Shaq Thompson to Enter Free Agency

[Panthering]

49 minutes ago, Donald LaFell said:

That’s sad. Sounds like they don’t want him back at any price? 
 

Shaq was kind of a connection to the past. A good way to trace the history of the team. He played with Thomas Davis, who played with Dan Morgan and Mike Minter(who played with Sam Mills). 
 

While he wasn’t an all time GOAT I wish we had a little bit more sentimental touch to this departure. 

Well said. He deserves some love from our fans for his decade of playing here. 

[Khyber53]

The guy was a first rate Panther and it saddens me to see him headed elsewhere. Injuries have been terrible for him these last two years and we can see how his absence affected the team's play. 

Morgan will have to find his replacement in the draft and follow the line that he himself was part of. Draft the best linebacker in the league once again. Wish I knew who that was going to be, but surely Morgan, TD and Luke can sit down and figure it out amongst themselves.

 

 

[Hoenheim]

The last player from our 2015 defense! Wow. Sucks how he's not coming back right after 2 consecutive years of going on IR early in the season, but it is the reality of the NFL. A lot of players eventually get released due to injuries or declining performance.

Hope he lands on his feet, he'll be 31 going into next year which isn't too old. He can at least be a solid role player or backup for couple more years imo. If healthy of course.

Edited February 24 by Hoenheim

[Zaximus]

Yeah for the best.  If he can find a good deal somewhere, good for him.  Wouldn't mind him back for a team friendly vet presence deal but he needs to do what is best for himself first and test the waters.

[PadresPanthersFan]

Saw that he only played 6 games in the last 2 years. The best ability is availability and if you take emotion out of it this is a no Brainer.

That being said I did like him, hope he can be brought on a team friendly deal and if not I wish him the best. 

[Icege]

Jalon Walker & Trevin Wallace as the LB tandem of the future after Jewell's contract expires...?

[Jmac]

It's a business. Thirty year old with two major injuries, isn't a candidate for rebuilding a defense. Liked the guy and wish him luck. Time to move foward.

[imminent rogaine]

Welp. Guess we ought to draft an ILB.

[imminent rogaine]

15 minutes ago, Icege said:

Jalon Walker & Trevin Wallace as the LB tandem of the future after Jewell's contract expires...?

Is everyone looking at Walker as an ILB? I was viewing him as an outside guy, moving around and trying to get into the backfield. 

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, imminent rogaine said:

Is everyone looking at Walker as an ILB? I was viewing him as an outside guy, moving around and trying to get into the backfield. 

I think he is being looked at primarily as an edge, but I would use him like you suggest.  His rating as a defensive player is very high, but if you take only the plays where he was an edge rusher, there are several who are better. 

Shaq (remember he was at Washington and they were on the quarter system when we drafted him, so he missed a lot of the OTAs) We went to the OTA (used to go to 1 per year) that was his first day in Panther gear.  I am 6'1" but was listed as 6'2" as a player, so I get the nudging.  However, he came up to my kids to sign their mini helmets and he was probably maybe 6 feet tall and weighed about 210-15.  He looked like a DB. 

His frame is not thick; I am guessing it was tough to keep his weight at 225. Wear and tear. 

When the panthers have been successful, they have had a slobber knocker in the middle.  We don't have that player now.

[Icege]

15 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I think he is being looked at primarily as an edge, but I would use him like you suggest.  His rating as a defensive player is very high, but if you take only the plays where he was an edge rusher, there are several who are better. 

Shaq (remember he was at Washington and they were on the quarter system when we drafted him, so he missed a lot of the OTAs) We went to the OTA (used to go to 1 per year) that was his first day in Panther gear.  I am 6'1" but was listed as 6'2" as a player, so I get the nudging.  However, he came up to my kids to sign their mini helmets and he was probably maybe 6 feet tall and weighed about 210-15.  He looked like a DB. 

His frame is not thick; I am guessing it was tough to keep his weight at 225. Wear and tear. 

When the panthers have been successful, they have had a slobber knocker in the middle.  We don't have that player now.

Walker would also fit Shaq's role in Evero's defense as the blitzing LB. :3

[MHS831]

1 minute ago, Icege said:

Walker would also fit Shaq's role in Evero's defense as the blitzing LB. :3

I think he would add to Evero's system as well.  I forget what famous coach said, "You don't force players into your system, you develop a system that maximizes the success of your players." 

I am looking forward to the combine--it seems things start rolling afterwards.

[Jon Snow]

55 minutes ago, Icege said:

Jalon Walker & Trevin Wallace as the LB tandem of the future after Jewell's contract expires...?

I would hope they will add more than those 2 for the future. 

[flagfootballcoach28]

42 minutes ago, imminent rogaine said:

Is everyone looking at Walker as an ILB? I was viewing him as an outside guy, moving around and trying to get into the backfield. 

I would say ILB on 1st down, sometimes 2nd. Edge on the others.