Fua, the guy we all love

[ItsPantone278]

Fua is being groomed to be the man on the Dline. I honestly believe that. Play has been that of a guy over thinking on the field, and that's a good sign. I would bet we re work his deal in 2013. I just got a feeling its something about this guy they love, and its obviously not him doing the moonwalk on Sundays.

[jtnc]

Please tell me this is sarcasm.

[ItsPantone278]

No, actually not. I honestly feel like there is something to this. I couldn't pin down to one thing in particular that makes me think.. 'man... this dude is doing something to impress the staff.' I feel like somehow Panthers are looking for a stake with this kid.

[koolkatluke]

Yeah rollerskates are hidden under his shoes.:yesnod:

[jtnc]

No, actually not. I honestly feel like there is something to this. I couldn't pin down to one thing in particular that makes me think.. 'man... this dude is doing something to impress the staff.' I feel like somehow Panthers are looking for a stake with this kid.

Firstly even if the guy has a good season, he isn't about to be re-signed until at LEAST year 3 of his contract :frown2:. I've been more impressed with McClain than I have Fua.

[Double34Trouble28]

Over thinking on the football field is a bad idea, let alone on the D-Line.

[ItsPantone278]

Unless I've completely missed something, I think the new scale will affect how/when contracts are restructured(especially these new rookie deals). The NFL as a whole is set to see a major increase in revenue and teams will have a lot more money to renegotiate long term to take care of the roster.

We'll see. Just calling it as 'I' see it. He actually seems like a bright guy when you hear him talk, and he obviously has some potential.

[JawnyBlaze]

I honestly think a lot of people are overreacting to Fua's play. I rewatched the Arizona game last night watching specifically for two things I've heard mentioned numerous times: Cam's going through his reads and Fua's supposed skates. The only time Cam seemed to lock on to targets or not scan the whole field was when either the first read was open or it seemed it was a slower developing play that was designed that way. It wasn't that often that I didn't see him check at least 2 receiving options.

Fua was not getting blown off the line of scrimmage. When he was out of position for the play, it was because he was knocked into the secondary, it was because he was pushed to one side or the other by a double team. His problem seems, to me, to be understanding his gaps and holding his point of attack. It doesn't seem to be a physical problem with him, but a mental one. I think he can definitely learn and be what we need him to be. Go back and pay attention to him specifically and you'll see he isn't often blown back off the line of scrimmage, and when it does happen there's 2 or 3 guys knocking him back. I think he's got plenty of work to do, but I don't think he's behind the curve for a rookie. He can't be expected to perform like a Ngata or Raji or some other Immovable Object right away. He's performing about like I would expect, no better no worse.

[Catalyst]

I like both our young DT's. They're not ready to start right now, but tough poo. They'll grow into the roles. I like Fua's potential a lot. It's VERY rare for rookie DT's to do much of anything in the NFL. Guys like Suh are the exception rather than the rule.

It almost always takes 2-3 years before young DT's develop fully.

[Marguide]

I honestly think a lot of people are overreacting to Fua's play...I think he's got plenty of work to do, but I don't think he's behind the curve for a rookie. He can't be expected to perform like a Ngata or Raji or some other Immovable Object right away. He's performing about like I would expect, no better no worse.

I have been an advocate of bringing in a vet so we can ease Fua into game shape, both mentally and physically. Still think he has a chance to be good, but to me, he looks a bit small for what we are expecting of him. I would like to see him put on about 20 pounds over the offseason, while working on strength and conditioning.

[JawnyBlaze]

Yea, he definitely needs to hit the weights and put on some muscle. Not only didn't they have OTAs and whathaveyou they didn't have the strength and conditioning routines from a professional team's trainer. He's probably still got some baby fat to turn into muscle and he probably didn't get the conditioning in college even close to what he's going to need in the NFL. I'm just saying he's not behind where a reasonable person would expect him to be given the circumstances.

[Razzy]

McClain is better than Fua. Both will be average to good players in 2 years. Hardy and Johnson both look like studs in the pass rush.

[Marguide]

McClain is better than Fua. Both will be average to good players in 2 years. Hardy and Johnson both look like studs in the pass rush.

Their roles are a lot different though. McClain is typically taking on one blocker and is expected to penetrate, while Fua often has to fight off double teams. While that oversimplifies it a bit, it is still hard to compare two guys playing two different positions.

[Jackofalltrades]

Isn't holding the point of the attack the whole point of having a 0 tech, like Fua?

He's struggled thus far, McClain has been much more effective and impressive to this point.