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Season in Review: Unsung Heroes #1

Urrymonster

By Urrymonster,
in Carolina Panthers

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Urrymonster Newbie

Urrymonster

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Most have seen this season as something to be forgotten, something that was unbearable, and something that featured no redeeming qualities at all. Whilst being a tough ordeal as a fan, there were some players who actually played well, others who have been unfairly targeted and some who have burst onto the scene in a big way.

So without further adieu, here is the first of my unsung (or overlooked) players of the season (considering general Huddle perception):

Jordan Gross

Bet that got some raised eyebrows ;)

Before you start clamouring about him being a turnstile and vastly over rated, just hold on one second. We had an incredibly young OLine, where by the seasons end he was the only player who had more than two full seasons of experience under his belt. Still feeling puzzled?

2011 Stats:

* 29 Total Pressures (5.06% of pass plays) which was 6th amongst LT's (Long with 21)

* 6 Sacks (1.06% of pass plays) which was 21st amongst LT's (McNeil with 1)

* 8 Hits (1.40% of pass plays) which was 20th amongst LT's (Peters & Clady with 2)

* 15 Hurries (2.62% of pass plays) which was 5th amongst LT's (Long & Thomas with 12)

* 4 Penalties (0.39% of snaps) which was 6th amongst LT's (Johnson with 0)

* 4 Ypc either side in the run game (left = 2.5, right = 4.6)

Only Joe Thomas, Andrew Whitworth, Jake Long and D'Brickashaw Ferguson were universally better in the passing game. Long, Ferguson & Whitworth all had worse penalty percentages, with Joe Thomas managing just 3.6 yards per carry either side of him in the running game. Of the other 3, only Ferguson had a better yard per carry either side than Gross. Essentially there was no LT who was universally better than Jordan Gross, with him ranking right up with the perceived best in most categories. Jordan had 1016 snaps this season with 573 pass block assignments, 100% of our offensive attempts.

If you wanted to be critical, his 6 sacks and 8 hits allowed were ranked lower than we would have hoped for, however this is polarised by his total pressures. Essentially he was a handful of plays away from being in the top 5 at every aspect to do with being a LT.

Was he the best LT in the NFL? No, but he firmly established himself as a premier LT and along with Ryan Kalil & Geoff Schwartz, actually gave a glimmer of hope for our OLine next season.

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Urrymonster Newbie

Urrymonster

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While the Huddle may be down on him, considering he's in the Probowl, I dunno how much of an unsung hero he really is. ;)

Nice writeup though!

It really was focusing on the amount of abuse he gets on here rather than in the national media, let's be honest only the Huddlers are going to read this! Some are thinking we should just cut him, others trade him for anything we can get,I have even read he was the weakest link on the line and 'well past it'.

He quietly had a top 5 season for a left tackle, well worth the money that a lot are unhappy with him earning. I would suggest the majority on here feel he is a 'decent' or 'reliable' tackle, but no where in the vicinity of Thomas, Long etc. In reality, they all had very similar seasons and were head and shoulders above the next tier of tackles.

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mav1234 Grand Master

mav1234

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It really was focusing on the amount of abuse he gets on here rather than in the national media, let's be honest only the Huddlers are going to read this! Some are thinking we should just cut him, others trade him for anything we can get,I have even read he was the weakest link on the line and 'well past it'.

He quietly had a top 5 season for a left tackle, well worth the money that a lot are unhappy with him earning.

I agree. Just saying, he is getting some recognition even if some people here seem to be convinced he is overrated.

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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Gross is good. However, he is getting some age on him. Now is the time to draft a LT to develop behind him--a raw project with talent. Maybe we find a gem good enough to play in a pinch. I HATE moving Wharton outside to LT because we drop in talent at 2 positions if Gross is injured. BAD PLAN, FOX.

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Urrymonster Newbie

Urrymonster

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Gross is good. However, he is getting some age on him. Now is the time to draft a LT to develop behind him--a raw project with talent. Maybe we find a gem good enough to play in a pinch. I HATE moving Wharton outside to LT because we drop in talent at 2 positions if Gross is injured. BAD PLAN, FOX.

I am unsure at why you think he is getting up there in age. There are countless examples of OTs who go well into their mid to late 30's and still perform at a very high level.

He has had one major injury in his career, meaning he has remarkably little wear and tear on his body, as if he did it would break down more often.

At the start of next season he will only be 31, which considering he has always been more of a 'technician', shouldn't mean too much. His footwork is of a high standard so the decline in physical prowess shouldn't be so significant. Add in to the mix that it's usually the mid 30's that people experience a drop in their physical peak.

I agree we need depth. However I would fully expect Gross to be performing at this standard for a good few years. Unless he suddenly drops his level, it's not unlikely he will be a starter here until 35-36. So, personally I wouldn't be drafting someone to sit behind him. Rather I would move Schwartz permanently to play at RG, then I would draft someone to contend with Otah. Otah is an obvious concern with his health, so get someone who has the potential to move left after a few years learning the ropes. Worst case we have Gross and Otah/Rookie at RT.

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vorbis Community Regular

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i'm willing to put at least a couple pressures and maybe a sack or so on clausen's chinese fire drill pocket presence. i like gross and his consistency over the years bodes well for continuing for at least 3-4 seasons. additionally he's been very dependable for being ready to go every week. missed one game due to a concussion and then a few when his ankle was snapped in half by a fat dude landing on it. no need to draft a replacement just yet.

that said, it seems like a better word to describe this message board's view of gross is underappreciated, not unsung.

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Urrymonster Newbie

Urrymonster

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Shouldn't this be unsung hero? I mean you talked about 1 dude. Gross is overrated

There is a #1 in the thread title for a reason.

Bingo

i'm willing to put at least a couple pressures and maybe a sack or so on clausen's chinese fire drill pocket presence. i like gross and his consistency over the years bodes well for continuing for at least 3-4 seasons. additionally he's been very dependable for being ready to go every week. missed one game due to a concussion and then a few when his ankle was snapped in half by a fat dude landing on it. no need to draft a replacement just yet.

that said, it seems like a better word to describe this message board's view of gross is underappreciated, not unsung.

In my opening statement I mentioned unsung, or overlooked ;)

Greg Hardy had a pretty good rookie year. I think he's an unsung hero. He had a better year then Everette Brown, the guy he backs up

I don't know anyone who wasn't impressed with Hardy so he can hardly be unsung, overlooked or under appreciated.

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