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!

     

Looking forward on the defensive side of things (LUKE!)


davos

Recommended Posts

So..I'm avoiding shenanigans tn and had a thought about the defense that could generate some discussion (well hopefully).  

Luke freaking Kuechly is on pace to surpass Jon Beason's CAREER numbers in tackles this season.  Also, he's still only 25.   When he stands out in a game (which seems to be so freaking much of the time), he commands, leads, and is just so freaking in his zone.  It's hard to desribe but the guy is on another level.

So, TD is unfortunately in his twilight but Shaq looks awesome.  Now giving the rest of this defense a look and our recent track record with retaining guys, I can't say who I'm sure will be here in 3-4 years outside of those two minus the rookies (It's way early with the rookies so let's give them a pass in here).

What I'm getting at: We're in position to retain a stellar LB core but we NEED to build the secondary and DL (most pressing).  CBs go in and out so we have to  be realistic and think 2 or just 1 of them will stick.  

Overall--I think it would be wise to see if this squad can turn it around and start looking like a competent D this year rather than making any rash decisions.  

In light of this--My question:

If you had to pick ONE defensive position to add a certified stud; a guy who can inspire, lead, give us an edginess, what would it be?  

For me, I want a talented DL like no other but I feel a commander at SS would be HUGE for us and should be priority #1 moving forward.  I love Coleman but he's a center-fielder.  DE is a position that a silent but deadly guy can excel.  You don't see a ton of diva types on defensive lines.      

I dunno but let's discuss what we think should be our defensive priorities moving forward.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

32 minutes ago, motocross_cat said:

I would go DE man.  A 2004 ish julius peppers would drastically change everything more than say a brian dawkins.

if julius had any of lukes desire he would have been the best ever and its not close.  Maybe the best athlete i watched play.

The thing is, those guys are so hard to come by.  A Watt, Strahan, Peppers, etc.  

Kind of OT but Peppers will go into the top-5 ALL TIME this year surpassing Kelly's cohost.  That really hasn't been publicized much, even in GB.  Not to mention, if he has 1 more year after this, could end up 3 behind only 2 guys...Smith & White.  

This past year, I really wanted Judon but it seems the 4-3 style DEs are slim pickems as of late and 3-4 teams are even trying hybrid types that you would think could be better fits in a system like ours (I.E.-Preston Smith, Judon, etc.)

We've been missing such a crucial element dating all the way back to the Minter/Grant days IMO and I would love to find us in a similar secondary situation again.     

Link to comment
Share on other sites

12 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

Norman was never a core player. If he was, he'd still be here. DBs aren't valued in Carolina. As long as we don't let Kuechly, Shaq, Star and Short go, I'm fine with the others walking. Bradberry might be a special case since he's young and humble.

You're basically saying you're fine with the Panther's having one of the weakest defenses in team history.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

Norman was never a core player. If he was, he'd still be here. DBs aren't valued in Carolina. As long as we don't let Kuechly, Shaq, Star and Short go, I'm fine with the others walking. Bradberry might be a special case since he's young and humble.

Excuse the double negative but I wouldn't say they aren't valued.  I felt we had Gamble+Lucas as a strong combo for a bit.  Eric Davis, Norman.  Also, people gave Cousin and Howard a lot of crap, but they look pretty damn good in retrospect.  To this day, I think Reggie Howard is one of the most overlooked Panthers of all time.    

This is the only point of the season I will look this far but I'm just saying...Jabrill could be a huge piece of the puzzle

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, davos said:

I wouldn't say they aren't valued.  I felt we had Gamble+Lucas as a strong combo for a bit.  Eric Davis, Norman.  Also, people gave Cousin and Howard a lot of crap, but they look pretty damn good in retrospect.  To this day, I think Reggie Howard is one of the most overlooked Panthers of all time.    

DG got rid of Gamble pretty quickly.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Norman was never a core player. If he was, he'd still be here. DBs aren't valued in Carolina. As long as we don't let Kuechly, Shaq, Star and Short go, I'm fine with the others walking. Bradberry might be a special case since he's young and humble.


This is is hilarious considering our record and scramble to find another CB


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Can we stop with the stupid attention whore hot take type posts and just enjoy a winning streak for once? 
    • Every player has faults, and many times they can be categorized neatly into obvious traits that make analysis pretty straight-forward. A running back who thrives in zone schemes where their vision and patience is rewarded may struggle when asked to play a physical, violent, north-south style. A quarterback who can make every throw under the sun may never grasp the schematic purpose of the plays he is being asked to run and therefore constantly makes the wrong decision or no decision even with players running free. But the narrative for Bryce Young has almost consistently focused on his size and overall physicality in a league full of supermen, and how it places a hard limit on his ability to do things like shrug off blockers or throw tactical nuclear strikes from 80 yards out. Two seasons plus in hasn't put those concerns fully to rest, but if there is one underlining trait that could potentially derail Bryce's career, it's much more nebulous: his ability to recognize when a play is dead. The proclivity for turnovers that has haunted Bryce through his career doesn't always have the same underlying reasons as most typical young quarterbacks: adjusting to the speed of play, the tightness of NFL throwing windows, being able to diagnose much more advanced coverages, understanding the playbook, etc. One consistent thread is a defining trait that is both a curse and a strength: his ability to make plays off script, which has carried over from his Alabama days. For every miracle escape and razor-margin throw downfield like the 4th down play vs the Dolphins, you seem to have an inexcusable dropped fumble without even being touched (also see Dolphins game.) And the genesis of both is his underlying aggressiveness to make something happen with every snap, sometimes even when the play itself is simply unsalvageable. What often gets Young into trouble isn't an inability to execute a play, but his unwillingness to concede that the risk/reward ratio for a given decision simply isn't worth the attempt. There are few things that will drive a coach to putting a schematic leash on a player more quickly then when that player's outcomes become unpredictable, and even multiple miracle plays can be negated by a single colossal mistake. Where Bryce must find a balance is retaining the ability to conjure magic when needed, but to also keep his risk/reward instincts fully calibrated to what the team as a whole is comfortable with. No successful coach is entirely risk-averse, and many tend to be overly conservative in situations that decides the outcome of games, but "bad" Bryce sometimes emerges in situations where the only correct decision is to simply eat the ball and move on to the next play or next drive. If he can develop a better understanding of this flaw and work to overcome it without abandoning the traits that also make him special, he will take one step closer to becoming the player this franchise sacrificed so much for and redeeming that faith with the entire fanbase.
    • Is there a fifth option for welded shut and hermetically sealed?
×
×
  • Create New...