Any of our new linebackers worth keeping?

[rmoneyg35]

With the mass injuries at what I believe was our most talented position. The Panthers have signed 5 to the Roster or Practice squad. the players include Jason Williams, Abdul Hodge, Nic Harris ,Jordan Senn and newest addition to the Practice squad Alex Joseph. I have noticed Jason Williams has played well in the 2 games he started with 7 tackles and 1 pass defended in each game. He was cut from a 1-6 Dallas Cowboys because he wasn't producing on the field. With the stock pile on Linebackers this year I think we can develop some quality depth for next year assuming we keep Anderson and Davis.

Does anyone here see a bright future here for any of these linebackers?

[Captain Obvious]

Most of the time they will have more value if they are kept in the original packaging.

[Stroupe-a-loop]

They play pretty well in the current system. That being said, I have no idea what the next head coach is going to want/need his linebackers to do. So to be honest, I have no idea.

[Baschski]

Harris is good. Williams could stick if he keeps making plays.

[CarolinaCatBrigade]

Jordan Senn wins the job, just based off the fake punt for a 1st down earlier this season. Top 5 Panther highlight IMO.

[Tutto]

With the mass injuries at what I believe was our most talented position. The Panthers have signed 5 to the Roster or Practice squad. the players include Jason Williams, Abdul Hodge, Nic Harris ,Jordan Senn and newest addition to the Practice squad Alex Joseph. I have noticed Jason Williams has played well in the 2 games he started with 7 tackles and 1 pass defended in each game. He was cut from a 1-6 Dallas Cowboys because he wasn't producing on the field. With the stock pile on Linebackers this year I think we can develop some quality depth for next year assuming we keep Anderson and Davis.

Does anyone here see a bright future here for any of these linebackers?

Jason Williams wasnt cut because he wasnt producing on the field, he never made it to the field because he struggled with the complexity of Wades 3-4, and also with thee depth the cowboys had at linebacker, that didnt help either. I really like Jason Williams, was excited about him when I followed the Cowboys as well.

[Urrymonster]

Jason Williams wasnt cut because he wasnt producing on the field, he never made it to the field because he struggled with the complexity of Wades 3-4, and also with thee depth the cowboys had at linebacker, that didnt help either. I really like Jason Williams, was excited about him when I followed the Cowboys as well.

Jason Williams has won this race hands down. He has been exceptional in coverage, but struggled in run defence. Which is something our linebackers have generally been the opposite in.

[KSpan]

Jordan Senn wins the job, just based off the fake punt for a 1st down earlier this season. Top 5 Panther highlight IMO.

Now we just need 2 more highlights to get 5 for the season!

[Raskle]

Jason Williams has won this race hands down. He has been exceptional in coverage, but struggled in run defence. Which is something our linebackers have generally been the opposite in.

Maybe they could help each other figure out their weakness in the opposite. Would love to see LBers that can cover as well as shut down the run

[Cavscout]

Senn and Williams could stick with the team as backups next year, the others are camp-fodder

[Doyle]

Wow! We are really searching for things to talk about at this point.

[MHS831]

Wow! We are really searching for things to talk about at this point.

Sure we are. 2011 is loaded with mystery. We should start talking about it. As for the LB situation, I wonder if we aren't doing the following (conspiracy theory with no basis of fact):

1. Building a solid LB corps to switch to the 3-4. (Intentionally did not mention Cowher, but I find it interesting that he announced his interest when he did, considering the jobs that he KNOWS are open right now. Was this the plan all along? If FOX has been a lame duck all season, could Cowher have been involved in the personnel decisions? Could he be the one who told Hurney to jump on Williams? I wonder). Either way, with a pair of stud interior LBs (Connor and Beason) and players like Norwood (Did Cowher call this pick in the 2010 draft? I wonder.) The J. Williamses are solid and could play 2-3 LB spots. Anderson? Not sure. I also wonder if this means that we will not re-sign Thomas Davis. Will Everette Brown convert to OLB?

2. More realistically: I really like what we have done at LB. A solid DT or two will make everyone better. Nic Harris is a slower version of TD, but he reads very quickly. Both Williamses give us experience and depth. I think Jason Williams makes us able to allow T Davis to shop himself and then we can sign him on the cheap. Anderson is a higher priority right now. But if we stay 4-3 and TD returns to form, our second team linebackers will be better than some teams' first unit. Look for Nic Harris and Jason Williams to be locks at WLB, Beason and Connor in the middle, and Jamar Williams and Anderson to be SLBs. Norwood and Senn are special teams aces who add even more depth. I think Norwoods' pass rushing abilities will be utilized more by the next coach.

From the GM perspective, Marty or whomever will have to answer these questions:

1. How much is Anderson worth? Is he more important to us than Thomas Davis, considering the injuries?

2. How do you handle Davis' contract negotiations? In the past, we would have been loyal to him and signed him to a contract more than he might get on the open market to keep the core intact. However, another Delhomme-like blunder would crush this team and Hurney's reputation. Two back-to-back ACL surgeries and you sign him to a multi-million $ deal? They have to let him field offers, then decide if he is worth it. To me, that is why the Jason Williams acquisition was so interesting.

3. We have a lot of holes to fill to get back into the playoffs in 2011. Could we trade Connors, considering Beason's solid injury history and his ability to play all three downs, for a player who will actually be on the field? If Jamar Williams can become the backup MLB, Connor played well enough to attract interest. Could we get a DT for him? Nowhere have I read that this is suggested, but when I see starters sitting behind superstars, I wonder if it is in the best interest of the team not to spread the wealth to more needy positions. Our Defense is two DTs and a CB away from being very good.

[MHS831]

Wow! We are really searching for things to talk about at this point.

Sure we are. 2011 is loaded with mystery. We should start talking about it. As for the LB situation, I wonder if we aren't doing the following (conspiracy theory with no basis of fact):

1. Building a solid LB corps to switch to the 3-4. (Intentionally did not mention Cowher, but I find it interesting that he announced his interest when he did, considering the jobs that he KNOWS are open right now. Was this the plan all along? If FOX has been a lame duck all season, could Cowher have been involved in the personnel decisions? Could he be the one who told Hurney to jump on Williams? I wonder). Either way, with a pair of stud interior LBs (Connor and Beason) and players like Norwood (Did Cowher call this pick in the 2010 draft? I wonder.) The J. Williamses are solid and could play 2-3 LB spots. Anderson? Not sure. I also wonder if this means that we will not re-sign Thomas Davis. Will Everette Brown convert to OLB?

2. More realistically: I really like what we have done at LB. A solid DT or two will make everyone better. Nic Harris is a slower version of TD, but he reads very quickly. Both Williamses give us experience and depth. I think Jason Williams makes us able to allow T Davis to shop himself and then we can sign him on the cheap. Anderson is a higher priority right now. But if we stay 4-3 and TD returns to form, our second team linebackers will be better than some teams' first unit. Look for Nic Harris and Jason Williams to be locks at WLB, Beason and Connor in the middle, and Jamar Williams and Anderson to be SLBs. Norwood and Senn are special teams aces who add even more depth. I think Norwoods' pass rushing abilities will be utilized more by the next coach.

From the GM perspective, Marty or whomever will have to answer these questions:

1. How much is Anderson worth? Is he more important to us than Thomas Davis, considering the injuries?

2. How do you handle Davis' contract negotiations? In the past, we would have been loyal to him and signed him to a contract more than he might get on the open market to keep the core intact. However, another Delhomme-like blunder would crush this team and Hurney's reputation. Two back-to-back ACL surgeries and you sign him to a multi-million $ deal? They have to let him field offers, then decide if he is worth it. To me, that is why the Jason Williams acquisition was so interesting.

3. We have a lot of holes to fill to get back into the playoffs in 2011. Could we trade Connors, considering Beason's solid injury history and his ability to play all three downs, for a player who will actually be on the field? If Jamar Williams can become the backup MLB, Connor played well enough to attract interest. Could we get a DT for him? Nowhere have I read that this is suggested, but when I see starters sitting behind superstars, I wonder if it is in the best interest of the team not to spread the wealth to more needy positions. Our Defense is two DTs and a CB away from being very good.

[mick eye]

MHS you bring up some good points.

First and foremost i think Ron Meeks is a underrated defensive coordinator who deserves a chance to fully implement his scheme. Many times you see struggling or underachieving teams switching defensive schemes on a whim. This usually results in a transition year. As a fan i can't stomach another rough year. So i agree the 4-3 should be kept around.

Secondly, TD is gonna end up being a business decision. Anderson gave us some pretty good plays this year and deserves a new contract. I would not even offer Connor in a trade. Connor actually fits our scheme at MLB better than Beason. Put Beason and Anderson on the edges where they can make plays.

Finally i agree we are really only two DT's and a CB away from a pretty solid d. Our Dline has talent on the edges with Hardy, Brown, Brayton, and CJ ( WHO REALLY NEEDS RESIGNING ) but the interior guys would be on bench and rotation for most teams. So totally off subject but regarding our first overall draft pick. TRADE IT. Trade down to some reactionary greedy GM who wants to sell jerseys of a rookie QB like Newton or Luck. Make the team better by trading down and getting a top DT or CB. If we can pull off a lopsided trade that includes players that fill needs also we can really load up on talent this year and make a last to first move in the NFC South.