Panthers Bragging rights - most "elite" players

[KB_fan]

Yesterday in the stats & analysis thread I posted the latest PFF grades and rankings for the entire Panthers roster.

We currently have 4 players whom PFF grades as "elite" and who are ranked 1st in their positions:

• Luke
• Josh
• Ryan Kalil
• KK

I was wondering if there is any other team with as many elite-graded players?  The answer is NO.

Using the PFF "matchup feature," I did a quick skim through all the teams' starting lineups looking at the player grades.  Only 8 teams (including the Panthers) have multiple elite players: (players graded 90+)

• Panthers have 4
• Cardinals & Steelers have 3
• Bills, Cowboys, Patriots, Ravens, & Saints each have 2

If you include both elite & the next level of top players (players graded 85+)

• Bengals lead with 7 total
• Then: Cardinals, Panthers & Steelers with 6
• Then Seahawks & Vikings with 5.

[KB_fan]

In case you're curious, by my quick (but I hope accurate) count, there are 33 elite-graded players currently.

11 teams have NO elite players.

[d-dave]

Gettlemagic?  No knee jerk reactions to growing pains?

[London Loves Luke]

Just LOOK at that fugging O line. Literally unbelievable what has happened since this point last year. Props to Matsko and the Oline coaches.

[Darth Biscuit]

What is TD ranked?  He's got to be damned close to elite.

[L-TownCat]

What is TD ranked?  He's got to be damned close to elite.

nah, OLBs need sacks to get good grades.

[Nick_81]

What is TD ranked?  He's got to be damned close to elite.

Not even, according to PFF....   It's a shame really, because he's so much better than indicated here.

[OneBadCat]

We've always had a good stable of premier players. Just not at the right positions. But we've got top 5-10 players all over the board.

Cam, Olsen, Kalil, Turner, Norwell,, Luke, TD, Star, KK, Norman, CJ, Stewart

And closing in on that status would be Shaq and Bene. 

We probably have the best and largest core group in the NFL

[KB_fan]

What is TD ranked?  He's got to be damned close to elite.

Surprisingly low.  He's ranked 25th with an overall grade of 72.2 - and thats a huge jump up from where he'd been. Following week 4 and week 6 he was ranked in the 40s (with overall grades of 64 and 68).  Hopefully his grade will keep climbing and he'll get the kind of notice he deserves and make the pro-bowl. (though of course he won't be able to attend due to other committments!!!)

TD's grade is one reason I take PFF's grades with a HUGE grain of salt.  They're fun to look at and talk about, but the numbers don't always translate into reality on the field or show the importance of a player to the team.

[Khaki Lackey]

You would think a site as supposedly reputable as PFF would make a separate category for 3-4 OLBs and 4-3 OLBs. They are entirely different positions.

[DirtyMagic97]

What is TD ranked?  He's got to be damned close to elite.

PFF hasn't yet figured out how to properly rate the GOAT category.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Hell I'll say it.  We have the most top end talent of any team in the league, especially when it comes to balance.  To me...

Luke, Norman, KK, Kalil, Norwell/Turner, Cam, Olsen, TD are already elite or close to it.  Throw in Star, CJ, and Bene as guys who are, or can be, in the next tier or "elite" when they play to their potential. Tolbert/Stewart on a good day are above average to very good at their positions as well.  If we had a consistently "elite" DE, I'd call us the Super Bowl favorites. 

 

Oh yeah, KB. Throw him in there. And Shaq could easily be the next one.  So basically, half of our starters to me are very good to elite guys.  Homer glasses might be on, but still pretty damn good. 

[Darth Biscuit]

nah, OLBs need sacks to get good grades.

Yeah that's bullshit...  not really his job.

[Lemory]

Chris Collinsworth was spot on when he said our interior O-Line is one of the best in the NFL.