Brady Quinn Is Not Coming to Carolina, People

There has been a fair amount of speculation on this site and several others that Brady Quinn's draft stock is slipping, and if he's available with the 14th pick, the Carolina Panthers will grab him.

At first glance, it does make some sense. Quinn played for Charlie Weis at Notre Dame, and the Panthers just hired a Charlie Weis protege to be their offensive coordinator. Plus, the boys at Football Outsiders remind us that Jake Delhomme's DPAR and DVOA ratings dropped considerably from 2005 to 2006.

Put it out of your mind. John Fox and Marty Hurney have said time and again that they don't believe in using a first-round pick on a high-profile quarterback, because ultimately, such players take too much time and money to develop properly. If Brady Quinn is still on the board when the Panthers pick comes around, Carolina will pass.

Besides, Carolina needs too much help at linebacker and safety, and if LSU safety LaRon Landry, Florida safety Reggie Nelson or Mississippi linebacker Patrick Willis are still on the board, Quinn won't get a second look. Ohio State wideout Ted Ginn, Jr. might be a possibility there as well, as this team needs another receiver and a better kick returner, but I expect Fox and Hurney to look toward filling defensive holes first.