Wes Horton, Mario Addison, Kony Ealy

[Sam Mills Fan]

What do you think of these guys? They obviously played well on Sunday, but how much of that came from the Lions tackle having mostly prepped for Hardy all week?

 

I'm a little conflicted. All three of these guys have me optimistic, especially since they're being mentored by Eric Washington and Sam Mills III. On the other hand, I think Horton's start on Sunday might have been the first start among the three of them: 2 of which are young guys that came into the league undrafted and 1 of which is a rookie. I think we'll lose 1 game this year that we would have won if Hardy had been playing. I think that would be pretty acceptable considering we're looking at going the bulk of a year without an All-Pro defensive end.

 

Thoughts?

[SuperJTheGreat]

Hardy was elite. But, Beat the blocker not the woman

[Udogg]

They each bring something different.. what made the Kraken special is that he had the total package.  Good against run, strength for bull rush, speed for getting around the corner.   We just have to play more situational football.  I think Alexander is the closest to Kraken and he won't be back for another 2 weeks.  Still we should be fine.  I think the games we lose won't be because of defense.

[tondi]

It would be better if they were all one player but individually they form a decent rotation. There will be a drop off however. Hopefully getting FA will help also.

[Kuech the Sneak]

We're gonna miss him for sure, mostly against big time offenses

[Set of Circumstances]

they gon make it rain hehhehehehe

[cbully]

in fresh leg rotation we'll be good especially when Frank returns.

[TheRumGone]

We are so lucky we have good depth

[Your GFs favorite huddler]

Once frank is back I think we will see similar combined production, it will seem less due to it not coming from one dominant player but collectively I have faith they will pick up the slack

[Pejorative Miscreant]

If there was a position on this team that you were going to lose a star player for a considerable amount or time due to media bias, weak as poo commissioner and the general uninformed public I guess DE is probably the best. We have a lot of depth and big Frank is coming back soon.

[CRA]

Lions game featured a pass heavy offense with a backup RT for them to play against.

Lions game probably gave us the best case scenario IMO in terms of surviving with our backup options.

A balanced attack IMO will be more of a talent with a legit starter. Will be harder to pick and choose when to play whom and it will be tougher sledding just based on talent

[CRA]

If there was a position on this team that you were going to lose a star player for a considerable amount or time due to media bias, weak as poo commissioner and the general uninformed public I guess DE is probably the best. We have a lot of depth and big Frank is coming back soon.

I disagree.

We saw what it was like with CJ out last year. It was noticeable.

Lions weren't a balanced attack and had a crappy backup in.

[toldozer]

With the push our dts are capable of I don't really think it matters. Rotation is fine.

[gettlemanjack]

Wes Horton on his father:

Q. Your dad (Mike Horton) was Gemini on ‘American Gladiators.’ What’s your best Gladiators story?

A. I don’t remember too much of it because I was too young. But I have pictures of us playing on the set, climbing up the Eliminator. We were rolling around in the balls. So we had full access to all the sets.

...

Q. Did he play football?

A. He did. He played for the Eagles and Patriots, then played in the USFL and the CFL. In the USFL he played with Reggie White. He had to block Reggie White every day in practice with the Memphis Showboats.

Q. Can you take him?

A. All the way up until recently, I’ve always been pretty intimidated by my father. He’s a black belt in karate. He could probably kick anyone’s ass. So I would imagine he could probably kick my ass.

...

Q. If they brought Gladiators back again, could you hang?

A. Of course I could hang. I’ve got Gemini in my blood.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/12/06/4525567/defensive-end-wes-horton.html#.VBoHYfldUfU

MICHAEL HORTON

Gemini was one of the orginal Gladiators and was the team captain throughout his four year stay. He was an unstoppable force in Atlaspheres, Duel and Powerball and had great respect for the Contenders. Since leaving the arena, Gem-Gem-Gem Gemini has appeared in the hit movie 'Night at the Roxbury' and is now a Hollywood stunt actor.

1 year-old Wes (left) and 3 year-old Shane (right) with "Gemini" a.k.a. Dad

From left to right: "Malibu," "Gemini," "Nitro" and Shane (age 1)