Carolina Panthers Forecast
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina Panthers (11-5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(27) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
(58) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
(88) Jerious Norwood, RB. Mississippi State
(89) Devin Hester, CB. Miami
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina was so close to making another Super Bowl appearance. Ultimately, it was Mo Lewis, an aging, slow, strong-side linebacker who changed those plans. With the help of Michael Boulware over the top, Lewis was ableto out-physical Pro Bowl receiver, Steve Smith, into submission. Should the Panthers have had more weapons on the offensive side of the ball, this strategy could have been exposed. Adding a pass-catching tight end and a running back to replace Steven Davis is a legitimate need for the Panthers. More weapons means less pressure on Steve Smith, and this will translate into more points and more victories for the franchise. Defensively, Will Witherspoon was lost to free agency. It is absolutely urgent that a replacement plan is in effect. Thomas Davis, last year's first round draft pick, is versatile enough to play either safety or linebacker, giving the Panthers flexibility with their first pick.
(27) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
A hip injury to a defensive back is equally troubling as a shoulder injury to a quarterback. Without fluid hips, defensive backs simply can not cover NFL receivers man-to-man. Needless to say, Jason Allen's dislocated hip injury left teams seriously considering his status. Prior to the injury, Allen was easily a first-round pick in this draft. A 6'1"/209 safety with leadership qualities and 4.39 speed can play anywhere and for anyone. Medical exams have said that Allen has regained 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip to this point. This news has moved Jason Allen back into the first-round mix. A speedy ball-hawk in Allen would compliment the physical front seven of the Panthers. Thomas Davis could move to linebacker and fill the big void that Will Withespoon left behind.
(47) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
Passing on elite tight end prospect Mercedes Lewis in round one, the Panthers are better served with the value that will have surfaced in the second round. Anthony Fasano is an extremely consistent player from all facets of the game. He is an excellent weapon in the short and intermediate passing game. He excels as a blocker, giving maximum effort from snap to whistle. This past season, under the pro-style Charlie Weis offense, Fasano was extremely productive. While he has only average tight end speed at 4.71, Fasano has excellent hands to pull down anything within reach. As a big (6'4"/259), strong, high character, productive player, Fasano would be an ideal selection for the Panthers.
(88) Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State
Steven Davis will be missed. It is uncertain whether DeShawn Foster can carry the load all by himself, so bringing in some insurance to stack on top of Nick Goings would be a wise move for the Panthers. Jerious Norwood is a tall, physical running back that had success in the SEC. His 6'0"/210 size is thin at the moment, but upon adding 20 pounds, he will have the same measurements as Steven Davis. Different from Davis, Norwood has 4.40 speed. This allows Norwood to be a game-breaker in addition to a tough inside-the-tackles runner. Norwood also has excellent hands, and uses his size exceptionally well, even at 210. Outside of LenDale White, Jerious Norwood is the perfect second option to replace Steven Davis.
(89) Devin Hester, CB. Miami
Devin Hester is a playmaker. He is so dangerous in the return game that he was rarely ever kicked to in college. Hester's 4.38 speed is considered elite, but he plays even faster than his timed speed on the field. Hester has fluid hips and incredible closing speed in the secondary. He presents value to the defense as a dime back, minimizing the loss of Ricky Manning. On the offensive side of the ball, Hester can line up in the slot and take pressure off of Steve Smith since, like Smith, Hester is a threat to go the distance with every touch of the football. Most of all, Hester will offer the Panthers exceptiona special teams potential, giving them protection for Steve Smith.
(*) LenDale White, RB. USC
The combination of Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster has proven itself to be effective. This type of "Thunder and Lightening" running attack has also been successful in Atlanta with TJ Duckett and Warrick Dunn. LenDale White saw his stock slip substantially after a non-existent Pro Day workout. To this point, he has yet to run a 40 or do any positional drills in front of NFL scouts. If his current workout habits continue, he will need a bra come draft day. Nevertheless, his on the field production suggests that he can step out on to the field and produce. Having a guy like LenDale White available would make the Panthers first round deicision very difficult. A guy of LenDale's stature and athleticism has not come around since Jerome Bettis.
Carolina Panthers (11-5)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
(27) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
(58) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
(88) Jerious Norwood, RB. Mississippi State
(89) Devin Hester, CB. Miami
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Carolina was so close to making another Super Bowl appearance. Ultimately, it was Mo Lewis, an aging, slow, strong-side linebacker who changed those plans. With the help of Michael Boulware over the top, Lewis was ableto out-physical Pro Bowl receiver, Steve Smith, into submission. Should the Panthers have had more weapons on the offensive side of the ball, this strategy could have been exposed. Adding a pass-catching tight end and a running back to replace Steven Davis is a legitimate need for the Panthers. More weapons means less pressure on Steve Smith, and this will translate into more points and more victories for the franchise. Defensively, Will Witherspoon was lost to free agency. It is absolutely urgent that a replacement plan is in effect. Thomas Davis, last year's first round draft pick, is versatile enough to play either safety or linebacker, giving the Panthers flexibility with their first pick.
Jason Allen would allow Thomas Davis to play Linebacker
and fill in for the loss of Will Witherspoon
(27) Jason Allen, S. Tennessee
A hip injury to a defensive back is equally troubling as a shoulder injury to a quarterback. Without fluid hips, defensive backs simply can not cover NFL receivers man-to-man. Needless to say, Jason Allen's dislocated hip injury left teams seriously considering his status. Prior to the injury, Allen was easily a first-round pick in this draft. A 6'1"/209 safety with leadership qualities and 4.39 speed can play anywhere and for anyone. Medical exams have said that Allen has regained 100% mobility and 85% strength in his hip to this point. This news has moved Jason Allen back into the first-round mix. A speedy ball-hawk in Allen would compliment the physical front seven of the Panthers. Thomas Davis could move to linebacker and fill the big void that Will Withespoon left behind.
Fasano's physical play is perfect for the Panthers
(47) Anthony Fasano, TE. Notre Dame
Passing on elite tight end prospect Mercedes Lewis in round one, the Panthers are better served with the value that will have surfaced in the second round. Anthony Fasano is an extremely consistent player from all facets of the game. He is an excellent weapon in the short and intermediate passing game. He excels as a blocker, giving maximum effort from snap to whistle. This past season, under the pro-style Charlie Weis offense, Fasano was extremely productive. While he has only average tight end speed at 4.71, Fasano has excellent hands to pull down anything within reach. As a big (6'4"/259), strong, high character, productive player, Fasano would be an ideal selection for the Panthers.
(88) Jerious Norwood, Mississippi State
Steven Davis will be missed. It is uncertain whether DeShawn Foster can carry the load all by himself, so bringing in some insurance to stack on top of Nick Goings would be a wise move for the Panthers. Jerious Norwood is a tall, physical running back that had success in the SEC. His 6'0"/210 size is thin at the moment, but upon adding 20 pounds, he will have the same measurements as Steven Davis. Different from Davis, Norwood has 4.40 speed. This allows Norwood to be a game-breaker in addition to a tough inside-the-tackles runner. Norwood also has excellent hands, and uses his size exceptionally well, even at 210. Outside of LenDale White, Jerious Norwood is the perfect second option to replace Steven Davis.
Hester gives the Panthers another dynamic playmaker
(89) Devin Hester, CB. Miami
Devin Hester is a playmaker. He is so dangerous in the return game that he was rarely ever kicked to in college. Hester's 4.38 speed is considered elite, but he plays even faster than his timed speed on the field. Hester has fluid hips and incredible closing speed in the secondary. He presents value to the defense as a dime back, minimizing the loss of Ricky Manning. On the offensive side of the ball, Hester can line up in the slot and take pressure off of Steve Smith since, like Smith, Hester is a threat to go the distance with every touch of the football. Most of all, Hester will offer the Panthers exceptiona special teams potential, giving them protection for Steve Smith.
LenDale White is the brand of power
runner that was lost in Stephen Davis
(*) LenDale White, RB. USC
The combination of Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster has proven itself to be effective. This type of "Thunder and Lightening" running attack has also been successful in Atlanta with TJ Duckett and Warrick Dunn. LenDale White saw his stock slip substantially after a non-existent Pro Day workout. To this point, he has yet to run a 40 or do any positional drills in front of NFL scouts. If his current workout habits continue, he will need a bra come draft day. Nevertheless, his on the field production suggests that he can step out on to the field and produce. Having a guy like LenDale White available would make the Panthers first round deicision very difficult. A guy of LenDale's stature and athleticism has not come around since Jerome Bettis.