One of the Panther’s big problems — perhaps their biggest problem — is that they haven’t been able to develop their 2nd, 3rd, and 4th round draft picks into solid NFL-quality players. The latest bust would appear to be James Anderson, last year’s third round pick. Last year, he played in all 16 games, starting two. This year he’s gone from being the game four starter in Dan Morgan’s place, to then losing is starting job to Na’il Diggs, to now not even getting a jersey for the second week in a row. And no, he hasn’t been on the team’s injury report. Not a promising trend.
Bonus Observation: The eight 3rd-round picks the Panthers have had in the past five drafts produced all of one player that gets a jersey today: Travelle Wharton (2004 draft). On the team but inactive today: Anderson (2006), Evan Mathis (2005), and Charles Johnson (2007). Long gone: Mike Seidman (2003), Ricky Manning, Jr. (2003), Atiyyah Ellison (2005), and Rashad Butler (2006).
