Carolina Panthers 2007 Draft Discussion (1 Viewer)

[BassNBrew]

Back on the clock.

 

[BassNBrew]

Shaw is a classic case of a blue chip prospect with a blue-collar work ethic. Ever since arriving at State College, he has provided stellar performances for the Nittany Lions, whether as a running back, on special teams, at right outside linebacker, inside linebacker or left defensive end.

Shaw lettered in football, basketball and track during his career at Clarenceville High School, earning 11 varsity letters. He was named the 2001 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, adding Associated Press All-State first-team honors. He was also chosen to the Detroit Free Press' All-West Michigan squad as a senior. He graduated with a 3.8 grade point average.

Shaw was a standout running back and linebacker for head coach Greg Hudkins. He led the team to a 47-6 record during his career, including a 12-1 mark as a junior and a 13-1 record his final campaign. Shaw exploded for 43 touchdowns and over 2,000 yards rushing as a senior, as he also amassed 95 tackles with four interceptions and 10 quarterback sacks. In track, Shaw won the state title in the 100-meter dash during his senior season.

Shaw enrolled at Penn State in 2002, where he saw action in 12 games as a tailback while also excelling on the special teams coverage units. He gained 59 yards on 14 carries (4.2 avg) and caught one pass for a 19-yard gain. Shaw also registered six tackles (three solos). He was shifted to linebacker during 2002 spring drills, spending that season on the sidelines as a redshirt.

In 2004, Shaw was the recipient of the team's Jim O'Hora Award, given to the Lions' most improved defensive player. He took over middle linebacker duties, starting seven of the team's first eight games before a nagging ankle sprain would sideline him for two contests and relegate him to reserve duties in PSU's final two games. His value to the team came into play during his absence, as the opposition averaged 157.0 yards per game rushing without Shaw on the field, compared to an average of 113.4 yards in games that Shaw started. He still managed to register 51 tackles (29 solos) with an assisted sack, 1 1/2 stops behind the line of scrimmage and two quarterback pressures. He caused one fumble, deflected four passes and intercepted another. Thirty-five of his tackles were made in run support, as he delivered timely hits that stopped eight scoring drives on third-down plays and four more on fourth-down action.

Shaw made the Dean's List and picked up Big Ten Conference academic honors for the second straight year in 2005. He proved to be an invaluable part of the team's success, as he started the squad's first five games at right outside linebacker (third position change during his PSU career) and then shifted back to middle linebacker for the rest of the schedule. He ranked fourth on the team with 76 tackles (43), 4 1/2 sacks and 6 1/2 stops for losses. He added three pressures and caused two fumbles, setting up a pair of PSU scoring drives as a result of his turnovers. He also had two pass break-ups.

Called by Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis, "the Lions' most important player," Shaw was again on the move in 2006, as he shifted to left defensive end as a senior. Despite playing vs. 300-pound offensive linemen, the 237-pounder produced 28 tackles (16 solos) and four sacks, along with nine pressures and six pass deflections in the team's first two games.

In 42 games at Penn State (30 on defense), Shaw started 28 times. He has recorded 161 tackles (91 solos) with nine sacks for minus-50 yards, 12 stops for losses of 55 yards and 15 quarterback pressures. He caused three fumbles, batted away 12 passes and gained 5 yards on an interception return. He also registered 11 tackles on special teams. On offense, Shaw rushed 14 times for 59 yards (4.2 avg) and had a 19-yard reception.

ANALYSIS

Positives: Has a compact, solid frame with good upper body development, broad shoulders, thick chest, good bubble, tapered thighs and thick hamstrings … Shows good straight-line quickness and the arm extension to shed blocks … Has excellent straight-line speed, showing suddenness in his initial move off the ball and gets to top speed quickly … Effective short area pass defender because of his foot speed to stay with most receivers through their routes … Not the type who will take poor angles in pursuit, showing the closing burst needed to neutralize the cutback lanes … Has lined up at middle linebacker, right outside linebacker and left defensive end and never complained about the moves, putting team success above personal accolades … Attacks the ball with good urgency due to his ability to quickly break down plays in front of him … Very quick coming off the snap, staying low in his pads while generating quick lateral movements to string the plays wide … Has the natural ability to anticipate the flow of the ball … Shows the hand strength to shed blocks quickly, doing a nice job of extending to keep blockers from attacking his body, but needs to do this with more consistency … Stays at a proper pad level to extend, wrap and secure as a tackler and consistently keeps his legs moving on contact, doing a nice job of driving the ball carrier back … Shows explosive acceleration when closing and has a natural flow in his backpedal … Has good strength to jolt and redirect tight ends in pass routes and plays bigger than his size indicates, demonstrating good physicality in his game … Demonstrates that ease of movement getting to the ball when working in space and the leg drive and strength to get the ball carrier on the ground instantly … Does a good job of coming downhill, using his hands to shed when working near the line of scrimmage, which allows him to fill the rush lane … Plays with good leverage taking on blocks coming off the edge … Has the speed and burst to head off ball carriers along the corners … His acceleration and power let him get a strong push off the blocker … Needs to stay active with his hands to prevent getting absorbed working inside, but he gives good effort as a blitzer, especially when attacking from the backside, making him a better fit for inside linebacker.

Negatives: Has some stiffness in his hips that affects his lateral and change of direction agility, but is very combative in attempts to slip off blocks and string plays wide … Shaw is played out of position on the defensive line and might be a bit shorter than ideal for the outside linebacker position, but could be a nice fit at middle linebacker, as he compensates with good explosion coming off the ball and above average power behind his hits … Does not have the bulk to prevent from being engulfed by the larger offensive tackles when playing as a down lineman … Not used much in pass coverage and needs to show he has the ability to locate the ball when working in the deeper areas of the zone … Has more than enough functional strength to take on blocks and shed, but must be more alert to low blocks to protect his body from double teams … His change of direction skills might not let him cover large portions of the field, but he runs to the ball well and has the hand usage to slip off passive blocks.

INJURY REPORT

2004: Shaw suffered a high ankle sprain and was forced to leave the Minnesota game (10/02) in the second quarter, sitting out the following week vs. Purdue (10/09) … He re-injured the ankle vs. Ohio State (10/30) in the second quarter that forced him to miss the team's next game vs. Northwestern (11/06).

AGILITY TESTS

Campus: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 365-pound bench press … 33-inch vertical jump.

 

[simey]

Argh!

There you go Simey...Davidson's first impact and he almost sent our gb NCC to the hospital.

i'm glad i don't go to panthers games with you, because i think i would end up punching you in the face.

 

[NCCommish]

Argh!

There you go Simey...Davidson's first impact and he almost sent our gb NCC to the hospital.

i'm glad i don't go to panthers games with you, because i think i would end up punching you in the face.

Feel the love

 

[NCCommish]

I like this pick. Another possible MLB?

 

[BassNBrew]

I like this pick. Another possible MLB?

I like this pick a lot...obviously Davidson wasn't involved.

 

[BassNBrew]

Argh!

There you go Simey...Davidson's first impact and he almost sent our gb NCC to the hospital.

i'm glad i don't go to panthers games with you, because i think i would end up punching you in the face.

 

[NCCommish]

So no pick until the seventh.

 

[NCCommish]

I like this pick. Another possible MLB?

I like this pick a lot...obviously Davidson wasn't involved.

 

[BassNBrew]

Seems like the cats focused on good atheletes, good team players, decent speed, and guys with some smarts.

 

[BassNBrew]

So no pick until the seventh.

Nope...well off to work to get beat up rather than staying here and letting Simey best me up.Hmmm....our starting FS may come from the seventh round.

 

[NCCommish]

Seems like the cats focused on good atheletes, good team players, decent speed, and guys with some smarts.

I would agree they seem to have gotten some smart athletes out of the draft and that last pick may have moved them back up to an A- for me.

 

[BassNBrew]

C.J. Wilson Height: 6-1Weight: 195 Position: Cornerback/Free SafetyCollege: Baylor Copyright NFLDraftScout.com, distributed by The Sports Xchange OVERVIEW The two-year starter was rated the nation's fourth-best senior cornerback in college football by ESPN. Wilson teamed with Anthony Arline to give the Bears one of the top cornerback tandems in the nation. The duo was a major reason for the steady progress the Bears showed in recent years in rebuilding their program. At Terrell High School, Wilson was named District 16-4A Defensive Player of the Year, helping the Tigers to a runner-up district finish and a 9-2 record. He recorded 37 tackles, six interceptions and seven pass break-ups in 2002 as a first-team all-district selection. He also caught nine passes for 102 yards and a touchdown. Wilson was chosen to the Texas Super Team honor squad by Texas Football and was a Texas Top 300 selection by the same publication. He did not play football as a junior, focusing on basketball and track earlier in his prep career. He was a two-time all-district honoree in basketball and district champion and regional qualifier in the high jump as a senior. Wilson earned 2003 Terrell Tribune Co-Athlete of the Year honors. He also earned the T-Award for citizenship and was listed in Who's Who Among American High Students, High School Athletes and High School Scholars. Upon enrolling at Baylor in 2003, Wilson was utilized in all 12 games, appearing mostly on special teams. He finished his freshman season with 13 tackles (9 solos). He started the Texas State and Missouri games at left cornerback. He produced 22 tackles (19 solos) with three pass deflections in 11 contests. He also caused and recovered a fumble. The first-team All-Big 12 Conference choice manned the left cornerback position for all 11 games in 2005. He totaled 45 tackles (33 solos) with a stop for a loss and also recovered a fumble. He batted down five passes and intercepted five others while participating in 792 plays. As a senior, Wilson was named All-Big 12 Conference second-team. He ranked fourth on the team with 59 tackles (36 solos) while lining up at right cornerback. He caused a fumble, knocked down six passes and had four interceptions, returning one for a score while appearing in 766 plays. In 46 games at Baylor, Wilson started 25 times. He registered 139 tackles (97 solos) with one quarterback pressure and a stop for a 4-yard loss. He caused and recovered two fumbles. He also deflected 14 passes while picking off nine others for 152 yards in returns, including one touchdown. Over his last three seasons, he saw action in 2,067 plays. ANALYSIS Positives: Has adequate upper body muscle tone and a frame with room to carry at least another 10 pounds of additional bulk for a potential move to safety … Shows good ball awareness skills, as he does a decent job of locating the ball, displaying an adequate closing burst … Playmaker who has the natural hands, timing and elevation to get to the ball at its high point … Lacks timed speed, but has the quickness and change of direction agility to make plays in front of him … Highly competitive type who will usually back up his words taking on ball carriers in run force … Efficient at redirecting the outside running game to the inside … Has good training habits, but needs to improve his overall strength, as his lack of timed speed will probably see him shift to safety at the pro level … Intense competitor with the ability to easily diagnose and react to the plays … Uses his hands effectively to jam receivers at the line of scrimmage … Has enough open-field quickness to mirror the receivers' moves underneath … Shows the recovery speed needed handling the switch-offs in the zone and comes out of his backpedal with no wasted motion … Gives a solid effort in run force, staying low in his stance to extend, wrap and secure the ball carrier, coming downhill with good intent … Has adequate hip flexibility turning out of his backpedal, which gives him better quickness in his turn-and-go while showing the lateral range to make plays along the sidelines … Shows timing and leaping ability going up for the pass and displays soft hands to pluck and snatch the ball … Has a fearless attitude and a willingness to play with pain … Shows good physicality in his plays and good anticipation for routes. Negatives: Needs to add more muscle definition and power in the weight room … Will lunge at the ball at times in run force, as he tries to compensate for the strength needed to handle the more physical blockers … At times, will bite on fakes and tends to gamble on the press (will get caught out of position) … Has decent initial quickness, but his timed speed is a liability covering the receiver on deep routes … Will try to compensate by giving up a big cushion, but it is evident that he does not have the burst to mirror on longer routes … With his ability to make plays on the ball and keep plays in front of him, he is more suited to play safety at the next level. Compares To: C.C. Brown, Houston Texans … Like Brown, this collegiate cornerback will have to shift to safety at the pro level, as he lacks the timed speed to cover the speedy receivers on deep routes … Wilson shows the natural hands and timing to pick off the pass and is a decent tackler in run force … He just lacks the quickness you want in a cover corner and does not have the strength to reroute in press coverage. INJURY REPORT No injuries reported. AGILITY TESTS Campus: 4.53 in the 40-yard dash … 275-pound bench press … Bench pressed 225 pounds 12 times … 379-pound squat … 274-pound power clean … 32½-inch vertical jump … 32-inch arm length … 9 1/8-inch hands … Right-handed. Combine: 4.63 in the 40-yard dash … 1.63 10-yard dash … 2.7 20-yard dash … 4.2 20-yard shuttle … 11.3 60-yard shuttle … 6.81 three-cone drill … 37½-inch vertical jump … 10-foot-7 broad jump.

Here's your free safety. Looks like a project, but will probably make the roster.

 

[WhoDat]

The Panthers had a couple of very good days at the office.