and later rounds...
Posted by: Mav | Apr 26, 2008 7:34:53 PM
Great move to trade up and get Otah. Period! We greatly needed an OT. Interesting to see what happens in rounds 3-7 for the Cats.
Posted by: J Thomas | Apr 26, 2008 7:39:46 PM
If losing the second round pick this year bugs you, just remember...Eric Shelton was our second round pick in 2005.
The less draft picks Fox & Hurney have = less screw ups.
Posted by: Brill Jonas | Apr 26, 2008 8:02:49 PM
This is perfect. Otah is a mid-first round rated OT and the Panthers really needed one.
So - get the first round pick this year - and, if the Panthers don't win, there may not BE a next year for Fox and Hurney.
This is Fox Football. A big, bruising OT to lead a big bruising RB. The run game will keep the offense on the field and the defense off and the other teams' defenses will be the ones wearing down in the fourth quarter.
Posted by: JohnS | Apr 26, 2008 8:08:37 PM
I call this a high risk - high reward. But I am a big DW fan and I want to see him run next year. So where does that leave Stewart? 5 - 10 carries a game for first round money?
Posted by: Kelso | Apr 26, 2008 10:10:17 PM
Premiere offensive tackles also don't last until pick 19. And yes...even if your argument is that we swapped 1st-rounders (I somehow feel our pick will be better than #19 next year), then we gave up a 2nd and a 4th to get nothing, when we could have gotten a DE or a DT (which we STILL don't have!)
Kelso, DeAngelo will get less carries than he did last year if Stewart stays healthy and the coaching staff is smart. He should be a 3rd-down back and slot receiver on a good team.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Apr 27, 2008 2:51:52 PM
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