Day 1 Winners and Losers

Winners

Jacksonville Jaguars

It was very surprising that Gabbert was not the 2^nd quarterback chosen in the draft, and the Jaguars benefited from him falling to them at #10. He will be able to spend time studying on the bench behind David Garrard, and will not be rushed into the starting role, something I don’t think any of the quarterbacks in this year’s draft can handle. There are many needs on the defensive side of the ball, but when a potential franchise quarterback falls into your lap, you have to pull the trigger.

Detroit Lions

I can’t think of a single draft that had Fairley going to the Lions, but now that it has happened, it looks awfully good on paper. Lining up Suh and Fairley will give Qb’s nightmares for years to come, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Jay Cutler was already actively looking for a trade out of the division. The secondary still needs work, but may not be as big an issue if the opposing quarterbacks are constantly finding themselves on the ground.

New York Giants

Your Royal Highness, Prince Amukamara, fell farther than expected and the Giants couldn’t be more pleased about it. They get a very talented corner to help a defense that was toasted by both the Eagles and Packers which left them out of the playoffs. Solidifying the secondary to compliment an already elite pass rush is just what the Giants need to get them back into the Super Bowl.

Buffalo Bills

No it’s not a mistake, the Bills this year actually managed to pick a solid 1^st round choice. After the disastrous picks that were Marshawn Lynch and Aaron Maybin in 2007 and 2009 respectively, and the misguided pick of CJ Spiller to a team that already had two solid running backs in 2010, the Bills went with Marcell Dareus, who will shore up what was an awful defense last year. Perhaps most importantly, Dareus is a guy who can start right away, and without a lot of downside, which the Bills need considering their past draft failures.

Losers

Atlanta Falcons

After having the best record in the NFC and then embarrassingly trounced at home by the Packers in the playoffs, the Falcons made a knee-jerk reaction by trading so high up in the draft. Julio Jones is a fine player and a solid pick, but the price to get him was far too high, and he isn’t a player that is the difference between perennial playoff team and Super Bowl champion. Giving up 2 first round picks, a second rounder and 2 fourth round picks is way too much for someone who isn’t even the best wide-receiver in this draft. Patience is the key in the NFL, but the Falcons want a Super Bowl now, and it may be very costly to them in the future.

Minnesota Vikings

Easily the reach of the draft, Christian Ponder wasn’t predicted to go in the 1^st round, but somehow finds himself a Viking with the 12^th pick. The Vikings desperately needed a quarterback, but if they really wanted Ponder they should have traded down. Instead they have a quarterback who is far from a sure thing, as well as an aging team that could use youth at a lot of positions. Once one play away from the Super Bowl, the Vikings have taken quite a tumble, and look like they might be in the cellar of the NFC North for at least a couple of years.

Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton is a very divisive person with about half of NFL fans believing he will be a star, and the other half thinking he will be the next JaMarcus Russell. You can count me as part of the latter half because I think there are just too many questions surrounding the character, intelligence, and ability of Newton to make him the top overall pick in the draft. To me it would have made more sense to either trade down, or go with Miller, Green, or Dareus, three players who can play right away and are about as close to sure things as you get with rookies. The Panthers just used a high draft pick on Clausen last year, and if they really feel like he isn’t going to pan out, just bite the bullet for one more year and get Andrew Luck next year, who is far and away better than any Qb in this year’s draft. I think this pick will end up setting the Panthers back for the awhile.

Chicago Bears

The Bears don’t find themselves in the “losers” list because of their draft picks, but because of the mess they caused with the Ravens. The Bears initiated a trade with the Ravens to take their spot, but somehow didn’t send anyone to inform the NFL that the trade had taken place, effectively making the Ravens run out of time and lose one spot in the draft. Not only will the Bears likely be faced with some sort of repercussion from the NFL, but it reflects terribly on them as an organization and could force some teams to shy away from trying to trade with the Bears in the future.

NFC South Quarter Review

This division may contain the two best teams in the NFC, the Saints and the Falcons.

New Orleans (3-1)

The Saints, who are coming off their inspiring Super Bowl victory, have shown some rust, but not enough to prevent them from a 3-1 record. All four of their games have been decided by four points or less, which is a concern for a Super Bowl team that had many dominating victories when they started last season 13-0.

Standout Players: Drew Brees, Sedrick Ellis

Atlanta (3-1)

The Falcons have been the most impressive team in the NFC. Going into the Superdome against their rival Saints, and coming away with a victory is very impressive, and their lone loss to Pittsburg is of little concern considering the Steelers’ championship caliber defense and the offensive rust that many teams experience in their first couple games.

Standout Players: Matt Ryan, Roddy White, John Abraham

Tampa Bay (2-1)

The Bucs have to be feeling pretty good after the first quarter of the season, with their lone loss being against the Steelers. Their two wins, however, have been against the Panthers and Browns, two of the weaker teams in the NFL. Tampa Bay has shown that they have made significant improvements over last season; however it is unlikely they will be a contender for the playoffs as the season progresses.

Standout Players: Mike Williams, Ronde Barber

Carolina (0-4)

The Panthers are one of the few teams in the NFC who have no shot at the playoffs. The Matt Moore experiment at QB is over, ushering in the future with 2nd round pick Jimmy Clausen. The running game led by dynamic duo DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have been struggling, as opponents are cheating by overly defending against the run, knowing the Panthers have very poor passing attack.

Standout Players: DeAngelo Williams, Charles Godfrey

Prediction: Atlanta rides a fairly easy schedule to the top of the division, while New Orleans is right behind them, scooping up one of the two wildcard spots.

2010 Carolina Panthers Preview and Prediction

Last Years Record: 8-8

Wins: Redskins, Buccaneers, Cardinals, Falcons, Buccaneers, Vikings, Giants, Saints

Losses: Eagles, Falcons, Cowboys, Bills, Saints, Dolphins, Jets, Patriots

Biggest Playmaker: DeAngelo Williams/ Jonathan Stewart

RB, Memphis, Drafted #27, five years / RB, Oregon, Drafted #13, three years

Williams and Stewart combined for 2250 yards rushing, 17 TDs and an average of 5.1 yards per carry. The Panthers did not have a reliable quarterback all of last year, so Stewart and Williams had to carry the team in most games. They produced even while constantly facing 7-8 guys in the box because no one respected their passing game, which ranked second to last in the NFC.

Impact Player: Steve Smith

WR, Utah, Drafted #74, ten years

Smith had an off year with only 65 receptions but still had 982 yards receiving and 7 TDs. Smith has been frustrated the past few years because he is often double-teamed and the Panthers have not had a great number two receiver to take the pressure off. Things may be even tougher for Smith now without WR Mushin Muhammed who recently retired.

Biggest Offseason Addition: Jimmy Clausen

QB, Norte Dame, Drafted #48, Rookie

Clausen was a guy that almost everyone thought would go top ten and worst case fall to someone in the top 20. Amazingly he fell to the Panthers at 48. At worst Clausen will compete with starter Matt Moore and make him a better quarterback. I believe Clausen will go on to be the best quarterback in the 2010 draft so this was a huge steal for the Panthers, they got a first round talented player with a mid second round pick.

Biggest Offseason Loss: Julius Peppers

DE, UNC, Drafted #2, 9 years

Peppers began his career in Carolina and racked up 81 sacks 30 forced in his eight years with the Panthers. He is an unbelievable athlete that was a nightmare for offenses. The Panthers are losing the two faces of their franchise in Peppers and Jake Delhomme.

Biggest Draft Steal: Greg Hardy

DE, Mississippi, Drafted #175, Rookie

The Panthers draft class was filled with draft steals, Clausen, Pike, Norwood, LaFell, but Hardy may have been the biggest steal. Hardy has the size and athleticism of a first rounder, yet the Panthers were able to grab him in the sixth round. Hardy was athletic enough t o play basketball and some receiver at the college level, and dominated his sophomore year with 18.5 TFL and 10 sacks. If he can get healthy and regain his form he could be a special player.

Biggest Draft Mistake: None

I think that the Panthers had one of the best drafts in the NFL. They got a lot of athletes and players that have a lot of upside. Picking up Armanti Edwards in the third round may have been a little bit of a reach, but he is a player that could end up running the wild cat or being like a Antwaan Randel El at receiver.

Offseason Grade: B+

The Panthers had an excellent draft and had a lot of good value picks. It was the right decision to let Jake Delhomme walk. The two mistakes I think that they made were not trading Pepper’s last year, and not trying to acquire another receiver through trades. The Panthers knew that Pepper was going to walk after this year, so might as well trade him and get some value for him right? Peppers eventually walked in free agency and the Panthers are left with nothing (other than a probable third round compensations pick, which is not much.) The Panthers picked up some receivers in the draft, but they were also a lot of chances for them to grab proven receivers via trade. A lot of big name receivers were traded: Anquan Boldin, Brandon Marshall, and Santonio Holmes, but the Panthers were not able to land any of them. Look for the Panthers to get in the Vincent Jackson trade rumors.

X-Factor: Dwayne Jarrett

WR, USC, Drafted #45, four years

Jarrett has always had the talent to become a number one receiver. He is a big receiver at 6’4”, has great hands and proved that he could be a playmaker when he was in college. Jarrett has not lived up to the hype; he has only 33 receptions and 1 TD in his three years. Things would be a lot easier for QB Matt Moore/ Jimmy Clausen if Jarrett emerges as the playmaker he once.

Name You Should Know: Jordan Gross

OT, Utah, Drafted # 8, eight years

Gross had been one of the most consistent starters for the Panthers before he broke his tibia last year starting every game but one since his rookie year. It should be interesting to see how Gross, who is one of the best tackles in the game, recovers from his first major injury.

Rising Star: Jon Beason

LB, U of Miami, Drafted #25, four years

To say that Beason is a rising star may be a bit of a misnomer. He has been a pro bowler the last two years, averaged 140 tackles a year, and now he will be without question the best player on the Panther’s defense.

Offensive Outlook: B

With DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart carrying the ball 400+ times you have to like your chances as an offense. The only problem is if the Panthers get down they are going to have to rely on an inexperienced QB who will not have anyone to really throw to other Steve Smith.

Defensive Outlook: B-

The defense obviously took a major step backwards after losing Julius Peppers. The defensive line will be the biggest question mark for the Panthers and younger guys like Everette Brown and Charles Johnson are going to have to step it up. The linebacker crew is very good with Beason and secondary is pretty solid with Richard Marshall and Chris Gamble.

Special Teams Outlook: C+

Captain Munnerlyn ended up being a 7^th round steal who did a good job last year in punt returns, Tyrell Sutton is OK in the kick return game. At 40 years old, John Kasey is still very consistent kicker and Jason Baker does a good job of pinning the ball inside the 20.

Projected 2010 Record: 6-10

The Panthers are going to have to rely heavily on their running game this year. Matt Moore looked good last year, but he has only started 8 games in his career, and does not have a lot of proven weapons on the offensive side of the ball. The Panthers had a great draft and I think they are moving in the right direction for the next few years, but it would be hard to imagine the Panthers improving on their 8-8 record last year especially going against the Falcons and Saints twice.

Jimmy Clausen Signs

Jimmy Clausen signed a deal for four years and a max of $6.3 million.


It must have been really tough for Jimmy Clausen to go from being a possible first overall pick and surefire top 10 to being drafted 48th overall.

I think, however, that this is a blessing in disguise. Yes, he ends up losing millions of dollars, but there are many positives that come from being drafted in the second round.

The biggest thing is the pressure to perform is significantly less. Imagine being an Alex Smith, JaMarcus Russell, or David Carr, all first overall picks that have been labeled "busts" for the rest of their careers. When you are a first round pick you are expected to come in be the savior, the next Peyton Manning. Clausen will join a huge class of second rounder quarterbacks that have never had a lot of expectations.

Brian Brohm, Chad Henne, Kevin Kolb, John Beck and Drew Stanton were the last 5 quarterbacks taken in the second round. The latter 3 were all drafted higher then Clausen. You could say that Henne and Kolb have had some success, but the other three that have not panned out yet. Fans are not that disappointed that these guys have not been really successful because not a lot was expected of them.

Clausen was also lucky enough to go to the Panthers, and have a chance to start right away and not sit behind some aging veteran (ask Aaron Rodgers how he liked that.)

Prediction: Clausen will start first game of the season. I would be shocked if he is not.

Clausen Pre-draft Scouting report:

#1 rated QB - Jimmy Clausen, Notre Dame

Biggest Strength: Great production in a pro style offense.

Biggest Question: Cockiness/character concerns.

Where he will go: Top 10. Clausen has the chance of slipping into the late first round like QB’s Aaron Rodgers and Brady Quinn before him. But with so many teams with the need for a quarterback this year it would be surprising to see that happen.

Where he should go/ prediction: 1^st overall. He is a top notch quarterback that, and unlike most of the quarterbacks this year, he has experience under center. I don’t know about his character, but based simply on what I have seen from him I think he is going to be a great QB and it would be a huge mistake for a team that needs a quarterback to pass on him.

NFL Comparison: Aaron Rodgers