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CHARLOTTE, N. Pirates Jerseys 2020 .C. - The Panthers say theyd like to find a replacement for longtime No. 1 wide receiver Steve Smith in this years NFL draft. The big question is when theyll do it. The Panthers have the 28th overall pick, but the NFC South champions have a variety of needs after getting hit hard in free agency, and could go in a number of directions with their first-round choice. General manager Dave Gettleman said recently that wide receiver, offensive tackle and cornerback are among the teams top needs, but qualified that statement by adding he wont got out of his way to land one. "When you reach for a position of need youre in trouble," he said. Gettleman said he has some reservations about drafting a receiver in the first round because it often takes them longer to adjust to the NFL game than those who play other positions. "History tells you that its a very difficult position to assimilate into (the NFL), especially with the current game being played at the college level," Gettleman said. Gettleman called it a "wide receiver heavy" draft that includes several players whove put up big numbers. He said the trick is finding guys who can easily make the transition to the next level. "Ill look at a guy and hes caught 90 balls ... but of those 45 were flash screens," Gettleman said. "The other 45 he caught, he ran to three spots. So, do they understand coverage? Theyre going to have to learn the whole route tree. How long is it going to take them to assimilate? Its an issue. Its a problem." Smith was released in a salary cap move earlier this off-season. Replacing his toughness and production wont be easy. He caught 836 passes for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns for the Panthers in 13 seasons. However, after averaging 76 receptions for 1,284 yards receiving and 5.5 touchdowns in his first two seasons playing with quarterback Cam Newton, Smiths numbers fell off in 2013. He caught 64 passes for 745 yards and four TDs. The Panthers signed free agents Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood, but none is expected to become the next No. 1 receiver in Carolina. Five things to watch from the Panthers in the draft: ON THE FRONT BURNER: Jordan Gross retired this off-season, leaving a huge hole at left tackle — one the Panthers potentially could address in Round 1. Gettleman said there are some tackles in the draft dont have "left tackle feet," but said that doesnt necessarily matter. "There are only so many elite tackles," he said. "There are plenty of guys playing left tackle in this league that dont have classic left tackle feet." Finding a left tackle might take on added importance given Newton is coming off ankle surgery this off-season. FIRST ROUND SUCCESS: The Panthers have had tremendous success with their first-round picks the last three seasons. They grabbed defensive tackle Star Lotulelei from Utah at No. 14 in 2013, and he looks like hes going to be around the league for quite a while. They drafted linebacker Luke Kuechly at No. 11 in 2012 and quarterback Cam Newton first overall the year before that. Kuechly was the 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while Newton was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011. BLUE GOOSE: Last year, Gettleman said the Panthers needed to add some "hog mollies," or big linemen. This year, the Boston native switched gears, saying if there is a "blue goose" pass rusher available at No. 28 he wouldnt pass on him. Tough to know what a blue-winged bird native to Ethiopia has to do with building a football team, though. CORNERBACK ON RADAR: The Panthers lost starting cornerback Captain Munnerlyn to Minnesota in free agency. While they signed free agent Antoine Cason, dont rule out cornerback as an option with one of the teams top three picks. The Panthers have one pick in each of the seven rounds. DONT BE REACHING: The Panthers are determined not to reach for picks at positions of need. They followed that plan last year and took defensive tackle Kawaan Short from Purdue in the second round — even after selecting Lotulelei in the first. "Last year, K.K. (Short) was obviously the best value in that second-round pick," Gettleman said. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ;Pittsburgh Pirates Gear .com) - Mikko Korhonen carded a 5-under 67 on Thursday to claim medalist honors at the European Tours Final Qualifying Stage tournament. Pirates Jerseys 2019 . With nothing tangible at stake, the Raptors turned in their most impressive outing of the fall in their seventh and second to last exhibition tilt against their stiffest competition yet, but they lost a couple starters in the process.Katherine Grainger has been made to wait before learning whether or not she will be selected for her fifth Olympic Games. The British Olympic Association on Thursday announced the names of 43 of the 47 rowers to compete for Team GB in Rio in August.The 40-year-old, who claimed a first Olympic gold in London after silvers in three prior Games, was seeking selection in the womens double scull with Vicky Thornley, but the names to compete in that boat are still to be confirmed. Grainger with partner Anna Watkins (left) after winning double sculls gold at London 2012 The pair had also explored the opportunity of being part of the womens eights but British Rowing performance director Sir David Tanner has since confirmed that is no longer an option.He said: We did some testing at the beginning of this week to see whether or not the double of Katherine Grainger and Vicky Thornley could, at their request, make a slot for themselves in the womens eight. That was not to be.Its my confident intention to announce very soon those two back in their double and racing for Team GB at the Olympic Games. Sir David Tanner confident Grainger will be confirmed for Rio Graingers four Olympic medals puts her level with swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who has two gold and twoo bronze medals. Pittsburgh Pirates Pro Shop. A fifth medal of any colour would give her a cumulative British record in Rio.And womens coach Paul Thompson says Graingers focus on success in Rio is as steadfast as ever.Katherine is very feisty at the moment and very single minded, he said.She, in her mind, is definitely looking forward and she hasnt stepped away from her ambition at all.This has eliminated all other opportunities, so thats their chance and weve got to help them make sure it happens.Olympic champions Helen Glover and Heather Stanning, who won Britains first gold medal of London 2012, will aim to defend their title in the womens pair.Alex Gregory, who won gold in the mens four at London, is joined in the same boat by Mohamed Sbihi, George Nash and Constantine Louloudis. All three won bronze in the eight in London. Glover (left) and Stanning at the 2015 Sunday Times and Sky Sports Sportswomen of the Year Awards A further group of 12 sweep (single oar) rowers have been named to form the mens eight, pair and two reserves.Pete Reed and Andrew Triggs Hodge, who won gold medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, have been named in the group.Katherine Copeland, who won the womens double scull with Sophie Hosking four years ago, will seek to defend her title with Charlotte Taylor. Also See: SportsWomen Latest Show News Latest News SportsWomen Video ' ' '
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Activity: Nov 21 '19
Activity: Nov 21 '19