Father's Memory Has Da'Quan Bowers Motivated For NFL Draft

Dennis Bowers knew he was dying in August when he challenged his only son with his final wish during an emotional talk inside his Augusta, Ga., hospital room.

Bowers' message to his boy, Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers? Rule the 2011 NFL draft.

"That last night I was able to spend with my father was the most important night of my life," Bowers said. "I'll never forget it.

"It was the most important life lesson I ever learned."
Dennis Bowers was a teacher to the end.

"My father told me what he expected of me as if he knew he was on his dying bed," Da'Quan said.
"His last wish was: 'Challenge yourself this year to be one of the best players in the country. And put your name in the draft. Challenge yourself to be the No. 1 pick of the 2011 draft.'

"That's what I did."

Full Story....................

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2011-03-27-bowers-sw_N.htm

Panthers Need To Rectify Passing Game, One Of NFL's Worst In History

The Carolina Panthers are on the clock, with the No. 1 pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, and their greatest need is the most obvious one. They must find a quarterback who can produce at even an average level by NFL standards.

The organization thought it solved the problem last year -- the biggest issue on any football team -- when it devoted a second-round pick (48th overall) to former Notre Dame star Jimmy Clausen. There were other signs of hope, too: young quarterback Matt Moore played extremely well in place of the injured Jake Delhomme at the end of 2009.

CARRY ON

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/03/25/panthers/

In Lockout, Twitter Can Be A Pulpit Or A Distraction

We often think of social media as a powder keg, but in the N.F.L. labor dispute, it may be acting more like a boiling chip. Twitter may provide an instantaneous sounding board for discontented players weary of the party line, but its wide range and immediate feedback create sudden consequences for anyone who stands out from the crowd.

http://fifthdown.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/in-lockout-twitter-can-be-a-pulpit-or-a-distraction/?partner=rss&emc=rss

History, Picking #1, And Carolina

Tension is mounting. Both parties involved are about as tight-lipped as it gets and the unknown has many fearful.

No, I am not talking about any negotiations between players and owners.

I’m talking about the Carolina Panthers and their first overall selection in April’s draft.
We are about a month away from draft day and normally, we have an idea of whom the first pick is going to be. Sure, teams attempt to keep everything hush until they’re officially on the clock, but thanks to the internet, draftniks always find ways to come to a consensus prior to the official announcement.

Nevertheless, for the first time in perhaps a decade, a number of candidates are in play for the top pick. By now, you turned on your television, saw one-person give their own opinion, and flipped the channel only to have somebody new say the opposite. Bottom line, there isn’t a consensus on who will be No. 1 on April 28.

Of course, that doesn’t stop speculation and there is sure to be much more in the next month. In order to avoid to confusion, I suggest turning to history to narrow down the options.

http://www.fantasyfootballjungle.com/articles/index.php?id=1168

Gabbert Definitely Gave Carolina Something To Think About

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- You have to take a pro-day workout partly as the dog and pony show it is, but Missouri quarterback Blaine Gabbert officially has given the Carolina Panthers a decision to make at the top of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Throwing for the first time before representatives from all 32 teams, Gabbert threw accurately and moved with smooth athleticism in a well-reviewed, 25-minute pro day workout on Thursday at the University of Missouri. If the No. 1 Panthers want to take a quarterback, they now must put Gabbert and Auburn's Cam Newton side by side and choose the one they feel has the most potential to be a clear-cut franchise passer.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/don_banks/03/17/blaine-gabbert-pro-day/

Will NFL, Players Realize Fans' Power ?

The weather forecast for Saturday in San Francisco is 60 degrees, in Boston 53 and partly cloudy. The NHL and NBA are grinding toward their seasons' end and the playoffs, with baseball (unless you hail from Pittsburgh or Kansas City) full of spring possibilities. In Japan, a disaster beyond comprehension has death tolls anticipated to reach the thousands. The United States, barely able to pay its bills at home, heaven help us, might put fighter planes in the skies over Libya.

Events large and small, important and not so will go on Saturday morning. Life will go on, happily for some, in the wake of tragedy for others. In sports, the ball will keep bouncing.

For weeks, in discussing the original March 3 expiration of the NFL's collective bargaining agreement, we've used words like deadline (stretched as it was to this week) and Armageddon, but they are not the right words. The business of the National Football League is currently at an impasse, but the game of football is very much alive. The sport itself literally hasn't gone anywhere. If you love football, go into the garage or a sporting goods store and buy one. Take the ball and throw it with your kids. Play Madden. Get really muddy by playing pick up ball with your friends. Be Tom Brady.

The business of the game is shut down, but fans have lost nothing while gaining something very important: You've learned that those who own the teams, the commissioner who runs the league and, to a far lesser extent, the players who run the routes, sack the quarterbacks and score the touchdowns have so little perspective that they believe their inability to divide $9 billion is, in the real world, important. We all know better.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?id=6208732

Is Mallett A Better Fit For Carolina Than Newton ? Five Reasons Why

New Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera has shown more than a little interest in Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and closely watched the quarterback at Auburn's pro day last week.
The Panthers, who endured awful performances under center in 2010, hold the No. 1 pick in the 2011 draft and will scrutinize Newton at Auburn again during a private workout this Wednesday.

However it's worth noting they'll also put the seemingly re-ascending Ryan Mallett though his paces in Arkansas on Tuesday, according to the National Football Post.

Which begs the question: Is Mallett actually better fit for Carolina ?

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/03/is-ryan-mallett-a-better-fit-for-the-panthers-than-came-newton-here-are-five-reasons-why/1