The more I think about the Carolina Panthers giving Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall the once-over earlier this week, the more I think to myself, "That's great. Who the hell is going to block for him?"Sure, I can understand that the Panthers might be less than confident in a depth chart that features DeAngelo Williams, LaBrandon Toefield, Nick Goings and Alex Haynes. (They've never had enough confidence in DeAngelo Williams, but I've already written that rant.) John Fox and Marty Hurney might want to add some more depth at that running back, and Mendenhall looks like he could be a quality back.
With all the talent at tackle in this draft, does it really make sense for the Panthers, who still have a gaping hole at left tackle, to get another running back? Sure, they could take Mendenhall at 13 an then trade up and get Godser Cherilus late in the first round, but there will be plenty of decent running backs in the later rounds, and they could all be successful running behind a Ryan Clady or a Chris WIlliams.
I won't go so far as to say this workout was a waste of the Panthers' time. Fox and Hurney are doing their due diligence, which is admirable. They might be trying to throw other teams off with their interest in Mendenhall. I doubt very highly, though, that this team will draft him. The O-line has to come first.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. My sentiments exactly!
Posted at 1:17PM on Mar 28th 2008 by DrSteve
2. I think a lot of Panthers fans would agree with your comments, but even if the organization does decide to go with Mendenhall, all is not lost. There may be more drama than usual this year in the Panther's draft, as a sense of desperation seems to have seeped in.
Trades, hopes, dreams, fears...I look forward to the weeks leading up to the NFL Draft almost as much as the beginning of the NFL season.
Posted at 8:33AM on Mar 29th 2008 by Harrison
3. Harrison: There's a big difference between drama and panic, and drafting Mendenhall would be a panic move. Get the lineman first. There are probably some kids from East Carolina and Appalachian State that will be available in the later rounds that could contribute just as much as Mendenhall.
Of course, for all I know, Hurney will go nuts and take Kenny Phillips. But I doubt that.
Posted at 8:35AM on Mar 29th 2008 by Dave
4. You are rite, I think we need a left tackle or a stud D end.
Posted at 1:22PM on Mar 29th 2008 by Keith
5. The Panthers need an offensive line to protect thei quarterback and give their running backs room to run.
Posted at 10:40PM on Mar 29th 2008 by George B Vieto
6. Rashard Mendenhall would actually contribute alot for our boys. We have been working overtime signing every O-line free agent that we have had the chance to. I think we are going to have a very big and power style O-line to start the season but what we do not have is a power back. If you have not stayed informed in the panthers signings I would like you to know that they just added 680 pounds of O-line this week and they have been looking into the possibility of signing Dwayne Robertson if the price is right. I would love to see another pass rusher on the other side of Peppers but Mendenhall is 5-10 225 pounds and runs a 4.45.... he is certainly no "panic" move and would be a great playmaking talent to complement D.Williams
Posted at 8:08AM on Mar 30th 2008 by Noah
7. Noah: So you're okay with seeing more defensive ends get past Travelle Wharton and knock Jake Delhomme out for the season again, then?
I'll say it again: The Panthers need a left tackle. This draft is full of stud left tackles. Carolina would be foolish not to get one early.
Posted at 8:12AM on Mar 30th 2008 by Dave
8. And I echo Dave's comments. What good is another RB, no matter how talented, if the O-line can't make holes? Don't put so much faith in those OL free agents, for we've been picking up such free agents the past 3 years and what good has it done?Picking up a talented OL tackle high in the draft will fix the running game AND protect Jake AND give Steve and our other talented WR's time to run decent and longer routes which will also free up our running game by loosening up the opposing safties. No matter how talented he is, Mendenhall can't fix all three of these problems; and if he's only complementing Angelo Williams, then we're only getting 1/6 the value we'll get out of a good OL left tackle like Willaims or Clady.
Posted at 11:52AM on Mar 30th 2008 by DrSteve
9. Dr. Steve, do you even know what a Left Tackle's job is on the offensive line? A Left Tackle protects a right handed QB's blind spot. As a lineman, he helps out with blocking for the rushing game, but his primary job is pass protection. It would be wonderful if we got a LT that was Pro-Bowl calibre in his rookie season (like Joe Thomas was last year for Cleveland), but it would be a DISASTER if we wasted a first round pick on a Left Tackle (remember Robert Gallery?) just to make arm-chair GMs happy. The Panthers brass knows what they are doing and I would be happy if they used the old "Best Player Available" strategy with the lucky 13th pick.
BTW, thanks for your great work on these updates Dave.
Posted at 2:15PM on Mar 30th 2008 by Marcus
10. And why exactly the Panthers wouldn't need Mendenhall? I'm not saying that they should draft him but I'm pretty sure he's better than LaBrandon Toefield & Nick Goings.
And as for the LT spot, they should move Jordan Gross to that position. I'm pretty sure he wouldn't let defensive ends by him like Wharton. Jake Delhomme would benefit a lot from that.
Posted at 10:51AM on Mar 31st 2008 by Justin
11. Working out a player is not a commitment to draft that individual. Teams have shown interest in individuals to send mixed signals to other organizations for years. Maybe we'll move up in the draft and get two players early, we have ten picks. Maybe Mendenhall will fall to the early second. The Carolina Panthers are simply exploring there options. We'll pick the best player available that also accommodates the needs of the organization.
I'd love to see our second, third, and fourth round picks really pan out. But to do that we'll have to look at a lot of players and (then we the fans can) speculate why they would give them the time of day.
Posted at 4:04PM on Apr 1st 2008 by George
12. the team is based on blue light specials?anyone the team can obtain cheap is their man,vinny,david,musin.....and when it is all over ya get what you pay for!period i am afraid to even watch football this season because our fate has already been set!!i wish the panthers would do some late spring cleaning and get rid of the cheap idiots and get some new and fresh faces and save my darn team!!
Posted at 8:46AM on Apr 28th 2008 by mrs.carree