Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

KK Short Is The Carolina Panthers Defensive MVP

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • Popular Post
Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted

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. 

 


View full article

  • Pie 20
Link to comment
Share on other sites
nctarheel0619 Newbie

nctarheel0619

Posted
Posted (edited)

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
  • Pie 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Darth Biscuit Mentor

Darth Biscuit

Posted
Posted

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. :)

  • Pie 7
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Moorgan Enthusiast

Moorgan

Posted
Posted

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.

  • Pie 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Zaximus Veteran

Zaximus

Posted
Posted

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.  

  • Pie 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
csx Grand Master

csx

Posted
Posted
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.

  • Pie 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites
bababoey Enthusiast

bababoey

Posted
Posted

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

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Cam's New Arm
      How would you feel if Bryce did this in 2025

      By Cam's New Arm · Posted

      If the losses were him not stepping up in key situations then it'd be a disappointment. 
    • Stumpy
      Tuesday First Game

      By Stumpy · Posted

      I'm well versed in the minutiea of the Canes radio broadcast system... lol I've been back in WNC for about 15 years now. And, until very recently, we would only get Predators games on the RSNs out here. So, radio was the only option for me to keep up with the team. These were the dark years, too. Maybe, once a year, you'd get to see us get smashed on national TV by some original 6 powerhouse. If you were really lucky, Jeff Skinner would bless you with one of his absolutely stunning pirouette passes to nowhere, before Wardo toppled over off his head, giving up a goal on his 70th shot faced that night for an inspiring 1-0 loss. But, that story sounds a whole lot cooler when Chuck Kaiton is telling it to you in real-time with the raspy drawl of a calving heifer! Before TuneIn or the Canes apps even existed, I used to have to find the one spot out in the back yard, where the hills and trees parted just right, that I could pickup 730(?)AM The Buzz all the way out in Catawba county. I'd sit in the shadow of the mighty Appalachians, staring out at the stars and getting high with stray cats, while being serenaded by the worst hockey you've never seen played in your life. That all, finally, started to change around the time TD bought the team. Part of that is due to the new NHL TV contracts and the constant reorganization of the RSNs themselves. Part, was me breaking up with that feral cat and moving to LKN to escape all the painful memories. The march of progress, and all that... I will say though, as much as I've criticized Dundon and as much as I loathe the existence of billionaires on principle, he has done an exceptional job of improving the fan experience, on the whole. Working with the league to expand the coverage map and bringing in outdoor games and all-star weeks has been huge. But, improving the quality on the ice (and of the ice) for all levels of hockey across the state has been even bigger! I forgot where I was going with all this, but... I'll still never forgive him for retiring Chuck K, though! HEY, HEY, WHADDYA SAY!!!!
    • mrcompletely11
      How would you feel if Bryce did this in 2025

      By mrcompletely11 · Posted

      thats never going to happen
×
×
  • Create New...