Awesome roster breakdown

[London Loves Luke]

From Bleacher Report (shock horror!). Really well informed and well researched piece with position by position breakdown. 

 

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2455368-breaking-down-the-carolina-panthers-roster-after-the-2015-nfl-draft

 

Nothing massively groundbreaking, but more indepth and accurate than what most of our beat writers can put together. 

 

What’s Needed? (O Line)

A time machine to get the 2009 Michael Oher would be nice.  I’m not convinced Oher’s going to be that much of an improvement over Byron Bell from last season, though at least Oher has shown skill at somepoint in his career.  The fact that Oher represented an upgrade at left tackle is more of a condemnation of Carolina’s offensive line situation, rather than an endorsement of Oher.

What’s Needed? (Receiver)

If Funchess develops into a top receiver, the team’s fine here for now.  They could still use more solid options behind Funchess and Benjamin, but that’s something they’ll have to deal with next year.

What’s Needed? (Linebacker)

Frankly, more roster spots.  The Panthers have more talented players at linebacker than they really know what to do with at this point, which is a good problem to have.

 

[imminent rogaine]

Good point on LBs. I think we have seen promising play from Klein and Glanton and we keep piling on.

[panthers55]

One thing to consider is that a Jim Johnson defense is predicated on great linebacker play.  That and good safety play.  You can't have too many athletes at those positions since injury is always a factor and if one of your starters gets hurt and you can't fill in with another starter quality guy, your defense is immediately compromised. The problem with 2014 early was poor safety and linebacker play.  Of course you need  pass rush but that can be handled with scheme and blitzes. But if you are sending  5 or 6 guys you don't have many guys to defend the rest of the field.  They have to be fast, good tackles and good against both the pass and run. Up until the present we didn't have 3 guys who could all play great at linebacker.  We had 2 great linebackers and a JAG.  Our defense is built in swarming the ball. running to the ball and gang tackling when you get there.   

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

I wonder if we attempt to trade AJ Klein

[O-Ther]

Big surprise the compliments are left-handed coming from BR. Oher's at least proven he CAN play at a high level. Can't say the same for Bell. Everyone else that drafted a WR in the early rounds at least gets a benefit of the doubt except us. And last time I checked, Klein and Glanton weren't used like Shaq is going to be used. I like them both, but we obviously want to do some things on D they don't seem capable of.

 

Guess the sportswriters haven't beaten the optimism out of me yet

[joemac]

Our defense might be really special next year. I think outside of a second defensive end we are stacked!! If Shaq finds his spot and starts running around making plays, and Norman and Bene build on their strong play at the end of the year...plus Luke getting better and better. Could be something serious this season....

[Moorgan]

Our defense might be really special next year. I think outside of a second defensive end we are stacked!! If Shaq finds his spot and starts running around making plays, and Norman and Bene build on their strong play at the end of the year...plus Luke getting better and better. Could be something serious this season....

Agree minus the S position. I think that is our biggest hole on D right now. I have no idea who will rise to the top to start. Harper, Boston, Coleman, Jones, Lester, other guys I can't think of. If we can get good play out of the S positions then I see this defense potentially leading the league...barring sig injury. Depth at Corner looks good with Williams and Peanut. I would agree that DE is the next question mark because we aren't sure about Ealy. But that UDFA DE from Southern might make the squad...something about that kid I like. If he adds some weight and experience through this season....hmmmm.

[Fidel Cashflow]

Excellent roster breakdown.

[UpstatePanther]

Our defense might be really special next year. I think outside of a second defensive end we are stacked!! If Shaq finds his spot and starts running around making plays, and Norman and Bene build on their strong play at the end of the year...plus Luke getting better and better. Could be something serious this season....

 

all three of our units could be special next year, if four things happen:

 

1) if Ted Ginn can return to 2013 form on ST,

2) our offensive line can give Cam some time to throw the ball,

3) Mike Shula only derps half the time instead of all the time, and

4) somebody replaces the production of He Who Shall Not Be Named at the RDE spot. 

 

if those things happen, this season could be the one we've all been waiting for. 

[PntherPryd]

Who Will Start?

Well, Kelvin Benjamin will be a starter.  While he was far from the most impressive rookie wide receiver last season, he showed solid enough progress for a first-year player.  

 

 

 

KB was 3rd, maybe 4th best WR in a spectacular class.  not sure where this "far from" crap is coming from.

[Bozarden]

all three of our units could be special next year, if four things happen:

1) if Ted Ginn can return to 2013 form on ST,

2) our offensive line can give Cam some time to throw the ball,

3) Mike Shula only derps half the time instead of all the time, and

4) somebody replaces the production of He Who Shall Not Be Named at the LDE spot.

if those things happen, this season could be the one we've all been waiting for.

Hardy played the right DE but apart from that i agree

[Bozarden]

KB was 3rd, maybe 4th best WR in a spectacular class. not sure where this "far from" crap is coming from.

I'd argue that he Was closer to being number 2 than number 4

[Shadow]

Non troll question...

 

Can some of our smaller/quicker linebackers be converted to safety like people have been talking about with Shaq?  Is there too much of a difference in skill set to move to a strong safety?

[UpstatePanther]

Hardy played the right DE but apart from that i agree

 

fixed. thanks