SB Nation - Dante Wesley

Panther Paw Prints: Death of 2009 Season Edition

Jaxon — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:54:21 -0000

So has it sunk in our season will not be extended this year Panther fans? Though its been obvious for weeks it still sent me on a downer, especially since it seems we are just now playing well on defense. The offense also gives us hope with the improved play of Matt Moore and the knowledge that the Panthers bring back a lot of talent.

But we have no choice but to look to next season even as we complete this one.But we have plenty to be hopeful about as SI points out:

Dreams for teams already out of NFL playoff chase - Ross Tucker - SI.com
Carolina Panthers -- As long as you have Steve Smith, Julius Peppers and those two running backs, you have a chance. That was evident in the 26-7 win over Minnesota last week. The quarterback situation has to get better. As for Peppers, who didn't sign his one-year contract until June, the situation can't possibly get more drawn out than it was last year.

Keeping Peppers is a huge question mark...The player evaluations have already started and no position will get more scrutiny that the WR position in the upcoming offseason:

Future still up in the air for wide receiver Jarrett | The Herald - Rock Hill, SC
"I feel like my time is going to come. Whether it's here or somewhere else, I'm not worried about that. I just have to keep working on my skills and I'll be all right."

So is Jarrett also thinking his time in Charlotte is coming to a close? I will say he is saying the right things:

Minutes: Jarrett deals with frustration
"I think it was a matter of giving some other guys an opportunity, which is the case with every position every week," Jarrett said. "Some guys looked like they were showing some good work, and (we) wanted to give them an opportunity." "(The coaches) told me basically it's just an evaluation process that they're going through," Jarrett said. "Towards the end of the season, it's pretty much looking at which guys are going to be kept and which will be left."

I'm personally tired of wondering whether Jarrett is the answer. I'm thinking its time for both the team and Jarrett to move on. I'd trade him for a 6th or 7th rounder.

Moving on the match-up against the Giants:

NorthJersey.com: Giants' look ahead: Offensive line on the hot seat
The Giants finally put it all together against the Redskins on Monday night. Now it’s a matter of repeating the performance, or at least coming close. They must control the ball on offense, mixing runs and passes, and finish their drives with touchdowns, not field goals. The defense must slow the Panthers’ running game enough to put the game on the shoulders of young quarterback Matt Moore, even though he had an outstanding game Sunday night in the upset of Minnesota.

Sounds like the game plan for the Panthers too...As we all try to figure out what it is that flips DE Julius Peppers switch, FS Charles Godfrey thinks have another quality DE on the opposing team plays into it.

Peppers revs his motor against Vikings
"You've got somebody who's good on the other side (and) you try to come out and out-do them," said Godfrey. "Julius is competitive. That's probably something that sparked him a little bit."

With Osi due up next we shall test that theory quickly...Speaking of tests Matt Moore has another big one

Minutes: Pass time for Moore, Smith
"The more he's on the field, the more experience he's getting, the better he's playing, and it just breeds confidence for him," fullback Brad Hoover. "That's just the maturation process of how it's come along, and he'll get another shot next week -- and hopefully it keeps growing." Just like his passer rating, which in the last three weeks checks in at 107.7.

Please let Moore win the job now! This season..go get them Matty "We want' Moore!

Who says we have nothing to play for?

Panthers pillage, pressure Vikings into submission
"Just because we're not going to the playoffs doesn't mean we're going to lay down our sword," defensive tackle Damione Lewis said. "It's not time to give up. We can't be quitters, so we've got to go out and play every week like it's our last."

Want an unsung hero for 2009?

Foxhole: Peppers as good as ever
ON DANTE WESLEY AND HIS ROLE AS A HYBRID DEFENSIVE BACK/LINEBACKER AGAINST TEAMS WITH POTENT PASSING GAMES: Dante's a guy that we drafted way back in our first year (2002). He bounced around a little bit and we got him back. His forté has been special teams, but he's a high football character guy, he's accountable and dependable and you try to find a role for him. I think he's gravitated to it and performed it pretty well. He made a nice play on their tight end downfield, where the down extended (because Favre escaped containment), and he did a good job in coverage. It was a big third-down stop.

Wesley is just the kind of special team 'specialist' we need. I wish we had three more just like him...Oh and here's another guy we could use a clone of:

Stewart NFC Offensive Player of the Week
Rushing for over 100 yards against a defense that had gone 36 games without permitting a triple-digit runner was significant enough. Doing it on Sunday Night Football, behind an offensive line that has lost both of its first-team tackles, with the other half of the team's running combination sidelined with an ankle injury ... all that made Jonathan Stewart's performance Sunday impossible to ignore.

Stewart would be considered Top 10 in the NFL if he was the featured back.

Yes, there is plenty to be hopeful about in 2010 Panther fans...

Random Rumblings from a Panthers Fan

LittleKing — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 15:01:48 -0000

More photos » by Nell Redmond - AP

2 months ago: Carolina Panthers' Richard Marshall (31) reacts late in the second half after teammate Kenny Moore fumbled a punt against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009. Buffalo recovered the ball and ended any chance of a Panthers' comeback. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Browse more photos »

I knew the writing was on the wall after week one and by the end of week three pretty much new it was a guarantee, yet with three winnable game the next three week there was hope. Now after yesterday the rest of the season is like watching a bad movie for the second time and knowing how it's going to end, you can't help but watch and hope that this time it changes.

Mr Optimist (James the Aussie) did a great job in describing how I feel about Jake Delhomme, which makes it even harder to say he's should be done as the Panthers starting QB. It's time for John Fox to see were this team is headed and open the playing field for either A.J. Feeley or Matt Moore. Personally I would like to see what Moore can do on the field. Granted most of our perceptions of him are from the end of the 2007 season and I think it would be unfair to Moore to expect that type of play out of him. But the fact remains, I want to see someone other than Delhomme behind center. Beside the fact that he isn't getting the job done, I don't believe he can get the job done any more. It's time to let someone else have a turn.
Even though Dante Wesley's suspension is over and we are a week removed from that horrible play, I still feel bad for him. He doesn't get much attention and doesn't deserve to be known as the player that took a cheap shot. Fox did stand up for him last week and took some of the blame by saying that he (Fox) scolded Wesley for being faked out on an earlier punt return.
Speaking of players I feel bad for, I feel horrible for Kenneth Moore. During the preseason he showed so much potential on the field. He was put in on a punt return near the end of the game to hopefully spark a big play that didn't turn out so well. I'm glad Steve Smith talked to him after the play and I hope he can put it behind him. If only he could find some playing time as a receiver and redeem himself. But we don't use 3 WR sets very often which limits his chances. I would like to see the Panthers try some new things the rest of the season, besides changing QB, how about 3 WR sets with a TE and a singe RB. All of the TE can catch, some just better than others. Maybe because we haven't seen a decent paying game this season, but I am itching to see what all of our offensive weapons can do with a QB that can ~~find the open receiver~~ hit the open receiver.

If Fox keeps his job at the end of the year his first order of business must be to fire the special team coach. Their play has been nothing but horrendous most of the year. Allowing punt and kickoff returns, not finding the reliable PR/KR, and having to use two roster spots for two kickers just doesn't make since. I know Kasay has been with the team since the beginning and he's signed through 2012, but I think it's time to start over with special teams.
I wonder if losing QB coach McCoy was a bigger loss than we realized. Sure Delhomme had a meltdown in the Arizona game last year, but I wonder if the switch to Rip Scherer had anything to do with the lack of a Delhomme rebound. Sure Scherer coached Derek Anderson as a one year wonder but really what has he done. Just look at how well both Anderson and Brady Quinn are playing. Right now I can't say I would want either of them over Delhomme (although we do have a better supporting cast than Cleveland does).
Meeks system seem to work when we don't give the ball up in our own territory. I don't have the stats, but I think it might be interesting to see how many long drives the Panthers have given up.
With next season most likely absence of a salary cap, I wonder how freely Jerry Richardson will open his wallet. That could play a big role in how we rebuild for next year.

Five Questions with Buc 'Em

MaPatsFan — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:19:51 -0000

Hello Patriots fans. Unless you live under a rock and are completely clueless, you know our New England Patriots are crossing the pond this week to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Wembley Stadium. My personal opinion? Belichick and the players hate this. It's a long flight, different timezone by a mile, and their surrounded by soccer fans. Is that even a sport? Anyway...

As is customary, Niko from Buc 'Em exchanged questions with me regarding his favorite team. He was pretty up front about the needs of his 0-6 franchise, but also optimistic that there were bright spots as well. To get our journey to land of Fish and Chips rolling, I give you 5 Questions with Buc 'Em.

1. At 0-6, there's probably more than 1 or 2 things in need of attention, but if you were to pick your biggest issue, what would it be?

The defensive line needs a total overhaul. Perhaps left End Jimmy Wilkerson is starting material, but the rest simply are fillers and Backups for next season, except Chris Hovan who is probably playing his last days in the NFL. With a solid D line, the run stopping is accomplished and pressure fits Jim Bates system of bumping corners.

2. How much of an impact is the loss of fullback B.J. Askew? Can Earnest Graham fill his shoes?

Graham filled in nicely last year when both fullbacks went down, so Im sure he will do the same this year. Its unfortunate because Askew is a good weapon when used correctly, but car accidents are car accidents, you cant help them.

3. What defensive weapons can Tampa Bay bring to the table to stop the likes of Randy Moss and Wes Welker? Do you think the Bucs will use the "tried and true" rush Brady and make him go lateral?

We are not capable of rushing the passer with any consistency. CB Aqib Talib has shut down Steve Smith and DeSean Jackson the last two weeks, and had 3 picks the week before, all in his first year starting. He is pro bowl material, and the future of this defense will be built around Talib and others who play like him. Expect Moss to be taken out of the game by Talib. However, you have more than enough weapons to do the deed.

4. Do you think the penalty handed to Panthers CB Dante Wesley for his vicious hit on RB Clifton Smith is appropriate?

Yes. Some fans wanted more, but the truth is though it was a flagrant penalty, I dont believe it was done with malice. I feel Wesley was just not sure where he was and wanted to hit someone. Was it cheap? Yes. Dirty? not really.

5. Is it time to give Josh Freeman the keys? Is he the future of the franchise?

He is the future of this franchise as long as Raheem Morris is the Head Coach, and sources say his job is secure no matter what his record this year, as the Glazers know this team is in full rebuilding mode, and that he is making chicken salad out of chicken spit. Most feel the best time to do this is after the Pats/Bucs game, when he will have 2 full weeks to work with starters.

A big THANK YOU to Niko from Buc 'Em for answering my questions. Look for some more exchanges in the coming days.

Panther Players On the Move

Jaxon — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:21:00 -0000

Darin Gantt announced a couple moves yesterday of interest. The first involves Panther CB and special team gunner Dante Wesley's move to safety.

"Hammer came to me this morning before practice, told me the plan, asked me if I minded," Wesley said with a shrug. "I said ‘I don't mind, just help me with it. I don't mind playing anything, but I just want to know what I'm doing.

"'Give me a day or two just to learn it, learn where I'm supposed to be. Once I get comfortable, I'll start making plays and be all right.'"

The speculation is that the Panthers feel they have plenty of depth at CB with CJ Wilson, and rookies Captain Munnerlyn and Sherrod Martin. The person who should be concerned is S Nate Salley who can't seem to get over the injury bug the past two seasons. Given the Panthers need for salary cap space Salley may be a cost cutting casualty.

In another significant move it looks like DT Marlon Favorite has overtaken Nick Hayden for the LDT spot formally occupied by Maake Kemoeatu who is out for the season with a ruptured Achilles.

The Panthers were giving more work with the starters to rookie defensive tackle Marlon Favorite, in place of Nick Hayden.

Hayden struggled in the opener at New York and looked ill-equipped to fill the vacancy left by nose tackle Maake Kemoeatu. Favorite is not going to make anyone forget Kemoeatu, either, but the squatty rookie from LSU might be better against the run.

This move is no surprise as Favorite played the run much better in the Giants, albeit against the Giants 2nd teamers. Don't be surprised to see Favorite start against the Dolphins as the Panthers see what the kid can do against 1^st teamers. I don't see this as any slam on 3rd round pick Corvey Irvin. Irvin is more of a one-gap penetrator who will likely succeed Damionne Lewis when his time is up in Carolina. The fact Favorite seems to be handling double teams has to be the reason for his rise.

Projected Panthers 2009 Depth Chart: Cornerbacks

MichaelProcton — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 18:02:18 -0000

More photos » by MATT SLOCUM - AP

Rookie CB Sherrod Martin slaps the hand of a receiver aside as he breaks up a pass.

Browse more photos »

Since Richard Marshall was drafted in 2006, the Panthers have had the luxury of having "three starters" in their cornerback rotation, with Chris Gamble really stepping up his game and his consistency in the last year or so, and the steady (if sometimes burnable by good speed receivers) veteran Ken Lucas. After Lucas was cut this offseason in a salary-saving move that actually didn't save much money at all (another story for another day), however, a lot of young players are going to be thrust in the spotlight and we'll find out if they're ready for the big time. Below, we'll take a look at the players competing for spots on the roster and how the depth chart is shaping up for the 2009 season.

Base set (2 CBs)

CB1	CB2
Chris Gamble	Richard Marshall
C.J. Wilson	Sherrod Martin
Dante Wesley

Nickel Formation (3 CBs+Jon Beason/Thomas Davis)

CB1 (outside)	Nickel CB (covering slot )	CB2 (outside)
Chris Gamble	Richard Marshall	C.J. WIlson
Dante Wesley	Sherrod Martin	Dante Wesley

You may be surprised not to see recently-signed 7th-round draft pick Captain Munnerlyn on either of these depth charts, but last season, the Panthers carried just five corners, and only three of those played more than a handful of snaps on defense. The Panthers return four corners from their 53-man roster last year in starter Chris Gamble, nickel back Richard Marshall, and special teamers C.J. WIlson and Dante Wesley. However, the team will be replacing its only departed starter in Ken Lucas--who had started for four relatively successful (if somewhat inconsistent) seasons--was cut in a cost-cutting move that only saved about $2.4 million after a trade with the Lions fell through after Lucas refused to play in Detroit. Lucas was signed by the Seahawks--for whom he played his first four years in the league--and is currently listed as a starter opposite Marcus Trufant.

Now, a breakdown of every CB on the Panthers' current 80-man roster:

Chris Gamble (6th year, Ohio State) - 6'1", 200: Gamble has been a relatively successful draft pick of the Panthers after they traded up in the 2004 draft to get him, but last season, he really put it all together. Gamble was never a full-time cornerback in college (playing wideout as well), and, as such, his technique and consistency was a work in progress from the beginning. He had lots of interceptions early in his career (13 in his first two years), but that had a lot to do with the fact that he had good hands and opponents were willing to challenge him. This year, though, even though the picks didn't necessarily come in bunches, he truly began to show those "shutdown corner" abilities every team looks for in their #1 CB. As his teammate and fellow defensive starter Damione Lewis said:

"They stick him out on an island from time to time, and he's making plays out there. Every time they threw to him, the ball is on the ground, it's batted down or he's getting a pick or a big hit. He's (always) doing something where he's making a lot of noise over there."

To reward Gamble for his consistent improvement, the team signed him to a six-year, $53.5 million contract (of which $23 million is guaranteed) during Week 13. This contract places him among the top five CBs in the NFL in terms of salary, but the money wasn't the only reason Gamble wanted to stay a Panther:

"I didn't want to be with another team. I like the organization, the coaching staff, the fans (and) my teammates," Gamble said on the day the contract was announced. "I wanted to get it out of the way."

By the end of the season, Gamble had scored the defense's only TD on a fumble return against the Chargers, led the secondary in tackles with a career-high 101, and tied for the team lead in INTs with three. Hopefully he will not grow complacent with his new deal and will continue to provide performance commensurate with his salary. It will also be interesting to see how Gamble, who has always played as more of a finesse corner, responds to Ron Meeks' system and coaching style, which has always called for a more physical corner who can be a stout and consistent tackler against the run.

Richard Marshall (4th year, Fresno State) - 5'11", 189: Marshall was a second-round pick of the Panthers in 2006 at a time when it seemed that he was blocked by established starters in Gamble and Lucas, but the Panthers have used this to their advantage, believing they've had three starter-quality corners in the event of any injury or the abundance of three-plus wideout sets now popular across the league. As such, Marshall has started 14 games in his young career when stepping in for an injured Gamble or Lucas or when the team opened in a nickel set, although none of those starts came last year. However, he was the only player to reach double figures in tackles on both defense and special teams (a role he's thrived in since he arrived), leading the team with 20 stops on kick and punt coverage. He was somewhat inconsistent last year, particularly down the stretch as he was picked on by opposing quarterbacks. In my opinion, though, he did not receive some deserved blame from fans that was instead ticketed for Lucas. However, from having arrived to the team as something of an egotist, he showed his improving maturity in taking some of the responsibility after the huge performance by Antonio Bryant in the Week 14 MNF game against the Buccaneers. Speaking about one long TD after the game, he said,

"A lot of people think it was Luke's fault; in reality it was my fault. I was playing too close to the line (of scrimmage) and I hesitated and I didn't get back deep. That was my fault. I should never have been that far up.

"I watched film and they showed me where I did wrong and how close I was; I should have been back deeper and I've just got to learn from my mistakes and I'll be there next time."

He also summarized his season after the playoff game against Arizona:

"I feel like last season wasn’t one of my best seasons. I feel I could have played better, tackled better, on defense and special teams."

Still, Marshall will have his chance to show his continued improvement and willingness to learn as he is currently pegged to be an opening-day starter for the first time in his career. However, because of his (relative) lack of size, he's still ticketed to be the inside corner in nickel formations. Hopefully Marshall responds to the challenge of being a true starter for the first time, and perhaps he will be spurred on by the fact that he is an unrestricted free agent after this season. Whether it's for the Panthers or another team, Marshall is about to undergo a one-year audition for a starting role in the league.

C.J. Wilson (3rd year, Baylor University) - 6'1", 195: Wilson is a former seventh-round draft pick who played mostly CB in college but was initially slated to play safety in the NFL. However, that didn't hold, and with the addition of Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey to the safety position, Wilson made the move back to CB and didn't look back. He hasn't played much in his NFL career, logging just eight games total in two years, and just two of them last year on defense, but he did see lots of action in the preseason last year, starting one game against the Eagles on national TV as the nickel back. Wilson was regarded relatively well for a late-round pick coming out of college:

"Wilson is a guy who really stood out to us when we watched all the defensive backs. He’s a versatile player who lined up at both safety and corner in college. Wilson was a real playmaker at Baylor and showed good ball skills on tape."

--Patriots Weekly, Patriots.com

A productive defensive back with above-average ball skills, Wilson nicely projects as a dime back at the next level and will get looks late in the draft.

--Sports Illustrated

At this time, Wilson seems to have impressed the Panthers, as he's currently slated to be the team's first sub corner, ahead of second-round pick Sherrod Martin, according to a blog entry by Darin Gantt of the Rock Hill Herald.

Small note, but an interesting one as they worked on two-minute offense against nickel defense Thursday. Even though he's a starter this year, CB Richard Marshall will maintain his inside responsibilities when they go to three corners. C.J. Wilson will cover an outside receiver when they go to an extra DB. Sherrod Martin's also getting a look at the nickel spot, as the converted safety is working to learn a new position.

Since that statement seemed very firm to me and I was surprised that a second-round pick would be getting reps only as a backup nickel to a starter who he almost certainly won't pass, I asked whether Gantt thought that personnel grouping was pretty final. His response:

I think the nickel look (Marshall inside, with Gamble and Wilson outside) is probably solid, unless someone gets hurt or Munnerlyn freaks out and replaces Wilson. Wesley's a special teamer.

Surprising to see Martin not mentioned at all, but he is learning a new position, and only the season will tell, if Wilson can hold off his challengers as the top sub corner. Chance of making team: 90% (WIlson hasn't shown a great affinity for ST play, so if he shows poorly through camp and falls down the depth chart, he could be cut in favor of Wesley or Munnerlyn, both of whom offer more versatility as special-teamers if not playing much at CB.)

Sherrod Martin (rookie, Troy) - 6'1", 198: Martin was a second-round pick this year of the Panthers--their third overall--and he hopes to be another of many players who has been able to make an impact out of Troy University in the Sun Belt Conference. There are 13 alumni of the school in the NFL, including defensive standouts DeMarcus Ware, Osi Umenyiora, and Leodis McKelvin. Like several other prospects in the last few years, the Panthers did not Shy away from using an early pick on a player they felt would need to make a position change to be most successful in the NFL. Though Martin spent much of his college career at safety (both free and strong), he's being ticketed for cornerback with the Panthers. There were those who thought he was better off staying at safety, but the Panthers were looking for a big, physical corner to replace the departed Ken Lucas. Martin was a productive college player, setting an NCAA record for interceptions in a quarter with three in the second quarter last season against Alcorn State. Martin was as surprised as anyone, as he had not had a single interception in nearly three years:

"I'm speechless. The team did a lot of good things tonight. The defensive line and linebackers hustled and executed. I had the easy job, all I had to do was catch the football."

Martin was also a willing and frequent tackler, setting a school record among DBs (and ranking 10th overall) in Troy history with 191 solo tackles. His 292 total tackles rank 2nd and 14th respectively on those two lists. In his junior season, Martin also set a school record and led his conference with six forced fumbles, a great number for a DB.

Martin is a prospect who is relatively old for a rookie (25), a result of having greyshirted at the beginning of his college career and was granted a medical hardship for the '06-'07 year (what would have been his junior season) following dual shoulder surgeries to repair his AC joints, which are the pivot point which enables the arm to be brought above the head. Impressively, though, Martin had played through these shoulder injuries during his sophomore year. Martin also missed time in his redshirt junior season with a broken hand which required surgery and caused him to sit out a pair of games.

Finally healthy last year, Martin came out strong, establishing a new career high in tackles (94) and making the All-Sun Belt first team. After the season, he was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he made three tackles and broke up a pass for the winning South team. Martin also had an impressive showing at the combine, running a faster-than-expected 4.52 in the fourty (a mark he bettered with a 4.46 at his Pro Day) that showed off speed that would translate to the corner position. In addition, he showed very well in the agility drills, posting the second-best short shuttle time of all players at the combine and tying for third among all players in the three-cone drill.

As a player, Martin is considered aggressive and physical, with strong tackling ability as well. He is also unafraid to deliver the big hit, and his speed and agility project well at any position in the secondary. However, there were those who question his instincts and ability to make the proper reads while up at the line as a cornerback rather than back off the line as a safety. There is also some concern that Martin is a "workout warrior" whose tested physical abilities do not always translate to the field. Finally, though he got through his senior year healthy and has shown the toughness to play through pain in the past, his injuries cannot be ignored.

Martin was drafted by the Panthers as a player whose physical abilities were a bit ahead of his football skills, particularly at the cornerback position, where he played little in college. Because of this, it will be important to be patient with him, as his current dime back spot on the depth chart would be a disappointment for many given his draft position in the second round, particularly with a CB picked two spots later (Sean Smith) running as a starter for the Dolphins. However, Martin's skillset fits well into what Ron Meeks asks of his cornerbacks and he should project as no less than a nickel back with the potential to play safety if needed who can be a standout as a special teams gunner (a role he played and succeeded in at Troy), an important ability given the need to replace Richard Marshall's reps at the position, which will fall off now that he is a starter. Chance of making team: 100% (even if Martin does not win any more than the dime back job out of training camp, he'll be put on special teams and given a chance to develop; a 2nd-round pick won't be cut.)

Dante Wesley (8th year, Arkansas-Pine Bluff) - 6'1", 210: Though Wesley has never been a starting-caliber player (his two career starts came in his first two years for some pretty weak Panthers secondaries), he's found his niche in the league, never playing in fewer than 13 games through a seven-year career outside of 2006, when a broken collarbone limited him to three games. Wesley ranked not only ranked third last year in special teams tackles with 11, but he was the only Panthers special-team player to both force and recover a fumble. His TD return in Week 17 against the Saints was not only the only special teams TD for Carolina on the season, it helped provide the winning margin in a very tight game. Though Wesley mostly plays on special teams, he also has the size and ability to play safety in addition to his listed cornerback position, which may allow him to keep a roster spot even if Munnerlyn impresses. Chance of making team: 70%

Captain Munnerlyn (rookie, South Carolina) - 5'8", 186: Munnerlyn was a surprising early-entrant after his junior year who was disappointed to fall all the way to the 7th round after being told by the NFL advisory committee that he'd likely be picked in the first three rounds of this year's draft. The most notable thing about him is probably his lack of size: at 5'8", he will likely struggle against NFL-size wideouts, and while his speed is good, it didn't time at the elite level at the combine, where he ran a 4.51, despite having reportedly run as fast as 4.35 last summer. He did improve his time to a 4.41 at his Pro Day, but many scouts had already written him off after his poor combine showing. Many were surprised that Munnerlyn ended up declaring for the draft because, after a good sophomore year (in which he made first team All-SEC), he struggled at times last year, both on and off the field. Though he played a lot of zone throughout his college career, the signs he had shown of man-to-man shutdown ability seemed to fade some last year, registering no interceptions last year after racking up five in the previous two. In addition, Munnerlyn was benched by Steve Spurrier on two occasions last year, once against Mississippi for missing a team meeting and for the second half against Clemson along with fellow secondary member Emmanuel Cook. Spurrier had the following to say after the game:

"A few guys aren't playing quite like they did early in the year. I think that was obvious. It's disappointing. Football season's a long time. Teams either get better or worse. I thought we were getting better after the Arkansas game, and then it seems like we've taken a down turn since then."

Still, there are plenty of things to like about Munnerlyn and his game. In spite of his short frame, he's got solid strength and he plays tough, allowing him to be a pretty consistent tackler. His closing speed and change-of-direction ability help him overcome his lack of size. In addition, he has solid return ability on both kicks and punts. He had a game last season in which he returned both a blocked field goal for an 81-yard touchdown and a kick for an 84-yard touchdown (the longest kick return for South Carolina in more than ten years.) Consistency and awareness are two things Munnerlyn needs to work on, as he was beaten by receivers with precise route-running and NFL-style double moves. He also missed time in each of his three seasons with injuries, including an arm infection, a broken foot, and flu-like symptoms.

Munnerlyn is an interesting prospect who likely could have improved his draft stock by returning for his senior year, but a seemingly contentious relationship between himself and Steve Spurrier helped encourage him to begin his pro career early. Though I don't see Munnerlyn making the roster unless he can win the return job, he looks like a good practice squad candidate who could be a sold contributor in a year or two. Chance of making roster: 20%

D.J. Clark (rookie, Idaho St.) - 6'0", 200: Clark is a player with mid-round productivity, but late-round/UFA measurables. A college safety and a member of last season's pre-season All Big Sky team and the second team in the conference after the season, he is not particularly big or fast (4.63 speed), but has good hands (leading his team in interceptions for all of his four years in college) and plays with high intensity. His strength is consisdered to be in man-to-man coverage rather than zone, but he is a willing tackler with solid technique in coverage. I've also read that he can return kicks, but I can't confirm that anywhere. Idaho State apparently doesn't do a great job of archiving their stats. Chance of making team: 1% (and that's assuming he can compete to return.)

Poll

Will Sherrod Martin be able to adjust to his new position and overtake C.J. Wilson as the third corner for the Panthers?

Yes

169 votes

No

54 votes

It won't be either one of those two (explain below)

9 votes

232 votes | Poll has closed

Projected Panthers 2009 Depth Chart: Linebackers

MichaelProcton — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:56:50 -0000

Recently, the Panthers have had one of the deepest LB corps in the league, full of guys with speed and ability. It's clear that the team values the position, as they've not only had up to eight roster spots used on the position (nine if LS Jason Kyle is counted), but also have shown they're willing to pick up talent there even if the depth chart has them blocked initially. Both Jon Beason and Dan Connor were drafted early with no regard for the fact that neither seemed to have a starting spot available to them. Beason, however, took the reins early in his 2007 rookie season after a Dan Morgan injury, and Connor showed he could be a valuable contributor on special teams even if he wasn't getting defensive playing time, leading the team in ST tackles prior to a torn ACL while covering a kickoff in the third game of the season against the Vikings. After the jump, we'll take a look at how this year's LB depth chart is shaping up.

LOLB	MLB	ROLB
Na'il Diggs	Jon Beason	Thomas Davis
Landon Johnson	Dan Connor	James Anderson

Last season, the Panthers carried seven linebackers on their 53-man roster (not including Jason Kyle, who was listed at the position, but was exclusively a long-snapper). All six of the players listed above were members of the opening day roster, but the Panthers also saw a couple players who were on the active roster leave in the offseason. Adam Seward, a backup MLB who played exclusively on special teams in an injury-riddled '08 season, signed a one-year deal with the Colts and is currently listed as their top backup at MLB. Donte' Curry, a special teams ace who found a roster spot after Dan Connor's season-ending knee injury, was second on the team in special teams tackles in just 13 games, but was not resigned by the Panthers and is currently a free agent.

Now, a look at the players on the current 80-man roster.

Jon Beason (3rd year, University of Miami) - 6'0", 237: Beason has been a sensation since he entered the league. He set a Panthers record for tackles in his rookie season and engaged in a very close Defensive Rookie of the Year race with Patrick Willis of the 49ers. In his second year, he showed an even more diverse range of skills, increasing his interceptions from 1 to 3, including two important picks that helped close out wins against Arizona and Green Bay. He also had an interception in the playoff loss and total of 9 PDs on the year, showing he is primed to be a force in coverage under Ron Meeks, who has shown a willingness to let his linebackers get involved in the passing game in the past. Perhaps most impressively, though, he played most of the season with a torn labrum suffered in the week 8 win against the Cardinals, an injury that occurred just two plays before the aforementioned INT. As Beason put it,

I was basically playing with no strength. When I tackled someone it was almost like throwing a pillow at them. I had no grip in that arm, no way to stop someone. I played like that the rest of the season, just fighting to get the job done. It took away my range of motion. But I know my teammates would do the same for me.

Impressive willpower and drive on his part. He's only 24, and should only continue to get better as Carolina's rock-solid MLB for years to come.

Thomas Davis (5th year, Georgia) - 6'0", 240: Davis was moved to the third position of his NFL career last year, and he may have finally found a home at weakside linebacker. He was able to establish new career highs in tackles, sacks, and PDs as the coaching staff found a way to take advantage of Davis' speed and reaction instincts while finding a way to minimize his occasional struggles in coverage which were more apparent at safety and LOLB. This coming year will be an important one for Davis, as the Panthers have allowed him to reach the final year of his rookie deal. With a young gun in Dan Connor likely ready to take over next year, Davis will be playing for a job one way or another.

Na'il Diggs (10th year, Ohio St.) - 6'4", 240: Diggs arrived in Carolina before the 2006 season as an affordable veteran who could add depth to the position and perhaps compete for a starting spot, but Diggs had other ideas. He's started 35 of the last 45 games at OLB for the Panthers, and is currently the starter at strong-side LB. Last season, he fought off a challenge by Landon Johnson, a free agent with a much bigger contract than Diggs, and he will likely have to fight for this job against both Johnson and Dan Connor, but at this point, his steady play likely makes him a clear favorite to win the position. Diggs is a solid player and a good special teams contributor, if not a flashy, big-impact player (involved in just two turnovers in his three years here.) I'd say he'll probably win this job unless Johnson or Connor very clearly outplay him during the preseason or camp, but even if he doesn't, he'll likely be kept around, as he's under contract for a very cap-friendly average of $1.25 million over the next two years.

Landon Johnson (6th year, Purdue) - 6'2", 232: Johnson was the Panthers' biggest free agent signing of the '08 offseason, but was largely a disappointment in his first year as a Panther following a successful start to his career in Cincinnati (average of 13 GS and 100 tackles.) He had shown the ability to start at all LB positions, but struggled to pick up the defense here, and made most of his contributions on special teams, including a forced fumble on KR Skyler Green of New Orleans which was recovered and returned for a TD by Dante Wesley, points that proved crucial in a 33-31 victory that secured the division crown. Johnson was considered a candidate to be released this offseason, but restructured his deal in a way that allowed the team to keep him and save the same amount. He will continue to be a special teams stalwart and will compete with Diggs and Connor to start at LOLB.

Dan Connor (2nd year, Penn St.) - 6'2", 231: Connor was a surprising third-round draft pick by the Panthers in 2008, who already seemed to be set at the linebacker position. As a projected first round pick by some, though, his value was simply too high to pass up when the Panthers pick came at #74 and Connor was still on the board. Connor rewarded their diligence, too, leading the team in special teams tackles as a standout on both kick and punt coverage through the first two-plus games. However, during the third game against the Vikings, Connor tore his ACL while covering on a kickoff and required season-ending surgery, although he actually covered one more kickoff after the injury. Connor was profiled as a solid, instinctive player with the ability to play any of the LB spots, and there was actually some talk early last summer that he could take over the MLB spot and the team would move Jon Beason to the outside, where he began his career before a Dan Morgan injury moved him to the inside. Connor should continue to be a presence on special teams and will compete to start at LOLB.

James Anderson (4th year, Virginia Tech) - 6'2", 235: Anderson is a former third-round pick who has never quite lived up to expectations, although the talent in front of him has had much to do with that. He was retained with the low RFA tender offer ($1.01 million) which would have returned a 3rd-round pick to the team had he been signed away, but received no interest on the FA market. Anderson only played defense in two games last year, and has started just three games in his three years here, so he is the most likely of our veteran linebackers to be cut, to which his non-guaranteed salary also contributes. Still, he should have a leg up on the remaining candidates to make the roster, who are all undrafted free agents with fewer than two years of experience in the league.

Jeremy Leman (2nd year, Illinois) - 6'2", 240: Leman is a former college All-American who went undrafted in 2008 and spent the preseason with the Vikings before being released in the final round of cuts. He was regarded as an instinctive player with high football IQ who lacked the physical attributes to be an NFL player. Chance of making team: 3.75%

Anthony Heygood (rookie, Purdue) - 6'1", 225: Heygood is a former running back who converted to linebacker and started for two years. He was considered a draftable prospect by some sources, and despite his inexperience at the position, he was a productive player due to his athleticism and instincts, and was voted the team's MVP by his teammates this past season. His future in the NFL--if he has one--is likely as a special teams demon and at the weakside LB position. Chance of making team: 6%

Mortty Ivy (rookie, West Virginia) - 6'1", 239: Ivy was another possible late-round pick who was a three-year starter. He likely projects as an OLB in the pros, but he also got some experience in the middle, and could conceivably play there in the NFL if he improves his football awareness. He was a first team All-Big East player for the 2008 season, and once came back from a torn ACL in April to play in 11 games for WVU. Like Leman, and unlike Heygood, he is considered a player who has used his intangibles to overcome a lack of extraordinary physical abilities. Chance of making team: 4%

EDIT: A girl I work with who's a WVU fan says, and I quote, "He's good." So I think that tells me two things: relatively casual fans of the team are aware of his existence, which means he was making plays, and they don't hate him. So those aren't bad things. :)

EDIT: These next two guys have been cut as of 6/30, but I'll leave their profiles for posterity's sake.

Brit Miller (rookie, Illinois) - 6'0", 243: After playing alongside Leman on the outside, he took over the MLB spot last year and was incredibly productive, leading the Big Ten in tackles per game at 11+. He is an experienced (38 career starts), huge LB, but there are concerns about his tackling technique, conditioning ("He's one of the only LBs in FBS with a gut"), and work ethic. A message board post compared Leman and Miller thusly:

J (Jeremy) was just a very emotional and smart player, but he has physical limitations. Brit is built better, he's much faster, he's better in coverage, and he's more versatile.

Chance of making team: 3.5%

Mike Juergens (rookie, Wyoming) - 6'3", 230: Juergens was a two-year starter at OLB who led the Cowboys in sacks last year. He posted decent numbers in the agility tests at his pro day with a 7.16 three-cone drill time, a 4.27 short shuttle time, and a 12.00 in the long shuttle. Chance of making team: .01%

Poll

Will we see any of the rookie linebackers make the team in favor of a veteran?

Yes

64 votes

No

154 votes

218 votes | Poll has closed

Panthers @ Saints: Defensive and Special Teams Scouting Report

Saintsational — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:00:06 -0000

Team Rankings

Team	Yds. / Game	Yds. / Play	Rush Yds. / Game	Rush Yds. / Play	Pass Yds. / Game	Pass Yds. / Play	Int. Rate	Sacks / Pass Att.	First Downs / Game	Punt Return Avg	Kickoff Return Avg	3rd Down Pct	4th Down Pct	Red Zone Pct	Goal to Go%	Pts. / Game	Pts. Differential / Game	Yard Diff. / Game
CAR	325.5	5.06	124.1	4.42	201.3	5.94	2.17%	6.89%	18.3	6.7	21.8	38.83%	42.11%	51.11%	80.00%	19.9	5.5	15.7
Rank	13	10	22	23	11	7	26	10	12t	7	9	15	8	15	25	8t	7	16

Rushing Defense

Left End

Left Tackle

Left Guard

Up the Middle

Right Guard

Right Tackle

Right End

Plays: 53

Plays: 46

Plays: 27

Plays: 152

Plays: 21

Plays: 40

Plays: 69

NFL Rank: 14

NFL Rank: 23

NFL Rank: 26

NFL Rank: 5

NFL Rank: 30

NFL Rank: 27

NFL Rank: 3

Avg Gain: 6.15

Avg Gain: 4.04

Avg Gain: 4.37

Avg Gain: 4.55

Avg Gain: 5.71

Avg Gain: 2.45

Avg Gain: 4.68

NFL Rank: 26

NFL Rank: 16

NFL Rank: 22

NFL Rank: 27

NFL Rank: 30

NFL Rank: 2

NFL Rank: 16

Passing Defense

Short Left	Short Middle	Short Right	Deep Left	Deep Middle	Deep Right




















Plays: 129	Plays: 104	Plays: 190	Plays: 28	Plays: 23	Plays: 34
NFL Rank: 21	NFL Rank: 13	NFL Rank: 4	NFL Rank: 21	NFL Rank: 15	NFL Rank: 17
Avg Gain: 5.19	Avg Gain: 5.46	Avg Gain: 5.02	Avg Gain: 14.00	Avg Gain: 11.35	Avg Gain: 9.97
NFL Rank: 6	NFL Rank: 5	NFL Rank: 6	NFL Rank: 26	NFL Rank: 11	NFL Rank: 15

Individual Stats

Interceptions	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
J.Beason	3	52	17.3	44	0
C.Gamble	3	23	7.7	19	0
K.Lucas	2	74	37.0	43	0
C.Godfrey	1	16	16.0	16	0
R.Marshall	1	11	11.0	11	0
N.Diggs	1	0	0.0	0	0

Punting	No	Yds	Avg	Net	TB	In	Lg	B
J.Baker	71	3169	44.6	37.7	5	29	63	3

Punt Returns	Ret	FC	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
M.Jones	38	20	440	11.6	55	0
N.Salley	1	0	0	0.0	0	0
D.Wesley	1	0	0	0.0	0	0

Kickoff Returns	No.	Yds	Avg	Long	TD
M.Jones	35	846	24.2	59	0
J.Stewart	15	349	23.3	38	0
D.Rosario	2	26	13.0	18	0

Field Goals	1-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50+
J.Kasay	0/ 0	6/ 6	8/ 8	9/ 9	1/ 3