J.J. Watt or Luke Kuechly

[Shaqil915]

Well, in fariness, Watts D was an utter joke last season. Starts up front as you say.

 

Sorry, you're right. It was 1 guys fault an 11 man collective failed. 

 

If Luke was on the Texans last year he would have just given them all +10 Defensive Awareness and they'd be fine. 

[General_Purr]

at this point in their career? Watt. 

 

 

 

 

 

and keek

[pantherclaw]

The debate over what position is more valued, is really easy.

Who is paid more....

An truly elite DE??

Or a truly elite MLB?

You're welcome.

[X-Clown]

Sorry, you're right. It was 1 guys fault an 11 man collective failed.

If Luke was on the Texans last year he would have just given them all +10 Defensive Awareness and they'd be fine.

Right, and he would have coached up Matt Schaub, TJ Yates, and Case Keenum up to keep them from turning the ball over and keeping them on the field all day.

[BuffaloBills62]

I would take JJ Watt.

 

Watt has shown the ability to contribute in 3 positions in multiple schemes; 34DE, 43LB, 43DE.  He can be moved across the field, stop the run, seal the edge, get in to the pocket, rush the passer as well as do some pass coverage.  He is a factor on nearly every snap because he gets closer to the ball then Kuechly does - of course, that is only as important as the scheme being run.

 

It's apples to oranges in this debate.

 

Kuechly has only shown ability in one position with only one coach, McDermont.  He may be among the best LB's in today's but I still see some areas that are not elite, not great and barely even good.  His ability to cover the middle of the field in pass coverage is - well, it's a liability.  He covers as good as most MLB's in the league but to be honest, most MLB's in this league can't cover their own shadow.  In fact, I'll get to something on that in a minute.

 

Kuechly in the pass can be exploited.  It was done against SF and Buffalo, among two games that come to mind.  The Buffalo game is an enigma because the Bills OL was holding up by threads.  Kuechly giving any bit of pressure would have stopped them in their place, but he dropped in to coverage a few too many times.  IIRC there wasn't much of an option to go to Dime and Nickel - no bodies.  Carolina needs DB's and will eventually have to learn to play a few downs without Keuchly on the field... if they ever get DB's.

 

Anyway, listening to the coverage (on Fox no less) of the Bills/Lions game they said Brandon Spikes was regarded as the best run stuffing MLB in the league today.  I am not sure what my reaction was because I can believe he could be but I do not think he is - I simply can no longer look at a MLB as just a player who stuffs the run.  Players like Kuechly who bring great athleticism to the field elevate the MLB position to be anything but just a run stuffer.

 

Also, when talking about Kuechly's run stopping ability you MUST take in to consideration of how good the DL is in Carolina.  Sure, you all know their name but I bet you most fans who follow other football teams and the NFL could name 2 starters on the Panthers DL, Johnson and Star Loofatuilliaiffidieje.  If we're going to praise Kuechly and his play, just like a QB putting recognition on his OL... we must sing the praises of the DL.

 

Without Thomas Davis we would see an entirely different Kuechly.

[Jackofalltrades]

Luke because of the position.

[Servant of Cthululelei]

[nctarheel0619]

On que, Watt scores another TD. Stop being homers people!!!!

[BuffaloBills62]

On que, Watt scores another TD. Stop being homers people!!!!

 

no joke!  Watt has now scored more TD's then Carolina's RB's.  (or anyone else on the team).  Watt has 3 now, carolina has 2 rushing TD's.

 

This makes it undeniable, right now JJ Watt is the best defensive player in the league right now and likely the rest of the season.

[Hammerin'Cameron34]

I CHANGE MY MIND

[nctarheel0619]

JJ Watt now has as many TDs as Jimmy Graham, Julio Jones and Eddie Lacy, and more than Calvin Johnson, AJ Green and DeSean Jackson.

[jasonluckydog]

neither.

[FearTheCats]

no joke! Watt has now scored more TD's then Carolina's RB's. (or anyone else on the team). Watt has 3 now, carolina has 2 rushing TD's.

This makes it undeniable, right now JJ Watt is the best defensive player in the league right now and likely the rest of the season.

Not true, Cam has 5. Watt is absolutely amazing though. There are no words. He could probably start at QB for the Bills right now, lol.

[Brooklyn Bully]

Thread needs a poll.