Update: Panthers Keep Gross; Improve O-Line Through Free Agency or Draft?

Here ya go.

NFL.com Blogs » Blog Archive Panthers give Gross six-year deal « (http://blogs.nfl.com/2009/02/19/panthers-give-gross-six-year-deal/)

With Gross tied up, does that mean Vernon Carey's value has just gone up as one of the top tackles in FA?

With Gross tied up, does that mean Vernon Carey's value has just gone up as one of the top tackles in FA?

Well it appears he's not going to be tagged, so I would say yes. I wonder if he's worth going after.

Dolphins decline to use tag on any of the team's free agents -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-0217-dolphins-tag,0,2117080.story)

Shoot, I've been wanting Vernon Carey for a while now. He'd be a great addition.

I'm going to change the thread title here and shift the focus of the conversation

Shoot, I've been wanting Vernon Carey for a while now. He'd be a great addition.

I'm going to change the thread title here and shift the focus of the conversation

I think Carey would be a great option. Scouts, Inc says that he can play at either tackle position effectively. I don't see why we wouldn't be able to get him and a young o-lineman in the draft. However, getting Carey may allow us to get the o-lineman later in the draft, and use our first rounder on a LB or a DL.

Here's Scouts report on Carey...

2008 Scouting Report - Scouts Inc.
Grade: 75 | Key
Alert: None

Comment: Carey is a four-year player who has great size and power along with good athleticism. He has played both offensive tackle positions and is effective at either side. He doesn't have great foot quickness and lateral agility, but can be light on his feet for a man of his stature. He has solid initial quickness off the line of scrimmage and when pass setting. He can redirect and adjust to stunts, twists and counters, but will overextend at times. He keeps his feet and plays with decent bend and body position to stay connected and finish his block. Carey is an aware player who reacts well to changing fronts and blitz packages. He can slam and chip effectively to the second level and hit a moving target. He isn't explosive initially off the line of scrimmage, but he has great pop and power to jolt defenders. He plays with heavy hands to gain leverage, once engaged and can torque small defenders on power zone-running plays. He can anchor well versus powerful bull rushers. He has improved his footwork and is tough to penetrate, once he establishes himself at the line of scrimmage. Carey has been a mainstay on the Dolphins' offensive line and with his outstanding durability and efficient play, he should continue to be an excellent lineman for years to come.

draft...

draft...

Very insightful, padding your posting stats? LOL.

Ya so right now max starks just got franchised and with gross signed, that leaves Carey and stacy Andrews as the only free agent olineman so right now it looks like we pretty much have to build our oline through the draft, the problem is that we need a DE probably more than an OL IMO, so right now it looks like we draft orakpo or oher with our first pick and with our 3rd rounder we get a G or C

Ya so right now max starks just got franchised and with gross signed, that leaves Carey and stacy Andrews as the only free agent olineman so right now it looks like we pretty much have to build our oline through the draft, the problem is that we need a DE probably more than an OL IMO, so right now it looks like we draft orakpo or oher with our first pick and with our 3rd rounder we get a G or C

Very good points. I would say that if the team wants to go the cheap route, they could get Andrews, but it is a risk given that he got injured. I would prefer that they get Carey and put him at RT. Of course, this scenario would require that the 3rd rounder does better than Rineheart.

Very good points. I would say that if the team wants to go the cheap route, they could get Andrews, but it is a risk given that he got injured. I would prefer that they get Carey and put him at RT. Of course, this scenario would require that the 3rd rounder does better than Rineheart.

A few thoughts though:
Supposedly Andrews said he's doing well and rehab right now is a success, and he can play both guard and tackle... But he maybe saying that he's doing well just because he's going to be a free agent soon

I really haven't seen Carey play, is he the real deal or just a short term resolution, and what is he age wise??

About your third comment, we can always trade down and get someones 2nd rounder, I beleive that the pats giants and dolphins(ours sadly) have 2 2nd rounders ... Plus I was thinking we could get brandon williams of Texas tech who led the big 12 in sacks with 13 is someone we could get here, or maybe a phil loadholt of Oklahoma or Tyrone Green of auburn are other options here(OT and OG) or maybe Ramses Barden WR , of Cal poly who's 6'6 and has spectacular hands he's also from zorns alma matter... Gerald Mcrath OLB of southern miss is another option here ... Part of the reason why I think rhinehart didn't play/wasn't ready as a 3rd rounder is because he went to a small school like northern iowa and not a school that doesn't face NFL level talent like a auburn, tech, etc