Would you trade Ickey

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

40 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

It all depends on the contract he wants or may ask for. The team can't afford to sink top tier LT money into Icky because he's not that guy. After signing 2 guards to big contracts, Moton's contract, a possible BC contract this off season, there's only so much left to pay him. If was all pro caliber like a Sewell or Slater, you don't hesitate. But he's not and it becomes a valid question. If the Jets or Jags came calling offering a 2nd rounder for Icky, do you take it? 

I'd say he's more suited to slide inside where his power would be better suited to hide his lateral mobility, but again, we already spent on 2 guards and you can't pay him tackle money to play inside. Ultimately, I think it comes down to how we can best allocate $$$ and put players in the best position to be successful. 

Love the arm chair GMs saying for years on here Ikey would be better inside. Based on what exactly? His laterally mobility? Lolol 

My point is pay talent and he is talented. People here didn't like Moton getting paid and talked about trading him when that went down and look how that turned out.

[SmokinwithWilly]

2 minutes ago, BEASTfromdaEAST said:

Love the arm chair GMs saying for years on here Ikey would be better inside. Based on what exactly? His laterally mobility? Lolol 

My point is pay talent and he is talented. People here didn't like Moton getting paid and talked about trading him when that went down and look how that turned out.

He has consistently had problems moving side to side on the edge and handling speed. His bread and butter coming out of college was his run blocking and power. Inside he'd have to deal with less speed trying to get around him and more power and size which play to his strengths better. Blocking a 260 lb edge rusher with speed is different than trying to block a 310lb DT who relies more on power. One tries to go around and the other has to fight through. 

Brian Burns is talented but he isn't worth what the Giants paid him. It all depends on the contract demands. If this franchise gives Icky top 3 LT money, it deserves another 5 3 win seasons. 

[Gapanthersfan]

24 minutes ago, SmokinwithWilly said:

It all depends on the contract he wants or may ask for. The team can't afford to sink top tier LT money into Icky because he's not that guy. After signing 2 guards to big contracts, Moton's contract, a possible BC contract this off season, there's only so much left to pay him. If was all pro caliber like a Sewell or Slater, you don't hesitate. But he's not and it becomes a valid question. If the Jets or Jags came calling offering a 2nd rounder for Icky, do you take it? 

I'd say he's more suited to slide inside where his power would be better suited to hide his lateral mobility, but again, we already spent on 2 guards and you can't pay him tackle money to play inside. Ultimately, I think it comes down to how we can best allocate $$$ and put players in the best position to be successful. 

I’m glad some people understand the point I’m trying to make. 

You sum it up perfectly. if he was that dude, then you back the brinks truck up in his driveway. But he’s not… And regardless of where you shift him on the line to better suit his ability, he has played LT for 3 years, and will rightfully want franchise LT money. There will be a team that will offer LT money that the Panthers just can’t responsibly match. 

[SmokinwithWilly]

18 minutes ago, Gapanthersfan said:

I’m glad some people understand the point I’m trying to make. 

You sum it up perfectly. if he was that dude, then you back the brinks truck up in his driveway. But he’s not… And regardless of where you shift him on the line to better suit his ability, he has played LT for 3 years, and will rightfully want franchise LT money. There will be a team that will offer LT money that the Panthers just can’t responsibly match. 

That's why I'm a firm believer that you draft IOL and you pay tackles. Starting caliber IOL are routinely found in rounds 2-4 and having them on a cheaper rookie salary gives you the flexibility to pay those premium edge spots that are much harder to find. At least 2 picks every draft should be devoted to the line between offense and defense line since roughly 20% of the team is devoted to those positions. 

[Proudiddy]

Yes.  I was actually excited about Ickey when we drafted him and I usually hate picking OLs in the first.  He had all the tools and build of a cornerstone, franchise LT.  I thought it was as close to a surefire hit as we could’ve made under the Fitterer years.  In hindsight, I think we honestly could’ve plugged a random UDFA at LT or had a revolving door there in the same amount of time since Ickey been here and had equal to better results.

[Gapanthersfan]

Had this team just put him in at guard from the beginning, we’d of ended up with a franchise guard and at least given Brady an honest shake at tackle. Now, they have a crossroads approaching on a guy who is well liked and talented, but lacking a skill that is crucial for the position he plays.

They need to draft a true run blocking franchise LT and see what they can get for Ickey. 

[mav1234]

Icky had a terrible game but has had a good overall season... So no.

[flagfootballcoach28]

Ickey is good enough to keep around. We have so many other holes to worry about. Let’s not go back to the Byron Bell, revolving door at LT days. 

[bandu]

if the Panthers traded Ickey at least we could finally start the best LT on the team Brady Christensen 

...just saying 

[ProcessBlue2]

4 hours ago, BEASTfromdaEAST said:

Love the arm chair GMs saying for years on here Ikey would be better inside. Based on what exactly? His laterally mobility? Lolol 

My point is pay talent and he is talented. People here didn't like Moton getting paid and talked about trading him when that went down and look how that turned out.

1) Comparing Moton to Ickey is an insult to Moton.

2) Ickey is slow for a LT and a lot of scouts had him pegged as a Guard during the combine.

3) You can't just "pay talent" -the salary cap exists. 

[BEASTfromdaEAST]

31 minutes ago, ProcessBlue2 said:

1) Comparing Moton to Ickey is an insult to Moton.

2) Ickey is slow for a LT and a lot of scouts had him pegged as a Guard during the combine.

3) You can't just "pay talent" -the salary cap exists. 

I can absolutely compare Moton to Ickey in the sense that over half this fan base didn't want him

The fact is we got into this situation because we continually trade away young talent and don't get anything in return.  That this fan base doesn't understand that is nauseating 

[Gapanthersfan]

7 hours ago, BEASTfromdaEAST said:

I can absolutely compare Moton to Ickey in the sense that over half this fan base didn't want him

The fact is we got into this situation because we continually trade away young talent and don't get anything in return.  That this fan base doesn't understand that is nauseating 

I’m not trying to be argumentative for arguments sake so please don’t take it as such. 

Come contract time, if Ickey wants a 5 year guaranteed deal for $94 million or he’ll walk, should the panthers pay that? 

[Growl]

22 hours ago, Growl said:

so generally you want to draft offense and buy defense

defensive players are, generally, excluding pass rushers, cheaper to buy and less unpredictable because they are less scheme dependent. 
 

drafting underwood or banks could give you one of the few marquee talents in this class that otherwise doesn’t have much of it and potentially give you an elite LT, and give you more out of Ekwonu at a position his skillset is more suited for. Maybe you cut bait with Lewis after next season, maybe you don’t resign Taylor Moton. 
 

it all sounds good but the issue is that the upcoming free agent crop of offensive players is actually pretty good whilst the defense doesn’t look too good, and then, the defensive front 7 of this draft class is being considered by pundits as the strength of this class

if mason graham really is Osa Odighizuwa or Abdul carter really is Micah parsons, well, those two just wrecked our offense and we could desperately guys like that on our defense.

so I was thinking about what this looked like before bed and nobody is going to care but I’m going to write it down anyways 

Plan here starts with picking up Ekwonu’s 5th year option at season’s end. 
 

You go into the draft, you draft the OT you like best.

From there you still wanna try and maximize value of the Ekwonu selection.  He starts the season at LT while the rookie is worked into the lineup. It gives you a last look at Ekwonu at LT and the rookie isn’t pressed into action at a spot that can be hazardous to a QB and an offense.
 

eventually the rookie slides in at LT, Ekwonu works as a 6th man on the line for the remainder of the season, in games but also primarily in practice where he works with the 1’s at RT. He’s being evaluated and the veteran Taylor Moton is given his vet days.

 

at season’s end, you decide how you feel about the collection of players you have. Is your rookie locked in at LT? Is Ekwonu a definite starter worthy of being handed the RT spot?

if so, you let Moton walk in free agency. It’s unfortunate because that guy deserves to be here when the team is good (they’re gonna be good, for sure this time) but he’ll catch on somewhere with a nice contract and nobody will lose any sleep.

Ekwonu gets his option season to prove he’s the guy at RT, which I think most people feel he’s suited for. A new contract is reached and you’ve got a pair of tackles you like.

 

——

 

yeah so anyways, ideally you still want a marquee defensive player out of this draft which renders the whole thing moot. But if the board falls a certain way I don’t think this is a bad approach if you love one of the OTs. 
 

 

 

Edited December 17, 2024 by Growl

[SmokinwithWilly]

3 hours ago, Growl said:

so I was thinking about what this looked like before bed and nobody is going to care but I’m going to write it down anyways 

Plan here starts with picking up Ekwonu’s 5th year option at season’s end. 
 

You go into the draft, you draft the OT you like best.

From there you still wanna try and maximize value of the Ekwonu selection.  He starts the season at LT while the rookie is worked into the lineup. It gives you a last look at Ekwonu at LT and the rookie isn’t pressed into action at a spot that can be hazardous to a QB and an offense.
 

eventually the rookie slides in at LT, Ekwonu works as a 6th man on the line for the remainder of the season, in games but also primarily in practice where he works with the 1’s at RT. He’s being evaluated and the veteran Taylor Moton is given his vet days.

 

at season’s end, you decide how you feel about the collection of players you have. Is your rookie locked in at LT? Is Ekwonu a definite starter worthy of being handed the RT spot?

if so, you let Moton walk in free agency. It’s unfortunate because that guy deserves to be here when the team is good (they’re gonna be good, for sure this time) but he’ll catch on somewhere with a nice contract and nobody will lose any sleep.

Ekwonu gets his option season to prove he’s the guy at RT, which I think most people feel he’s suited for. A new contract is reached and you’ve got a pair of tackles you like.

 

——

 

yeah so anyways, ideally you still want a marquee defensive player out of this draft which renders the whole thing moot. But if the board falls a certain way I don’t think this is a bad approach if you love one of the OTs. 
 

 

 

The other thing to factor in will be BC's contract or lack thereof. Can Icky play swing T and guard. If so, he could become the new BC and be able to fill multiple positions on the line.