Panthers take Pike among their four sixths

Just when it looked like the Carolina Panthers were finished pulling big surprises in the NFL draft, they selected Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike late in the sixth round with the 204th overall selection.

Pike was regarded coming into the draft as the fifth best QB available. He was rated No. 70 in the Observer's Top 100.

He was among players believed to be on the Panthers' wish list before the draft, but not after selecting Notre Dame's Jimmy Clausen in Round 2.

However, Pike was apparently too good to pass up. He had been projected to go in the second or third round by various analysts. He's got excellent height (6-5 3/4, 223) but needs to add strength and weight. He completed 211 of 338 passes last season with 29 touchdowns and six interceptions.

However, he's been a bit injury prone and is considered an accurate passer with moderate arm strength.

Pike's arrival suddenly raises the question of how long the Panthers plan to keep Matt Moore, who was 4-1 as a starter last season and is projected to be the top quarterback going into training camp.

If Moore stays, Pike will compete with Hunter Cantwell, an undrafted rookie last season, for the No. 3 job.

Previously in the sixth round, the Panthers picked Baylor wide receiver/kick returner David Gettis with the 198th pick and Texas A&M cornerback/special teamer David Pugh at 202.

Gettis has excellent size (6-3, 217) and speed (4.48 seconds in the 40-yard dash). He caught 52 passes last season for 675 yards and three touchdowns. He had a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in 2007 against Kansas.

He was also a member of Baylor's track team.

Pugh wasn't listed in some NFL draft guides. He started 11 games last season at free safety last season after starting 12 at cornerback in '08. He had various roles on special teams, including returning three punts last season.

-- Charles Chandler