If you have watched the Carolina Panthers at all in the last few years, you know that the biggest area of instability has been the running game. And that’s odd, considering how much they like to run the ball. They have had a different leading rusher every year for the last 5-6 years. DeShaun Foster is a good back, but one who has had all kinds of injury problems, as has the rest of the RB corps. Enter DeAngelo Williams. Over 6000 yards in college just screams durable. It also screams ability. The kid can flat out play, and the fact that he slipped so far down in the first round worked out like a dream come true for the Panthers.

After losing two players from the secondary in Wesley and Manning, the Panthers really needed to make a good pick to fill some of those holes. Richard Marshall was a great selection for that purpose, and another guy who probably slid a little further than he was expected to go. He is a big, tall, tackling CB that Carolina is really happy to get.

Jeff King hopes to fill the void left by Wesley Walls a few years ago. Last season, the top 3 receiving options were Steve Smith, Steve Smith, then Steve Smith. When Carolina had Walls, he was used quite a bit, and the fact that they haven’t had a good catching TE has limited the offense a little over the past few seasons. Look for King to work his way into the lineup sooner than later.

All in all, we love what the Panthers were able to accomplish in this draft, with the picks listed above and also addressing LB needs. Good job!

It’s a good thing Ricky Manning Jr. is getting raise from the Bears, and that the Carolina Panthers have decided NOT to exercise their option for him. Maybe he can use a little of that extra pocket change to post his bail. As you may or may not have heard, Manning was arrested over the weekend in LA. The former UCLA cornerback was arrested early Sunday and charged with assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly knocking a man unconscious at a Westwood diner. The part that has to make the Bears cringe is that this doesn’t give them the option of backing out of the agreement.

Now, being from Panthers territory, I am a little more familiar with the personnel decisions there than with the Bears. I do know that after a series of problem players and situations, such as the likes of Kerry Collins, Fred Lane, and Rae Carruth, the Panthers management have taken a much stiffer stance on potential problems. That’s why Todd Sauerbrun was kicking in a different city last year.

And please don’t take this as a slam on Chicago, because they have some great players there who are fine upstanding citizens. In fact, I’m sure they’re probably hoping this isn’t going to develop into a pattern.

With the draft one week from today, the Chicago Bears may have opened up a few doors for themselves but closing down of their needs. The Bears signed Ricky Manning Jr. of the Carolina Panthers to a 5 yr., $21 million dollar offer sheet. The Panthers “have almost no chance or desire to match” the offer. Considering how stout the Chicago defense was this past year, this is a great addition to the defense. He adds depth to an already good secondary, which includes Vasher and Tillman. If the offer sheet stands, the Panthers would receive a 3rd round pick in the draft.