Opinions on Ekwonu

[OneBadCat]

He’s bounced back tremendously. Keep him there. 

[UnluckyforSome]

The value that makes a left tackle a premium position is that he is seen as the protector of the quarterback's blind side. It was a very Panthers thing to do to draft a left tackle that had a known deficiency in pass protection.

He has been better than last year, so far. The line as a whole as been better so far too. I do think he has been miscast a little as a left tackle. Maybe he gets a shot on the right side at some point. He does mostly well in run blocking assignments.

[CPantherKing]

The Saints exploited Ekwonu's pass blocking. Blitzed over him on both sides. Bull rushed him into the QB. Moved Bryce off his spot with speed rushers leveraging Ekwonu’s waist bending, slow feet and lack of balance in his kick step.

G1 1Q 7:20 3rd & 6

G1 2Q 13:10 3rd & 11

G1 3Q 7:10 1st & 10

G1 3Q 5:00 4th & GL

G1 4Q 12:20 3rd & 8

G1 4Q 6:55 4th & 6

This can be shown over every game and we know he's waist bending still. He's very inconsistent in beating the edge rusher with his kick. It's too easy to move the QB off his spot at the end of his drop. Edge rushers have easy angles on any 7 step drop and some 5 step drops. This was the reason for Dalton's critical interception against the Bengals.

The Panthers have a player I believe could be the best OG in the league playing LT. Average at best as a LT. We all know a LT is judged by their pass blocking over their run blocking.

When a QB has to worry about their blindside for at least 20 to 30% of his pass plays (including every 7 step drop), you know a change needs to be made.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

He hasn’t been a worry this season and seems to have righted the ship. Keep him at LT unless he can play center. 

[hepcat]

Having Robert Hunt next to him has definitely helped. He is playing better than last season, that’s for sure. I don’t think he will be moving to guard for better or worse. The Panthers will pick up his 5th year option. 

[TD alt]

19 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Better when playing beside a veteran LG. 

Of course! Everybody is.

[DeAngelo Beason]

He's playing well so long as Bryce Young doesn't keep running for his life directly into the guy that he's blocking when there is no pressure.

[Gapanthersfan]

Footwork much improved and he is handling the speed rushers better. Pressure off the left is almost always a missed blocking assignment from someone not him. Delayed blitz.  The growth from last season has been visible. Good sign. 

[carpanfan96]

Giving up only 3-4 pressures a game = hella lot better than last season. Still don’t think he fits at LT at all, what I said in the draft lead up. Think he would be a much better guard than he is as a tackle. 

[Mr. Scot]

19 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

If you are trying to develop a player and make him good, constantly creating turmoil usually leads to more struggles.

The situation is actually finally stable so I really don't understand any thought of tinkering here. He's playing quite well, finally.

This seems like Madden-esque tinkering without a real solid purpose.

I get that. I also remember the quote that learning to play on the opposite side of the line is like "trying to wipe with your other hand".

That said, I'm still not certain Ickey Is our best long-term option as a blind side blocker. 

Probably also worth noting that Moton has been around for a while.

[kungfoodude]

5 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I get that. I also remember the quote that learning to play on the opposite side of the line is like "trying to wipe with your other hand".

That said, I'm still not certain Ickey Is our best long-term option as a blind side blocker. 

Probably also worth noting that Moton has been around for a while.

I don't think we really necessarily need him to be elite, just above average. Even Jordan Gross was only a 3x PB, 1x AP player(for reference Trai Turner was a 5x PB). We just need him to be above average, like Moton. 

So far this year(knock on Tepper's head), he has been.

That said, I am am not saying we should pass on some generational LT prospect with our numerous top 5-10 draft picks over the next few seasons. BPA, all the way.

I am merely stating that LT is finally not really a big need again. I'm fine filling the other 30-40ish needs on the roster first.

[Mr. Scot]

1 minute ago, kungfoodude said:

I don't think we really necessarily need him to be elite, just above average. Even Jordan Gross was only a 3x PB, 1x AP player(for reference Trai Turner was a 5x PB). We just need him to be above average, like Moton. 

So far this year(knock on Tepper's head), he has been.

That said, I am am not saying we should pass on some generational LT prospect with our numerous top 5-10 draft picks over the next few seasons. BPA, all the way.

I am merely stating that LT is finally not really a big need again. I'm fine filling the other 30-40ish needs on the roster first.

I can align with that.

If we have the kind of pick we're expecting to have though, and given that this year's quarterback class doesn't look like anything special, then if there's a seriously good left tackle prospect on the board, that's likely what I'd be lobbying for.

[kungfoodude]

1 minute ago, Mr. Scot said:

I can align with that.

If we have the kind of pick we're expecting to have though, and given that this year's quarterback class doesn't look like anything special, then if there's a seriously good left tackle prospect on the board, that's likely what I'd be lobbying for.

Honestly, it would have to be a special prospect and I am not sure there are any of those in the top 5. There are some pretty amazing skill position players available and I would jump on those in a heartbeat. That is something we are completely lacking.

I just hope with this pick we don't flub it entirely. Our track record recently in the first round has left a lot to be desired. Just get me a core player, that's all I ask.

[Waldo]

15 hours ago, CPantherKing said:

The Saints exploited Ekwonu's pass blocking. Blitzed over him on both sides. Bull rushed him into the QB. Moved Bryce off his spot with speed rushers leveraging Ekwonu’s waist bending, slow feet and lack of balance in his kick step.

G1 1Q 7:20 3rd & 6

G1 2Q 13:10 3rd & 11

G1 3Q 7:10 1st & 10

G1 3Q 5:00 4th & GL

G1 4Q 12:20 3rd & 8

G1 4Q 6:55 4th & 6

This can be shown over every game and we know he's waist bending still. He's very inconsistent in beating the edge rusher with his kick. It's too easy to move the QB off his spot at the end of his drop. Edge rushers have easy angles on any 7 step drop and some 5 step drops. This was the reason for Dalton's critical interception against the Bengals.

The Panthers have a player I believe could be the best OG in the league playing LT. Average at best as a LT. We all know a LT is judged by their pass blocking over their run blocking.

When a QB has to worry about their blindside for at least 20 to 30% of his pass plays (including every 7 step drop), you know a change needs to be made.

Grading him blocking for Young is a waste of time. Young held the ball too long and dropped back out of protection too often. That's all on Young. The Ds also knew exactly what he couldn't do so they just dialed the blitzs up and ate his lunch. I don't think Joe Thomas could have protected Young from himself. 

He has looked better with a decent QB under center. He still had stuff to work on and signing 2 OGs at top market value makes it unlikely we will see him at OG anytime soon. 

There should be zero 7 step drops in the modern NFL. Carr proved that and is how he got Carr'ed.