SB Nation - Derek Dennis

Cut Day Discussion Thread: Hoyer, Branch, Ihedigbo Among Patriots Roster Cuts

Adam Fox — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 18:48:10 -0000

As teams around the league trim down the rosters to the league-compliant number of 53, there are bound to be a couple of surprises mixed in with the routine departure of myriad "bubble" players. The Patriots created a few headlines of their own early this morning with the releases of QB Brian Hoyer and WR Deion Branch.

Hoyer, 26, has held the role of Tom Brady's backup dating back to the 2009 season. The release of Hoyer likely represents a vote of confidence in Ryan Mallett, who also comes with a more cap-friendly salary to manage. Hoyer was due $1.9 million this season and would become a free agent at the end of the season. The Patriots look to carry only two quarterbacks on the roster during the 2012 season, with a likely third stashed on the practice squad after the cut day dust eventually settles.

Branch, 33, was seen as a probable lock following the releases of receivers Donté Stallworth and Jabar Gaffney. It was not to be so as the front office dealt Deion a pink slip this afternoon. Branch comes off a five-touchdown, 702-yard season and a lauded rapport with Tom Brady throughout his career. The Patriots could be positioning for a big move at the receiver position with Brandon Lloyd and Wes Welker being the only projected starters.

OL Dan Koppen and S James Ihedigbo were also released this afternoon.

Discuss your thoughts of the cuts below!

UPDATE: [7:55 pm E/T] DB Derrick Martin, FB Eric Kettani, TE Alex Silvestro, S Sergio Brown, DL Aaron Lavarias, OL Jeremiah Warren, OT Matt Kopa and WR Jeremy Ebert have been informed of their release.

UPDATE: [10:33 pm E/T] TE Tyler Urban, WR Jesse Holley, G Derek Dennis, DL Marcus Harrison, LB Jeff Tarpinian, LB Niko Koutouvides, S Malcolm Williams, WR Kerry Taylor, OL Dustin Waldron and OL Darrion Weems have been officially released.

These 22 players that find themselves no longer on the team indicate that the Patriots are now compliant with the league's 53-man roster limit.

Dolphins Hard Knocks Episode 1 Recap

Kevin Nogle — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 15:07:02 -0000

Last night, the first episode of HBO's Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Miami Dolphins debuted, giving fans an inside look into the franchise. The show will air again tonight at 11pm Eastern. If you plan on watching that, and do not want to know anything about the show, you should stop reading now (aka Spoiler Alert!).

The show opened with guard Derek Dennis discussing how he had worked out constantly to be ready for camp. He realized how hard it would be for him to make the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. What he did not realize, and we see as the scenes cut between him checking in for camp, and the coaches having a discussion of who to cut.

Before the cut is actually made, the scene cuts to the opening sequence. We then watch as the locker room is torn apart and remade, taking the last vestiges of the Tony Sparano era out, and turning the building into Joe Philin's vision.

The show returns to the opening dinner of training camp, with all of the players and their wives/significant others. We also get a quick look at the three starting quarterback possibilities in their homes, with their wives and kids, and a wakeboard (David Garrard). After that, it's game on and training camp really begins.

We see the team working out wide receiver Braylon Edwards and guard Eric Steinbach. The team decided to pass on Edwards (who has now signed with the Seattle Seahawks), but signed Steinbach. But, in order to sign Steinbach, someone has to be cut to make space for the veteran. Flashback to the Dennis opening scene.

Philbin and general manager Jeff Ireland decide that Dennis should compete the conditioning test, then they would call him in and released him. And, that's exactly what they do - with even a remark in the locker room after we see Dennis hand in his playbook out in his car that Dennis never even got to put on his pads.

The most akward moment of the show came when Chad Johnson attempted to crash a private coaches meeting. The coaches were grading out how players were doing, and Johnson tried to sit in on the meeting. The coaches, including Philbin, tried to see if Johnson needed anything, and he said his wife had kicked him out until the end of camp, and he had no where to go. Eventually Johnson realized he was not supposed to be in the meeting (he did bring a notebook, so it looks like he really was trying to learn), and got up and left. It was a funny moment, but kind of akward as well.

We also saw the epic battle between Reggie Bush and Johnson in FIFA Soccer on the PlayStation 3. The two have been trash talking about it on Twitter recently, and it made it into the first show.

There was also another semi-akward Johnson moment. During his introductory news conference, Johnson dropped "F-bombs" six or seven times. Watching in his office, Philbin did not enjoy it, commenting that Johnson represents the Dolphins, and needs to be more careful about what he says. The two spoke on the sideline later in camp about the press conference, with Philbin commenting that a well timed use of the word can have great affect, but repeatedly using it every-other-word simply makes people think ,"Clean up your language."

Of course, the storyline that got the most play was the quarterback battle, with the parallel line of Ryan Tannehill's holdout. The drama of the holdout was built up, including a scene where an on the phone Dawn Aponte tells Jeff Ireland that the team is ready to allow Tannehill to go back into the draft, and Tannehill is prepared to do that. Of course, this is posturing on both sides, and even Ireland commented, "Tannehill just wants what's fair. I just want this guy in camp."

Then the scene cuts to Tannehill reporting to camp, shaking hands with Philbin late at night in the film room, and then signing his contract (with a poster of Dan Marino looking over his shoulder). Tannehill immeditaley moves to studying his playbook, and gets in a midnight workout as well.

With Tannehill in the fold, the quarterback competition moves to center stage, and Tannehill is made to look like the second coming of Marino. From reports coming out of camp, Tannehill has looked good the past few days, but Hard Knocks definitely made him look better than a rookie making rookie mistakes.

Meanwhile, we also got to see a little more about the Vonate Davis situation. The coaches comment, both on the field and in meetings, that Davis is immature and not trying hard enough in practice. He's out of shape, and is constantly dragging. One moment in particular rubbed the coaches the wrong way. The team was getting ready to do one-on-one drills, and Davis had to leave practice to go to the bathroom. Philbin commented that at his (Philbin's) age, he doesn't even have to leave a 75-minute practice to go to the bathroom.

The start of the next practice, coaches asked Davis if he had taken care of his bladder.

Davis looks to be going downhill fast in the eyes of the coaching staff. We'll see over the next four weeks if he can turn it around.

The show also gave us a chance to see the players on their day off from camp. The rookies all immediately begin calling home, spending most of the time sleeping. The veterans all head home to help take care of their children and be with their wives.

The final storyline that could be a feel-good story of camp is Les Brown. Brown is the tight end who gave up football five years ago to pursue basketball, then had a stellar workout with BYU this year at the school's Pro Day, leading to him signing an undrafted free agent contract with the Dolphins. He is trying to make the team, and is a non-stop type of guy. The tight ends coach comments that, if Brown says he cannot guy, then he really cannot go. Brown was seen on the sideline after (apparently) spraining an ankle. He got the ankle wrapped and limped/ran right back onto the field to get back into the action.

The coaches comment that he looks good in pass catching, but he is a liability in both pass protection and run blocking. Brown realizes he has to get better if he wants to make the team.

Of course, the show feature plenty of views of the scenery around Miami, and as many shots of cheerleaders as they could seemingly fit into the show.

The show closes with Philbin crashing the quarterbacks film study, sliding up to the table with Garrard, Matt Moore (who is seen in the show, and intereviewed, but definitely did not have the same roles as Garrard or Tannehill), and Tannehill, to tell them about the depth chart that was released on Monday. Interestingly, Pat Devlin, who Philbin does mention as the fourth string quarterback, is not on screen. Philbin tells them that the first depth chart, which is an NFL requirement since the team has a game this Friday, will have Garrard at one, Moore at two, Tannehill three, and Devlin four. But, he tells them that it's not indicative of anything other than their names on the paper right now.

The competition isn't over.

Now, let's get to next week's show.

Jamey Richard Placed On IR; Waldron, Dennis Signed

Jared Stegall — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 23:23:28 -0000

After sustaining a concussion in practice earlier this week, Jamey Richard's hopes of making the Patriots' final roster came to an end. The team announced that they have placed Richard injured reserve on Thursday.

In corresponding moves, the Patriots have claimed rookie guard Dustin Waldron off waivers and signed fellow rookie guard Derek Dennis--both formerly of the Miami Dolphins.

Waldron, (6-foot-5, 305 pounds), was waived by the Dolphins earlier this week after signing as an undrafted rookie free agent back in April. Dennis, meanwhile was released by the Dolphins on the first day of training camp when veteran Eric Steinbach was signed. Both will join the team later this week.

Though Thursday was a bad day for one offensive lineman on the Pats roster, it was good day for another. Versatile guard/center Nick McDonald passed his physical and was removed from the physically unable to perform list. McDonald missed the first seven training camp practices with an undisclosed injury.

Miami Dolphins Training Camp Day 6 Quick Hits

Kevin Nogle — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 22:40:19 -0000

Here are some quick hits about the Miami Dolphins training camp workout today.

There's an owl hooting at #Dolphins practice. I thought it was some passionate FAU fans, but apparently it's a real owl
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

No practice again today for Brian Hartline (calf).
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Clyde Gates (hamstring) is also not practicing.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Garrard starting with the 1s. No surprise. Still waiting to see if/when Tannehill gets to go a bit with first group.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Philbin expects offense to be fully installed early next week. About 75% now.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

No doubt about it, Lamar Miller is the starting kick returner when regular season rolls around. Kid has wheels.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Looked like rookie Andrew McDonald was doing some work at 2nd team RT. Made team as a tryout guy.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

RT @joebossdog: How's Mike Pouncey doing?" He's got the toughest job at camp going against Soliai & Starks. Brutal work. #XOmar
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

By the time @mikepouncey gets to a game it'll probably feel like a vacation.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Jake Long says he feels the healthiest he's been in 3 years. Looks it, too.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

"The way I grade myself I felt I didn't play well last year," Jake Long said. "I'm my worst critic. I critique everything I do."
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Coaching intern Al Harris (DBs) getting on one of the officials after a PI flag was thrown on one of his guys haha.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Talked to a couple players today who say they LOVE the new Nike uniforms compared to the ones made by Reebok. Lighter and more flexible
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Ridiculous catch by Roberto Wallace on a deep seem pass in double coverage. He's been the star of training camp so far
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Chris Clemons back working with the 1's at strong safety today
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Seriously, this is the most boring Dolphins practice so far. Energy level is flat.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Joe Philbin says Davone Bess has had a great camp so far. "Love his leadership, having a good camp, been productive."
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

The Dolphins installed the "Bear" or 46 defense today.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Second-year FB Ryan Mahaffey is getting a good amount of work with starters last two days. Keep an eye on him.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Chemistry is important to an offensive line. Jake Long and Richie Incognito already have chemistry. Why mess with that by moving him? #XOmar
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Roberto Wallace is turning the deep sideline catch over a CB for TD into his practice signature. Another just now.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Roberto Wallace working on the jugs machine after a day of drops. lockerz.com/s/230506215
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

This is the second straight day I've noticed Charles Clay getting some reps with the starters. Not a lot, but some in a single TE set.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Tannehill about to take his first reps with the 1s
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Ryan Tannehilll got some work with the first team today. Philbin said he threw the ball well first few days so deserved opportunity.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

Good sideline throw from Ryan Tannehill on a rollout to Roberto Wallace. His best throws are rollouts.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Philbin says RT17 will get first team reps "as earned."
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

"Smart kid, has a great arm, really anticipates where the opening are," Fasano said of Tannehill, who is ahead of the rookie QB he's seen
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Ryan Tannehill today: "I want to be the guy. You don’t want to be a backup. I want to play and I want to get in there."
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Tannehill discusses taking first-team reps plus Joe Philbin and Jake Long talk about the rookie QB...FinsidersTV: miamidolphins.com/media/videos/F…
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 2, 2012

Tannehill ran four plays with first team offense. Completion to Marlon Moore, fumbled snap, incomplete to 85, hand off to Thomas.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Picking up all the #Dolphins scraps RT @gregabedard: The Patriots claimed OT Dustin Waldron from the Dolphins
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Cut by the #Dolphins on Day 1 of training camp RT @mikereiss: Patriots announce the signing of OL Derek Dennis (Temple).
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

Story of the day was that Tannehill saw his first action with the first team. Began late in team practice, continued during blitz pickup.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Question from reporter to David Garrard today: Does being undrafted help in current QB competition. Garrard: "I was drafted." LOL.
— Armando Salguero (@ArmandoSalguero) August 2, 2012

I believe this is the first time 40-second play clocks have been set up in a walk-thru.
— Jesse Agler (@finsjesse) August 2, 2012

Don't forget, #Dolphins are scrimmaging at Sun Life Stadium at 915 am Saturday. First 1,000 fans get free preseason tickets
— Ben Volin (@BenVolinPBP) August 2, 2012

I'm told the Dolphins TEAM will be signing autographs during Saturday's 9:15am scrimmage at Sun-Life, which is open & free to the fans.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) August 2, 2012

Carolina Panthers 2012 Position Preview: OG

James Dator — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:00:14 -0000

Watching the Carolina Panthers with Marty Hurney at GM there has always been one constant- the offensive line. While the quarterback position was in flux, and running backs were rotated in and out, there was always the underlying reliability of the line. For the first time in a long time we enter the 2012 season with serious questions about the players charged with protecting Cam Newton.

Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil are always the mainstays, but from here the water gets far murkier. The off-season decision to part ways with Travelle Wharton and Geoff Schwartz leaves the Panthers with a unit relying on youth, and crossing fingers that the injury bug wont bite.

Underpinning this move is the more overall movement inside the organization that shifts the focus away from guys like Wharton and Schwartz (the 'jack of all trades' types) and focuses more on specialists. Players who have clear deficiencies in their games, but who also have huge ability in one key area. Ultimately this will give the team a far higher level of talent overall. It's far more valuable to have a team populated by players who are 'As' in one or two areas, rather than 'Bs' across the board. This is part and parcel of the process to move from a middling team, to a championship one,

More after the jump

One of the best free agent moves the Panthers made last year was bringing Geoff Hangartner back into the fold. While he's not an elite talent, he's an extremely good pass blocking guard, even if he's not a road grader in the passing game. Conventional wisdom would be to put Hangartner at LG where his pass blocking abilities could be best utilized, but with the lack of pass blocking talent the Panthers have at RT it's imperative they use his skills over at the RG spot.

The backup spot at RG will be fought for between last year's UDFA Bryant Browning along with Roger Allen who was signed earlier this year. Over at the left guard spot we have a lot more questions. Rookie Amini Silatolu will almost certainly be the starter out of the gate at the LG spot- where his ability as a pulling guard will pay dividends immediately. As it stands he's not a very reliable pass blocker, but sandwiched between Gross and Kalil this deficiency will be mitigated. We've talked ad nauseum about Silatolu's 'mean streak', but I have the feeling fans will come to love him on Sundays.

Behind Silatolu will be a competition between FA signing Mike Pollak, and UDFA signing Will Blackwell. Both Pollak and Blackwell are decent run blockers, but far better in the passing game. This could be one of the tightest battles in all of training camp, but I think Pollak may make the cut, while Blackwell is stashed on the practice squad.

Projected Depth Chart at Guard

LG: Amini Silatolu/ Mike Pollak

RG: Geoff Hangartner/ Bryant BrowningThere is some youth and uncertainty, but a lot of talent in this group also. It make take a few games for Silatolu to hit his stride, but long term I think this is the start of a fantastic unit, even if the Panthers will need to look for a long term replacement for Hangartner in the 2013 draft.

The Ones That Got Away

Kevin Gengler — Tue, 15 May 2012 14:00:37 -0000

Once you get past the first five or so rounds of the MLB Draft, you're pretty much just throwing darts. I mean, even moreso than you are IN the the first five rounds. Maybe you grab an athletic junior college outfielder, or a high school lefty from New Mexico, or a strike-thrower from Kent State. And if you're lucky, you get Desmond Jennings, Matt Moore, and Andy Sonnanstine. But you usually aren't that lucky, and you're really just drafting organizational depth and lottery tickets.

The lottery tickets are generally high schoolers with strong college commitments, drafted on the off-chance they change their mind (or in the case of Phillies' 2008 38th rounder Jarred Cosart, $550,000 changes their mind). Every team has a list a mile long of players taken late, that they had little chance of signing, that turned into stars. The Dodgers drafted David Price in the 19th round in 2004. The Indians offered Tim Lincecum $700,000 to sign as a 42nd rounder in 2005 (he wanted $1 million), and the Cubs drafted him in the 48th round back in 2003.

The point is, the what-if game isn't often useful to play with the MLB Draft. But still... what if the Indians ponied up that extra $300k? Rays fans might find themselves asking the same type of question come June, when a few former picks by the team have their name called early. Let's look back at the 2009 draft, where most of the high schoolers taken are now draft eligible once again:

1st round - Levon Washington, OF/2B - As the Rays' top pick this year, his story is most well known. An athletic leadoff-type, Washington was coming off labrum surgery and had some lingering health questions. Washington alleged the Rays told him they would offer over-slot money but didn't. SI.com reported the Rays offer was right around slot, $1.1 million, which was turned down. Ruled academically ineligible at Florida, he went to Chipola JC and was taken 55th overall by the Indians in 2010, and signed for $1.2 million. He hit .218/.331/.315 in the Midwest League last season.

2nd round - Kenny Diekroeger, SS - A California high schooler with top tier athleticism -- his SPARQ score was among the highest in his class -- Diekroeger never seemed likely to sign. Academics were a priority, and indeed, he followed through with his commitment to Stanford. However, instead of refining his athleticism into baseball skills, he's mostly disappointed. Once thought of as a potential top-5 pick, he didn't rank in BaseballAmerica's midseason top 60. His tools will still get him drafted relatively highly, but the team will have some work to do to unlock his potential.

10th round - Derek Dennis, SS - If Diekroeger has been a disappointment, the Dennis has been an outright disaster. Derek Dennis was reportedly looking for first-round money, in the ballpark of $1 million. The Rays offered $750,000, and he opted to go to Michigan. He's massively underperformed, hitting .267 as a freshman and .216/.329/.250 as a sophomore (he's played in just eight games and hit .188 this spring). So if you want to play the what-if game with some of the next players, just keep in mind it looks like the Rays saved money here.

15th round - Pierce Johnson, RHP - A major prospect crush of mine at the time, Johnson was a slender righty from Colorado who broke his hand on a line drive his senior season of high school. The limited playing time cooled his stock, and he went on to Missouri State. In a case of projection in action, Johnson grew from 6-2/165 to 6-3/180. With the Bears this spring, he's got a 2.85 ERA and 94 strikeouts against 25 walks in 75.2 innings. A bout of forearm soreness could scare some teams away, but he's got the stuff to sneak into the first round if his medicals check out.

20th round - Dylan Floro, RHP - Floro was a potential supplemental first-rounder entering his senior year of high school, but his velocity dipped. Still, BaseballAmerica rated him as the #103 overall prospect, and even taken this lately, he seemed willing to sign. He sought $450,000, the Rays offered $280,000, and he took his talents to Cal State-Fullerton. He never regained his fastball but has succeeded as a control pitcher -- he's issued 10 walks in 90.1 innings this spring and 34 in 236 innings in his career. Floro was ranked 62nd in BA's early college top 100 but has not been ranked in any lists since. Given his control and the fact he flashed better stuff as an amateur, he's still a candidate to be taken by the fifth round.

24th round - Andrew Heaney, LHP - He wasn't an elite talent alongside Jake Turner, Zack Wheeler, and the other top prep arms of 2009, but (as Jim Callis said on Twitter) he was a "name guy" who was just about unsignable. Not a 24th-rounder on talent, that's for sure. After three years at Oklahoma State, he's worked his way into the first round conversation -- BaseballAmerica had him going #15 to the Indians in their initial mock draft.

37th round - Austin Maddox, C - Here's a guy who's had a weird career. He was drafted by the Rays as a catcher (and totally unsignable, by the way. He was rated 81st overall by BA and fell to the 37th round), but there were whispers he wouldn't stick there. He hit well as a freshman, playing 1B/3B/DH, but his OPS tumbled over .250 points in his sophomore season. But also that year, he took the mound for 27 innings, striking out 21 and walking three with a 0.67 ERA. This spring, he's gotten just 67 at bats (and hit .269) as his future looks much brighter on the mound: A 1.50 ERA, 53-8 K-BB in 48 innings. At this point, who the heck knows where his stock is at, but he's an interesting guy to watch at the very least.

Panther Paw Prints: Post Draft Edition

Jaxon — Tue, 01 May 2012 03:26:01 -0000

In no particular order here are some post draft musings, some Panther-related and some not so much. It was a crazy draft and I expect there to be plenty of story lines to flush out over the next week. Let's start with a little blurb on an OG from Temple:

Top rookie free agent signings by team | National Football Post
Carolina Panthers: Derek Dennis, OG, Temple Is worth a pick because he moves so well for a 325-pound lineman. Needs to learn to play lower though if he ever hopes to be anything more than a reserve. However, his fluidity on the move says he has a chance to mature into a starter.

We have found you can never have too many guards to choose from. Since we've purged a few in the offseason this kid has a chance.

Funny how a Best Player Available pick gets praise at #9 but then a BPA pick in the 2nd round is questioned because it doesn't fill a need:

WalterFootball.com: 2012 NFL Offseason Page - Carolina Panthers - Team Needs, Season Preview, Free Agents, Salary Cap

The fact that the Panthers didn't select a defensive tackle whatsoever is quite puzzling. I was told by a reliable source to "move on" from mocking Cox to Carolina a few days prior to the draft because the team believed that defensive tackle was not a need. The front office believed in Sione Fua and Terrell McClain, and it had Ron Edwards coming back from injury. That sounds like a huge misevaluation of talent.

The fact is defensive tackle is not a major worry for Rivera no matter how bad the rush defense was last season. I'm inclined to listen.

I love stories like this...kid from down the block goes to the NFL, err Big Cat's block that is

This Carolina Panthers free agent really is the kid next door | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

"It was a weird feeling," Bersin said of the times Richardson invited neighbors to join him in his box. "My dad was like, ‘Don’t freak out. It’s a normal game, normal seat. Just have fun.’" "It was awesome," Bersin added. "Unlimited Cokes and hot dogs, whatever you wanted."

Wow...I imagine hanging in JRs box to watch a game left quite the impression on the kid and now he will be on the field wearing the uniform.

Okay...back to the "Pick on the OG pick" story line since its the only pick we can throw darts at:

Carolina Panthers: 7 thoughts for 7 picks | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper

4. I’m still not sure about Amini Silatolu as a second-round pick. I know that’s about where a lot of draft analysts rated him. And Sports Illustrated’s Peter King, who is one of the best football reporters around, wrote Monday that Silatolu at No. 40 was the "Best Offensive Pick" of the draft. King said Silatolu was a "great value" and should be a starter for a decade. But an offensive guard in the second round? There were greater needs out there for Carolina, particularly on the defensive line. Silatolu provides insurance and might well become a 10-year starter. But I’m not yet convinced.

Okay, we will check back with you in 10 years. Tell you what, let's instead compare Silatolu to the OG that was picked right behind him by the Bills:

Steals and reaches from the 2012 NFL draft - Tony Pauline - SI.com

Cordy Glenn/T/Buffalo/Pick No. 41 -- The Bills are in desperate need of offensive line help, specifically at tackle. Glenn, who can play as many as four spots on the offensive line, was graded as a first-round choice and will fight for a starting spot in 2012.

Glenn was projected to go higher based on his combine performance but I guess the Panthers don't place as much emphasis on the combine as other teams.

We have another converted QB on the roster, this one moving to TE:

Childers and Richard invited to NFL Camps : Sports : CarolinaLive.com

Childers played both tight end and quarterback at Coastal Carolina. He will try to make it in the NFL at the tight end position. Childers was an All-Big South Conference selection. He caught 11 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns his senior season. His 21.2 yards a catch is a single season school record.

I guess stranger things have happened (or at least been tempted).

I have a hard time buying those who assume LB Jon Beason now slides to the weak side:

Carolina Panthers 2012 NFL Draft Review | Fox News

Top Picks Analysis: The injuries that ravaged Carolina's linebacker corps in 2011 prompted the team to snare the consensus best prospect at the position in the incredibly instinctive Kuechly with the ninth overall selection. The reigning Butkus Award winner is advanced enough to step right into the middle and push three-time Pro Bowl honoree Jon Beason to the weak side, turning what had been a huge liability last season into a strength.

Considering how much Beason bristled when Mel Kiper suggested the Panthers 'Now have their defensive leader' asking him to move over to WLB would be touchy work to say the least.

Did I mention some people (including Peter King) think Silatolu was actually the Panthers best pick?

Why Amini Silatolu was the Best Draft Pick for the Carolina Panthers: Fan Reaction - Yahoo! Sports

Amini Silatolu is a guy that will put the opposition down rather than simply getting in people's way. He likes to bury the defense that is in front of him. That nasty streak is something that pro scouts love, and the Panthers in particular expressed a clear interest in when they drafted him.

The guy does play with attitude, that is very apparent on the tape. Teaming him with Otah could be downright nasty.

The worst secret in Charlotte is Armanti Edwards days returning punts for the Panthers have gone to nil:

Panthers bolster defense, add punt returner - NFL - SI.com

"Joe Adams' punt return skills we think are special,'' Hurney said. "When you put the tape on you watch his explosiveness, his vision, the way he runs with the ball, the way he creates, he averages over 16-yards per return which is great. He gives you one less first down to get. There are a lot of positives he brings to the table with his return ability.''

Great punt returners are born, not trained. This kid has the knack for knowing when to cut you just can't train. I'm excited to watch him do his thing already.

Let the last sentence of this blurb sink in:

Cam Newton puts down Charlotte roots - NFC South Blog - ESPN

Charlotte never has had a true national sports superstar. Julius Peppers was big, but he never embraced the community. Larry Johnson was a big deal when the basketball team in town was the Hornets. Steve Smith is a big deal and has spent his entire career with the Panthers. Sam Mills, Kevin Greene and Reggie White were big names, but they joined the Panthers at the end of their careers. Newton has one big advantage on all of them. He’s a quarterback and that means an automatic spotlight. Kerry Collins had that once, but squandered it and lasted less than four seasons with the Panthers. If Newton continues to build on his rookie season and embraces Charlotte, then the city will embrace him. Newton has a chance to be the biggest thing ever in Charlotte, even bigger than Jordan.

Bigger than Michael Jordan coming to Charlotte? Yes, I agree.

Mocking the Mocks: Who they think the Bears will take

Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 02:08:59 -0000

There are a few seven round mocks floating around out there, and one of them was published yesterday. Chad Reuter of NFL.com mocked out all seven rounds, and even though it got some discussion going around the WCG comment threads, I thought it would be good to spotlight the mock. Here's the link to his mock draft, and after the jump we'll look at his seven picks for the Bears.

19. Chicago Bears: Chandler Jones, DE, Syracuse. Jones playing across from Julius Peppers improves the team's pass rush, and his growing frame is not easy to move in the run game.

I can see this pick at #19 for the Bears, but with a few other DEs available they would have options.

50. Bears: Zach Brown, OLB, North Carolina. Brown's athleticism makes him a great fit at Sam linebacker in the Bears' scheme.

Clemson TE Dwayne Allen would also be a solid pick up at this spot, but I do like Brown as he has the one thing a Tampa 2 OLB needs, and that is speed.

79. Bears: Jamell Fleming, CB, Oklahoma. Talented zone corner should fit the Bears' scheme well.

Flemming is a player we haven't talked about much, but the 5'11" 206 pounder has good instincts when breaking on the ball and is a physical player. He's the kind of corner the Bears would consider.

111. Bears: Nick Toon, WR, Wisconsin. Consistency and durability concerns could drop him on some boards, but Toon has a chance to be a starter.

I'd be perfectly content if Toon was the pick in the 4th. From a technical standpoint, he's a pro ready player. He just needs to work on attacking the ball.

Reuter didn't go into detail for the 5th, 6th, and 7th round picks, but here's who he mocked to the Bears;

5 (150) Matt Reynolds, OT/OG, BYU
6 (184) Charles Mitchell, SS, Mississippi State
7 (220) Derek Dennis, OG, Temple

Reynolds doesn't seem like a left tackle prospect, but he could kick inside to guard or play right tackle. Scouts like his initial quickness, his toughness, and his experience.

Mitchell has a 7th round grade by some, but he would be a developmental special teamer at this point in the draft. Vanderbilt DE Tim Fugger, whom the Bears worked out, is available in this mock.

Dennis has played all across the line at Temple, but with his mock addressing guard earlier I'm not sure if a 7th round o-line project is the best way to go.

What do you think of his mock? Check it out and discuss...

Cincinnati Bengals Attending Temple's Pro Day

Josh Kirkendall — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 14:19:20 -0000

According to Chris Steuber, draft analyst and Player Personal for the Georgia Force, the Cincinnati Bengals were one of 32 teams (meaning everyone was there) that attended Temple's Pro Day on Friday.

Players of note from Temple includes running back Bernard Pierce, ranked as the seventh-best running back prospect from Scouts, Inc. and 88th overall. They grade Pierce anywhere from above average to average in most trait-related categories save for the passing game, where they write after his below average grade:

Limited in this area. Often substituted for during obvious passing situations. Has good size and strength in pass pro but needs work with technique and is not overly aggressive in this area. Goes to the well too often with cut blocks. Displays adequate hands and can make the routine catches. However, lacks elite ball skills and can struggle with throws outside of the frame. Does not show great suddenness or polish with routes to consistently create separation from underneath routes.

In a West Coast offense that philosophically depends on the running back in the passing game, Pierce wouldn't seem like a great fit -- not that he's the player the team is looking at.

Mocking the Draft ranks him fifth overall while the National Football Post judges him more as a No. 2 running back:

Possesses good size, natural feel inside and some good cut back ability. Isn't real powerful though and runs a bit upright. Doesn't look like a great fit for an angle scheme at the next level like they ran at Temple. Is more of a zone guy in the NFL because of his vision and cut back ability. Could fight for a starting job over time, but might be better suited to play the number two role.

Other Temple prospects includes tight end/full back Evan Rodriguez, offensive linemen Derek Dennis and Wayne Tribue, outside linebackers Tahir Whitehead and Adrian Robinson, safety Kevin Kroboth, cornerbacks Kee-ayre Griffin and James Nixon and wide receiver Rod Streater.