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!

     

Daryl Williams, #60


MHS831

Recommended Posts

I have been watching the OL a lot--I used to coach OL in high school back in the day.  Here is how I would grade the OL over the past 4 games:

RT Williams:  A- (quietly putting together a solid season)

RG Turner B- (Underperforming his contract, but playing a bit above average--we need smarter play from him--better angles, better movement, better anchoring)

C Larsen C- (Larsen is a reserve who has been playing above his pay grade.  I think he is getting better at calling the schemes, but he needs to be able to move folks off the ball.  We have had several opportunities to run a QB sneak to get less than a yard; Our QB is 6-5, 245.  Larsen is OK in pass protection and OK at pulling, but he is no Ryan Kalil.  I love him as a backup C/G.)

LG Norwell B+  (Norwell is a very smart player and is good in the open field.  There are times an exceptional athlete beats or stalemates him, but he needs a contract  extension. 

LT M. Kalil C- (Kalil has been OK in pass protection, poor in run blocking.  As the highest-paid lineman, we need more from him.  His contract can be dumped in a year, so look for a LT to groom (Moton?) because Matt and Ryan may be a nice novelty, but as Cam slows down and gets older, we need to get serious about protection.  Norwell makes him better.

Summary: The OL situation here is not any worse or better than most other teams,  However, this year is a good draft at C.  If Motown can play on the left side, there could be a camp competition for that job next season.  I am glad we are bringing Moton along slowly,, but I do not see a downgrade if we make the move next year.  While Williams is a huge surprise so far, Kalil is better than I thought he would be, but not as good as I hoped.  Larsen has done well and is improving, but I am not sure he is the long-term answer.

Just my perspective, but the point here is to salute DW.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

18 minutes ago, Panthers8969 said:

sounds about right. Still loling at the guy saying larsen should start over a healthy kalil

I'm just hoping that kalil is able to get healthy again. He's been hurt more often than not for the last 2 seasons. 

But when he is healthy...look out!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, Peppers90 NC said:

Would Moton make a good LG if we arent able to bring back Norwell?

I was wondering the same thing about D.Williams and letting Moton take over the RT position. I didn't even think about your scenario until I read your post, but it definitely seems plausible. It would be nice if Norwell could be retained, but I can't see them giving him a big contract after Trai just got an extension in the offseason and signing M. Kalil to play LT during FA.

I think we all agree on one thing, MHS831 was on point when he stated we need to get a Center in this years draft (provided that a good choice is available when we pick this year).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

I have been watching the OL a lot--I used to coach OL in high school back in the day.  Here is how I would grade the OL over the past 4 games:

RT Williams:  A- (quietly putting together a solid season)

RG Turner B- (Underperforming his contract, but playing a bit above average--we need smarter play from him--better angles, better movement, better anchoring)

C Larsen C- (Larsen is a reserve who has been playing above his pay grade.  I think he is getting better at calling the schemes, but he needs to be able to move folks off the ball.  We have had several opportunities to run a QB sneak to get less than a yard; Our QB is 6-5, 245.  Larsen is OK in pass protection and OK at pulling, but he is no Ryan Kalil.  I love him as a backup C/G.)

LG Norwell B+  (Norwell is a very smart player and is good in the open field.  There are times an exceptional athlete beats or stalemates him, but he needs a contract  extension. 

LT M. Kalil C- (Kalil has been OK in pass protection, poor in run blocking.  As the highest-paid lineman, we need more from him.  His contract can be dumped in a year, so look for a LT to groom (Moton?) because Matt and Ryan may be a nice novelty, but as Cam slows down and gets older, we need to get serious about protection.  Norwell makes him better.

Summary: The OL situation here is not any worse or better than most other teams,  However, this year is a good draft at C.  If Motown can play on the left side, there could be a camp competition for that job next season.  I am glad we are bringing Moton along slowly,, but I do not see a downgrade if we make the move next year.  While Williams is a huge surprise so far, Kalil is better than I thought he would be, but not as good as I hoped.  Larsen has done well and is improving, but I am not sure he is the long-term answer.

Just my perspective, but the point here is to salute DW.

Agree with everything except Kalil. He's been much improved recently. I'd give him a B or B-. He's been way better than Larsen in helping our offense. We need Ryan back.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Our running game has looked good in spurts this season, but overall it's been fairly ineffective. If you take away Cam's runs we're just a below average team running the ball this season.

If we bring back all 5 starters next year (or only 4 of them if Ryan retires or is released), do you think our running game will be any better in 2018? I think we need 2 new starters who can move people off the ball if we are going to run the ball the way Rivera wants to.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, MHS831 said:

  I have been watching the OL a lot--I used to coach OL in high school back in the day.  

  However, this year is a good draft at C. 

This seems like a fair assessment based on what I have seen of the line. I wonder if they will even consider cutting MKalil considering his connection to his brother and the loyalty JR and RR have to senior players?

 Which centers do you like? The Panthers analyst on Draftek continually pencilled in a C in his selections last year and he's doing it again this year:

https://www.drafttek.com/2018-NFL-Mock-Draft-Round2.asp

Mason Cole
    Michigan
    OC
    Reach/Value:     -6
Height:
6'5"
Weight:
305


 
 

Protecting Cam Newton has to be a priority. When he is given time and is allowed to be himself, he is a special and rare talent. The Panthers' best Offensive Lineman, in Ryan Kalil, has barely played this year, and I'm wondering if he will ever be back. Releasing the veteran All-Pro Center after the end of the season would save the Panthers $7.5M, according to our friends at Overthecap.com. Mason Cole out of Michigan is the Panthers' type of Offensive Lineman. He is a Team Captain, he has played all five spots on the line,and does not miss time. Cole in the Second Round should not be confused with getting coal for Christmas. He would be a great gift in the Second Round and would show the team's' commitment to protecting Cam Newton. 
-~@PanthersDrafter,Panthers Analyst 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Speaking of OL @MHS831 what do you make of the tackle class? I'm seeing 7-8 different names projected to the 1st at this early stage-not that it meant much last year. The one that I find most interesting at this stage is a guy who comes from the same school as Moton- Chukwuma Okarafor. Seems like 1st might be high for him and with so many tackles available we could wait for him or take an alternative selection in the 2nd?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

7 hours ago, thomas96 said:

Agree with everything except Kalil. He's been much improved recently. I'd give him a B or B-. He's been way better than Larsen in helping our offense. We need Ryan back.

 

    I concur whole heartedly. IMO, Matt started pretty slowly. But man, he has settled in nicely. At this point in time, I am happy with his play. Could we upgrade? Sure, but it won't be easy.

 

    Larsen has filled in nicely. However, he is still the weak link. If Ryan is gone, we need to look to solidify the C position. It is just too important.

 

    As we set, we have a good line. Adding really good C could make it even better.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, iamhubby1 said:

 

    At this point in time, I am happy with his play. Could we upgrade? Sure, but it won't be easy.

    Larsen has filled in nicely. However, he is still the weak link. If Ryan is gone, we need to look to solidify the C position. It is just too important.

 I disagree. Drafting a LT is easy-especially with quite a few projected in Rd 1 and 2 unlike last year. While there are no guarantees (naturally) of the replacements quality, he would only have to be average to be as good as MKalil which shouldn't be impossible. The problem is we haven't even got an out on his contract until the end of next season. But that could be used to our advantage if he acts as back-up and red-shirt's the season. The best center can usually be had in the 2nd round, and I agree that we should certainly target one,maybe even if RKalil continues based on his recent injury history. Getting younger, (or at least having a younger option,) should be something that one of the oldest teams in the league looks at. Add to that the cap saving of moving on from the Kalil's and no matter the pedigree of the player, (and especially considering their recent injuries,) its something that should be considered.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

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


  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • If you think the NFL or NBA are worried about lawsuits or something like officiating scandals bringing down their empires, I think you're giving them way too much credit.  Go watch the documentary on Tim Donaghy in the NBA and who was involved and what he did.  One of the guys he worked with is still one of the league's top trusted officials, especially for playoff games.  IIRC, they have records showing he was the person Donaghy exchanged phone calls with the most during his time fixing games.  And his reputation is beyond horrible...  but he's untouchable.  I also encourage you to go watch DeMaurice Smith's Breakfast Club interview.  He laid out how for fans, we just know these organizations as a singular, public entity - like THE Carolina Panthers, or THE Dallas Cowboys- but, in actuality, he said that is the public-facing identity of an umbrella company comprised of countless smaller businesses and LLCs.  He is tasked with trying to audit their books, and he said these organizations are structured in such a way that even HE can't ever know what they truly make in a year.  It's impossible.  And now, this is just me speculating on top of that, but you think the league's themselves are structured similarly?  They are untouchable.  IIRC, they are recognized legally as "entertainment" organizations, thus protecting themselves in cases where integrity would come into question.  They are protected, layer, behind layer, behind layer.  Betting works because there is some degree of control that ensures the house wins more than it loses, by a lot.  The short of it is, "Give them bread and circuses" and all that jazz.  These leagues operate with total impunity.  Again, it's not just because I'm a Panthers fan, but even if I wasn't and I watched Superbowl 50 without a dog in the fight I would walk away feeling like that outcome was controlled and influenced HEAVILY to where the Panthers were not given a level playing field.  The same poo happens every Sunday to teams playing those blue blood franchises and ones with intriguing storylines. 
    • This Chuba isn't getting traded, but Rico very well could be in a few weeks if he keeps playing well in a tandem backfield with Chuba also playing well. I think we'd end up going with a two headed monster in that case, but with Rico being on a one year deal, it does open up the possibility of a contending team offering up a decent pick for him.  Depending on the recovery of Hampton, I could see someone like the Chargers giving us a 4th for him if they think he could put them over the top, he would fit nicely in a Harbaugh system I think. If it comes to that, we need to make that trade, as I can't see any way we re-sign Rico with all our other needs and getting Brooks back too.  And he's not going to get a contract big enough to get us any comp picks in return, especially if/when we sign a FA or two ourselves.  So if we're not going to bring him back, the prudent decision would really be to get a draft pick for him at the deadline.
    • It's all about what they do at QB. It's clear the rest of the roster is improving. If they commit long term to Young because he's being carried to wins then we're fuged. I think that's a separate issue to finally being competitive again.  There's no QB in this Draft that's going to ride in on his white horse on day one and save us, so we absolutely shouldn't be playing for Draft position. 
×
×
  • Create New...