48 replies to this topic

[jarhead]

I think Rivera's credibility will be damaged if we fail to develop one these DT's after defending his DT's.I think if Ron Edwards comes back to his previous self I can see it at NT but I dont see the the guy at UT. I feel the same way at safety and cb.

[Ivan The Awesome]

I don't believe his credibility will be damaged. So far he's being doing what he said he's going to do. He's made several moves that many did not agree with and have worked out for the teams favor.

At this moment I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.

[Gallagher]

Eh, I'm on the fence.

[Cracka McNasty]

Honestly? No. But then again i'm not out there day in and day out with these guys so for all I know they have improved leaps and bounds. I have faith in Rivera so I guess what it comes down to is that I HOPE we are good at DT...

[Marguide]

No, I am not overly confident in our DT's, but I also realize that you cannot fix everything in today's NFL. Every team has their weaknesses, and we are no different.

I do trust Ron to put the best product on the field given the salary cap and roster size constraints. He may be wrong in his evaluation of specific players, but he also needs to be given the latitude to be wrong occasionally.

As long as the overall product continues to improve, we should be satisfied with his stewardship.

[Bullethead527]

No, I am not overly confident in our DT's, but I also realize that you cannot fix everything in today's NFL. Every team has their weaknesses, and we are no different.

I do trust Ron to put the best product on the field given the salary cap and roster size constraints. He may be wrong in his evaluation of specific players, but he also needs to be given the latitude to be wrong occasionally.

As long as the overall product continues to improve, we should be satisfied with his stewardship.

This^^^^^^

It still might be a weakness, but it will be an approved weakness. Drafting Luke was BPA, and also it strengthen a spot that we felt was the strongest on DEF last year. We all know what happened to our strongest position on DEF last year. Also I don't think any DT was worth taking a risk on, knowing that the DT started playing better and the guys that went on IR were thrown to the wolves, what team has ever started 2 rookie DT at the same time before.

[jarhead]

This^^^^^^

It still might be a weakness, but it will be an approved weakness. Drafting Luke was BPA, and also it strengthen a spot that we felt was the strongest on DEF last year. We all no what happened to our strongest position on DEF last year. Also I don't think any DT was worth taking a risk on, knowing that the DT started playing better and the guys that went on IR were thrown to the wolves, what team has ever started 2 rookie DT at the same time before.

I agree but it was bothersome for Rivera sweeping it under the rug as if we are fine especially at the UT assuming Edwards returns in good health and shape.I am glad we have Luke but would beg borrow or still to sign a FA.

[CatMan72]

I'm "cautiously optimistic".

Rivera believes we are good at DT, so I'm going to trust him on that.

[TheOracle]

Fua < Shirley

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Eh, good no but I trust Rivera and feel like everyone will raise their level of play this year.

On paper this team looks good to me but we all know you when games on the field, so we'll see what happens.

[jarhead]

I'm "cautiously optimistic".

Rivera believes we are good at DT, so I'm going to trust him on that.

I wonder if he really believes we have a starting caliber UT or are they defending those two 3rd round draft picks that seem to suck

[panthernation23]

with ron edwards, we should be ok...without edwards, well we suck at dt.

[Release The Beast 52]

I am confident in what we've got for now. Do we have any pro-bowlers at DT? Not now, but 2 mid round picks that had no training camp and were surrounded by injuries and poor DB play can't be fully evaluated, IMO. I also don't think that Edwards is a franchise changing player in the middle, but I do think his presence will help add a little glue inside to help the younger guys learn. For this reason, I trust what Rivera and the coaching staff has seen in day-to-day activities more than 3 hours on a Sunday. Besides, the free agency market for DT's was kinda garbage and bringing in anyone not named Fletcher Cox would've been nothing more than another rookie being plugged in to play. I think we have a stable of young promising players and I feel like at least one will shake out as a forceful starting DT that we can count on for the future. My money is on McClain or possibly going with a "Giants" kind of mentality with rotating players like Johnson, Anderson, etc. in along the line. Basically putting the best 11 defensive players on the field.

[The Special One]

YES

[Bullethead527]

I think Fua problem was technique, I remember reading an article saying while in college he was able to overpower people, but being in the NFL, everyone is strong. So once he gets his technique down, he should be better, you can't teach a guy technique and NFL strength and conditioning under the circumstances last year. So I expect to see a vast improvement out of Fua this year.

McClain- I don't like him at all, he might even be better than Fua , but I remember he held out for awhile, once the lockout ended, trying to nickel and dime his contract, I understand players want more money, but come on man you was a 3rd pick, under the new CBA, there is not a whole lot of wiggle room.

Edwards as experience- he plays the position good, IMO. He is no Suh, but he is a guy that will command a double team, and has the experience that we don't have at the position.

Neblett and Kearse should be higher on the depth chart than Fua and McClain. Those guys came in and it looked like a totally different DL, minus the Saints* game....