google tells me 6'3 265, but if he played for Saban I have to assume he could hold his ground. And there he is 17th to the 'Skins. Edit: ESPN just said 6'2, 286
I'm really behind the pick of McCaffery. The dude is a baller. Just a football player. And offense needs guys that can just make somebody miss. We have nothing like him at all. Very versatile.
People have bitched for years that the Panthers needed to get some weapons for Cam, and now they add an elite RB with elite slot receiver skills, who also should be a good returner, and we're upset?
Shula's run game has always been pretty creative. And honestly, they haven't had the personnel to get super creative otherwise.
Shula needs to study how the Pats use the rb in the offseason. Be a nice blue print for how to use McCaffery.
Harvin was more of a receiver who also ran the ball. He had 1800 rushing yards and 1900 receiving, in 3 years at UF. McCaffrey ran for 3900 and caught 1200 in 3 at Stanford. People (not saying you) keep talking about how he's not a power between the tackles runner but honestly I'm not sure the Panthers care about that so long as they're moving the ball and controlling the clock. Plus, it's not like Stanford runs a wide open spread. McCaffrey comes from a pro offense and from all reports is a guy who will work his ass off no matter what.
From PFT: Coach Ron Rivera threw a few names out there last night, mentioning Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles, and Brian Westbrook with a little LeSean McCoy mixed in. But when it was General Manager Dave Gettleman’s turn, he put McCaffrey in the same answer with a Hall-of-Famer while vouching for McCaffrey’s abilities to be a bell-cow back. “It doesn’t happen very often,” Gettleman said. “The best tackle-box runner I’ve ever seen is Curtis Martin out of Pitt. Christian is right there with him. Running in that tackle box takes unique vision and unique quickness, and he’s got it. Curtis Martin had it, and he had a great career – a Hall of Fame career – and this kid’s got those kind of skills.” Martin ran for 14,101 yards in 11 seasons, fourth on the all-time list before heading to Canton. That’s a high bar to set for a guy who doesn’t walk into an immediate starting job (the Panthers just gave veteran Jonathan Stewart a one-year contract extension this offseason). But they made it clear they see McCaffrey having an immediate impact for them this season. “You saw him do everything – line up as the tailback, line up as the halfback, line up as the quarterback in the Wildcat, motion out and run a wheel route, return kicks,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “This is a guy who you can get the ball in his hands many different ways and quickly.”
Inside the war room: How Carolina arrived at McCaffrey Posted 1 minute ago Max HensonStaff Writer CHARLOTTE – It’s 8:03 on Thursday night, Day One of the 2017 NFL Draft, and general manager Dave Gettleman and assistant general manager Brandon Beane are waiting anxiously for the clock to finally start on the Cleveland Browns. Gettleman leans into the phone to chat with equipment manager Jackie Miles, who mans Carolina’s draft table in Philadelphia. “Jackie – tell the commissioner to get this show on the road,” Gettleman says. “Hurry up and wait,” says Beane. Last year, when the reigning NFC champions had the 30th overall pick, everyone in the war room knew it was going to be a long night before there was any action for the Panthers. This year is a different story. The Panthers own the eighth overall pick, and the intensity is in the air from the start. In addition to Gettleman, Beane, Owner/Founder Jerry Richardson, head coach Ron Rivera and director of player personnel Don Gregory seated at the table directly in front of the board, the room is full of scouting and support staff. When the Browns officially go on the clock with the first overall pick, there are only two assistant coaches in the room – offensive coordinator Mike Shula and running backs coach Jim Skipper. They know that they have reason to watch closely. To no one’s surprise, the Browns select Texas A&M defensive end Myles Garrett with the first pick. “He’s rare,” Gettleman says aloud. Then Miles’ voice comes through on the speaker phone. “The 49ers could be trading this, guys... It looks like Chicago.” It didn’t take long for the first big surprise of the evening. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” Gettleman says. The Bears, who originally had the No. 3 overall pick, swap with the 49ers and select quarterback Mitchell Trubisky from North Carolina with the second pick. “Wow,” head coach Ron Rivera says. “Wow.” Moments later, San Francisco submits its selection -- Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas. The Panthers were very high on Thomas, a disruptive defensive lineman with the ability to play inside and out. He was one of the top players on the board. And they’re not surprised to see him go to San Francisco. “He’s a baller,” says someone from the corner of the room. The Jaguars are up next. They take another one of Carolina’s top-ranked players, Louisiana State running back Leonard Fournette. It’s no secret the Panthers were impressed with the bruising power back. As soon as Jacksonville submits the pick, Gettleman calls for all the assistant coaches to enter and the doors to be shut. There are only three teams ahead of the Panthers, and it’s time to narrow down the options for No. 8. Gettleman tells the room three players are in discussion – LSU safety Jamal Adams, Alabama tight end O.J. Howard and Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey. The necessary scouts and assistant coaches provide their rapid-fire assessments of each player. Beane, Gregory and Rivera each offer their take. Adams and Howard are highly thought of. Opinions in the room suggest both players need some refinement, but they both bring physicality and immediate impact to their respective sides of the ball. The McCaffrey evaluations, however, are glowing. “He’s a great football player. Has Luke Kuechly’s DNA. Just an overall great fit,” Beane says. “He’s a touchdown waiting to happen,” says Skipper, the soft-spoken, longtime running backs coach. “Off-the-charts instincts,” says Shula, who is entering his fifth season coordinating the offense. “So many ways we can use him, so many things he can do. A lot of production and points.” Says Rivera: “He’s perfect for our offense.” The room simmers on the three identified targets with Tennessee on the clock. Gettleman is the only one moving. He paces up and down, side to side. Finally, the No. 5 pick is in. The Titans take Western Michigan wide receiver Corey Davis. “We needed that,” Gettleman says. “That,” Gregory says, “was a wildcard.” Safe to say the Panthers didn’t predict that during their internal mock draft sessions. The No. 6 pick is in. The New York Jets take Adams off the board. Only one team stands in Carolina’s way. The Los Angeles Chargers hold the seventh overall pick. Gettleman immediately turns to the scouts: “What do the Chargers need?” “Wide receivers,” he’s told. “Maybe the safety, Malik Hooker.” Before the draft began, rumors circulated that the Chargers were very interested in McCaffrey. This, coupled with how close the Panthers are to being on the clock, creates tension and silence in the room. The Chargers submit their pick. It’s Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams. Before he can even breathe a sigh of relief, Gettleman tells the room, “We’re going to go with McCaffrey.” The phone rings. Gettleman’s executive administrator tells the room a team is interested in acquiring Carolina’s pick. She is quickly instructed to tell them there will be no trade. Instead, the Panthers place a call of their own. Rivera and Shula make their way to a side office to chat with the newest Panther, who is watching the draft with his family in Colorado. “Did we get Christian on the phone? He’s alive? Turn it in,” Gettleman says. Richardson is relieved. McCaffrey spent considerable time at the team owner’s home during a pre-draft visit. Mr. and Mrs. Richardson came away convinced he would be a tremendous addition. A round of applause engulfs the room. Wide receivers coach Lance Taylor, who coached McCaffrey and the Stanford running backs for the last three years, flashes a big smile and a fist pump. “You get to coach your boy!” Gregory tells him. “Is he going to live with you, Lance?” Gettleman jokes. Tucked away from the celebration, Shula and McCaffrey are wrapping up their phone conversation. The 20-year-old’s enthusiasm brings a smile to Shula’s face. “You’re going to make us better right away,” Shula says. “We know how you work. We know what the game means to you. We’re going to score a bunch of touchdowns now, right? “You and Cam are going to be a great combination.”
Love the pick, immediate impact on offense. The weightroom may never close with Kuechly and McCaffrey in the complex. So many coaches sons #datlunchpailtoworkgame
Now Moton, can play RT/G. Love it. Surprised DG didn't go EDGE there, but Moton's a player. Strong draft so far.
Good day in my eyes. Will be fascinating to see how they make CMC/Samuel work offensively. Moton gives them some OT depth, and Hall the young edge rusher they've been looking for. Would imagine they grab a LB, a DB and a TE, maybe a DT with their last three picks tomorrow.
This seems like a good draft so far. I assume Samuel is a WR? Or do they plan to use both him and McCaffery together? They seem to have overlapping skill sets.
And McCaffery more as a true RB? Again, lot of overlap in their skill sets. I'm not really gonna complain though. Offense just got a lot faster, and the ability to be more multiple and unpredictable.
Yeah, seems that way. CMC as a running back that can split out, Samuel a slot that can come back into the backfield. Definitely some overlap, but also gives you some insurance in a way. And big picture, just add as much speed and versatility as you can on the field at one time. Stew, CMC, Samuel, KB, Funchess, Shepard, Olsen is a pretty nice collection of playmakers of all sizes and speed. Lots of options, and a nightmare to gameplan for, especially since you can't just single in on CMC or Samuel, but have to plan for both.
Yeah Coach, I'll have two #9's, a #9 large, a #6 with extra dip, two #45s, one with cheese and a large soda. No but for real, his gut is fixing to rival mine.
is that our 280lb #1 receiver? Fuck everything. Why can't we get a goddamn #1 receiver that isn't named Steve Smith who is worth a damn?
I'd be making his lazy ass do cardio 30 minutes a day before he even gets to run a route or catch a ball.