Another Dark Horse UDFA Jared Norris

[KillerKat]

I was reading up on our UDFAs. I didn't realize how high Jared Norris was rated. He was projected as a mid-round pick. And looking at his 2014 season, he had over 100 tackles with 4 sacks! Last year he had close to 100 with 87. I believe there is a good chance we carry 7 LBs this season. Before I read up on Norris, I thought the 7th would be Ben Jacobs for his special teams ability. But his complete lack of actually playing the position he's assigned to may hurt him. Norris may very well knock him off the roster. I think the draft this year and our pick ups after the draft indicate that you can't stick on the team if you play exclusively on special teams. You have to have the ability to play your position on offense or defense. Gettleman sure does know how to find talent even after the draft!

[ctrcat]

Everyone that saw him in college raved about him.  Should have known he'd be a Panther, and potential good one, based on the school alone.

[KillerKat]

he sounds like a Panther too

 

[MHS831]

I loved the fact that we got Norris--and i will tell you what is going on (my theory, anyway, Killer) at LB.   Gettlemen is using the UDFAs to develop the future beyond 2016.  Why was Cash not drafted?  Coverage for a SS, size for a LB. Well, his coverage would be above average for a WLB and if he gains 25 lbs, he fits the current profile for an OLB.  Now, consider that TD will be 34 in 2017 and keeping Klein will be unlikely.  We will actually need OLB help--

Your point about Norris is solid--he can play MLB.  Can Mayo?  Dunno.  So, these players are truly developmental.  When has our PS ever had truly developmental players on it?  We are gettng that way now.

[KillerKat]

2 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I loved the fact that we got Norris--and i will tell you what is going on (my theory, anyway, Killer) at LB.   Gettlemen is using the UDFAs to develop the future beyond 2016.  Why was Cash not drafted?  Coverage for a SS, size for a LB. Well, his coverage would be above average for a WLB and if he gains 25 lbs, he fits the current profile for an OLB.  Now, consider that TD will be 34 in 2017 and keeping Klein will be unlikely.  We will actually need OLB help--

Your point about Norris is solid--he can play MLB.  Can Mayo?  Dunno.  So, these players are truly developmental.  When has our PS ever had truly developmental players on it?  We are gettng that way now.

Hurney just saw the PS and UDFAs as practice dummies. 

[KB_fan]

Tough roster decisions ahead.  

But with a lot of other positions in flux with guys we're actively trying to develop (CB, S, DE, TE, even RB) it's hard to imagine we'd keep 7 LBs.   That was one of the positions where our roster was most consistent last year.  We had the same 6 LBs on the roster all 19 weeks. 

Luke, TD, Shaq, AJ Klein, David Mayo, Ben Jacobs.

Even when Luke was injured we didn't bring in another LB.

Obviously the future of AJ Klein (in a contract year) could complicate things, as could wanting to continue to develop OLBs for when TD retires. 

But for this season, while there may be a fight for Ben Jacobs' roster spot, barring injury or something else unforeseen, I don't see us carrying more than 6 LBs.

[Daddy_Uncle]

Sign all the ufda's and tryout players to the 53 man roster!!! We need all of them

[tukafan21]

5 hours ago, KB_fan said:

Tough roster decisions ahead.  

But with a lot of other positions in flux with guys we're actively trying to develop (CB, S, DE, TE, even RB) it's hard to imagine we'd keep 7 LBs.   That was one of the positions where our roster was most consistent last year.  We had the same 6 LBs on the roster all 19 weeks. 

Luke, TD, Shaq, AJ Klein, David Mayo, Ben Jacobs.

Even when Luke was injured we didn't bring in another LB.

Obviously the future of AJ Klein (in a contract year) could complicate things, as could wanting to continue to develop OLBs for when TD retires. 

But for this season, while there may be a fight for Ben Jacobs' roster spot, barring injury or something else unforeseen, I don't see us carrying more than 6 LBs.

I say we trade Klein this pre-season

I'm sure some teams will want him and he's got some value, why not get something for him now as opposed to lose him for nothing next year when we don't use him much 

[Snake]

7 minutes ago, tukafan21 said:

I say we trade Klein this pre-season

I'm sure some teams will want him and he's got some value, why not get something for him now as opposed to lose him for nothing next year when we don't use him much 

Stupid post of the day goes too? 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

3 minutes ago, tukafan21 said:

I say we trade Klein this pre-season

I'm sure some teams will want him and he's got some value, why not get something for him now as opposed to lose him for nothing next year when we don't use him much 

Klein is extremely valuable to this team and proved it last year when Luke was out.  Magically trading away from just because you have talent can come back to haunt you.  While I think G would not scoff at an offer, I can't imagine a real life scenario ( would have to be a player swap with someone to plug in as a stater IMO) where he would do this. 

[TheNewStandard]

Klein is a big part of our team, game-in, game-out. 

Sure, I'd love to get a safety for him, but it would have to be a safety that can come in and contribute for at least a 1/3 of our defensive snaps.

Theres no reason to get rid of AJ because he has been a solid competitor during any-given game.

I wonder how many plays he has made where the fans in the stadium have hollered "Luuuuuuuke?" 

[t96]

7 hours ago, KillerKat said:

I think the draft this year and our pick ups after the draft indicate that you can't stick on the team if you play exclusively on special teams. You have to have the ability to play your position on offense or defense. Gettleman sure does know how to find talent even after the draft!

We specifically signed players last year that only play special teams.

[Thorrez]

5 hours ago, tukafan21 said:

I say we trade Klein this pre-season

I'm sure some teams will want him and he's got some value, why not get something for him now as opposed to lose him for nothing next year when we don't use him much 

He will net us a fifth of sixth round comp pick when he walks in a year. His trade value is lower than that and he is really solid backing up all three spot. No way he is shipped so that we can stash another udfa in the roster. 

Mayo is an awesome special team tackler, he is worth a spot for that alone. I don't care if he never played a defensive snap, it is not long ago our special team was worst in the league.

[KB_fan]

7 hours ago, tukafan21 said:

I say we trade Klein this pre-season

I'm sure some teams will want him and he's got some value, why not get something for him now as opposed to lose him for nothing next year when we don't use him much 

It was pretty sweet to have Klein on the team with Luke's concussion last season.  Guy came in and we hardly missed a step. 

I'm not worried about Luke this season, but he is coming off shoulder surgery.  It seems to have gone fine... but, 2014 taught me a lesson.  What seemed to be routine ankle surgery for Cam turned out to be not so routine.  The guy was hobbled a lot of the season.  (Of course he had other injuries like his ribs & back too...)

I understand wanting to get something for AJ, but for now he is a pretty darn valuable backup at Linebacker, able to play all 3 positions.  He's a guy we're going to miss if he does walk next year.  I don't want to begrudge him a chance to start somewhere, but this guy has been an important part of the roster.