« Finally, the 5th Round is here | Main | It's a TE »
April 27, 2008
Hurney: Connor too good to pass up
So why did the Panthers take a linebacker with their 74th pick (third round) when they had so many other obvious needs? They did though, grabbing Penn State's Dan Connor.
"It's just like (center) Ryan Kalil last year," said general manager Marty Hurney today. "Dan was just too high on our draft board to pass up."
The Panthers plan to initially use Connor as a backup to Jon Beason at middle linebacker, but the Carolina brass said that Connor can also play the outside positions.
"We were surprised that (Connor) was still up there (on their draft board)," Hurney said. The Charlotte Observer's top 100 had him listed as the No. 40 talent available.
"We all have the same philosophy; that you can't go wrong picking good football players," Hurney said.
When someone asked about the Panthers' need of defensive linemen at that point, coach John Fox said, "The D-line there was pretty much like safety last year. It's sometimes just the way it falls."
Carolina had wanted to draft a safety a year ago, but never saw one of appropriate value in their slots.-- Stan Olson
Posted by Stewart Williams on April 27, 2008 at 01:52 PM | Permalink
Comments
Drafting Kalil when they already had Hartwig created a mess on the O-line that never gelled and ended in the panthers having to basically pay for Hartwig to leave.
Posted by: Dave | Apr 27, 2008 2:39:13 PM
just hit somebody dan, ull shut up the haters then
Posted by: george | Apr 27, 2008 2:54:37 PM
seward will survive somewhere on this team and he will continue to get better especially on special teams
Posted by: todd harmeyer | Apr 27, 2008 3:30:32 PM
Couldn't agree more with Dave. That's not to say Conner won't be a very good player, it's just that the Panthers had so many needs elsewhere.
By the way, I'm already sick of hearing how Connor was the "40th best player according to the Charlotte Observer best 100 players." Yea, like that was the main consideration.
Posted by: Irony | Apr 27, 2008 3:44:23 PM
just like safety last year, and that worked out great. or like OT a few years ago, when they had zero depth and wharton went down week 1 with a season ending injury.
Posted by: John | Apr 27, 2008 6:45:32 PM
Connor is a good player but it was as stupid! pick...period! he may not even play back up as Adam Seward is still there and Connor will have to compete with seward for the spot who I think is better in coverage...I mean....There were several DTs there....so pick....THe panthers have to sign a DT (a good one) NO TEAM! in the playoffs are terrible at rushing the passer! if julias peppers doesn't return to form! Fox....you will walking with him! along with Ryan kalil who looks like a real BUST!!!! bottom line i thought kalil was a good pick too.....but after wacthing on the field...It was a lesson for me..that "Bench Reps" mean nothing! He's very week!! and I saw this guy give up 3!!! sacks in one!!! game!! (we all saw it last year) when he started that game at G. Center is even harder! so......I don't believe in "Best player" available when your talking football...and especially when your talkign about a none playoff team...sure you can get a good player but you won't have a better football team if you don't address your weeknesses......
Posted by: Cheven | Apr 27, 2008 6:58:05 PM
i don't follow the panthers closely enough to comment on their "needs", but i can tell you unequivically you got the steal of the draft getting connor! he is tough, smart, durable and loves to hit. he also comes out of a school that has developed many outstanding professional linebackers. connor is certain to make the team which many 4th rounders do not. when the dust settles, you will be very happy you selected dan commor to play for you!
Posted by: jt | Apr 28, 2008 9:44:33 AM
Drafting Connor was a tough call. This certainly doesn't fill a short term need. D-line needs help. However, I think he will prove to be maybe the best of all the linebackers in the draft. He may not be as fast as Rivers but he is much more instintive and is certainly fast enough. He is better in coverage than many have stated and he never ever misses a tackle. All this translates into tremendous overall production - compare the stats - he's a machine. If he stays healthy, he is a 10 year player with pro bowl potential. He could easily start for the Panthers year 1.
Posted by: Steelhead | Apr 28, 2008 10:06:00 AM
Post a comment
Advertisements
