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Kony Ealy Impresses In Debut

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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Carolina Panthers rookie defensive end Kony Ealy has had mixed reviews in camp.

 

Ealy spent the first week looking out of place, unable to match up well against even the third string offensive line. Since then, Ealy has made progress.

 

Progress is exactly what you want to see from a rookie.

 

I asked Head Coach Ron Rivera his thoughts on Ealy's performance.

 

"I thought Kony showed up" Rivera said. "He applied some pressure on the outside. He a did nice job of getting in the fold on the bootleg. Made a couple nice knifing tackles on some runs. He made some mistakes obviously that will get corrected, but he showed why we drafted him."

 

"I'm very pleased of the effort we got from him today." Rivera added.

 

Panthers-Bills-30.jpg

 

Defensive ends rarely make an impact their rookie season. Starting veterans Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy also went through transitional periods from the college ranks to the pros. It is expected.

 

What coaches are looking for from Ealy is progress and the occasional flash of what he can grow to be. In this regard, Ealy is showing exactly what the coaches want to see.

 

"It's been a tough battle for him just getting used to the way we do things." Rivera remarked. "He came through for us today."

 

Ron Rivera was not the only one who noticed the improvements Ealy showed on Friday night.

 

As Ealy came off the field after showing real effort in a goal line defensive stand, Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis was sure to let Ealy know his efforts were noticed.

 

Panthers-Bills-48.jpg

 

 

If Kony Ealy's play was good enough for Thomas Davis's attention, it should most certainly be good enough for yours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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I noticed that he was in the picture a lot, good contain, etc. but the thing I noticed most was his enthusiasm.  He was getting into it.  Love it.   If this continues, and we continue to get results from KB and Turner (TNT, heard it here first), I will punch the person who disses Gettlemen right in the mouth.  The fact that it takes DEs a bit of time to develop is one reason we took Ealy this year and not when he was a need. 

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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Any comments a coach makes before watching film is to be taken with a grain of salt--however, in this situation, Ealy played most of the game (so did Turner).  I have to think RR was focusing on Ealy when he was on the field.

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lola Newbie

lola

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He's lucky that he is on a team with such talented, hardworking, stand-up guys like Thomas and Luke, CJ. Guys that lead by example. Ealy will benefit from this on and off the field.

Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

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French Navy Newbie

French Navy

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Ealy made at least 3 impact plays. thats very good for a rook. if you didnt see how disruptive he was (without getting the sacks) then i dont know who you were watching. 

 

Agree with this, Ealy was flashing on defensive. Looked the part. Usually it's the opposite - look good in training, bad in games. 

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BuffaloBills62 Newbie

BuffaloBills62

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The Bills had plenty of holes at OL last night.  It was good watching 7th rounder Henderson survive, but without our starting LG and with questions still with who starts I fear the OL might not have time to gel.

 

Ealy took advantage of timing on every snap.  He quickly beat his man to the first two or three steps and then gained leverage every single time until he either out positioned his opponent or was overpowered.  It will not be long until his strength catches up with the rest of him.

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