Panthers LB Shaq Thompson Bulks Up

[KatsAzz]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/panthers-lb-shaq-thompson-put-150020640.html

Panthers LB Shaq Thompson put on 10 pounds this offseason

Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson is entering his seventh year in the NFL.

Every year brings unique challenges, so to stay on stop professional athletes have to evolve their game and their bodies as-needed. One change for Thompson this coming season will be carrying a bit more weight. Defensive coordinator Phil Snow told reporters today that Thompson added about 10 pounds this offseason, bringing him up to the 235-237 range.

It’s a safe bet that extra weight is more muscle than Bojangles.

Either way, in the absence of future Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly Thompson has become Carolina’s most consistent defender.

While Jeremy Chinn led the team in tackles last season, Thompson was close behind and only missed eight attempts (6.6%). His coverage is still solid as well, as he allowed one touchdown and a 90.7 passer rating. Thompson didn’t record any sacks and only posted two QB hits all year though, despite 55 blitz attempts.

Edited June 10, 2021 by KatsAzz

[KatsAzz]

I hope the added muscle will increase his sack ability after getting only two QB hits on 55 blitz attempts

[PootieNunu]

Allowing a 90.7 passer rating is not exactly solid coverage. 55 blitz attempts, no sacks and only 2 qb hits. He tackles well, that is about it.

How they get consistent out of this is weird. I guess he consistently underperformed. 

 

[TheCasillas]

Just now, PootieNunu said:

Allowing a 90.7 passer rating is not exactly solid coverage. 55 blitz attempts, no sacks and only 2 qb hits. He tackles well, that is about it.

How they get consistent out of this is weird. I guess he consistently underperformed. 

 

For a linebacker it is. Remmeber most LBers are lined up against TEs and RBs. Those are easy routes. He grades above average in pass coverage compared to the rest of the league.

[PootieNunu]

4 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

For a linebacker it is. Remmeber most LBers are lined up against TEs and RBs. Those are easy routes. He grades above average in pass coverage compared to the rest of the league.

He is paid like he is elite, so I expect that, not consistently average or just slightly above average. 

[TheCasillas]

4 minutes ago, PootieNunu said:

He is paid like he is elite, so I expect that, not consistently average or just slightly above average. 

he is the 20th highest paid LB in the league. He is paid like he is an above average LBer. him on a contract for 8million this year is an extremely fair deal for what he does on the field.

Edited June 10, 2021 by TheCasillas

[PootieNunu]

1 minute ago, TheCasillas said:

he is the 20th highest paid LB in the league. He is paid like he is an above average LBer. him on a contract for 8million this year is an extremely fair deal for what he does on the field.

Oh the restructure, I forgot.  He has a cap hit of 8mil this year, but 18m next season, 19m the following season. 

[The Lobo]

As long as it helps with getting off blocks, go for it. Shaq wasnt bad last year, east great either. Hopefully he can take that next step. 

[Ricky Spanish]

23 minutes ago, TheCasillas said:

he is the 20th highest paid LB in the league*. He is paid like he is an above average LBer. him on a contract for 8million this year is an extremely fair deal for what he does on the field.

*Technically yes, but that list of LBers also includes Pass Rushing OLBs in 3-4 schemes (Vonn Miller, Kalil Mack, etc.)

4-3 Inside LBer rankings he's near the top.

[frankw]

Hopefully that doesn't equate to a loss of speed. Shaq is a likeable guy but one big change we need with Fitterer is how we invest in linebackers. An 18 million dollar cap hit for a 28 year old linebacker will only go one of two ways.

[pantherclaw]

It is insane how under appreciated Shaq is. 

Y'all are insane. 

 

[TheRumGone]

Shaq will be cut after this year. No way we take that 18 mill cap it unless he plays out of his fuging mind.

[SBBlue]

46 minutes ago, Trainwreck said:

I think he needed to lose 10 lbs, not add 10. He sucks in coverage. 

[SBBlue]

6 minutes ago, pantherclaw said:

It is insane how under appreciated Shaq is. 

Y'all are insane. 

 

We've been spoiled by Luke leading the team in tackles, I think. 

I agree though, Shaq really is underappreciated.