| Put yourself in John Fox’s shoes. With
the Houston Texans making it clear that Fresno State QB David Carr will be the first
overall player selected in the upcoming draft, the Panthers’ new head coach is on the
clock.
And he has quite a decision to make.
Should the Panthers use the second overall pick on North Carolina DE Julius Peppers, a
local product tabbed by numerous prognosticators, including Pro Football Weekly’s
Joel Buchsbaum, as Carolina’s most likely selection?
Or do they go against the grain and trade down, with the idea of getting extra
high-round picks to help fill their numerous needs?
If I’m Fox, I do the latter.
While it’s quite possible Peppers, who has perhaps more pure athletic talent than
anyone available in the draft, could end up being the next Lawrence Taylor, he also could
end up being the next Sean Gilbert.
Gilbert, as most Panthers fans are quick to tell you, is another defensive lineman who
was supposed to be the ultimate answer to the team’s defensive prayers, so much so
that they gave up two No. 1 picks to the Redskins to acquire him, in addition to paying
him a king’s ransom.
The bottom line? While he’s had his moments, Gilbert must be considered a big-time
bust.
Would Peppers follow suit in a Panthers uniform? You have to wonder.
With his massive wingspan and sensational athleticism, Peppers can make game-turning
plays with the best of them. The problem is, he didn’t make them nearly enough in his
career at UNC. He displayed "flashes" of brilliance, in spurts, when the spirit
moved him.
The second overall selection in the draft should be a consistent force, a factor on every
play. Peppers hasn’t come close to reaching that pinnacle. In his personal workout at
the end of March, while he looked OK, he hardly set the world on fire. You have to wonder
to what extent he might have sent up a red flag on that day.
Granted, the Panthers are in dire need of a big-time pass rusher, a hard-charging
difference-maker to team with Michael Rucker, who made some nice strides at defensive end
last season. But after finishing 1-15, their needs are far-reaching.
Perhaps even as far as the QB position.
Which brings up the possible scenario of trading down specifically to obtain Oregon QB
Joey Harrington, who outperformed Carr at the NFL Scouting Combine and has been rumored in
more than a few circles as an alternative to Peppers.
Taking Harrington, in addition to landing an extra high pick or two, could be a wise
move. The Panthers also have major needs at cornerback, safety, running back, wide
receiver and — taking into account the tread on veteran Wesley Walls’ tires
— a tight end.
It just so happens the 2002 draft appears to have decent depth at all those positions.
If I’m Fox, I trade the No. 2 pick — but not with the intention of using it
on Harrington. While I may be in the minority, I’m still a big believer in Chris
Weinke, the Panthers’ fourth-round pick last year who started off like a house on
fire, only to crash and burn as the Panthers’ ghastly season ran its course.
Weinke was supposed to undergo surgery on his throwing shoulder today and has already
been ruled out of the Panthers’ three-day minicamp next month. Doctors were expected
to remove some soft tissue around Weinke’s AC joint, creating more room for the
shoulder to move freely. The surgery is considered routine.
I say stick with Weinke, who I still think has what it takes to be a highly successful
signalcaller in Carolina for a long time to come.
I say trade down in the first round with the intention of selecting Ryan Sims,
Peppers’ linemate at North Carolina, whose stock has been steadily on the rise. He
too is a local product, which should satisfy Panthers fans. He’s also been a lot more
consistently productive than Peppers and will make an instant impact up front.
Sims, plus a few other high picks, could help pull the Panthers out of the NFL’s
lower echelon in a hurry — especially in the weak NFC South.
Peppers, I’m afraid, isn’t quite what the doctor ordered in Carolina. |
