Panthers Apparently "love" Luke Kuechly

[CARuthless]

Anybody we draft in the first round should start game 1 of the regular season. We wouldn't use our first round pick on a "back-up" player.

[KendrickPanther]

Dammit what is the point in tasking another inside linebacker... he sure as hell can't play outside

why?

[Gin and Juice]

Lol at all of you that feel you know more than the coaching and scouting staff! This argument is strangely the 180 of the Cam argument last year. Cam was too black and dumb to play QB and Luke is too white and not athletic enough for OLB. Man I hope we draft Luke

[KendrickPanther]

Didn't we try Beason at OLB and Connor at ILB his rookie year? If I recall that was terrible for Beason.

Beason had like 150 tackles that year.

Edit: Excuse me. Beason's rookie year. I think Beason had some troubles when they tried it again years later.

[CRA]

Even if Beason isn't 100% this year, he will still be more ready than Luke at ILB.

My guess is Luke will start out as Beason's backup, if Davis goes down, Beason moves to outside.

And the 3-4 comment doesn't make sense either. Can Davis or Anderson play 3-4 OLB?

How ready was Beason as a rookie?

[SuperMan]

Dammit what is the point in tasking another inside linebacker... he sure as hell can't play outside

Great football IQ, 4.58 forty impecable instincts....

He could play OLB.

[Ken]

Kuechly is talented and athletic enough to play possibly the 3 LB positions. But he excelled at ILB (mainly because they liked to funnel things to him.)

I think if Rivera takes Luke, he should know best being a former linebacker ;)

[cavic7585]

My god do any of you follow college football. He was reccuited as a SS and played a hybrid SS/OLB before moving to MLB because they needed him there. Im not saying he is hands down our guy but damn some of the comments on here are ignorant.

Also look at what he looked like as when he got to BC and what he is now. The dude turned on beast mode in the weight room which is why they also threw him in the middle.

[CRA]

Didn't we try Beason at OLB and Connor at ILB his rookie year? If I recall that was terrible for Beason.

We tried Beason as WLB in a cover 2 scheme to start off 2010.....and he simply didn't have the reps to get confortable in the role. Wasn't a talent or lack of ability issue

[CarolinaNCSU]

Do people honestly think we would draft him at 9 to be a backup? Come on people, our FO and coaches aren't stupid. He can play OLB, he can step in should Beason be hurt again, he could play the 3-4 sets. I don't see anything wrong with adding someone who can actually tackle on the defense.

For those who think he isn't athletic enough, he ran a 4.5 compared to Clay Matthews (white guy example just because) 4.62 I believe. But I doubt people would say Clay wasn't athletic enough to play ILB or OLB.

[KendrickPanther]

Kuechly is not a big physical MLB like a Hightower or Ray Lewis. He would need to add 20lbs to play in a 3-4. Right now the Carolina Panthers know more about Beason and Davis than we do. The eternal optimist fan thinks both those guys will start 16 games next year. The reality the Panthers are faced with is very different. If they draft Kuechly he's gonna play. That's the only reason they would draft him.

[Snake]

LOL at people taking this seriously. Last year we did the same thing and the year before that and the year before that. The panthers are not going to show there hand on who they are going to draft so if they are saying they like him, they are ready to trade out of the 9 spot so someone else picks him up.

[TopCat]

So he can play olb? Thank you.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

We're are right in the middle of the ACC, yet there is so much hate on this guy that I feel like none of you have even seen him play. Quit comparing him to Aaron Curry when most pro scouts see Zach Thomas in him.

Kuechly Rankings

1st- Led the entire nation in tackles with 191.

1st- Led the entire nation in solo tackles with 102.

1st- Led the entire nation in tackles per game with 15.92 (Nearly 16 tackles per game)

4th- Was ranked fourth among all defensive players in assisted tackles with 89.

Top 15- Was ranked in the top 15 among all defensive players in interceptions returned for a touchdown with 1.

Top 65- Was ranked in the top 65 among all defensive players in interception yards with 71.

Top 70- Was ranked in the top 70 among all defensive players in interceptions with 3.

Top 75- Was ranked in the top 75 among all defensive players in interceptions per game with 0.25. (1 interception every four games)

Top 85- Was ranked in the top 85 among all defensive players in tackles for a loss per game with 1.00 (Stopped an opposing player behind the line of scrimmage at least once a game)

Analysis

Read & React: Intelligent player who knows his keys and "feels" his way to the ball. Aggressiveness allows him to be fooled by those keys, like pulling guards, on misdirection and takes a false step forward on play action, but also recovers well and regularly sniffs out reverses and other trick plays to prevent big gains.

Run defense: Constantly around the ball, fights traffic easily and steps into gaps instead of waiting for the ballcarriers. Tracks the ball to either sideline but needs perfect angles to beat NFL tailbacks to perimeter. Anchors and can stick bigger backs with lowered pads. Doesn't have elite size to stand up to NFL-caliber linemen, but regularly rips off blocks with strong hands and can make plays even if initially knocked backward.

Pass defense: Not an elite athlete. Covers some ground in pass coverage and gets good depth in his drop, taking correct angles to stay with tight ends and bigger slot receivers down the middle. Takes time to reach running backs going into the flat. Reliable tackler in the middle zone to prevent yards after the catch on crossing routes.

Tackling: Secure tackler by not a feared one -- plays strong and finds a way to bring down ballcarriers. Drops his hips, keeps his head up to drag down ballcarriers. Makes running backs pay for going out of bounds with a strong shoulder. Occasionally tries to tackle high, allowing the ballcarrier to elude. Relies on hustle and angles, not straight-line speed, to make plays outside the box.

Pass Rush/Blitz: Didn't blitz often and lacks great closing speed to reach the quarterback from the stack. Sure open-field tackler who doesn't miss many once he's in the backfield with excellent tackling technique.

Intangibles: Exceptional on-field hustle and instincts and off-field work ethic. Gained good weight and muscle since arriving at BC. Should garner top general and football character and intelligence grades. Serves as back-up long snapper.