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KK Short Is The Carolina Panthers Defensive MVP

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

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KK Short Is The Carolina Panthers Defensive MVP ... at least in my opinion. 

Allow me to state my case....

Yes, Luke Kuechly and Josh Norman are both playing at incredibly high levels. One could make a valid argument for either to be the defensive MVP. But for me, it is all about KK Short. 

Point 1 - The Panthers kept winning without Luke Kuechly.

This is not a knock on Luke Kuechly at all, but more an endorsement of the amount of amazing talent on the Panthers defense. Even with Kuechly out for several games, the Panthers kept on trucking. 

Point 2 - Josh Norman benefits from the play of KK Short.

 I am a huge Josh Norman advocate, have been for years. No one can deny how he has dominated his opponents this season. But Norman has benefited from the play of KK Short. With Short applying pressure from the interior, QB's are forced to make throws that otherwise would not be made. 

Point 3 - Those KK Stats 

44 Combined Tackles

9 Sacks

81 Yards lost on Sacks

4 Passes Defended 

3 Forced Fumbles

2 Fumble recovery

These numbers are All-Pro caliber numbers for a defensive tackle. 

Point 4 - Game Winning Play.

Yes, Josh Norman single handedly saved the Panthers from a loss with his last second interception against New Orleans. Incredible play. But KK Short also saved the Panthers from having a loss this season. Against the Texans, it was Short's pressure that forced an intentional grounding by Ryan Mallet and kept Houston from scoring. 

For the Panthers, it all starts with that defensive line and particularly the interior of the defensive line. KK Short is by far the best player in that unit which has dominated this season. 

Therefore, he is my defensive MVP. 

 


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nctarheel0619 Newbie

nctarheel0619

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It's Norman or Luke.  I love KK, but we've always had a dominant pass rush, but never have we had a shut down corner to go along with that.  Norman has been that and much more, Defensive MVP is his for sure.  

KK's not even the best DT in the conference.  Hello Aaron Donald.  While there is no competition for J-No right now in the NFC.  

Edited by nctarheel0619
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Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

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I think that's a pretty legit analysis but if anything I'd lean more towards Norman.

Luke is awesome and the best linebacker in the game and the defense is on another level with him out there, I'm not so sure that Norman would be harder to replace than Luke right now.

 

Damn, this is an awesome "problem" to have... figuring out who the best star D player we have is. :)

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Moorgan Enthusiast

Moorgan

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I agree and I was saying this to friends this week. However, I think point 2 is invalid simply because it literally goes both ways.

What I mean by that is that KK also benefits from Josh. If everyone is covered, then the QB holds onto the ball longer and thus KK gets the sack.

The point is valid both ways in a symbiotic way. But I agree. KK has been a consistent force to be reckoned with all year. That high level consistency is invaluable. Thus MVP.

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Zaximus Grand Master

Zaximus

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I can't agree.  Short has sort of been quiet at times but Norman has to keep it up every game.  I'm not saying Short isn't doing work.  I think it's the other way around, I think Norman and the improved secondary is helping out our pash rush this year.   While we won without Luke, it was in a different way.   The Saints with McCown killed us in the middle with short passes that Luke doesn't let happen often, and Luke's run defense was noticeable.   It's almost a 3-way tie.  

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csx Grand Master

csx

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8 minutes ago, nctarheel0619 said:

It's Norman or Luke.  I love KK, but we've always had a dominant pass rush, but never have we had a shut down corner to go along with that.  Norman has been that and much more, Defensive MVP is his for sure.  

KK's not even the best DT in the conference.  Hello Aaron Donald.  While there is no competition for J-No right now in the NFC.  

Donald is irrelevant to the discussion of a Panther specific award.

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bababoey Enthusiast

bababoey

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No offense to Luke or Josh but Jeremy is right.  That should be the only time anyone ever says that on the board.

 

No matter how good a LB, that is not a pass rusher, or a DB is they can only have so much impact on a game. If you throw the ball to the other side of the field Josh has no impact on that play, he is covering his guy and keeping the throw from coming his way but if it was designed to go the other way anyway he cant stop it.  If you throw the ball outside the numbers, short or deep Luke cant have an effect on the play.  He can tackle the guy after he catches it but unless he is in man coverage he is going to be in the middle of the field and unless he has a 1/2 second 30 yard dash he cant get there.

 

A defensive lineman can effect every play he is on the field.  If the ball is run at him he can stop it.  If the ball is run away from him he can chase it down from behind.  If its a screen he can knock the pass down or tackle the back before he gets started.  If its a quick pass he can either push the lineman back into the quaterback and disrupt the throw or knock the pass now.  Or, of course he can sack the quarterback.  That's why everyone refers the JJ Watt as the best defensive player in the NFL.  He just impacts the game more than Luke or anyone else can except another defensive lineman.  KK has had the same kind of impact on our defensive as JJ Watt has for the Houston defensive.  So I would have to agree with Jeremy this time.  Damnit

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