If we take Luke Kuechly who plays MLB?

[CRA]

Here's some history.

2002 - None

2003- Terrel Suggs

2004 - None

2005 - None

2006 -AJ Hawk, Ernie Sims

2007 - None

2008 - Keith Rivers, Jerod Mayo

2009 - Aaron Curry

2010 - Rolando McClain

2011 - Von Miller

What is your point? List the top 10 DTs for the same seasons...

Every position has hits and misses...and if the 2007 draft was held knowing what Pat Willis would be he easily would have been a top 3 pick.

[panthers55]

You are missing the whole point.Read my above post after speaking with an orthropec surgeon and give me your opinion on what we will due if Beason either cannot return or will not return to his current form and lets discuss that.I refuse to continue this silly pissing match

I fact I would like to see articles which point out guys who not only returned but the next year were just as productive as the year before they got injured. can think of 2 who came back but struggled. Our own Kemo and Ryans recently. Who else??

http://blog.chron.com/texanschick/2011/08/a-medical-view-of-demeco-ryans-recovery-from-injury/

this is not very encouraging:

A 2009 study of NFL Achilles tendon injuries found that a returning player’s three-year production after surgery is an average of 50 percent worse than his three-year performance before surgery. If that happens with Ryans, Houston might again find itself as the NFL’s breakout team that doesn’t break out.”

What is worse is that Ryans is following that trend. In 2007 though 2009 he consistently had tackles between 128 and 112. Folowing his surgery they plummet to 64. Sure he may come back better next year but the concerns about Beason not coming back as strong are not only legitimate but backed by factual and trend related evidence on NFL player. And year 1 could be very difficult for him.

[jarhead]

and it would not hurt to have a LB to add to the group we have, but there are just as good prospects that could be had in later rounds. again Kendricks, Hightower, Brown, Shea have just as much ability as Luke. although they didnt have a butt load of tackles like him, they all have experience in playing both inside and outside LB as well as blitzing and coming after the QB. Luke coverage skills are not what some of you guys think they are, he is decent but not great.

You have made very valid points now look at the probibilty that Besaon will return to his old form which if you read the link I posted is not very high.We are losing TD and Conner....and if you still think we should drop back to some of the players listed above and they will be availible when we pick I can certainly respect that.

[mick eye]

If we take Luke Kuechly, who else is gonna flip out other than me? That is the real question. No reason at all to take a LB with a top 10 pick. He would likely be playing strong side because Beason is the QB of the Defense. He is not gonna hand over his spot to the new kid on the block. So we gonna draft a SLB at the 9th pick over DE, DT, WR, or CB. Whatever man.

[jarhead]

If we take Luke Kuechly, who else is gonna flip out other than me? That is the real question. No reason at all to take a LB with a top 10 pick. He would likely be playing strong side because Beason is the QB of the Defense. He is not gonna hand over his spot to the new kid on the block. So we gonna draft a SLB at the 9th pick over DE, DT, WR, or CB. Whatever man.

Read this link and tell me he will remain the force he once was. False assumption.If he is only 50% of what he was how can he be the qb and MLB that we have come to expect of him.

http://www.lowerextremityreview.com/...tendon-rupture

[panthers55]

So for people who think linebacker isn't a big need we have Davis who is trying to be the first player in the history of the NFL to come back from 3 ACL surgeries (let alone play at the same level as before) and Beason who NFL studies show will likely only be 50% as productive as he was before the injury and this is not a big problem?????

http://blog.chron.com/texanschick/2011/08/a-medical-view-of-demeco-ryans-recovery-from-injury/

from the study:

There was a 95%, 87%, and 64% postinjury reduction in power ratings for linebackers, cornerbacks, and defensive tackles over the 3-year period

Linebackers suffered the greatest reduction in power ratings of all types of players, both offensive and defensive.

[MadHatter]

If we take Luke Kuechly, who else is gonna flip out other than me? That is the real question. No reason at all to take a LB with a top 10 pick. He would likely be playing strong side because Beason is the QB of the Defense. He is not gonna hand over his spot to the new kid on the block. So we gonna draft a SLB at the 9th pick over DE, DT, WR, or CB. Whatever man.

2 of the 3 LB's that you are counting on are coming back from MAJOR injuries.

Beason - Achilles tear where the stats say that he will never be the same

Davis - 3rd ACL tear in the SAME knee.

We will lose Conner.

That leaves us with Anderson and several ST quality players.

LB is a HUGE need for this team....and Rivera's defensive scheme is built around the LB.

[mmmbeans]

if that was the concern, presumably we would've kept connor.

[DaCityKats]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/college_player_scouting_report.html&player=37536

and nothing about that says he didnt play OLB in a 3-4 like you claimed. plus loved the way you only posted the cons on this prospect.

[MadHatter]

if that was the concern, presumably we would've kept connor.

Connor cannot play OLB....does not have the speed.

In addition, we very well make a play to brign him back. The issue is that someone will overpay for him in FA. The FO woudl be much smarter to replace him with a much cheaper...and likely better prospect in Kuechly.

Connor is servicable....he is nowhere near a stud LB.

[mmmbeans]

we're talking about replacing beason?

[MadHatter]

we're talking about replacing beason?

Not at all...but you have to be prepared in the even that he does not come back the same player he was before the injury.

Kuechly would be hugely versatile. Can play OLB and MLB.

[Panthro]

We should plan for Cam Newtons decline in this draft as well

[CRA]

Here's some history.

2002 - None

2003- Terrel Suggs

2004 - None

2005 - None

2006 -AJ Hawk, Ernie Sims

2007 - None

2008 - Keith Rivers, Jerod Mayo

2009 - Aaron Curry

2010 - Rolando McClain

2011 - Von Miller

DTs

2002- Sims (disappointment) , Henderson

2003 - Robertson (disappointment), Sullivan (disappointment), Williams

2004 - None

2005 - None

2006 - None

2007 - Okoye (disappointment)

2008 - Dorsey (disappointment), Ellis

in that period, how many DTs made it past there rookie deal with the team that drafted them?? DT is a gamble....always has been.

Suh is a stud but it is pointless to try to judge some of his peers when they have more time to prove themsleves.