Awesome NY Times feature on Luke

[KB_fan]

Apologies if this has already been posted...  it may have been lost in all the pre-game hype over the weekend, but this is a really excellent NY Times article about Luke.  Very little we Panthers' fans don't already know, but I love the fact that more of the country is getting to know about Luke & TD and the incredible men and players they are...

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/sports/football/on-a-brash-carolina-panthers-defense-luke-kuechly-a-linebacker-quietly-leads.html

An excerpt:

Quote

 

Kuechly, the defense’s 24-year-old leader, doesn’t seek the spotlight. He is “laid-back,” as his fellow linebacker Shaq Thompson described. He rarely says anything that isn’t expected, and he doesn’t have anything hanging above his locker aside from his nameplate. When prodded by a reporter to give himself a nickname, he said, simply, “How about ‘Luke?’ ”

But he is the centerpiece of the sixth-best defense in the N.F.L. on the league-best 15-1 Panthers, winner of the N.F.L.’s 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Award and a contender again this season despite missing three games with a concussion.

Kuechly and the veteran linebacker Thomas Davis will be tasked with slowing Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch, who declared Thursday, “I’m ready.” Lynch has not played since Nov. 15, and had abdominal surgery Nov. 25.

They will very likely do so steadily, methodically and fairly thoroughly, as they have all season. Unlike their teammates, Kuechly and Davis feed off competition with each other more than accolades and attention from outsiders.

“That’s kind of who we are: We go out and try to let our actions speak for us,” Davis said. “We don’t do a whole lot of talking. Our goal each week is to try to be the best linebacker corps on the field.”

According to Norman, Kuechly and Davis have battles for who will have the most tackles each game. The loser has “some chore” in the locker room afterward. Kuechly has lost to Davis only three times this season.

“Competition is stupid high; I don’t think you can match the competition which those guys try to put themselves in,” Norman said. “I don’t think a regular person can fathom that.”

 

 

[Fan01]

I really wish we could get some real Luke FX on the field.  From reading lips and his gestures on the field there is no way he's that same way in between the white lines.

[cgarsmoker]

I remember when we drafted him....I was thinking it was an awfully high pick for someone who'd basically be insurance behind Jon Beason.  I remember reading this board about our potential picks and Luke had a decent Sports Science (??) article but most people (me included) wanted somebody else.  

[GolfRasta]

I remember that draft vividly.  I remember reading about how safe a pick Luke would be...But the "experts" said he's already reached his ceiling.  At the time I didn't hate or love the pick...I just strongly did not want Coples.  I just had a feeling he would be a bust.

[Mr. Scot]

45 minutes ago, cgarsmoker said:

I remember when we drafted him....I was thinking it was an awfully high pick for someone who'd basically be insurance behind Jon Beason.  I remember reading this board about our potential picks and Luke had a decent Sports Science (??) article but most people (me included) wanted somebody else.  

Me included too (sadly).

[w280sax]

I think luke was hurneys best draft pick.  Obviously, cam was a great pick but it was a more obvious pick.  Luke played a position where we didnt have a major need but hurney clearly went bpa and it worked out special.

Also, i admit i wasnt really happy on draft day but i sure am now.  Its best for me to admit that i dont know much on draft day and trust the team and hope for the best.

[Moorgan]

When I found out that he had the 2nd most tackles in ncaa history...as a junior...I was comfortable with the pick and the mocks that had us taking him.

[chknwing]

1 hour ago, Fan01 said:

I really wish we could get some real Luke FX on the field.  From reading lips and his gestures on the field there is no way he's that same way in between the white lines.