2008 Draft
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Carolina Panthers
Coming off a 7-9 season where head coach John Fox’s job was considered by many to be in jeopardy the Carolina Panthers had a number of questions to answer. QB Jake Delhomme went on injured reserve early in the season with a major elbow injury, DT Mike Rucker announced his retirement and RB DeShaun Foster was released.
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Pete @ April 30, 2008
2008 Draft
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New York Jets
Entering the 2008 offseason the New York Jets seemed to be competing with the Oakland Raiders to see who could spend more on free agent contracts. With their own sixth pick in the draft the Jets would select Vernon Gholston, DE/OLB, Ohio State, an odd selection considering the rich free agent deal they gave to former Cardinal Calvin Pace. Gholston is a bit of hybrid player who will likely be used in a pass rushing role in the Jets 3-4 defense.
The last time the Jets used their first round pick to take defensive line help was back in 2003 when they selected Dwayne Robertson out of Kentucky. Robertson has been a bit of disappointment for the Jets who recently traded him to the Broncos. The Jets also used first round selections in 2002 and 2000 to draft Bryan Thomas and Shaun Ellis, respectively, at the defensive end position.
As the first round wound down the Jets made a late trade with the Green Bay Packers to obtain the #30 overall draft pick, which they used to selected Dustin Keller, TE, Purdue. Keller, who is a converted wide receiver, was selected to provide a more vertical threat in the passing game, as compared with the last TE the Jets drafted in 2000, Anthony Becht. Becht would play four seasons with the Jets before signing with Tampa Bay for the 2005 season.
Over the past twenty years the Jets have used their first round draft selection to take a tight end three other times. Outside of Becht, the Jets have also drafted Kyle Brady (1995) and Johnny Mitchell (1992). Brady, a prototypical blocking tight end, played four seasons in New York before moving on to Jacksonville and New England. Mitchell would also play four seasons in New York and would spend a fifth season in the NFL with the Cowboys in a diminished role.


Pete @ April 28, 2008