Survivor I - Carolina Panthers Commentary

NOTE: this draft was completed on 7/24

Positives - Comments from FBG.com: HC John Fox did a characteristically brilliant coaching job, holding the team together after a horrific start snakebitten by injuries to key players. The reigning NFC Super Bowl reps closed out 2004 with a historic 6-2 finish after a brutal 1-7 start, narrowly missing a playoff berth (would have been an NFL first). Carolina was middle-of-the-pack statistically in the NFC... ninth in total defense (336.4 YPG), seventh against the run (119 YPG), eighth against the pass (217.4 YPG) and seventh in scoring defense (21.2 PPG). The Panthers tied for first in the NFL in turnovers (35) and were first in INTs (24). Sacks suffered a drop from top ten in the NFL in '03 (40) to bottom ten in '04 (34). Drafting SS/OLB Thomas Davis (1.14) ahead of WLB Derrick Johnson was one of the more intriguing story arcs of the '05 first round. As intriguing will be what position the Georgia All-American junior plays (a difference maker wherever he lines up)... and who emerges as the better pro. The rare Uhrlacher-like college safety to NFL LB conversion could maximize his strength of attacking the LOS, best positioning him for success. As of press time, we can report that Davis lined up at SS for the first mini-camp... he has stated a preference to play there (also that he would be happy to play wherever the coaches want him to), and the team acknowledged that he he has a comfort zone there. The important point is he has the rare talent and physical gifts to emerge as a star at SS or OLB.

Negatives - n/a

Draft Strategy - n/a