Addy on Kony. Perhaps a rekindling of belief is in order...Maybe?

[top dawg]

While perusing Bill Voth's site on the locking up of Mario Addison, I was like, "Wouldn't it be grand if Addy is absolutely right about Ealy?"

"A guy like Kony Ealy has got unbelievable talents, man. I work with the guy everyday. Once Kony get it in his head that he's unstoppable, then he's going to be unstoppable. The guy's a freak."

Sure! We've heard people say something similar to that about Kony Ealy before. Ealy has been hyped on and off to varying degrees since his arrival in Charlotte, but at least for me, I've lost a marked amount of faith in the young man and see him more as a rotational guy with roller coaster upside (and downside). But it's something about Addison saying that Ealy can be "unstoppable" that resonates with me a little more. Maybe Addy's sentiment has rekindled the flame that perhaps Ealy can be what Dave Gettleman expected him to be when he picked him. I mean, I don't know whether it's just teammate-speak or not, because this is really the first time that I've seen Addy give a few words on anything (not saying that he hasn't before, just the first I've seen it) and it's a breath of fresh air to see a glimpse of his personality. It's kind of like his words matches his play, if you get what I'm saying. Being that Addy has basically been the consumate professional over the years, I tend to give his micro assessment of Kony Ealy some weight. I mean, no one can really argue that the journeyman Addison, who had to fight to get an opportunity and then follow through by making the most of it, hasn't pretty much been on target when speaking on himself.

"For a guy like me, the sky's the limit. I know a couple tricks of the trade, I've played against the best, so I know what it takes to be able to get to the quarterback. And I'm going to apply everything I've got — even the kitchen sink — to get there."

Addy is speaking in the future tense, but he has already done just that...in production, attitude and effort. He has achieved good things in effective spot duty, and in my opinion his play may be a little bit understated when you consider his production versus his actual time on the field the last few years. So, again, I think that if Addy says Ealy is a potential force to be reckoned with, then it's likely credible...even if we haven't seen it yet. Yeah, I know. We've seen flashes. But you can't be a true "freak" without consistency. Maybe 2017 will be the season where the circuit breaker doesn't continually trip for Kony.

Wouldn't it be great if Ealy possesed the knowing and belief in himself that Addy possesses? And I'm not only talking about Addison's belief in Addison, but also Addison's belief in Ealy.

[TylerDurden]

Nope.  Same story every year.

[therealmjl]

2017 Training Camp MVP- you heard it hear first.

[electro's horse]

kony is trash

[shaqattaq]

12 minutes ago, mjligon said:

2017 Training Camp MVP- you heard it hear first.

If Mario is right, and all Ealy needs is a little confidence, that would be great. A great training camp and some "coaching up" could be a difference maker. He is entering his 4th year, so he has the needed experience, and it's a contract year. I would love love love Ealy to finally show up as a legit starter this season.

[Snake]

Ealy has the talent he just needs to put it all together.

[SeoulPanther]

Good to see veterans encouraging and supporting. He obviously has the tools. This seems like Funchess, a big year on a personal level for Ealy. Sooner or later though, you have to put your hand up or you will become yesterdays man. In both cases they have had as much opportunity and support as could be expected. Let's hope they exceed expectations this year.

[Montsta]

After seeing Addison get 9.5 sacks in limited snaps and that LB from KC get a whole bunch at his age I've kind of changed my tune with pass rushers. Who knows when the light will turn on for these guys?

Hopefully sooner rather than later for Ealy. 

[panther4life]

Easy has played more snaps at DE the last 2 seasons than anyone and he has the least production to show for it. Not just in sacks but in qb pressures and his run stopping ability. If the light comes on it will be a pleasant surprise vs something we should count on moving forward.

[Udogg]

Greg Hardy didn't blow up till his 3rd year. 

Charles Johnson didn't blow up till his 4th year. 

I don't see why every one expected Ealy to be Julius Peppers out of the box.  Unless you are a freak of nature it takes time to develop.  I think Ealy is going to be big for us. It's not like we haven't seen the flashes.   

 

[Khyber53]

Ealy has been learning his trade and has flash moments of greatness. I think this year he'll show up big time.

Go ahead and mark it down, I predict 10 sacks for Ealy.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

I have high hopes for Kony but former teammates of his have told me he is a bit of a head-case, isn't always coachable, and has a problem with his temper. He has had outbursts at practice directed to his coaches and his teammates. Hoping as he ages he can mature and harness that side of him so he can reach his potential.

[d-dave]

I would love if Ealy would flick the switch this year.  He has shown incredible flashes of talent, but he's just so maddeningly inconsistent.  I think he needs a push in the shape of a draft pick or two to push him to use his talent.  Otherwise, the draft picks will over take him and he's just another bust that happens in the draft.  

He did have one of the best DE games in a SB for many years, but never built on it.  While it's great if it happens, I'm not going to bet the farm on him.  This is the year he needs to get the ball rolling for himself.  
 

[*FreeFua*]

I'd much rather draft 2 pass rushers this draft than march Ealy back out there this year. Outside of one game Ealy hasn't shown anything. 

He hasn't made any progress from his college days (much like Funchess) where he wasn't anything special there either. Kony isn't an explosive athlete and doesn't seem to carry his weight very well. 

This was a bad pick when it was made and Ealy has done nothing over his 3 years to suggest otherwise. It's relaying on guys like Ealy, Addison and Johnson that gets us into trouble when the season starts.