Scouting Shaq

[Cary Kollins]

This is a great read from Max Henson at Panthers.com.

 

http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Scouting-Shaq/cea6417f-f376-47e7-bca1-03eabed3287d

 

If you're not pumped about our first round selection after reading this then you might want to check your pulse.

 

 

Some highlights of the article:

 

 

 

The objective of this pre-draft visit was to get a sense of Thompson's personality and his football knowledge. How did he do?

"He's an A-plus," Al Holcomb (linebacker coach) said. "He has the right demeanor. He's hungry. Someone who can be counted on, someone you can trust."

 

 

 

 

"I'm looking at how he takes coaching and instruction," Holcomb said. "I look at hand-eye coordination, ball skills, how he moves his feet, how he flips his hips, how he tracks the ball, how he diagnoses – as much information as I can get."

One moment in particular gave Holcomb all the information he really needed, and it was the first thing he told director of college scouting Don Gregory when he returned to Charlotte.

"When Shaq stands in front of you and he moves when you are in close proximity, you can feel how explosive he is," Holcomb said. "At that point, I said to myself, 'Wow, this guy is special.'

"He can do all the things that we are going to ask him to do. He has great burst, he's smart, he can change direction on a dime. When I saw that face to face, I just said, 'Wow.'"

 

 

 

 

When asked where he needs to improve at his introductory press conference, Thompson said "shedding blocks." That didn't surprise Holcomb.Some analysts have suggested this could be a problem for Thompson, who is listed at 6-foot and 228 pounds. Holcomb doesn't see it that way.

"I don't see there being any problem with him using his hands more consistently. It's something that needs to be drilled," Holcomb said. "People associate a bigger player with being more capable of getting off blocks. That's not always the case. The arm length is critical for me."

And Thompson has ideal arm length – 33 inches to be exact.

Some look at Thompson's height and weight and say he doesn't have the physical traits to shed blocks. In reality, he has a physical trait that makes him more apt to shed blocks once he develops the proper technique.

"Guys with long arms can extend and create separation between them and the offensive player," Holcomb said. "Shaq's got the arm length of someone that is 6-4. I'll take that any day of the week."

The Panthers will plug Thompson in as an outside linebacker opposite Davis and let him learn and develop. And with his athletic gifts, Holcomb is as excited as anyone to see how it all comes together.

"It's not too big for him," Holcomb said. "There's a learning curve transitioning to the pro game, and he's got to take it up another notch. But he's still ascending as a player. He can be something special."

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Fidel Cashflow]

Good stuff

[ecu88]

[Cary Kollins]

Our defense is going to be absurd with Kuechly, Davis and Shaq out there.

[pantherj]

If I had to point out some negatives his lack of size shows up when QBs and RBs stiff arm him to fend him off. He eventually gets them down, but when a QB is stiff arming you and continuing to run for a while it shows a lack of size and power. Shaq looks amazing in pass coverage though, and this is a passing league. I'm excited to see this defense in action.

[Carl Spackler]

I'm excited to see Shaq play but at this point I'm beyond making predictions for how any rookie will do.

[TheNewStandard]

Im telling Y'all...Shaq is perfect for this defense as a roaming WOLB. He's so good in shadowing the QB while still covering slant WR/ TE and #2's till they reach the 10-yard mark...he's gonna do in coverage what Luke has done and allow Luke to play more at the line, being able to attack the LOS, stopping RBs at the line, instead of having to change from coverage to pursuit.

He's perfect to excel for what we were missing last season

[top dawg]

I have high expectations for Shaq and this defense considering everything that's being said. No reason we shouldn't stay in the top 10 and work ourselves up from there. No reason at all.

[TylerVagyler]

he'll tag ya fanny

[panthers55]

This defense needs great linebackers. Hopefully we now have at least 3 great ones. 

[ed bell]

Are there better mentors for a rookie LB than Davis and Kuechly? They'll get him past his weaknesses

[SgtJoo]

[Brothergrim427]

I loved this pick I now love it far more

[CPF4LIFE]

I still see a pro bowl safety rather then a linebacker when i watch him on the field. I hope he can develop into a elite linebacker tho.