Let’s Get This Started

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Hello all,

My name is Brian Miller and I will be taking over as the Editor for CatCrave.com. My mission is simple, make this the best Carolina Panther site on the Internet. That won’t be easy because there are some very solid sites out there and we are but one of that fantastic group of fans. That does not mean we won’t try. As the season ticks down to it’s final conclusion and we close the book on this horrible season, we can countdown to two things that will shape and mold the Panthers of 2011 and beyond.

The hiring of a new head coach and the NFL draft. We will talk about Bill Cowher later. For now, let’s look at the draft. Here is our first mock draft of the season.

Here is a Mid-Season Mock Draft to go along with the changes being made with the roster. While the Dolphins still feel they will make the playoffs, it’s always fun to speculate to next April.

Please visit the FanSided Draft sites as well, DCProSports and NFLMocks for more draft data.

1. Carolina – Andrew Luck | QB | Stanford | 6’4” | 235

As of now, the Panthers hold a one game lead on owning the overall pick in Aprils’ draft. Is there any question that the team needs a franchise QB? Well, as “Luck” would have it, this years rookie QB pool boasts one of the most highly touted rookies since Phillip Rivers. Andrew Luck is as close to NFL ready as a rookie can be and seeing the progress made by St. Louis Rams rookie Sam Bradford this year, it’s easy to buy into the hype. Luck will have his up and down games but the truth is the Panthers could reverse this awful season with a simple change at the headmaster position on the field.

Luck is a no-brainer for the first overall pick, but the Panthers still have to play three remaining 2010 season games before the top spot is locked down for good. No team ever walks onto a field playing to lose and the Panthers will not do that. So a watchful eye on the Cincinnati Bengals will be kept as they are only one game better than we are.

2. Cincinnati – AJ Green | WR | Georgia | 6’4” | 208

The Bengals needs are more reaching than WR and a new QB wouldn’t be a bad idea. Carson Palmer has yet to get the job done this season with his aging duo of Terrell Owens and Ocho-Cinco. As the draft draws near there will be a lot of talk surrounding this pick and if in fact Cincy holds on to the number 2 spot, they very well may try and move it. A lot of this could be predicated on the future of the Bengals head coach as well. The team may ship him out in favor of someone new.

3. Detroit – Prince Amukamara | CB | Nebraska | 6’1” | 200

Detroit has some good things going on offense, and need to address the offensive line, but there isn’t anyone worth a top 10 pick. Amukamara will help improve the defense and give Detroit a solid #1 CB.

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4. Denver –Robert Quinn | DE/OLB | North Carolina | 6’5” | 256

The Broncos have fired their HC, are struggling offensively and defensively, and have as many holes as the air in Mile High is thin. The team seems committed to Kyle Orton, for now, but I don’t think they take a QB here. What they really need is a bone crushing DE who can make plays and that is exactly what NC product Quinn can deliver. Too many injuries on the line for Denver decimated their season early. Keep an eye on Quinn, his ineligible status for 2010 could make teams shy away from early and he could drop.

5: Buffalo – Jake Locker | QB | Washington | 6’3” | 230

The Bills need defensive help and Quinn could be a pick here or Marcell Dareus out of Alabama, but they really need a QB as Ryan Fitzpatrick simply isn’t the answer long term. Another bottom feeding season for the Bills could put this team in a new market in 2012. Yes, it’s that bad. Locker may not be the number 2 QB in this years market but he could fit in with the Bills system a little better than Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett.

6. Dallas – Patrick Peterson | CB | LSU | 6’1” | 222

The Cowboys have an offense, Jason Garrett is coaching well enough to likely be retained as the next HC (Jerry Jones loves this guy) which leaves the defense as their problem child. Jones will try hard to move this pick and gain more selections on day 2. He very well may succeed. If not, the one position they really need is CB and if Peterson can make an impact as a rookie.

7. San Francisco – Ryan Mallet | QB | Arkansas | 6’7” | 238

Does anyone think that the 49′ers don’t have a QB problem? Another team on the verge of looking for a new HC. Mallet will be a reach but honestly, the 49′ers can’t really wait and what’s a reach if not Alex Smith?

8. Cleveland –Marcell Dareus | DE/DT | Alabama | 6’3” | 305

Cleveland is quietly putting a competitive team together, but they must improve on the defense and put pressure on the QB. In my opinion Quinn is the best player in this draft. He could still be the top pick, but since he was suspended for the year there will be character concerns. Cleveland will jump all over Quinn in this spot.

9: Minnesota Vikings | Daquan Bowers | DE | Clemson

10. San Diego – Johnathan Baldwin | WR | Pittsburgh | 6’5” | 225

11. Arizona – Ryan Kerrigan | DE/OLB | Purdue | 6’4” | 263

12. New England – Mark Ingram | RB | Alabama | 5’10” | 215

13. Jacksonville – Da’Quan Bowers | DE | Clemson | 6’4” | 280

14. St Louis – Michael Floyd | WR | ND | 6’3” | 220

15. Washington – Christian Ponder | QB | FSU | 6’3” | 218

16. Miami – Deunta Williams | FS | North Carolina | 6’1” | 205

17. Chicago – Anthony Costanzo | OT | Boston College | 6’7” | 295

18. Philadelphia – Ras-I Dowling | CB | Virginia | 6’2” | 200

19. Seattle – Aaron Williams | CB | Texas | 6’1” | 190

20. Tennessee – Travis Lewis | OLB | Oklahoma | 6’2” | 235

21. Green Bay – Ryan Williams | RB | Virginia Tech | 5’10” | 205

22. New Orleans – Adrian Clayborn | DE | Iowa | 6’3” | 282

23. Indianapolis – Allen Bailey | DL | Miami | 6’4” | 288

24. Houston – Julio Jones | WR | Alabama | 6’4” | 210

25. Pittsburgh – Joseph Barksdale | OT | LSU | 6’5” | 315

26. Baltimore – Derek Sherrod | OT | Mississippi State | 6’6” | 305

27. Tampa Bay – Bruce Carter | OLB | North Carolina | 6’3” | 230

28. Kansas City – Von Miller | DE/OLB | Texas A&M | 6’2” | 240

29. Atlanta – Jeremy Beal | DE | Oklahoma | 6’3” | 261

30: NY Jets – Akeem Ayers | DE/OLB | UCLA | 6’4” | 252

31. NY Giants – Nick Farley | DT | Auburn | 6’4” | 296

32. New England – Cameron Heyward | DE/OLB | 6’4” | 288

PLEASE NOTE: Most of these slots will change weekly. This draft was prepped prior to the week 14 regular season weekend.

Topics: Carolina Panthers, NFL Draft

jay

Do we really need to daft a QB? I do believe in matt Moore. Drafting a QB will take time. Now if we Daft a DE or DT that would be better, if you seen the panthers game lately. There is no-pressure on the D-line. We need HELP. And How about we start getting some free agents at WRs or CB
Brian Miller

I don’t think a new HC will come in and want to wait for Moore. The reality is that Moore is not that much more along than a rookie would be. In fact, Moore could be that bridge to the rookie. If the Panthers fire Fox, which we all think will happen, then the new HC is not going to want to hang his future on someone elses signal caller.

Also, a solid DE/DT can be found at the top of round 2 and yes, FA WR’s would be nice.

Damien

I don’t think we need any WR’s, Gettis and LaFell are going to be great, and Smith has a few more good years left. We need a good receiving TE, and obviously Andrew Luck.

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mcap

Looking at our competition in the NFC,there are 3 teams with 3 really good signal callers. 2 of the 3 are very,very young and will be around for years. That means that Carolina needs to get a QB that can do more than just hand off to Dlo or Stew. We need that guy that can throw it deep,the guy that will make opposing defenses respect him. We don’t have that guy now,MM is definitely not and I think Clausen is going to be a bust. There are 2 guys,Luck and Newton who could make an instant impact. I don’t know if Newt is entering the draft or not,but if he is then it would be a very tough choice to go against him and take Luck. He is 6-6 and 260 pounds and can run like a RB.

Our defensive woes can be fixed with a pass rush,plain and simple. There are guys who will be available in the 2nd round that can flat out ball. No need to take a DE with our 1st pick. Our receivers are finally showing promise,and Smitty,if he chooses to stay will play for at least 3 more years. That will mean 3 more years of tips and tricks taught to Brandon and David.