The purpose of this post is to try and theorize what Panther fans can expect from Armanti in his rookie season.  I will look at stats from comparable players to form opinions.

via lloydvance.files.wordpress.com

Comparable players, as I see it:

Antwaan Randle El -

games played = 16

rec = 47 rec yds = 489

avg yds/rec = 10.4

rec TD = 2

rush att = 19

rush yds = 134

rush yd avg = 7.1

pass att = 8

pass comp = 7

comp % = 87.5

pass yds = 45

Josh Cribbs

games played = 14

kick returns = 45

return yds = 1094

avg yds/return = 24.3

TD = 1

Brad Smith

no stats worth noting as a rookie

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I am not sure if anyone has read this already, but I found it quite interesting.  Our old friend Pat Yas wrote this up soon after Pep signed with the Bears.  Some of the key parts imply that he does not consider John Fox a good or top defensive coach, he does not think very highly of the players on the defense (really?  Beason, Davis, Gamble, Hitman, Marshall, Johnson, Brown?), and that he is now willing to be a leader. 

I have said it many times before, but I really do not come close to understanding Pep. I would love to hear/read some thoughts on this.

PS - I know he is no longer a Panther, but it is a slow time in the off-season, I found this very thought provoking and it directly relates to the Panthers.

I just read a short article saying that the Jag's are going to cut Holt on Monday.  We have discussed our need at WR already, but I do not recall anyone mentioning Holt as an option (at the time he was not available).  The rest of this post will be discussed assuming Holt will become a free agent.  More after the jump.

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The Wolfpack men's basketball program has been down the past few years, with sprinklings of hope only to be dashed later by disappointment.  The current team is predicted to struggle this upcoming season, but there is again reason for hope.  More after the jump.

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I was reading the paper this morning and when I was looking at the standings, I realized that we have given up more points, 66, than ALL but two teams in the league.  The worst team, Detroit, has given up 72 points while the next team is Tampa Bay, with 67 points.  We have given up 9 TD's tied for worst, with the Lions.  Now we lose yet another DT for the season.  More stats after the jump. 

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DeAngelo has now missed practice b/c of an injured knee.  Of course Fox has not given much info on the subject.  In the link provided, Charles Chandler says that Fox did not say how the knee was hurt, how severe of an injury it was, or if D-Lo will play against the Ravens.  I am guessing that this is just an excuse to keep him out against a tough, physical, defense when the game does not really matter.  This is pure speculation on my part, and honestly a bit of hopefulness.  I would not mind if D-Lo was held out this game even if he was healthy.  There is no reason to play him, IMO, as he has looked tip top.  Any other opinions?

Well Panther fans lets address the elephant in the room.  We are hit with some serious injuries.  Kemo, Smitty, Beast-on, TD, and Godfrey are all starters to be bit by "the bug."  In John Fox's tenure, the only time's we have not had a winning/playoff season is when we were devastated by injuries.  But, hold on Chicken Little, the sky is not falling yet. 

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First I want to say hey from Panther land and congratulations on the win last season to lock up the NFC.  That was one exciting, yet difficult game to watch.  You guys put up a ludacris amount of rushing yardage against us partly due to the fact that we had injuries and a lack of depth at the DT position.  The other part was due to your great O-line and RB's.  (I expect you to miss Ward, but my boy Dre' Brown will help you to forget him)

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1. WR Dwayne Jarrett extremely disappointed me. While he MAY have improved as a professional in terms of his preparation, he lacks in his speed, quickness and perceived confidence. As a professional Sports Performance Specialist, I have worked with many athletes, both academic and professional.

A) He seems to have NOT worked on his speed at all in the off-season. Jarrett CONSISTENTLY lined up and had a false step coming off the line-of-scrimmage. This is one of the most basic and fundamental things even a high school coach should be able to focus on and improve. He was slow in and out of his cuts. B) I did not see any "fight" for the ball. For example, there was a play in which McCown was pressured and needed to get rid of he ball quick, and Jarrett again slow in his route and cut, THEN did not fight for the ball as it was intercepted and returned for a TD. Practice like you play. C) He also did not show ANY confidence, as he hung his head, barely hustled, and rarely talked to anyone. D) WR Marcus Monk, 6'4" 212lbs, is virtually the same build as Jarrett, 6'4" 219lbs, but Monk is much quicker and more aggressive. Monk, a 7th round draft pick in 2008, overall impressed me much more than Jarrett, a 2nd round pick in 2007. I hope he had just a bad day, but I did go to both morning and afternoon practices', and neither were impressive. I do think he has talent and can be a factor in this league, hopefully it is this season with the Carolina Panthers.

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The following fanpost comes courtesy of Will Parker, long time Panther fan and CSR reader

Julius Peppers has been quite the odd ball when compared to many of the other elite sports stars in this era.  He has always shied away from the spot light, rarely doing interviews and almost never seeking them out.  In a time where TV, radio, and print exposure can bring in a fortune for any star athlete, I do not think I have ever seen one thing that Pep has promoted.  So when his rookie contract finally came to an end and he stated his interest in playing for a NFL team based outside of North Carolina, he was just doing what he normally does, be different.  

More after the jump

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ESPN.com's Mike Sando just wrote an article about the nfl's all decade defensive team.  Even though the 2000-2010 decade is not over yet (my 10 year HS reunion is right around the corner...yikes), he said that he has enough information to already make his judgements.  One of the picks may surprise you.  Its a Panther. 

Below is a list of the top 11 guys of the 21st century.  Well, so far at least. 

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On NFL Live today tuesday May 19th, a list of active Quarter Backs with the highest win percentage with a minimum of 60 starts had Jake Delhomme listed number five.  The list included the following QB's in descending order of win percentage:

1.  Tom Brady = 78.4%

2.  Ben Roethlisberger = 71.8%

3.  Peyton Manning = 66.5%

4.  Donovan McNabb = 64.5%

5.  Jake Delhomme = 61.7%

6.  Eli Manning = 59.2%

** Michael Vick = 57.5%

That is a pretty good list to be a part of people.

I recently heard that Dan Conner had another surgical operation done on his knee.  This time it was done on the other knee, meaning the opposite knee than last years ACL reconstruction.  Hopefully this "heard it through the grape vine" info is fiction or at the least just a scope to "clean up" something.  Has anyone heard of anything, whether he same or different to what I have mentioned? 

I just thought I would share.

This post is written as if the Panthers trade DE Julius Peppers either before or during the 1st round of next months draft.  As an example I will use the Patriots as trade partners getting the 23rd and 34th picks.  I am not suggesting that this (trade) is what will happen.

There are several quality free agents out there who seem to be waiting until after the draft to see which team they want to play for.  The players I think would fit well with us are DE Jason Taylor, WR Torry Holt, CB Dre Bly, and CB Ricky Manning (maybe).  With the cap relief we would get from the Pep trade we could sign some of these players.  Then combine that with a draft of say:

#23 - DE Michael Johnson

#34 - DT "Ziggy" Hood or CB Alphonso Smith

#59 - CB Mike Mickens or DT Ron Brace or DT Fili Moala

#93 - C Antoine Caldwell

#128 - DE Lawrence Sidbury

#163 -best available/depth

#202 - best available/depth

With the addition of DE's Jason Taylor and Michael Johnson they should help give a deeper pass rush rotation when also combined with Brayton, Charles Johnson, D Lewis and rookie DT (Hood or Moala - Brace is more of a run stopper).  The veteran experience of Taylor will also help relieve some of the pressure on the rookies.

This post addresses possibilities of what the Panthers may do with the 2nd round pick if Pep is not traded. 

What will we be looking at as for the draft?  With Pep still at RDE, the main spot of need seems to be DT.  Getting a player to provide solid DT depth and hopefully to help push/collapse the pocket will make our quality DE's even better.  As stated in a previous posting we hold the following picks:

2nd Round - #59

3rd - #93

4th - #124

5th - #155

6th - #189

Most of us have agreed that Raji, Jerry, and Hood will be gone by pick #59.  I like what I hear/read about Ron Brace, Fili Moala, and Dorrell Scott.  You can read a little about them here.  Picking up Brace would keep blockers off the LB's and allow them to run around and make a lot of plays.  Moala has a lot of ability and still has room for growth.  Scott had some very productive seasons ~50 tkls and 4 sacks as a So. and Jr, and he seems like the Panthers "type" of player. 

 

"He is a determined athlete who takes great pride in his leadership role, and is an emotional type who will not make the same mistake twice. Scott is a tireless worker in the training room and practices and takes pride in mentoring younger players."

Sen'Derrick Marks from Auburn scares me.  Although he may be in the same boat as Scott, on an underachieving team and not playing up to expectations.

DE Michael Johnson is also an interesting thought at #59 to groom for Pep's eventual departure, but he will also probably be gone by then.  I would guess that he is gone in the 1st round.