LB Justin Houston signs

[chknwing]

can he play LT, I mean QB, I mean what we need now, oh kicker.  Can he play kicker?

[rayzor]

[Seltzer]

14 minutes ago, RJK said:

They must really dislike what they’re seeing at OLB opposite burns and Haynes back must be a concern 

I don't think that at all.  The staff wanted to get a look at the guys in OTA's and training camp, but I think the plan all along was to sign another experienced Edge rusher.  This team is capable of winning the division.  I don't think they wanted to gamble without having someone else proven besides Burns.

This is going to leave a lot of guys fighting for just one or 2 spots.  Burns, Houston, & Haynes are locks.  I think this could mean YGM will get traded.  Could also see DJ Johnson, Amaro Barno, Kobe Jones, or Eku Leota being placed on IR in preseason with any sort of "injury" to basically redshirt them

 

[kungfoodude]

7 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

This is a great short-term bandaid but it also signals that they don't see YGM as the answer and that DJ Johnson is likely not ready to contribute as a 24 year old rookie. 

From a 2023 roster standpoint I love the move, but I think it also says that the future of our edge rusher group is very much a work in process. That's something that shouldn't come as a surprise to any Panthers fan paying much attention.

Yeah that group will be a focus in the 2024 offseason, I'll wager.

[Seltzer]

11 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

This is a great short-term bandaid but it also signals that they don't see YGM as the answer and that DJ Johnson is likely not ready to contribute as a 24 year old rookie. 

From a 2023 roster standpoint I love the move, but I think it also says that the future of our edge rusher group is very much a work in progress. That's something that shouldn't come as a surprise to any Panthers fan paying much attention.

Hopefully if Bryce develops as we hope and we retain Burns, I don't think we will have any trouble finding veteran pass rushers willing to come here.

Obviously, developing a 2nd guy here would be the best, but between the advantage of having (hopefully) a franchise QB, another established top 10 Edge Rusher, and plenty of cap space the next few years with Bryce being on a rookie deal, we will be able to make it work one way or another.

And yes, this was a great move for 2023

[poorboysrev]

I mean…how does anyone see this as a negative. Means we’re serious about a division title We need more than 2 pass rushers ha. All our others besides Burns are young unproven guys. Houston could very easily be a 3rd down pass rush specialist ala Trace Armstrong. Great pedigree and vet for the young guys to learn from. I like that they didn’t sit on their hands about the biggest question mark we had. Let the young guys duke it out, no one’s given squat. More pass rush the better. Get em Fitty

[Captain Morgan]

https://www.profootballrumors.com/2023/08/panthers-to-sign-olb-justin-houston

 

Houston’s sack total from last season would have ranked second on the Panthers, behind only Burns’ 12.5. A change to a 3-4 scheme under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is expected to help Gross-Matos take a step forward, and Frankie Luvu has shown an ability to produce both on the inside and outside at the linebacker spot. Despite the incumbents in place, Joe Person of The Athletic wrote earlier today about the high probability of an addition being made (subscription required).

Houston was among the options Person laid out, headlining a group which was thinned recently by the Bears’ deal for Yannick Ngakoue. That accord came in at a higher price ($10.5MM guaranteed) than many anticipated, and it will be interesting to see how Houston made out with this Panthers pact. The latter will look to repeat his success from last year while helping to lead Carolina back to the postseason.

 

 

 

[ForJimmy]

28 minutes ago, CamWhoaaCam said:

How should I feel about this?

A little turned on, but not enough to make it weird…

[Icege]

Ohhhh poo

[App Panther]

Hopefully he can give the type of production that Ware gave Denver his last couple years. 

[therealmjl]

Go off king Fitty

[trucpfan]

58 minutes ago, Basbear said:

Not a bad deal, I looked at the other edge guys in past weeks, theres about 6 solid names in their 30s. 

This also tells me, thee staff is thinking they can win now otherwise gave the young guys the snaps. 

Not being funny but who doesn’t think we can win now? Our division is very winnable we have the top QB a very good Oline top RB free agent etc. Our defense as we’ve all known has been missing that one piece and we just filled it. This seems more like a proven player to help us win and teach the other players what it takes to preform at a high level.

46 minutes ago, RJK said:

They must really dislike what they’re seeing at OLB opposite burns and Haynes back must be a concern 

Even if they like them they’re still young and raw, this gives them the necessary time to learn and develop under a player who knows exactly what it takes to be a true impact OLB. We’re no longer ok with having weak spots or saying “It is what it is” when referencing why we’re struggling at a certain area in this case a OLB opposite Burns. This cast of coaches knows what it takes and we continue to see us improve all positions as we’re gearing up to try to win the South. It’s exciting times around here knowing our coaches want to field players who can get it done and not players who are cool or liked by the coaches. I think that’s why we didn’t go with Yannick earlier. Big time upgrade for us especially with our group overall being so young and transitioning he should truly help the DLine guys with what they need to know in a 3-4.

[frankw]

I wanted more pass rush and he brings veteran knowledge. I'm happy.

[trucpfan]

I had to add this from a Seattle article earlier in the year comparing who to sign in free agency at OLB….

Houston & Ngakoue

Now, let’s take a look at where Justin Houston and Yannick Ngakoue ranked in 2022:

    Pass Rush: Houston 27th, Ngakoue 128th
    Run Defense: Houston 63rd, Ngakoue 180th
    Coverage: Houston 59th, Ngakoue 131st
    Tackling: Ngakoue 147th, Houston 170th
    Overall: Houston 30th, Ngakoue 163rd

The simple takeaways here are:

    Both Yannick Ngakoue and Justin Houston struggled with tackling last year.
    Houston’s numbers in the other 4 categories make him an interesting option, despite his age, should Seattle decide to add another EDGE before (or after) the draft; Ngakoue, not so much.
    The numbers indicate that swapping Houston for Taylor would be a HUGE improvement.