The Carolina Panthers have been meeting with some interesting folks here lately. The past few days have seen Georgia running back Todd Gurley work out for the team. They have seen the Panthers in ongoing negotiations with Jaguars free agent corner Alan Ball. Finally there was the visit of Greg Jennings, the veteran receiver only a couple of years removed from big time production.
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So what do these visits mean? They are a continuing effort by Panthers general manager David Gettleman to settle his team needs with free agents so that he can swing for the fences in the upcoming NFL Draft.
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That strategy is revealed by the visit of Gurley. Running back would not be the predicted priority for this Panthers team, particularly a first round price tag like Gurley. However it would settle the Panthers running back situation for years to come if he could remain healthy.
Gurley is a bruiser at 6’0” 222 lbs, and he was the most celebrated back at Georgia since perhaps Herschel Walker. He could come in and be the number 2 guy for a year or two and then displace Jonathan Stewart as Stewart slows down. That would allow Cam Newton to have a potential top flight back for the next eight years, IF HE CAN STAY HEALTHY. Gurley would have to be a round one draft pick.
Betsided
Alan Ball is kind of guy that the Panthers secondary needs. He is 6’2” 197 lbs, which is great size for the position. He is a boundary corner guy, so do not view him as a conventional nickel back if he signs. Someone else, say Bene Benwikere, would have to move into the slot on passing downs. Ball left town with no deal, but hopefully this just a car dealership tactic.
Most intriguing is Greg Jennings, because the Panthers have already added Ted Ginn. Jennings would be an upgrade over Jerricho Cotchery. Jennings is only 5’11” and his production sagged over the last two years. However that was also two years of playing with Christian Ponder, Matt Cassel, and Teddy Bridgewater. The Western Michigan product would seemingly be a good fit as long as he understands that he is probably the third option at best on pass plays.
The draft for the Panthers looks like it could be real exciting as it becomes clearer that Gettleman may not be as married to conventional wisdom this year. That would be no excuse for not getting a tackle in the early rounds. TACKLE. OFFENSIVE TACKLE.