SBNation.com User Blog: Tater596

The Kraken wants 50 Kraks this season

Tater596 — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 17:10:48 -0000

"Fifty, why shoot low, right? If I’m going to shoot at it, I’m going to shoot at it with a 50 caliber. I’m going to shoot at a little bird with a 50-caliber bullet. That’s the goal for this year, 50 sacks, that’s where I’m at. That’s the goal, 50. You heard it first.’’

"Our d-line is about getting money and not like you all are thinking, just everybody winning. If the tackles are getting it, that means they’ve got to block them now and while they’re blocking them, I’m sneaking in the backdoor and taking everything. It’s the type of situation where we want everybody to win – the young guys, the new guys, the old guys. It was the same way last year. That’s how we got to RG III (Robert Griffin III), that’s how we got to Chicago, all those guys. Just breeding confidence into all of the defensive linemen and letting them know they can win.’’

-- Greg Hardy, via Pat Yasinkas on his NFC South blog

Tebradying

Tater596 — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 23:19:17 -0000

I broke the internet.

Armanti Edwards is having a Proehlific camp

Tater596 — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 12:31:06 -0000

Carolina Panthers WR coach Ricky Proehl is faced with one of the more daunting tasks on the team in his first season as a coach. It is his responsibility to take what is decisively (outside of Steve Smith) a below average corps of wide receivers, and field a group of 6 or 7 potential playmakers for Cam Newton. While we can reasonably assume that Steve Smith, Brandon LaFell, Domenik Hixon, and Ted Ginn Jr. are locks, the competition is fairly open for those last 2 or 3 spots. Camp and Preseason activities will be more important than ever for aspiring wide receivers, and it will be very important to keep yourself at the front of the coaches minds.

Armanti Edwards knows this better than anyone. In what has been a career of supposed "make or break" years, the 4th year QB turned WR out of Appalachian State is used to criticism, but continues to work toward his goal of making it in the NFL. Having shown improvement in each of his first three seasons, he now has a new WR coach to impress, and according to Tom Sorensen, he has done so.

"He’s just improved so much"

"He knows how to run routes and get out of his cut"

"But more importantly he knows how to read a defense and where the holes are, what we’re trying to accomplish offensively, what’s the concept of the route. He’s always been able to catch the ball and he’s a great athlete. And now he’s figuring out how to play the position, and you see it. He’s had a great camp."

That part about staying at the front of your coaches mind? Armanti seems to get it. Yes, this is the time of year where coaches will wax poetic about just about everyone, but every impression counts. Armanti made the catch of the day at the end of camp yesterday while running with 1st team WRs Smith and LaFell. He drew one on one coverage against Josh Norman on a Go route, Cam Newton spotted him and launched a deep jump ball. Armanti, although smaller than Norman, was able to elevate above him, snatch the ball out of the air, and hit the ground while maintaining possession. In previous years, one of AE's shortcomings has been in situations where he has to fight for a catch on a jump ball. Being able to catch against arguably the teams most physical corner in Norman is a big step in the right direction. Proehl adds a little more insight on his improvement:

"I think the biggest difference is he’s getting opportunities. He’s learned from his mistakes because he’s getting the opportunity to make them."

Opportunity is key, especially when most of the fanbase has written you off as a roster casualty. But somehow, AE continues to hang on. The team keeps providing competition at the WR position, and at least so far, he continues to prevail. When you consider that he was the teams best punt returner last season, if he can prove his merit as a true WR, he may yet again make the team. He has the work ethic that this coaching staff has shown they value, he has versatility, and now, apparently, he also is showing the skill and talent necessary to succeed.

It is going to be an interesting preseason indeed.

"He’s just improved so much"

"He knows how to run routes and get out of his cut"

"But more importantly he knows how to read a defense and where the holes are, what we’re trying to accomplish offensively, what’s the concept of the route. He’s always been able to catch the ball and he’s a great athlete. And now he’s figuring out how to play the position, and you see it. He’s had a great camp."

"I think the biggest difference is he’s getting opportunities. He’s learned from his mistakes because he’s getting the opportunity to make them."

It is going to be an interesting preseason indeed.

The producers of "That's O'Mare" present...

Tater596 — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 07:05:22 -0000

"Sinking Ship"

by Tater596

Teeeeeeeeee'o!

Te'e'e'oooooooooo...

Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
Te.. He said Te, he said Te, he said Te, he said Te, He said Te'e'e'oooo'
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go... ... ...
Up all night on the te-le-phone...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home.
He be sayin' that he not a-lone...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home.
Come mister Manti man, tell me she your wo-man...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
Come mister Manti man, tell me she your wo-man...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
It's six lies, seven lies, eight lies, BUNCH!
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
It's six lies, seven lies, eight lies, BUNCH!
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
Te, I said Teeee'o...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...
Te, I said Te, I said Te, I said Te'o...
Girlfriend gone man he wanna go home...

"Sinking Ship"

by Tater596

Teeeeeeeeee'o!

Te'e'e'oooooooooo...

Panther Fans Gettle-Excited Over New GM, Richardson Shoots 72.

Tater596 — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 03:22:05 -0000

The Panthers front office has managed to go in a different direction by just following their age old philosophy.

Today is a big day in Pantherland. Our beloved team has a new GM in David Gettleman, and the Panthers have managed to change while largely staying the same. While fans are touting the move as a new step in the right direction, and proclaiming that maybe JR can indeed change his ways, the old man ultimately has the last laugh. Today, Jerry Richardson did absolutely nothing different from what he has been doing all along, but at least for a day... he is the people's champion.

In a moment, I am going to describe to you a candidate, and I would like you to envision who it is.

Blue collar worker, largely respected by his peers, does not draw attention to his achievements, works under the radar in an extremely important role, considered to be of vital importance to his former teams success.
Has spent many years in an assistant role, and has excelled in that role, however has been passed over for promotion before despite several promising interviews.
Described by colleagues as "just a guy who needs an opportunity" and "deserves a chance"
Often described as no-nonsense, able to make the right decision regardless of whether it is the popular one.
Has never served in his current role before.

So, who is this mystery man? Is it...

A) Ron Rivera, circa 2011
or...
B) Dave Gettleman, circa now.

Go ahead and guess... this is one of those great tests where you get 100 just for filling out your name and choosing an answer, because both would be correct.

I raise this point, because today's GM hire instantly brought me back to the red roses and sunshine of the Ron Rivera hire. Optimism was sky high, and nearly every member of CSR was gushing about how there was no doubt at all that Rivera was the perfect candidate for the job and destined for greatness. Oh, the photoshops, the magnificent photoshops...

via cdn1.sbnation.com

via farm6.staticflickr.com

via cdn0.sbnation.com

... fast forward to 2012-13, and we are all intensely debating whether Ron Rivera deserves to come back for a 3rd season. A far cry from the sure thing we were all led to believe that he was. While it seems to many that the ship has been righted, and that Rivera is finally coming into his own, make no mistake... that leash is shorter than Gary Coleman when the rent is due to his landlord, Willis. Another 1-4 start, and he is sure to be jettisoned quite quickly.

Enter Dave Gettleman, who enters with a similar resume of a guy just needing a shot. Another sure thing, foolishly cast aside for years against all logic, destined for greatness. A guy who fits the same exact mold that JR had conveniently fashioned 2 years ago.

Look, don't get me wrong here... I'm just as excited about the hire as most everyone else. The man has a proven resume that would indicate he is 100% ready for the challenge of being a GM. I'm just being the devil's advocate here to say that it may take time. Just like the Rivera hire. We as fans need to be patient, and to be as cliche as possible... remind ourselves that Rome wasn't built in a day. Gettleman, despite his years of experience, will be prone to "rookie mistakes" as he has never actually been in this position before, no matter how close he came to it. Being a successful "senior pro personnel analyst" is NOT the same as being a successful general manager, just like being a successful "defensive coordinator" is NOT the same as being a successful head coach.

Patience. Please. Let the man work.

... And while you do that, realize that once again, the crafty stubborn old man and his clock have won the day.

The Panthers front office has managed to go in a different direction by just following their age old philosophy.

In a moment, I am going to describe to you a candidate, and I would like you to envision who it is.

Blue collar worker, largely respected by his peers, does not draw attention to his achievements, works under the radar in an extremely important role, considered to be of vital importance to his former teams success.
Has spent many years in an assistant role, and has excelled in that role, however has been passed over for promotion before despite several promising interviews.
Described by colleagues as "just a guy who needs an opportunity" and "deserves a chance"
Often described as no-nonsense, able to make the right decision regardless of whether it is the popular one.
Has never served in his current role before.

So, who is this mystery man? Is it...

A) Ron Rivera, circa 2011
or...
B) Dave Gettleman, circa now.

Go ahead and guess... this is one of those great tests where you get 100 just for filling out your name and choosing an answer, because both would be correct.

via cdn1.sbnation.com

via farm6.staticflickr.com

via cdn0.sbnation.com

Patience. Please. Let the man work.

... And while you do that, realize that once again, the crafty stubborn old man and his clock have won the day.

Panthers fire several assistant coaches RB, WR, LB coaches canned

Tater596 — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 00:00:43 -0000

Panthers fire several assistant coaches RB, WR, LB coaches canned

I can understand the RB coach... but the other two? Really?

Big Cat Lends a Helping Heart to a Player in Need

Tater596 — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 01:04:02 -0000

We hear about it all the time, a story that "transcends the game" and brings us to a more personal level. Too often have we become accustomed to these sorts of stories being tragic and disheartening, where we see players, coaches, and their families dealing with issues that are more important than anything on the football field. We learn about the tragic effects of concussions sustained by former players, and how it has negatively impacted their lives. We hear about players who have lost someone near and dear to them, like Torrey Smith, who hours later have the guts and heart to still come out and play this game we love so much. Sometimes we hear about the darkness that can still torment a professional athlete, even though he is wealthy beyond many of our dreams, and loved by so many as in the case of Junior Seau.

Panther fans are no strangers to these tales, as we have felt the brunt of many right here at home even in our short existence as a franchise. Dark times like the murder surrounding Rae Carruth, sad times like the death of Sam Mills to invasive cancer, and trying times like our own owner, Jerry Richardson, receiving a heart transplant.

But there is often a silver lining...

One of the things that makes humanity so special, is the ability for something great to rise up from the ashes of defeat and devastation. The resolve of the human spirit is like nothing else on the planet, and possibly like nothing else in the galaxy. Take the tragedies listed above...

Out of the horrible circumstances surrounding the murder of Rae Carruth's wife at the hands of a pair of insidious henchmen hired by Rae himself, a child was born. A child with a long and hard road ahead of him that he meets with a smile. Chancellor Lee Adams was rescued from his dying mother's womb, and although he lives with several disabilities, he is able to forgive his incarcerated father for his wrong doing and face life with an optimism that we can't find over a damn football game, at just 12 years of age.
While Sam Mills is deceased, he has provided inspiration for generations of Panther fans, coaches, and players with his heartfelt locker room speeches, summarized by the words "Keep Pounding" that the team proudly keeps as it's motto. There are also memorial scholarships set up in his name, as well as local charities which carry on his message. One only needs to walk past the bronze statue of him outside the stadium to know what kind of impact he had on this franchise.
Finally, the owner of our beloved franchise, Jerry Richardson, was the recipient of a heart transplant that saved his life. I save this one for last, because for only the cost of one human heart, Jerry has touched so many others, and perhaps his greatest work is yet to come...

The good deeds of Jerry "Big Cat" Richardson sometimes go fairly unknown, except to us Panther fans who are well aware of his charity, generosity, and unbreakable spirit. Perhaps more than any other owner, Jerry brings a personal touch to how he approaches team ownership. He connects with fans on an unprecedented level, small things like personal emails and phone calls to PSL owners thanking them for their support or to answer their concerns, all the way up to huge gestures of kindness like attending the funeral of a fan who died of a sudden heart attack while leaving a game whom he had never met. Our own Jaxon wrote at length about the intangibles that make the Big Cat great in a personal piece during the summer.

But never has a potential tragedy hit as close to his heart, as the one affecting Greg Olsen right now.

Greg and his wife, Kara, have recently found out about a potentially deadly heart condition afflicting their unborn son, TJ, one of two twins Kara will give birth to in a matter of weeks. I cannot tell this tale with any great degree of justice, so I will instead show this video, first posted by Panther fan in GA, detailing the hardship they are facing...

If that story does not touch your heart and make you choke up a little, perhaps you need a heart transplant of your own.

First I must commend the bravery of Greg Olsen to continue to give it his all week after week on the football field. A lesser man may have fallen into a deep depression, or at a minimum taken a long repose from football that would be totally understandable. Instead of doing that, Greg is currently on pace for his best season as a pro, something that regardless of the adversity he is facing off the field seems to remain a top priority to him. Thank you Greg, you are a warrior, and you have earned the undying support of all that this message reaches. Keep Pounding, Thor.

I would be remiss if I did not mention the bravery of his wife Kara, who shoulders the daily burden of carrying twins, knowing that one may or may not survive a week from birth. I'm sure discussing the ailments of her unborn son at length in the above interview was extremely difficult. I could not watch the video with dry eyes, I can only imagine what she is going through.

To Greg, Kara, and TJ above all, from all of us at CSR... Keep Pounding.

Last but not least, we come full circle to JR and his big heart. Where a simple phone call or letter might have sufficed for another owner or man of his standing, JR instead cleared his schedule for two days to accompany Greg and his wife to Boston on a charter jet at his personal expense. While we all know about the personal relationships JR has fostered with long-time players like Steve Smith, you cannot help but be amazed at his dedication to a person he has only known personally for a year. You don't hear about many CEOs of billion dollar corporations shuttling their employees cross-country in the company jet to receive treatment for their spousal ills. Truly a great gesture from an even greater man, who knows what it means to be a little short in the healthy heart department.

Greg Olsen certainly appreciates it too. Would he and his wife have gotten to Boston just fine without JR's help? I'm certain they would have. Would TJ receive all the medical care and attention that he needs regardless? You bet.

You can be a hero without doing something heroic. A helping hand, a caring heart, and an open ear can move mountains in the eyes of man.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to remember why you're a Panther fan. On the field we've enjoyed some decent success, but we have yet to win a Super Bowl. We have endured our fair share of bad seasons, devastating losses, "Towelgate," and even ridicule for our following. A Steelers fan I work with, that no matter how bad his team loses, or what kind of turmoil may be happening, can (and will) point to his placard of six Super Bowl championships mounted proudly on the wall behind his desk. Meanwhile, I don't have anything to point to, until now.

Tomorrow, I think I will hang a picture of Jerry Richardson behind my head. That way whenever my co-worker points to his plaque and says "six" I can point to mine and proudly say "one."

via allpurposeroto.com

ONE man, ONE new heart, and just ONE more reason why we should all be proud to be fans of the Carolina Panthers.

via prod.static.panthers.clubs.nfl.com

But there is often a silver lining...

Out of the horrible circumstances surrounding the murder of Rae Carruth's wife at the hands of a pair of insidious henchmen hired by Rae himself, a child was born. A child with a long and hard road ahead of him that he meets with a smile. Chancellor Lee Adams was rescued from his dying mother's womb, and although he lives with several disabilities, he is able to forgive his incarcerated father for his wrong doing and face life with an optimism that we can't find over a damn football game, at just 12 years of age.
While Sam Mills is deceased, he has provided inspiration for generations of Panther fans, coaches, and players with his heartfelt locker room speeches, summarized by the words "Keep Pounding" that the team proudly keeps as it's motto. There are also memorial scholarships set up in his name, as well as local charities which carry on his message. One only needs to walk past the bronze statue of him outside the stadium to know what kind of impact he had on this franchise.
Finally, the owner of our beloved franchise, Jerry Richardson, was the recipient of a heart transplant that saved his life. I save this one for last, because for only the cost of one human heart, Jerry has touched so many others, and perhaps his greatest work is yet to come...

To Greg, Kara, and TJ above all, from all of us at CSR... Keep Pounding.

via allpurposeroto.com

ONE man, ONE new heart, and just ONE more reason why we should all be proud to be fans of the Carolina Panthers.

via prod.static.panthers.clubs.nfl.com

BREAKING NEWS: Hardy has Fractured hand, played 3 quarters on it

Tater596 — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 15:35:24 -0000

BREAKING NEWS: Hardy has Fractured hand, played 3 quarters on it

"3 quarters with a fractured hand yes I'll take sum simpothy (sic)" instagr.am/p/P4cvmUwW0F/— GQ (@ItsGHardy) September 22, 2012

Your crappy post game just got crappier! I hope it isn't as serious as it looks, or he might be able to play through it with a thick cast. We'll see. At this point, these are the only details straight from his twitter account. But it's never reassuring when a player tweets a picture of his arm in a cast.

Rosterbation: Your 2016 Carolina Panthers (via Madden 13)

Tater596 — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 19:03:51 -0000

Fellow Panther fans... I have a problem. I play far too much Madden 13. I can't stop... I am addicted to playing as a virtual Ron Rivera/Marty Hurney combo, and putting together the best team I can within the salary cap. My steadfast attention to the free agent wire, shrewd trading, and timely draft picks have led to a truly drool worthy team in my 4th season as head coach/GM. Since we know that Madden parallels real football, you can all look forward to looking at a depth chart composed as follows when the 2016 season kicks off.

2016 Carolina Panthers Depth Chart

Quarterbacks - Cam Newton (OVR 98), Colin Kaepernick (OVR 77)

Changes: Jimmy Clausen (released 2012), Derek Anderson (contract expired 2015)

Cam Newton has become a mega-star by the end of his first contract. His throw power and all his accuracy ratings are maxed at 99, he has reached consistency level 4, and has acquired all the special perks available at his position. In week 1 of last season, i successfully inked him to a 6 year contract worth about $85m, which I consider to be a steal.

Colin Kaepernick is a new additon to the roster. After re-signing Derek Anderson to a two year contract with no guaranteed money, I allowed his deal to expire before this season when I saw that Kaepernick would be available. Colin follows very closely in the Cam Newton mold. Strong Arm, great runner, hard to bring down. He needs to improve on his accuracy, but will have ample time to get some XP in blowout and preseason situations. He represents the long term answer at backup QB, as he is the same age as Cam.

more after the jump...

2016 Carolina Panthers Depth Chart

Quarterbacks - Cam Newton (OVR 98), Colin Kaepernick (OVR 77)

Changes: Jimmy Clausen (released 2012), Derek Anderson (contract expired 2015)

more after the jump...

Running backs - Jonathan Stewart (OVR 87), Jonathan Dwyer (80), Draft Pick (67)

Changes: DeAngelo Williams (traded to NE for A. Hernandez), Tauren Poole (contract expired 2015)

In a move that would surely be approved by Southtunnel, DeAngelo Williams was shipped to New England along with a 2014 5th round draft pick for TE Aaron Hernandez. This left Stewart as the lead back with temporary signing Chris Ivory in reserve before the acquisition of Dwyer. Stewie has come along nicely, I invested XP into raising his development level to Superstar status, and he is now beginning to reap the benefits of that. His Trucking rating has been increased significantly, and he is very difficult to bring down.

Dwyer was acquired before my 3rd season as a capable backup and heir apparent to Stewart. His touches are limited, but he does usually manage to get about 600 yards a season.

Fullbacks - Mike Tolbert (OVR 94), Stanley Havili (OVR 80)

Changes: Richie Brockel (released)

Tolbert has evolved into a great target out of the backfield, goal line back, and run blocker. I have spent the majority of his XP improving his run and impact blocking, making him the perfect fullback for our offense. Havili is a young option who rarely sees the field, just in case Tolbert should get injured or ask too much for his next contract.

Wide Receivers - Julio Jones (OVR 90), Golden Tate (82), Johnny Knox (81), Draft Pick (78), Armanti Edwards (76), Draft Pick (72), Joe Adams (71)

Changes: Steve Smith (retired), Brandon LaFell (contract expired), Louis Murphy (contract expired), David Gettis (released), Kealoha Pilares (released)

Wholesale changes in the WR core. Steve Smith retired after my first season. LaFell and Murphy were both shafted in their ratings, and were replaced by Golden Tate and Johnny Knox early. Johnny Knox also took away Pilares job on KRs making him expendable.

Julio Jones and the Falcons could not come to an agreement on a long term contract when his rookie deal expired, and their loss is our gain. Julio catches everything flung his way, and consistently wins the jump ball. He gives us the true WR1 threat we need with Smitty hanging up his cleats.

Golden Tate has become an excellent possession receiver across from Julio, with Knox working well burning people out of the slot. 2 draft picks are currently developing on the team, one of which is the teams true deep threat with a speed rating of 98. Armanti Edwards continues his usefulness as a backup, but only consistently cracked the field in years 2 and 3 (before Julio and a 1st round draft pick joined the team)

Tight Ends - Greg Olsen (OVR 93), Aaron Hernandez (92), Tony Moeaki (77)

Changes: Gary Barnidge (released), Ben Hartsock (released)

The trade that made DeAngelo Williams a Patrior made Aaron Hernandez a Panther. In the post Steve Smith and pre Julio Jones era, both Olsen and Hernandez are featured heavily in the passing game. No defense in the NFL has an answer for both players at the same time, especially as they line up in the slot quite often. Olsen and Hernandez have both been asked to improve their catching in traffic and run blocking abilities to make them more versatile.

Offensive Line - Jordan Gross (OVR 95), Amini Silatolu (81), Ryan Kalil (91), Geoff Hangartner (85), Bryron Bell (84), LT Draft Pick (79), Mike Pollak (75), Bruce Campbell (79)

Changes: Garry Williams (released), Jeff Byers (released)

Our offensive line has sent all 5 members to the pro bowl every year except the first where both guards missed the cutoff. Byron Bell and Amini Silatolu have both developed in the way we all dreamed and have become solid starters. A 1st round draft pick was spent to draft the heir apparent to Jordan Gross. Pollak and Campbell have both been retained a veteran backups. Hangartner will probably get an heir apparent in the next draft.

Defensive Ends - Charles Johnson (OVR 92), Greg Hardy (83), Applewhite (80), Keiser (76), FA Draft Pick (78), Draft Pick (71)

Changes: Frank Alexander (contract exp), Shawne Merriman (1 year contract), Osi Umenyiora (1 year contract)

Charles Johnson has become a sack machine with the beastly defensive tackles I have acquired (more on that later), his block shedding ability is nearly maxed, along with consistency, tackling, and play recognition boosts. He has become a premier DE. Hardy has developed into a nice, but unspectacular compliment, but good enough. Applewhite and Keiser continue to be effective in passing situations, while a productive draft pick released by another team is quietly moving his way into a starting job. Several one year experiments have been taken on and released after their follow up contract demands were too high.

Defensive Tackles - Paul Soliai (OVR 96), Terrance Knighton (94), Stephen Paea (86), Draft Pick (74)

Changes: Ron Edwards (retired), Frank Kearse (released), Sione Fue (released), Terrel McClain (released), Dwan Edwards (never signed in my version)

Total Overhaul on the defensive line. Soliai and Knighton make an impenetrable wall in the middle, and both have been signed to long term contracts to keep it that way. They also collapse the pocket very well, leaving Hardy and Johnson one on one, even chipping in sacks of their own. Ron Edwards retired from a backup role. Sione Fua hung around until just this year when the more talented and just as young Paea came available.

Linebackers - James Anderson (OVR 89), Jon Beason (93), Luke Kuechly (87), Jordan Senn (76), Jason Phillips (80), Thomas Davis (82)

Changes: Kenny Onatolu (released), Thomas Davis (released, re-signed)

The linebackers are all studs. Nothing else to be said, other than that Kuechly has developed EXTREMELY fast in full time starting duty into a premier Will backer. TD was released for cap reasons and then re-signed the following season as he went unclaimed.

Corners - Chris Gamble (OVR 95), Morris Claiborne (84), Captain Munnerlyn (81), Josh Norman (77), Draft Pick (74)

Changes: Josh Thomas (released), Brandon Hogan (contract expired)

Remember the time that we almost didn't draft Luke Kuechly because we all wanted Morris Claiborne? Apparently the Dallas Cowboys don't. Claiborne's rookie deal was allowed to expire, and I jumped on that like a frog at a trampoline factory. In truth, it made a strength even stronger. Gamble has become a premier shutdown corner, and Norman was playing quite well across from him. Munnerlyn fell to third on the depth chart and flourished, even though he was "rated higher" than Norman. Norman now loses his starting job and becomes the Dime corner, only because of an opportunistic pickup to get the heir apparent to the aging Chris Gamble. Their is also a first round draft pick looming in the background ready to seize on any opportunity. The Brandon Hogan experiment ended when Claiborne became a Panther, as he never developed into a player of note mostly due to lack of playing time behind quality starters.

Safeties - Sherrod Martin (OVR 83), Charles Godfrey (85), Draft Pick (71), Draft Pick (76)

Changes: Haruki Nakamura (released), D.J. Campbell (released), Colin Jones (never signed in my version)

Possibly the biggest surprise on the team, both safeties have become sound tacklers and playmakers. Thanks to massive XP gains from several pick 6s, both have been able to boost their play recognition, pursuit, tackling, and coverage ratings. Nakamura and Campbell never really got to see the field, and now a pair of young rookies are developing to eventually replace the safeties as they age.

Special Teams - UDFA kicker, Brad Nortman (65)

Changes: Olindo Mare (released), Justin Medlock (never signed in my version)

Mare was booted mostly as a 2nd year cap casualty and replace by a rookie UDFA that has good power. Nortman's rating is much lower than his actual skill, as his kick power and accuracy are both 90 or above. His awareness drags it down for some crazy reason.

Team Overall rating: 87

So what do you think Panther fans? Salivating at our destiny in three years yet? Madden said it, so it must be so. Widespread GM ineptitude is apparently on the horizon. Batten down the hatches, hide yo kids, hide yo wife, and get ready for a Panther Dynasty!

Greensboro/Triad area Panther fans... where you at on Thursday?

Tater596 — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 20:47:22 -0000

Since we are JUST outside the Charlotte viewing area and the Panthers game will not be appearing on our local television sets, we should organize a place to go and watch the game in the Greensboro area on Thursday night. I personally don't have NFL Network, and none of my friends are good enough Panther fans to go sit with me for 3 hours and watch the game at a bar, so instead of just sitting alone and yelling alone like a jackass, I figure there might be others like me. This would also be a great opportunity for local CSR members to meet and watch a game with REAL fans, and scope out a possible permanent "Panthers" bar in our area.

So, would any of you be interested? There are several places in the area that could accommodate us. The obvious criteria:

The bar needs to be open until Midnight on Thursdays to accommodate the late start time.
The bar should have a good drink and food selection at reasonable prices.
There should be plenty of good TVs to watch and listen on.

So, who's with me? Sound off in the comments if you are interested and suggest a place if you can. I'll update this post as we cut down the choices and settle on a place.

So, would any of you be interested? There are several places in the area that could accommodate us. The obvious criteria:

The bar needs to be open until Midnight on Thursdays to accommodate the late start time.
The bar should have a good drink and food selection at reasonable prices.
There should be plenty of good TVs to watch and listen on.

So, who's with me? Sound off in the comments if you are interested and suggest a place if you can. I'll update this post as we cut down the choices and settle on a place.

When everything on ur body hurts but all you can think about is how to grind harder, you are in the...

Tater596 — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:13:59 -0000

When everything on ur body hurts but all you can think about is how to grind harder, you are in the right place

#mindset. #champion— James Anderson (@50janderson) August 2, 2012

Day 4 Camp Wrap from panthers.com

Tater596 — Tue, 31 Jul 2012 22:18:33 -0000

Day 4 Camp Wrap from panthers.com

Since we didn't have any CSR peeps present, and twitter was unreliable at best during the rain storm, I thought this summary from Panthers.com would be good to share. It gives a very well laid out synopsis of the days events.

Carolina Panthers Third Training Camp Practice: Open Thread

Tater596 — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 23:37:58 -0000

Open thread time!

The Panthers will be in pads for the first time tonight. Currently there are no known CSR members in attendance, however, we will try and follow the action through twitter. I'll try and post as much as I see as it comes through my twitterbox. Hopefully we get more good news tonight, and the team will continue to look good. I love the new energy that seems to be in the air, I can never remember training camp optimism quite like this.

Please Rec up this thread so people will see it, until it hits the front page, since our editors and mods are slacking off at Bojangles. (Not that I blame them, or at least, as long as they bring me back a cajun filet biscuit, dirty rice, and a giant sweet tea)

VIVA LA RESISTANCE!

This is an open thread! Este es un hilo abierto!

Open thread time!

VIVA LA RESISTANCE!

This is an open thread! Este es un hilo abierto!

Former Saints DE Anthony Hargrove ordered to lie about bounty scandal by Vitt and Williams

Tater596 — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:16:40 -0000

Former Saints DE Anthony Hargrove ordered to lie about bounty scandal by Vitt and Williams

In an exclusive report by Yahoo! Sports editor Jason Cole, it is revealed that former Saints DE Anthony Hargrove was specifically ordered to lie about the bounty program by Joe Vitt and Gregg Williams.

From the Yahoo piece...

"Hargrove said Williams then said he was going to deny the existence of any bounty system, and that both Williams and Vitt instructed Hargrove to do the same. Williams also said: "Those [expletives at the NFL] have been trying to get me for years" and if all the Saints "stay on the same page, this will blow over.""

Seems to me that now that the lashings have been handed out to players, some former Saints are willing to throw management under the bus a bit further.

WHO DAT GOT DEM BAGS ON DEY HEADS?!?!

NFP loves the Silatolu pick

Tater596 — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 04:07:27 -0000

NFP loves the Silatolu pick

"Silatolu might be the meanest, nastiest player in this year's draft. He’s a small-school left tackle who will be asked to kick inside to guard. However, he’s got a natural snap to his game, good range in the second level and is able to absolutely dominate at the point of attack through contact. A Day One starter who could mature into one of the NFL’s best.

NFL Ceiling: Pro Bowl caliber guard

NFL Floor: Violent, overachieving starting guard"

-- Wes Bunting, NFP

If those predictions are accurate... SIGN ME UP!

Draft Value Index (DVI): Special 2nd Round edition

Tater596 — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:15:13 -0000

Good afternoon Panthers fans! Boy I hope you are all as excited about Luke Kuechly as I am. Not only is he a great player and a very wise decision by our front office, his selection also means my DVI system was 100% right in predicting our first round pick!

As I expected, the Panthers would make a selection between Luke Kuechly and Fletcher Cox, ultimately going with the BPA. Kuechly was the clear BPA at that point, and they took him without even entertaining a trade offer. Per my rankings, Luke Kuechly came in with an off-the-charts PQ rating of 11. Meaning he is ultra talented, injury free, and a born leader/good Samaritan. I expect Kuechly will become legendary wearing the black and electric blue, Pat Yasinkas thinks that Kuechly has all the ability of Dan Morgan without any of the injury issues. While that comparison might make some fans uneasy, just remember how good Morgan was while he was on the field. Take away those injury issues, and you have Kuechly. That said and without further ado... it is time to find out where we will go with our 2nd round pick.

The 2nd round is still chock full of top quality talent due to some highly questionable moves by certain franchises in the first round. To account for this, I have expanded my DVI chart to include some players I did not think would be in play at this point. Check out the new rankings, after the jump...

Since I have added new names to the DVI chart, I have included the expanded table of rankings. This includes not just the PQ and TS of a player and position, but also the base ratings and modifiers. Let's look at the ranks...

Player Name	Position	BPQ	ICM	BCM	PQ	TS	DVI
Bryan Anger	P	10	0	0	10	7	17
Janoris Jenkins	CB	9	0	-2	7	9	16
Jerel Worthy	DT	6	1	0	7	9	16
Brandon Thompson	DT	5	1	1	7	9	16
Josh Chapman	DT	8	-2	1	7	9	16
Stephen Hill	WR	7	1	1	9	6	15
Reuben Randle	WR	7	1	1	9	6	15
Drew Butler	P	8	0	0	8	7	15
Jayron Hosley	CB\PR	6	0	0	6	9	15
Cordy Glenn	OT	8	1	0	9	6	15
Alshon Jeffery	WR	8	1	-1	8	6	14
Jonathan Martin	OT	6	1	1	8	6	14
Trumaine Johnson	CB	6	-1	0	5	9	14
Chase Minnifield	CB	6	-1	0	5	9	14
Devon Still	DT	7	-2	0	5	9	14
Brandon Boykin	CB\PR	6	-1	0	5	9	14
Joe Adams	PR\WR	7	0	0	7	6	13
Brian Quick	WR	6	1	0	7	6	13
Mohamed Sanu	WR	6	1	0	7	6	13
Amini Silatolu	OG	6	1	0	7	5	12
Ronald Leary	OG	5	1	0	6	5	11
A.J. Jenkins	WR	4	1	0	5	6	11
Coby Fleener	TE	8	0	0	8	3	11
George Iloka	S	6	1	0	7	2	9
Orson Charles	TE	5	1	0	6	3	9
Andre Branch	DE	6	1	0	7	2	9
Zach Brown	OLB	7	1	0	8	0	8
Lavonte David	OLB	7	0	1	8	0	8
DeQuan Menzie	CB\S	5	1	0	6	2	8
Kelcie McCray	S	4	1	0	5	2	7
Janzen Jackson	S	7	0	-2	5	2	7
Keenan Robinson	ILB	5	1	0	6	0	6
James-Michael Johnson	ILB	4	1	0	5	0	5

Some Notes about the new table:

The TS rating of all players that play linebacker have dropped to ZERO to reflect the selection of Kuechly. As Kuechly is considered to be able to play all 3 linebacker spots, this affected OLB and ILB classes.

Punters will be considered statistical outliers until the 3rd round, as I am unaware of any punters going earlier then that in the last three decades.

Thoughts on the 2nd round in general

The second round, particularly this year, is where the rubber meets the road on a lot of players with injury histories or with off-field issues. This is where we find out just how much NFL teams value good conduct off the field and a player without any injury baggage. Looking at the chart you will see some pretty high BPQ ratings still available, most notably Janoris Jenkins with a 9, Alshon Jefferey and Josh Chapman with an 8, and Devon Still with a 7. However, each of these players carry baggage with them, and that is the main reason they are still available in the 2nd round. Jenkins could have been a top 10 pick if not for his troubles.

Who will the Panthers select?

The way I see it, we are going to have a decision made for us on some of the guys with off field problems and injury issues.

If I'm a betting man, I put money on Janoris Jenkins not making it to 40. There is too much talent there to pass up. Some team within the past 24 hours has talked themselves into wanting him before we get a chance. I think we may see a trade up for his services before pick 40.
Devon Still may find his way off the board before we pick because he has such high talent despite a bevy of injury issues.

I think there will be a DT with a DVI of 16 available when we pick. I also think that one WR between Stephen Hill, Reuben Randle, and Alshon Jefferey will also be waiting. I do not think a CB will represent good value at this junction, unless Janoris Jenkins is sitting there and we are okay with his off-field issues. DT seems like the best place to go on this pick. Of the 3 available, the Panthers have the strongest ties to Jerel Worthy and Brandon Thompson. I think Chapman is the most talented of the 3, but he has a long injury history already. We need a solid run stuffer, as well as some capacity to rush the passer and penetrate the pocket, so here is my prediction...

With the 40th pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

... Jerel Worthy, DT, Michigan State.

Worthy represents the least damaged goods out of the 3 top DTs still on the board in the 2nd round. While some think he is inconsistent, he lets his tape do the talking. Worthy is an absolute force in the middle. He requires a double team on run plays, and can get in the backfield to rush the passer on passing downs. His combine performance was mediocre, which is why he is still sitting here, but I don't think the game film lies.

Remember, this is just my prediction. Ultimately, the player the DVI predicts is whoever the person with the highest DVI rating is at our pick. In a tiebreaker, it goes to PQ rating aka BPA.

Anyway, I am stoked about the 2nd round tonight, can't wait for it to start!

Poll

Is Jerel a "Worthy" pick at #40?

Yes, he would be a great selection.

28 votes

Yes, but I would rather fill a different need if possible

18 votes

No, we desperately need someone at another position

6 votes

No, Jerel Worthy is overrated here.

14 votes

Other (comment)

0 votes

66 votes | Poll has closed

The Draft Value Index (DVI) Revisited, Part III: The Panthers 2012 Big Board

Tater596 — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 19:39:56 -0000

Good afternoon Panther fans! By now, many of you know what the DVI system is all about, and now we can dive into the meat and potatoes of why this metric is useful... coming up with a theoretical "Big Board" for the Panthers that balances Need and BPA. With the draft starting up tomorrow, I am sure many of you are anxious to see how the prospects grade out, and what a balanced Panther Big Board may look like. If you are not up to speed on the system, you can catch up using the links below.

View the "original" DVI concept from October 2011 here.

Part I was an introduction to the system as a whole, and detailed the TS or "Team Situation" metric.
Part II detailed the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III (this article) will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Without further ado.. I present to you part III of this series, the DVI metric and Panthers Big Board.

View the "original" DVI concept from October 2011 here.

Part I was an introduction to the system as a whole, and detailed the TS or "Team Situation" metric.
Part II detailed the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III (this article) will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Without further ado.. I present to you part III of this series, the DVI metric and Panthers Big Board.

Part III: The DVI rating

As stated in the introduction to the DVI system, the DVI rating is a metric that balances team need and BPA by assigning a value to players based on their quality (the PQ rating) and the teams situation (the TS rating) combined. This helps us to formulate a big board based on the team following a balanced strategy. While I don't believe any team attempts to balance needs with BPA on every pick, this provides a framework for teams to follow no matter which side of the scale the pick lands on.

Pure "Need" based picks would be the player (or rather player position) with the highest TS ratings. In the case of a tiebreaker, teams would look at the DVI rating to find the best quality player where needs are equal.
Pure "BPA" based picks would be the player with the highest PQ rating. Tiebreakers in this case go to the DVI rating, as if you are going for best player available, you might as well fill whatever need you can when players are of equal talent.
For selections where a team wants to find a balance, they look at the DVI rating. If numerous players have the same DVI rating, talent leaning teams should look to the PQ rating for the tiebreaker. If a team is more desperate to fill its needs, it will look to the TS rating. This is purely at the teams discretion. In the case of the Panthers, and past tendency to go BPA, we will look at the PQ rating for the purpose of predicting our first round pick.

How DVI changes during the draft

As needs are fulfilled by drafting players, it is fair to assume that since a team has filled a positional need by selecting a player, then any further picks at that position would be based on a player being BPA. Yes, a team might want to draft 2 or even 3 players at the same position for competition, but in this case they are probably looking at high upside guys. Therefore, once a position is selected, the TS metric automatically drops to ZERO.

The Panthers 2012 Big Board

Finally, we turn back to our basic formula, which is...

DVI = TS + PQ

Below I will layout a Panthers big board that is sorted by DVI rating highest to lowest. Some of the ratings may surprise you, some of them may not. Either way, I would like to hear lots of discussion based on what you see here.

Player Name	Position	PQ	TS	DVI
Luke Kuechly	ILB	11	7	18
Morris Claiborne	CB	9	9	18
Fletcher Cox	DT	9	9	18
Dre Kirkpatrick	CB\S	9	9	18
David DeCastro	OG	12	5	17
Bryan Anger	P	10	7	17
Michael Brockers	DT	8	9	17
Stephon Gilmore	CB	8	9	17
Matt Kalil	OT	10	6	16
Dontari Poe	DT	7	9	16
Janoris Jenkins	CB	7	9	16
Jerel Worthy	DT	7	9	16
Andrew Luck	QB	11	4	15
Justin Blackmon	WR	9	6	15
Riley Reiff	OT	9	6	15
Kendall Wright	WR	9	6	15
Stephen Hill	WR	9	6	15
Reuben Randle	WR	9	6	15
Drew Butler	P	8	7	15
Jayron Hosley	CB\PR	6	9	15
Ryan Tannehill	QB	10	4	14
Kevin Zeitler	OG	9	5	14
Alshon Jeffery	WR	8	6	14
Jonathan Martin	OT	8	6	14
Trumaine Johnson	CB	5	9	14
Chase Minnifield	CB	5	9	14
Robert Griffin III	QB	9	4	13
Michael Floyd	WR	7	6	13
Joe Adams	PR\WR	7	6	13
Brian Quick	WR	7	6	13
Mohamed Sanu	WR	7	6	13
Zach Brown	OLB	8	4	12
Lavonte David	OLB	8	4	12
Amini Silatolu	OG	7	5	12
Trent Richardson	RB	10	1	11
Quinton Coples	DE	9	2	11
Bruce Irvin	OLB	7	4	11
Ronald Leary	OG	6	5	11
A.J. Jenkins	WR	5	6	11
Mark Barron	S	8	2	10
Keenan Robinson	ILB	6	4	10
Melvin Ingram	DE\OLB	7	2	9
George Iloka	S	7	2	9
Chandler Jones	DE	7	2	9
Orson Charles	TE	6	3	9
James-Michael Johnson	ILB	5	4	9
DeQuan Menzie	CB\S	6	2	8
Kelcie McCray	S	5	2	7
Janzen Jackson	S	5	2	7

So, as you can see, going by the DVI metric we have 4 players that are in play to be our first pick. Those are...

Luke Kuechly, Morris Claiborne, Fletcher Cox, Dre Kirkpatrick with a DVI of 18.

As I stated before, where DVI values are equal, it makes the most sense to get the best player you can, so we look to the PQ rating. In this case...

With the 9th overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers select...

Luke Kuechly, LB, Boston College.

As stated above, the tie goes to the PQ rating, as the Panthers tend to trend toward BPA over team need. Of course, it is possible that they are totally comfortable with the teams situation at linebacker, and that I am overstating their needs, however with two starting linebackers coming off major injury, it would make sense to me that the Panthers look for a player who is arguably the safest pick in the draft.

In the real world, if Morris Claiborne is still somehow available at our pick, I would think he gets the nod... as the Panthers buck their BPA tendencies for a change to shore up a position in dire need. However, I think there is only a slim chance of that actually happening. With Dre K the only CB still left on the board to fill this need (with a BQP of 8 as opposed to Claiborne's 9), they would certainly turn to Kuechly instead, who is a much higher quality player.

We could also look to Fletcher Cox and shore up the interior of our D-Line. While I think this would be a great pick, the team currently seems to be happy with their situation at DT (having drafted 2 players last year).

So there you have it Panther fans, stay tuned after the draft for Part IV, where we apply the DVI system to what actually happened in the draft and see how well it held up!

The Draft Value Index (DVI) Revisited, Part II: PQ rating

Tater596 — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:34:03 -0000

Good afternoon Panther fans! As some of you may recall, back in October I published an article entitled "The Draft Value Index: Drafting by the Numbers". The DVI system was an early draft of an attempt to put numerical values to players that balance team need and BPA. Many of you liked the system, and gave lots of feedback on how it could be improved. With the draft upon us, and with a few people mentioning and requesting an updated system applied to our current team needs, I have decided to roll out this detailed metric in a three part series leading up to the draft with a results post afterward. This is Part 2 of the 3 part series.

You can view part I at this link.

Part I will be an introduction to the system as a whole, and will detail the TS or "Team situation" metric.
Part II will detail the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Without further ado.. I present to you part II of this series, the Player Quality or PQ metric. I will ask for a lot of fan help in making some of the ratings more exhaustive leading up to the draft, so please familiarize yourself with my rating system, and help fill in the blanks if you want!

You can view part I at this link.

Part I will be an introduction to the system as a whole, and will detail the TS or "Team situation" metric.
Part II will detail the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Part II: The PQ rating

In order to establish a reliable system of where Need (TS, as discussed earlier) meets BPA (PQ, in this case), it is paramount to assign values to individual players that do not take needs into account. This system I will put forth in this section looks at the draftable players from a pure talent perspective, aka BPA. While all numbers and ratings systems must have a level of subjectivity to them, I will attempt to get as close as possible based on scouting reviews and college statistics. The system I am about to lay out takes into account player ceilings above all, in other words, when drafting this player, what level of play they will achieve in their NFL prime. I will also lay out some modifiers, intended to take injury history and off-field behavior into account.

Base Player Quality rating (BPQ)

BPQ represents the rating of a player from a pure talent perspective without taking injury history or off-field troubles into account. In other words, this is what a player is capable of at 100% and eligible to be on a football field.

A couple of key terms:

Viable starter- Someone you are fully comfortable carrying the load at a position
Serviceable starter – Someone you are comfortable carrying the load until better talent can be acquired
Developmental talent - Someone widely regarded as a "project player" in other words, possibility of a high cieling, but also a very low floor.

10 – Once in a generation player, immediate viable starter, perennial Pro Bowler and potential future HOF’er
9 – Special talent, proven college track record, immediate viable starter, future Pro Bowler
8 – Above Average talent, proven college track record, immediate viable starter
7 – Special talent, unproven college track record, immediate serviceable starter, future viable starter
6 – Above Average talent, unproven college track record, immediate serviceable starter, future viable starter
5 – Average talent, proven college track record, immediate and future serviceable starter
4 – Average talent, unproven college track record, future serviceable starter
3 – Developmental talent, proven college track record at position, future viable starter
2 – Developmental talent, proven college track record at other position, future viable starter
1 – Developmental talent, unproven college track record, future serviceable starter

Injury Concerns Modifier (ICM)

The ICM rating attempts to take into account a player's injury histories. In the draft, players with spotless injury reports get a slight bump up the board, while players with a checkered history can fall way way down depending on severity. Our own Brandon Hogan and Greg Hardy are prime examples of this.

+1 PQ for player with NO injury history, i.e. never missed a game in college due to injury.
+0 PQ for player with minor injury history, i.e. no major surgeries, never missed more than 8 games in his college career.
-1 PQ for player with moderate injury history, no injuries considered to have lingering effects, no major surgeries, missed more than 8 games in his college career due to injury.
-2 PQ for player with significant injury history, i.e. major surgeries that held him out of entire seasons, and may have lingering effects

Behavior Concerns Modifier (BCM)

The BCM rating attempts to take into account players with a troubled past. In the draft, players regarded as being a non-risk for off field issues will not take a hit to their draft stock, however being a good citizen doesn't always get you a boost in stock either. Occasionally, a player will be known for having a great list of "intangibles", Tim Tebow is a prime example of this. Someone known as a leader, field general, etc gets a slight boost to stock. However, players who missed games with suspensions, had criminal charges, or explusions will take a major hit to their draft stock. It takes a truly special player to overcome those circumstances. Another behavior related issue are concerns about effort or "how bad a player wants it", if a player has effort issues it can hurt their stock. Players with a high motor receive a stock boost as part of their BPQ, as scouts tend to include that in their talent evaluation.

+1 PQ for a clean record with a great deal of intangibles
+0 PQ for a clean record with no intangibles or a single minor suspension/misdemeanor
-1 PQ for large suspensions, multiple small suspensions, multiple misdemeanors reflecting a pattern of bad behavior, or serious motor/effort concerns.
-2 PQ for expulsions or felony offenses

Level of Competition, how it's handled

Level of competition is factored when gauging player talent. Most scouts build this into their ratings of individual players. Therefore, I don't think a separate modifier is worth exploring. If there are serious concerns about the competition a player faced, he will often be considered developmental talent or have an unproven college record. Except for the cream of the crop in non-BCS conferences or in FCS play, most players will be a BPQ of 3 or lower. For example, Armanti Edwards would grade out with a BPQ of 2, since he excelled as a QB in college but did not project as one in the NFL. Brian Quick, however, would grade a BPQ of 6 since he was so far above his competition and projects at his same position in the NFL.

The Full Player Quality formula (PQ)

So, mathematically, this is how we get the PQ rating.

PQ = BPQ + ICM + BCM

PQ as it pertains to 2012 NFL Draft prospects

In this section, I will give my PQ rating for a list of draft prospects that are considered to be "in the hunt" to be drafted by the Panthers. These will include all players we have brought in for a visit or have documented contact with. I'll also give a PQ rating for some notable prospects. I would like to make this section as exhaustive as possible, but I do not have the time to rate all the players in the draft. I would appreciate the help of anyone willing to contribute a rating for any prospects. Whether it be for just 1 prospect all the way up to 100s if you are really bored.

If you would like to help make this ratings table more exhaustive, this is all I need from you. Add the following things to a comment below.

Player name and position
Values for PQ = BPQ + ICM + BCM
Brief justification for why you assigned these values (does not need to be long)

RATINGS

Player Name	Position	BPQ	ICM	BCM	PQ
David DeCastro	OG	10	1	1	12
Andrew Luck	QB	10	0	1	11
Luke Kuechly	ILB	9	1	1	11
Matt Kalil	OT	9	1	0	10
Trent Richardson	RB	9	1	0	10
Ryan Tannehill	QB	8	1	1	10
Bryan Anger	P	10	0	0	10
Robert Griffin III	QB	9	-1	1	9
Morris Claiborne	CB	9	0	0	9
Justin Blackmon	WR	8	1	0	9
Fletcher Cox	DT	8	1	0	9
Riley Reiff	OT	8	1	0	9
Dre Kirkpatrick	CB\S	8	1	0	9
Kendall Wright	WR	8	0	1	9
Stephen Hill	WR	7	1	1	9
Reuben Randle	WR	7	1	1	9
Quinton Coples	DE	9	1	-1	9
Kevin Zeitler	OG	8	0	1	9
Michael Brockers	DT	7	1	0	8
Mark Barron	S	8	0	0	8
Zach Brown	OLB	7	1	0	8
Alshon Jeffery	WR	8	1	-1	8
Lavonte David	OLB	7	0	1	8
Stephon Gilmore	CB	6	1	1	8
Drew Butler	P	8	0	0	8
Jonathan Martin	OT	6	1	1	8
Melvin Ingram	DE\OLB	8	-1	0	7
Michael Floyd	WR	9	0	-2	7
Dontari Poe	DT	6	1	0	7
George Iloka	S	6	1	0	7
Janoris Jenkins	CB	9	0	-2	7
Bruce Irvin	OLB	6	0	1	7
Jerel Worthy	DT	6	1	0	7
Joe Adams	PR\WR	7	0	0	7
Amini Silatolu	OG	6	1	0	7
Brian Quick	WR	6	1	0	7
Mohamed Sanu	WR	6	1	0	7
Chandler Jones	DE	6	0	1	7
Keenan Robinson	ILB	5	1	0	6
Ronald Leary	OG	5	1	0	6
Orson Charles	TE	5	1	0	6
DeQuan Menzie	CB\S	5	1	0	6
Jayron Hosley	CB\PR	6	0	0	6
Kelcie McCray	S	4	1	0	5
Trumaine Johnson	CB	6	-1	0	5
James-Michael Johnson	ILB	4	1	0	5
A.J. Jenkins	WR	4	1	0	5
Chase Minnifield	CB	6	-1	0	5
Janzen Jackson	S	7	0	-2	5

PLEASE NOTE: The above ratings are not the big board so to speak. This looks at players purely on their personal quality at their position. The DVI rating will combine the PQ and TS ratings into a final rating that takes all factors into consideration. That will be the theoretical big board.

Also, if you disagree with my assessments above, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO COMMENT. I welcome constructive criticism. If you have a more intricate knowledge of a prospect, please rate him and give the reasons. I am always open to constructive criticism that has factual backing.

Stay Tunes next week for Part III of the DVI series, where we put all this info together!

The Draft Value Index (DVI) Revisited, Part I: Introduction and TS rating

Tater596 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 18:11:33 -0000

Part I will be an introduction to the system as a whole, and will detail the TS or "Team situation" metric.
Part II will detail the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Without further ado.. I present to you the basics of this system.

Introduction

As stated above, the DVI attempts to balance team need against BPA and provide a numerical chart for teams to follow on how they should draft in a given situation. While I don't think any team follows an absolute strategy on draft day, it is not unreasonable to assume that teams will draft in a manner that gives them the largest impact as possible with each pick. The great part about the DVI, is that it is actually 3 systems in one. It provides a metric for a pure BPA strategy, a pure need based strategy, and a strategy that attempts to balance the two. While teams may not elect to follow the balanced DVI metric, you should see them follow either one of the other two strategies on every pick.

The introduction continues... after the jump.

Part I will be an introduction to the system as a whole, and will detail the TS or "Team situation" metric.
Part II will detail the PQ or "Player Quality" metric.
Part III will put it all together in an attempt to formulate a Panthers big board based on a balanced strategy and serve as a prediction for the draft.
After the draft is concluded, I will give a synopsis of how the system held up, and analyze each pick within the DVI confines.

Without further ado.. I present to you the basics of this system.

Introduction

The introduction continues... after the jump.

The basic formula of the DVI system is...

DVI = TS + PQ

...or DVI value equals Team Situation value plus Player Quality value. This formula has not changed from the original I presented back in October. However, modifiers have been added to both TS and PQ to account for important variables not considered in the original formula. For example, a player's quality in my prior formula was based purely on his talent and projected NFL impact. Now, a player's PQ rating is formed by that as a base value, then changed positively or negatively by factors such as off field problems, injury problems, and positional experience. I will delve more into this later, as more detail is not fit for an introduction.

What the above formula should tell you, is that team need and player talent are weighed equally at the base value. The problem comes in assigning values to a player, and values to a team's situation. These ratings are subjective by nature, and not everyone will agree with them. However, i suspect that the values I assign will not be far off from the general perception of well-learned fans. In the case of both TS and PQ, the position or player in question will be given a base value. The base value is intended as an "all else equal" snapshot that does not take outside factors into consideration. I.E. a players base PQ rating is given purely on his talent and potential alone, and does not weigh his injury history or behavioral concerns.

In the next section, I will introduce the TS rating, and provide some values relevant to our team.

Part I: The TS rating

The TS rating is all about assigning a numeric value to our teams depth chart on a positional basis. The scale is from 1-10 with 1 representing the lowest need and 10 representing a dire need. There are also a couple key terms I should clarify.

Viable starter- Someone you are fully comfortable carrying the load at a position
Serviceable starter – Someone you are comfortable carrying the load until better talent can be acquired
Injury/time issues - Injury issues in play, or old age is in play

10 - No viable or serviceable starter and no legitimate or serviceable future starter
9 – No viable or serviceable starter and serviceable future starter
8 – Serviceable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate or serviceable future starter
7 – Viable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate or serviceable future starter
6 – Serviceable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate future starter, but serviceable future starter exists
5 – Viable starter with injury/time issues and future viable starter exists
4 – Serviceable starter with no legitimate future starter
3 – Serviceable starter with legitimate future starter
2 - Viable starter with serviceable depth
1 – Viable starter with legitimate depth

The above chart represent the BASE TS rating, which will from this point forward be abbreviated as BTS. Below, I will introduce some modifiers, which can either strengthen or weaken a teams BTS.

Schematic Importance Modifier (SIM)

Based on the scheme a team runs, a particular position might be either more or less important than another. Also, just by nature, some positions are not as important as others. For instance, it is far more imperative to have a great QB than a great Punter. This should always influence a draft, and in reality, we see this each year as QBs, LTs, and DTs fly off the board before anyone else. As far as the Panthers are concerned, here is the breakdown. Remember, this is NOT based on need, it is based on a positions importance to the offense/defense.

+2 for Quarterbacks and Left Tackles: Nothing is more important to the Panthers, and the NFL in general, than getting a great QB and protecting his blindside at all costs.
+1 for DTs, CB1, WRs, TEs: Schematically, on defense, McDermott would like to bring exotic blitz packages with players rushing in from all angles. This puts a huge amount of strain on your CBs to hold in man coverage when the blitz is called. Perhaps just as important to the scheme is an NT that can hold the point of attack against the run, and an UT that commands a double against the pass. The interior pressure can make even average DEs and OLBs look great. On offense, the Coryell downplays the run in favor of the deep passing game. This means you need a deep and fast WR core. You also need TEs who can stretch the field and contribute in the run blocking game.

+0 or NO MODIFIER: Any positions not expressly mentioned. These positions have neither an enhanced or lessened value in the scheme.

-1 for G, RT, and SLB: With guards and the draft, it is commonly accepted that they take a back seat to tackles. If you draft a tackle prospect, and he isn't up to that challenge at the NFL level, he simply becomes a guard. Rarely does a team draft a guard very highly. In the Coryell, guards particularly just need to hold their ground for the deep pass instead of being road graders. While the Coryell would like a good pass protecting RT, he doesn't need to be a road grader. In theory, the run will be opened up by the deep pass instead of brute force. Therefore, you can find an RT later in the draft that suits your needs. Your strong side linebacker in a 4-3 is often a 2 down player who might come out on passing downs in favor of a rotational player more focused on the blitz, or the nickel corner.
-2 for PR/KR specialists: Typically, this position, like the OG, is a guy who you draft to be a deep threat WR or RB that ends up falling short of that position in the NFL. However, they show aptitude and ball security on returns, and therefore secure a roster spot.
-3 for P, K, and FB: In general, you can find at least a serviceable starter if not a viable one at this position any time during free agency or even mid-season. In the draft, it takes a truly great prospect to overcome this fact, and they most assuredly won't go early.

So, with modifiers, the formula for team situation is:

TS = BTS + SIM

Or Team Situation Rating equals Base Team Situation plus Schematic Importance Modifier

TS as it pertains to the Panthers

This is where things get a bit subjective, though I will try to keep them as objective as possible. I will give each position a TS rating based on the time of this writing. I'll try to clarify where possible. I welcome comments on this whole system, but particularly as it pertains to this. If there seems to be a conclusion I am off on a measurement, it can be changed. You will be expected to explain yourself.

Quarterback: BTS of 2, SIM of +2, TS = 4

Quarterback is simply not a need for the Panthers. Cam Newton is coming off a record breaking rookie campaign, and Derek Anderson represents veteran depth that is familiar with the scheme. While the offense wouldn't be the exact same with DA under center, it could still maintain its basic attack. Jimmy Clausen is a non-factor at this point as a development project, AE is actually a better fit at the 3rd QB spot and is penciled in there on game day. Drafting one at this point is a luxury.

Running Back: BTS of 1, SIM of 0, TS = 1

Running back is even less of a need than QB. I don't think I need to explain why. We are three deep including our "fullback"

Fullback: BTS of 1, SIM of -3. TS = -2

Fullback is a position in name only in our offense. Mike Tolbert is the "one true fullback" on the roster. TE's help play the role as H-backs. Therefore, you have a viable starter and depth at a position of little schematic importance.

Wide Receiver: BTS of 5, SIM of +1, TS = 6

This is where the fun and controversy begins. In Steve Smith we have a superstar starter that is about to enter the twilight of his career. We have a slew of young WRs with varying degrees of promise behind him. We cannot definitively call any of them a legit #1 yet, but we see enough there that we would be foolish to make wholesale changes. Therefore we have a Viable starter with injury/time issues and a force of servicable to viable starters behind him. That gives us the BTS of 5.

Tight End: BTS of 2, SIM of +1, TS = 3

Olsen is a stalwart and young starter, who is only scratching his role in the offense. He will be our entrenched starter for years to come. Behind him we are a bit unproven with the departure of Shockey (or at least, the current non-resigning). Barnidge is the expected #2 and the coaches are high on him. We will probably also see Tolbert play this role to an extent and there is still a chance we re-sign Shockey.

Left Tackle: BTS of 4, SIM of +2, TS = 6

Left Tackle presents a unique situation when it comes to BTS. We have a very strong viable starter in Jordan Gross who is in a bit of decline. I have full reason to believe he will be a serviceable starter for quite awhile longer, but we should look to find his replacement quite soon. Right now that person is not on the roster, at least we cannot count on it, as our depth is fairly untested. Since I think he probably has some time left (more so than Smitty), and doesn't have an heir apparent, I have rated the position a 4, even though he is more viable than just serviceable right now.

Guard: BTS of 6, SIM of -1, TS = 5

At Guard, with the departure of Wharton we no longer have a good viable starter at either guard spot. We need a talent upgrade at the position. However, we do have a couple guys who can get us by. Hangartner and Bell will probably start at the Guard positions (FWIW, Bell is now officially listed as a guard on the panthers roster) and I think that makes a decent starting pair. We have some jack of all trades guys backing them up. No one spectacular.

Center: BTS of 2, SIM of 0, TS = 2

Kalil is as good a center as it gets. He is also young and well under contract. Should injury befall him, Hangartner can slide in and be serviceable.

Right Tackle: BTS of 5, SIM of -1, TS = 4

If Jeff Otah weren't Jeff Otah, this position would be a 1. But, with Otah, you worry about injuries. Last year we got hit hard on the right side with Otah and Garry Williams both going down to injury. That thrust Byron Bell into the starting role. While he was okay for a UDFA, he proved he is probably a guard at the next level. I think Williams is a great backup at RT, and provided Otah is healthy we are in good shape. But... it would not hurt us to find a talent upgrade.

Defensive Tackle: BTS of 8, SIM of +1, TS = 9

DT is a logjam of mediocrity right now. Ron Edwards is a serviceable starter, we think. Same boat with Neblett. Our two rookies, Fua and McClain remain unknown quantities, but their showing last season was not encouraging. Shirley was a bright spot, but again, not an amazing talent. Therefore, at best we are a BTS 6, and at worst we are BTS 8. In this situation, I'm leaning worse. I think this is our greatest need.

Defensive End: BTS of 2, SIM of 0, TS = 2

Charles Johnson is a star, but behind him we are mediocre but promising. Hardy, Applewhite, and Keiser all had flashes of brilliance last season. I think with an improved interior pass rush, we will see CJ break free more often and Hardy get to the passer earlier. I know some will disagree with me here, but I think our pass rushing woes start inside, not out.

Middle Linebacker: BTS of 7, SIM of 0, TS = 7

Jon Beason is the heart and soul of this defense, and is a star. But right now he is a star coming off an achilles injury. Connor is no longer with the team. We need to treat this situation for what is is, which is a MLB with an injury issue, who doesn't really have anyone behind him. While i don't consider Beason injury prone, I also didn't consider TD that way after his first ACL tear either. Therefore, we need to shore up behind him, just in case he isn't 100%.

Will Linebacker: BTS of 2, SIM of 0, TS = 2

This assumes that Anderson moves back to the Will this season. Unlike in the middle, we have strong depth at OLB, highlighted by the Senn-master's emergence last season and some solid looks at Jason Williams.

SAM Linebacker: BTS of 5, SIM of -1, TS of 4

Thomas Davis is awesome. I think we all know that. But at this point him and Otah share a fate. If you aren't on the field, we have to look past you. Luckily, Jordan Senn asserted himself last season as a capable fill in. We still should probably explore a late round upgrade.

Cornerback #1: BTS of 2, SIM of +1, TS of 3

Cornerback is complicated, because while CB1 and CB2 need to be treated as 2 separate positions, they share depth. Gamble is a great starter. Hogan might be a great starter someday too. Gamble is not injury prone, therefore we are looking good there.

Cornerback #2: BTS of 9, SIM of 0, TS of 9

Munnerlyn was one of the worst corners in the league last year. This year, we hope Hogan will be better, but we clearly need more weapons at this position. Getting a legit corner across from Gamble should be a top priority.

Safety: BTS of 2, SIM of 0, TS of 2

Safety has been addressed in free agency quite well with the additions of Nakamura and Smith. Godfrey is a viable, if not spectacular starter. The cream will rise to the top between Martin and our new safety acquisitions.

Punter: BTS of 10, SIM of -3, TS of 7

No Punter currently on the roster. This looks like something the Panthers will probably address in the draft at a good value, or as a free agent afterward.

Kicker: BTS of 4, SIM of -3, TS of 1

While we would probably all like an upgrade to Mare, the fact is he is under contract and is at least serviceable. He missed some bad kicks, but all kickers do that. The timing just really sucked. Unless someone comes available, or an extreme value shows up in the draft, I expect we'll see another year of O'Mare.

Stay tuned for Part II in the coming week Panther fans!

Looks like Cam already has a bronze statue outside of one stadium after this past weekend. How...

Tater596 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 12:56:03 -0000

Looks like Cam already has a bronze statue outside of one stadium after this past weekend. How insane would it be to have a statue of yourself erected next to legends like Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan at such a young age? Something tells me this won't be his last time in bronze.

The Cat Box: A pile of news so fresh, you'll need to throw sand on it!

Tater596 — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 03:28:12 -0000

Hello Panther fans, and welcome to "The Cat Box" your pre-draft round up of panther news, notes, and nonsense. We have a lot to cover this week, so grab your coffee, stretch your comment fingers, and prepare for another panther propaganda post predicting picks, players, postulation, and parody. As usual, all blue links are super duper important, and you should not miss clicking on ANY of them. But be warned, certain bosses may not approve if you work at lame companies.

First up, we have a mock draft from our local draft guru (pictured below), the guy who sits at the bar near me during my lunch break staring at Sportscenter and commenting aloud about everything the anchors say:

His first pick is a pure upside pick, not really Hurney's style, but it's nice to hear some fresh insight on what the Panthers should do with the 9th overall selection:

9) Carolina Panthers- Grayson Jerricho, QB, Southern Guilford HS

Ben's (I call him Ben) Analysis: You's guys need to get you a REAL quarterback. Scam Newton is gonna stab you in da back and leave after his rookie contract. I think you's guys should strike while the iron is hot on this kid, i seen him last friday night while I was hanging out under the bleachers at the southern high school football game. Got a rocket arm. Girlfriend is attractive too. Clearly a born leader. GO ahead and draft him now, so someone can't get him in 4 years!

After he finished explaining the pick, I asked him if you could actually DO that. He claims that his brother has a cousin with a best friend that works on the NFL rules committee, and he says it's totally cool with them. But since this guy clearly has his finger on the pulse of the team and the NFL in general, I had no choice but to take his word for it. He just sounded so confident.

See his 2nd round pick... After the jump...

His first pick is a pure upside pick, not really Hurney's style, but it's nice to hear some fresh insight on what the Panthers should do with the 9th overall selection:

9) Carolina Panthers- Grayson Jerricho, QB, Southern Guilford HS

Ben's (I call him Ben) Analysis: You's guys need to get you a REAL quarterback. Scam Newton is gonna stab you in da back and leave after his rookie contract. I think you's guys should strike while the iron is hot on this kid, i seen him last friday night while I was hanging out under the bleachers at the southern high school football game. Got a rocket arm. Girlfriend is attractive too. Clearly a born leader. GO ahead and draft him now, so someone can't get him in 4 years!

See his 2nd round pick... After the jump...

Ben seemed to agree with me that since the Panthers were taking such a high upside risk in the first round, that we should probably go for more of a sure thing in the 2nd. With that in mind, this was his selection...

40) Carolina Panthers- Austin Rivers, G\K, Duke

Ben's Analysis- What you guys are lacking, is a solid guard along your front line. While this guy may have fallen in the draft due to character concerns, he has the confidence that he can do anything and make any play. He never passes (sic, I think he meant "he never let's anyone pass... what a great pass blocker!") and is more than willing to be "the guy." With his pedigree, the prestige of the program he is coming from, and his ability to hit the 3, you guys can't pass on this guy in the 2nd!

Wow, I really didn't know much about this kid before... but a guard with that kind of pass blocking ability seems like a steal. Not to mention, he is apparently REALLY good at field goals too! By letting him pull double duty at guard and kicker, we can cut O'Mare and save a roster spot for a guy who really deserves it, like Seji Alphabet Soup.

I wanted to hear more draft analysis from Ben, but he had to go, something about working the Holiday Inn. Guy really takes his job seriously, he was dressed up in full custodial clothing. I can only assume to innocuously gain information during important NFL meetings while pretending to sweep the floor.

Moving on to free agent news, this is an acquisition from a division rival that the Panthers should really look into. We need a veteran presence on the team at this position, and a stopgap like this could really put us over the top until we have more cap space for younger talent. Beleagured Saints GM Mickel Loomis had this to say about the release via conference call:

"Never relinquishes the football, no matter how many are thrown in there. We are really sad to part ways with this valuable member of our team, but in the wake of the bounty scandal we just couldn't come to terms on another season together."

We are speaking of course of...

Probably will play for the veteran minimum just to get out of New Orleans, surely a steal for us, here is the craigslist link with details:

LQQK! VERY NICE QB TARGET NET! DREW BREES USED IT! ONE OF A KIND! $120 obo.

I figure anyone who caught passes from Brees is probably a good play for the Panthers. His experience will prove invaluable for Cam Newton, especially in practice. Not to mention the reliable red zone target he will be. Look at the incredible size! You can't coach that.

Finally, some movement in the front office that is worth noting.

"We need some more help on the back end. We are a little softer than you would like to be at this point back there. Sometimes you need a bit more grit to get things done."

-- @DaNewRivERA

"Ron and I have had a conversation about it, and we think the old stuff just isn't getting it done. Should see a change next season."

-- @ForRealzdisizHurney

I saw this quote on Twitter, no one else posted it so I figured it needed some attention. Hurney and Rivera appear to be hinting that we need to get a bit tougher in the secondary. I couldn't agree more. We really stunk back there last season, and any change would really help us wipe the floor with our opponents. They even went so far as to say who they want to replace, and who they are replacing it with:

Want to replace:

With...

So there you have it Panther fans! This pretty much wraps up all the pre-draft news and notes. This is Tater596, signing off. GO PANTHERS!

Getting to know Greg Olsen a bit better

Tater596 — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:59:34 -0000

Getting to know Greg Olsen a bit better

This is a very good article posted by the Charlotte Observer that provides a quick look into Olsen's life growing up. The article mainly focuses on his mother's battle with breast cancer, and the foundation he has set up in her honor. The article also talks a bit about his expectations for next season, and his opinion on the Saints bounty scandal. Olsen is a guy we don't know much about, but he promises to be a key part of our offense for years to come.

Educate yo'self... Panther fans.

Not sure if this has been posted before... but I found this today while searching some SuperCam...

Tater596 — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 17:54:57 -0000

Not sure if this has been posted before... but I found this today while searching some SuperCam images.

JAGs Gym: My Day at the Combine

Tater596 — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 13:44:06 -0000

Measurables. Measurables. Measurables. It's all about measurables. Or at least that is what the NFL draft hype machine wants you to believe this week while the NFL combine is broadcasting. They would have prospects live and die by a spreadsheet. Game film be damned! He was 2 tenths of a second slower in the 40 yard dash then we thought he would be! His wingspan is 2 inches shorter than ideal! He is just to tall for his position! SELL SELL SELL!!!!

Well, all this talk about measurables, and what numbers mean to future NFL success inspired me yesterday to put myself through the combine yesterday at the gym. I tested myself in the 40 yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, and bench press to see how I would compare against current and past NFL prospects. I also put myself to the tape measure and scale to get my height, weight, wingspan, and leg length.

Let me go ahead and get this out of the way early... I AM NOT, AND WILL NEVER BE, A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. I have received no professional training in any way. You can see me looking svelte in my official Maake Kemoeatu practice jersey to the left. Yes, that was the jersey that Maake wore to practice while he was here, and while it was pretty snug on him, it is also pretty snug on me. While I have worked out 3-4 times a week for the past 2 years, I also flat out love food. A lifetime of southern cooking and Lexington barbecue have left me in my current condition, so to say I am "not in playing condition" would be putting it kindly.

That is what this article is all about. How does your average, out of shape, couch monkey football fan stack up against the prospects he so readily judges? How much do numbers really mean? Get ready to see the hilarious truth....

AFTER THE JUMP...

Weigh-in Day

Prospect Name: Erik S.
School: Appalachian State
Height: 6'4"
Weight: 347 lbs.
Arm length: 38"
Leg length: 32"

Scouting Analysis: Erik possesses ideal size for a lineman at the next level. His shorter legs will provide a lower center of gravity, and longer arms will allow him to keep linemen on either side of the ball at bay.

Injury Status: Currently Healthy. One year removed from broken left fibula. Will not participate in shuttle drills as a result.

Projected NFL Positions: OT, OG, DT

40 yard dash

Testing: With the gracious help of an idle Rush employee and a stopwatch, we recorded my 40 time. Due to not having a field with yardage markings, we had to test on an approximate distance inside the gym. I ran the length of the basketball court which is 90 feet, plus what we measured out to be approximately 30 feet. The problem is, there is not ample slow down room at the end, meaning I had to pull up earlier than the finish line. To compensate for this, I have taken off a half second on the time.

Goal: Being realistic, the agility stuff will be my weakest area. Although I do workout, I am overweight and don't train very hard to make myself faster. Therefore, my goal was to beat Terrance Cody's 40 time of 5.71, which I think is a stretch.

Actual Time: 6.8 seconds, with the half second deduction 6.3 seconds.

Analysis: I am slow. It takes a lot to get my body going, and a lack of any agility training makes it difficult to obtain a decent top speed. Unfortunately, this puts me at worse than Rich Eisen's 40 time in a suit (he ran a 6.18).

Combine Rank: Dead Last

Broad Jump

Testing: Stand at the end of a tape measure, jump as far as I can and see where my heels land without losing balance.

Goal: Realistically, my lower body strength is pretty good. However, I have not practiced for this test at all, so my technique will probably render a worse result than what I am possibly capable of. Terrance Cody recorded a 90" Broad jump, which I hope I can match or beat.

Actual Jump: 1st att... Foul, did not keep balance on landing. 2nd att... Foul, fell forward trying to keep balance on landing. 3rd att... 82"

Analysis: I was pretty pleased with this showing. Once I stopped tripping over myself and got the hang of the technique, I was able to net a decent jump by my standards... but by combine standards...

Combine Rank: Dead Last

Vertical Jump

Testing: Without one of those vertical jump testers, this will be an approximation using an observer and a standard 10 foot basketball hoop. In the pros, they measure your height to the tip of your fingers standing up. In my case, we figured out where my arm was at the top of my head, then measured from that point to the top of my fingers, and added it to my base height of 76". Above the top of my head, my arm was an additional 19" for a total of 95" (7'11")

Goal: White men can't jump. Out of shape and overweight white men really can't jump. I know I can't touch the rim going in, we'll see what the observer says. This years worst combine vertical was 22" by Quentin Saulsberry out of Mississippi State.

Actual Jump: I took a few cracks at it, and got to about the same point every time. I was able to touch the net at about the point here the weaving becomes larger holes from smaller ones. which is about 4 inches below the rim, as a rough estimate. Subtract 4 inches from 10 feet (120") and you get 116". 116 - 95 = 21" vertical

Analysis: Soooooo close to getting on the board. Just 1 inch shy of a tie with the worst combine performer, a black guy no less! Ah... i thought I was finally going to get up there.

Combine Rank: Dead Last.... barely.

Bench Press

Testing: No guess work here. I grabbed a spotter and he kept count of how many reps I can do with 225 lbs on the bar. To warm up my arms, I did 10 push ups a couple minutes prior. I maintained proper bench technique, bringing the weight down until my arms were at a 90 degree angle then raising it back up. I can't stand to watch people bounce the bar off their chest. It damages your joints and robs you of a good workout.

Goal: Finally, an area where I know I can compete. While I have never tested myself in this manner, I know I have a max bench as of a month ago of 425 lbs. On top of that, when training, I always do a "burnout set" after I finish my regular repetitions where I put 225 on there and do as many reps as possible. I usually get 15 or so with tired arms. This test will be on fresh arms, so I hoped for 22.

Actual Bench: 28 reps!

Analysis: I did better then I ever could have imagined! It was not difficult until about 20 reps, at which point it became a struggle. By 24 reps my arms felt like Jello. At 26 it felt like the weight was just floating up. Between 28 and 29 my arms gave out completely and my spotter pulled the weight back up. I expected to do well in this test, as strength training is usually the focus of my gym time. In other words, if you put in the work, you can expect to see dividends.

Combine Rank: Tied 39th place overall out of 323 prospects.

Final Scouting Report

While Erik possesses the ideal build of an NFL caliber lineman, he simply does not possess the lateral speed to play OT or even OG. His best NFL position would be a block eating NT, where he can put his hand in the dirt and use his above average power to disrupt running lanes, and open up plays for the linebackers. He projects likely as a 2-down lineman that would likely need to come out for a breather on 3rd downs. In short... why is this guy here? He has no shot at being drafted, and probably shouldn't clear his schedule after the draft to wait by the phone.

Final Grade: UDFA

Poll

How do you feel about the combine?

You can't judge a player by numbers on a page, let the tape do the talking!

22 votes

Game tape is important, but there is a place for raw data in evaluating prospects.

67 votes

The data collected at the combine is the best indicator of NFL potential.

0 votes

Screw this poll, bring this Panther fan in for a private workout!

67 votes

156 votes | Poll has closed

Hogan to be active against the Texans

Tater596 — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 18:17:37 -0000

Hogan to be active against the Texans

With CB Darius Butler out (concussion) against Houston, rookie Brandon Hogan will be active for the first time, Ron Rivera says.

Re-Tweeted by Joe Person

Captain Munnerlyn fined $5000 for having too much blue in his shoes

Tater596 — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:57:38 -0000

Captain Munnerlyn fined $5000 for having too much blue in his shoes

@josephperson Joe Person
Panthers CB Captain Munnerlyn fined $5,000 for having too much blue in his shoes vs. Detroit. Plans to appeal.

OT: Who is watching the "Carrier Classic" basketball game tonight between UNC and MSU?

Tater596 — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:16:09 -0000

via l2.yimg.com

Tonight, UNC and MSU will face off on the flight deck of the U.S.S. Carl Vinson in what is coming to be known as the "Carrier Classic." I don't know about anyone else, but I think this is the coolest thing ever done in college basketball, and possibly in sports history. What a great way to honor our troops on Veteran's Day. This should be a really great game tonight between two teams with the utmost respect for each other, and a history of meeting each other in the NCAA tournament.

There is a complete photo gallery here with some really great pictures of the setup and the teams getting used to playing outdoors. Both coaches seem absolutely tickled by the opportunity to play in the unique setting, and who can blame them? This is college basketball history in the making. 7,000 military service men and women will be in attendance, as well as President Obama.

I think the edge here clearly goes to UNC for several reasons. They have the best front-court in college basketball, the better talent, and their heavy focus on inside shooting and fast breaks will give them the edge with the possibility of gusty winds in play. MSU is no slouch however, as they bring a physical team that is always willing to fight for the ball, and a coach who is one of the best in the game in Tom Izzo.

I give the edge to UNC 62-51 in a low scoring affair, as both teams shake off the rust and meet a little resistance from the outdoor conditions.

So what do you think Panther fans? Will you be watching tonight? Tip-off is at 7pm, and it is a national broadcast. Who you got?

via l2.yimg.com

I give the edge to UNC 62-51 in a low scoring affair, as both teams shake off the rust and meet a little resistance from the outdoor conditions.

So what do you think Panther fans? Will you be watching tonight? Tip-off is at 7pm, and it is a national broadcast. Who you got?

Poll

Why are you watching tonight?

I'm watching as a UNC fan, go Heels!

38 votes

I'm watching as an MSU fan, go Spartans!

0 votes

I'm watching as an ABC fan (anybody but Carolina), go Spartans!

5 votes

I'm watching because it is a unique event in sports history.

8 votes

I'm not watching.

3 votes

I'm not watching, because I am playing Skyrim.

3 votes

57 votes | Poll has closed

The Importance of Personal Conduct in Sports

Tater596 — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:18:38 -0000

With the Penn State scandal all over the news, the release of Albert Haynesworth from the Patriots, and the dismissal of Carolina LB Lawrence Wilson for a Marijuana related incident, the conduct of players, coaches, and administrators in sports is being brought to the forefront of our minds. While many people are divided on the handling of these issues, one thing is certain, you are better off keeping your nose clean than having cameras and microphones pointed at you demanding answers.

But how deep do the issues stemming from poor personal conduct run? Who is affected? In the long term, is it more important to be talented than behaved? There are plenty of examples to point to, and I will go in depth to see just how much effect conduct has on sports...

after the jump...

The effect on the guilty party

We'll start by looking into the person affected most by poor actions, and that is of course the person themselves.

The most obvious ramifications for the offender are financial. If an employer can't count on you to perform your assigned task at the assigned time, you become very worthless and very quickly. It doesn't really matter how well you do your job "when you show up" if you aren't out there at all. Even worse, if you show up, and serve as a constant distraction that is counter productive to an organizations goals, it would almost be better if you didn't come out at all. With current media saturation at an all time high, even the slightest slip ups can cause a frenzy. These actions distract the entire organization from the top down. How do you expect to field your best product when you are constantly being questioned about your thoughts on the actions of someone else on your team? The only way that organizations can counter the effects of personal misconduct is by making you less of a liability in case your screw up so badly that they are forced to cut ties with you or spend significant amounts of time and money in damage control mode.

Perhaps even more important is a person's legacy.

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example."

- Benjamin Disraeli

I'm going to throw some names out there, and remember what first comes to your mind.

O.J. Simpson, Pete Rose, Mike Tyson, Barry Bonds, John Daly, Ray Lewis, Tiger Woods

I'm going to go ahead and guess that your answers weren't:

Legendary running back, Hall of Famer, first person to ever rush for 2,000 yards in a season
Greatest hitter of all time, innumerable amount of MLB records, one of the best defenders of all time
Legendary boxer, World Heavyweight Champion, possible greatest KO boxer of all time
7 time MVP, 8 time Golden Glove, greatest slugger of all time
Greatest power hitter of all time, 1991 ROTY and PGA Champion
12 time Pro Bowler, 2 time DPOY, Super Bowl Champion and MVP
14 time major winner, 10 time POTY, 9 time leading money winner, 9 time Byron Nelson award winner

It is far more likely that you answered murderer, compulsive gambler, rapist, cheater, drunkard, murderer, and adulterer. This really says all that needs to be said about how important it is to stay clean in sports. No matter your accomplishments or talent, you will be remembered for who you were and what you did rather than who you could have been.

The effect on the organization and the fans

The effects of poor conduct are not just limited to the person in question, but rather to everyone connected to them.

Sports organizations put a lot of trust into the hands of their administrators, players, and coaches to do the right thing. When they don't, there are far reaching consequences. The actions of the few have resulted in severe repercussions such as vacated wins and championships, stunting the growth of a franchise, affecting perception and team morale, and alienating a fan base. Some recent examples:

USC and Reggie Bush - After it was determined that Bush received improper benefits while at USC, USC was forced to vacate the last two wins of the 2004 season (including the Orange Bowl win) and all victories in 2005. Additionally, the university loses 30 scholarships over 3 years, and is banned from postseason play in 2010 and 2011.
Washington Redskins and Albert Haynesworth- Haynesworth came into Washington with plenty of character issues stemming from his head stomping incident in Tennessee, but the Redskins deemed him worth the risk and signed him to a 7 year, $100m contract. Haynesworth proceeded to play very poorly, serve as a constant distraction, and in general cause locker room problems. Safe to say that Haynesworths large contract during his time affected Washington's ability to field a good team, and they have yet to recover.
UNC, Marvin Austin and co. - After finding numberous benefit and academic violations in the football program, 13 players are suspended costing UNC it's best chance at a national title in it's history. Additionally, the academic reputation of the university is forever tarnished.
New England Patriots and Bill Belichick - The infamous "spygate" scandal which found that a Patriots equipment manager had been illegally taping opposing teams defensive signals and practices. While two examples were proven, it is unknown exactly how long this activity had been taking place. Belichick was fined $500,000 dollars, and the Patriots may never escape their "Cheatriots" moniker because of it.
Major League baseball and "The Steroid Era" - Baseball was truly in it's prime in the 1990s. Attendance was at an all time high, and fans were more raucous and passionate than ever. Records were falling left and right as the games greats were seemingly playing at another level. Later, the Mitchell report brought all that glory down into the cellar, with a list of names featuring prominent players who had used PEDs. The game and its image still has yet to recover, and has had a far reaching effect on all sports at all levels.
The developing scandal at Penn State involving former Defensive Coordinator Jerry Sandusky, that has already caused the arrest of two administrators, the retirement of legendary coach Joe Paterno as of the end of the season, and most importantly their negligence has led to the harm of an unknown amount of young boys due to Sandusky's sexual crimes. The effects on the University and program are currently unknown, but are sure to be far reaching.

I could go on with many many more bullet points about all the things that have happened due to the selfish actions of the few, and that is what is sad about all of this. There are so many examples of players, coaches, teams, entire schools, or even entire sports falling victim to scandals of all levels. No team wants to be the focus of it, no player wants to be wrapped up in it, and no fan wants to cheer for a team known for it. Yet despite all of this, individuals will continue to misbehave, organizations will continue to cover for them, and fans will continue to accept players with obvious character issues in the name of "giving them a better chance to win."

In the end...

Who really has the best chance to win? The team that runs a tight ship, keeps their roster full of good natured players, and immediately takes action on those who break from that mold... or the team that values talent over character, fills their roster with troubled individuals, and plays russian roulette with their future? Let the tales told above be a constant lesson and warning to fans and organizations who want to trade their teams souls for some short term success. For every story of redemption where a troubled player finds new life and a new attitude, there are three stories where it's the same old crap on a different day. The whole point of this article was to find just how important personal conduct is to sports, but now it is probably more prudent to ask "What could possibly be more important?"

Detroit Lions claim SS Chris Harris off of waviers

Tater596 — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 20:25:21 -0000

Detroit Lions claim SS Chris Harris off of waviers

@JasonLaConfora Lions claim former Bears S Chris Harris on waivers.

Well, so much for the Hitman back in the QC.

The Draft Value Index: Drafting by the numbers

Tater596 — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:52:31 -0000

This is something I started working on during the offseason, but was never compelled to finish it. But now, with our list of needs in next years draft getting longer by the minute, it seems like a valuable tool that we could use. With Thomas Davis and Jeff Otah's future both very uncertain, we have positions that went very quickly from strengths to weaknesses that we might need to address in the draft. But what is our MOST necessary area of need? I have developed a simple system to decide.

I will warn you all that it is a bit subjective, as just about everyone will have a different opinion of the quality of a player we have, and even more so about the quality of player available in the draft. This system is designed to be a general guide of where we should look in a balance of need vs. BPA.

Have a look at the system... After the jump.

As alluded to a moment ago, the draft is all about balancing need versus best player available. This Draft Value Index system (DVI) will attempt to balance need against what is available, and answer when it is appropriate to postpone immediate success for the good of the team, or when you should look to the present rather than the future.

The system provides a point value to the situation of a team at a position from 10 to 1. 10 being the MOST dire and 1 being no worries. It then goes on to provide a point value to a draftable player from 10 to 1, 10 being the best in the draft and 1 being unproven questionable talent.

To compute the DVI of a position, you simply add the two numbers together.

Let me go ahead and show you the metrics...

Draft Value Index (DVI)

Team Situation at position (TS)

10 - No viable or serviceable starter and no legitimate or serviceable future starter
9 – No viable or serviceable starter and serviceable future starter
8 – Serviceable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate or servicable future starter
7 – Viable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate or servicable future starter
6 – Serviceable starter with injury/time issues and no legitimate future starter, but servicable future starter exists
5 – Viable starter with injury/time issues and future viable starter exists
4 – Serviceable starter with no legitimate future starter
3 – Serviceable starter with legitimate future starter
2 - Viable starter with serviceable depth
1 – Viable starter with legitimate depth

Projected Player Quality (PQ)

10 – Once in a generation player, immediate viable starter, future HOF’er
9 – Special talent, proven college track record, immediate viable starter, future Pro Bowler
8 – Above Average talent, proven college track record, immediate viable starter
7 – Special talent, unproven college track record, immediate serviceable starter, future viable starter
6 – Above Average talent, unproven college track record, immediate serviceable starter, future viable starter
5 – Average talent, proven college track record, immediate and future serviceable starter
4 – Average talent, unproven college track record, future serviceable starter
3 – Developmental talent, proven college track record at position, future viable starter
2 – Developmental talent, proven college track record at other position, future viable starter
1 – Developmental talent, unproven college track record, future serviceable starter

A couple of key terms:

Viable starter- Someone you are fully comfortable carrying the load at a position
Serviceable starter – Someone you are comfortable carrying the load until better talent can be acquired

Now, let's apply the system to the Panthers by looking at our team situation at a position.

QB - We have Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, and Jimmy Clausen/Armanti Edwards. Cam Newton has already proven himself a viable starter, and Derek Anderson is a serviceable backup. Jimmy has proven unserviceable, and Armanti is unproven. Our TS at the quarterback position is therefore 2 - Viable starter, serviceable depth

RB - DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, and Mike Goodson. Clearly two viable starters, and a servicable starter. This gives us the best possible rating, 1 - Viable starter, viable depth

WR - It gets interesting here. Steve Smith, Legedu Naanee, Brandon LaFell, Armanti Edwards, Kealoha Pilares, David Gettis on IR. Steve Smith is a viable stater, but is approaching the end of his playing life. Depending on your opinion of the guys behind him, we currently don't have a legitimate #1 WR behind him, but we do have plenty of guys who seem at minimum of being #2s. That makes WR a 6

I think you guys get the picture, so from now on I will just list the positions with the greatest need.

WR - 6, OT - 7, G - 4, DT - 9, OLB - 7,

Now to apply these findings a little...

DT is our greatest need. We should draft DT if a player of quality 10-8 exists when we pick, for comparison, Ndamukong Suh has a PQ of 10, we have a TS of 9, that gives Suh a DVI of 19. The reason that we go DT, is that the next greatest need we have is OLB which we should only consider drafting if a player has a DVI of 17 and no DT is higher than 16. If there is a tie, as say the best DT is a 17 and the best linebacker is a 17, the tiebreaker is organization philosophy, which for Carolina is BPA over Need. Therefore, we draft the "Once in a generation linebacker" first over the "Special but unproven talent" at DT.

I hope this makes a modicum of sense, I'll be working to make it more understandable over time.