Panthers Add Power Runner, Phyiscal Blocker in Aggressive 1st Round

In a very aggressive 1st Round of the 2008 NFL Draft, the Panthers were able to add a power runner and a physical tackle in the 1st round. Thanks to a trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, the Panthers had 2 of the top 20 picks in this year's draft. The trade came at a cost, as the Panthers gave up their 2nd and 4th rounders this year, and their 1st rounder next year. While that seems like a high cost, the Panthers really only gave up 2 picks, as they just took their 1st rounder from next year this year. In a make or break year, John Fox and Marty Hurney made it clear that they are not worried about next year...because if the Panthers fail to make the playoffs for 3 straight years after an NFC Championship appearance in 2005, there may not be a next year. You gotta love the aggressiveness of these two guys. Gutsy, yes, but if the Panthers make a deep run that 1st rounder next year will be in the low 20's. But, if Carolina has another down year, they could be missing out on a top pick in next year's draft.



With their 2 1st rounders, the Panthers added RB Jonathan Stewart from Oregon. Stewart, a physical runner in the line of Stephen Davis, will go from wearing the ugliest uniform in College Football to wearing the best looking jersey in the NFL. The only real concern with him is his turf toe injury, but he says that his surgery went really well and that he'll be ready for training camp this year. With the 19th pick, the Panthers picked up RT Jeff Otah, a big, hulking, physical blocker from Pitt. It's clear that the Panthers are abandoning their finesse running game that failed in 2007, and with this draft pick and the signings/releasings along the offensive line this off-season show that the Panthers are looking to be to 2003 Panthers who were known for their power running attack. The Panthers may just have something that resembles an offense this year, which is great. Carolina, after Jake Delhomme's injury, had one the most boring, ineffective offenses in football. Now, with a rebuilt offensive line, a power runner, and WRs DJ Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad signed in F/A, could we see "Cardiac Cats II" in 2008? It's hard not to get too overly excited, as Stewart and Otah have yet to take snaps in the NFL, but it's very encouraging nonetheless.



EDIT: The Panthers had a great 3rd round of the draft. They got an absolute steal with LB Dan Connor falling into their laps in that round. CB/S Charles Godfrey was another steal, as he is 2nd round talent, and will likely start for the Panthers at FS. TE Gary Barnidge was picked up in the 5th Round, and he has already gotten comparisons to Jay Novachek (ala Mel Kiper, Jr.). All in all, an excellent draft for Carolina.

Panthers Lose Another Family Member Today...

Carolina Panthers DE Mike Rucker called it quits today, saying, "I'm done" at his press conference. Rucker who, along with former teammate Mike Minter (another favorite of mine), is a devout Christian and owner of a Christian daycare, was a beloved Panther to me. He didn't always put up the best numbers, though he is number 2 in team history in both sacks and tackles, but you could tell that he laid it out on the line each and every snap of every game. A long time Panther of 9 years, pretty much since I started following the team, Rucker has been there. It's going to be weird not having #93 line up opposite Julius Peppers anymore.

It was clear that Rucker was not going to be a Panther next year, as the Panthers didn't offer him a new contract this offseason, but Rucker was going to try and play elsewhere, but has now decided otherwise to retire. Maybe it was because nobody was going to sign him. Or, maybe it was because he couldn't see himself playing in another uniform other than the only one he knew. Regardless, Rucker will always be remembered by me as a leader for this franchise. I know that he will be sorely missed inside the Panther locker room this year. Thanks for 9 great seasons, Mike.