Dt - It Isn't Quite As Bad As You Think.

[Rubi]

Im a fan of Shirley and Kearse. They are way bigger...way stronger than the 2 rookies from last year.

I mean these two guys combine for like 660 lbs of just pure beef. Add big Ron in there...pretty much at 1000 lbs of just nastiness on the DLine. Just three big hogs at DT. Im good with that.

[Gin and Juice]

Rivera does well with UDFA and late rd picks..........look at GARAY!

[Ivan The Awesome]

The key word everyone is missing. 'Rookies'. No OTA's, no mini camp. Kinda hit the ground running type of deal. They'll improve.

[Carl Spackler]

Are Shirley or Kearse on the team presently?

[KendrickPanther]

If you look at the Panthers D our Super Bowl year we had several no names playing key roles for us. You don't need a stud in every position. Just solid talent and a few unexpected surprises. Think about it, Reggi Howard? Greg Favors? We loves Will Witherspoon but he hasn't done much since he left. Ricky Manning played great that season but his career fell apart in a few years.

All we need is our stars to stay healthy and a couple scrubs to play above expectations.

[DaCityKats]

Kearse was a rookie as well,and other rookies started just as many games as Fua and Mcclain without the offseason and ota.i hope they have progressed as well,but damn if they didnt get abused last year.

[frash.exe]

Panthers went to a SB with Jordan Carstens playing at a high level in DT. Not a big numbers guys, but good enough to take up space and let the pass rush/LBs do work.

Carstens could of had a longer career if he didn't get sick.

no they didn't. carstens started after jenkins blew out his acl against the saints in 2005, and we eventually got gashed by the Seahawks in the championship game

[4Corners]

no they didn't. carstens started after jenkins blew out his acl against the saints in 2005, and we eventually got gashed by the Seahawks in the championship game

yeah you're right about that one. Prob getting close to bed time for me.

Would love to have Carstens now though.

[Argus Plexus]

But but but I've watched every game, I surely know more about the players than the coach, right?

Right?

[Guest Bwood]

I didn't even realize Kearse and Shirley's stats were that solid with limited play.

[MHS831]

Some of us were saying that we would not draft a DT as far back as February. For those who did not see this in a previous post:

Fact: Few --very few--DTs do well in their rookie seasons. So why do you suggest drafting a rookie?

Fua 23 (age)

McClain 23

Kearse 23

Neblett 23

Shirley 26 (entering second season)

Edwards 32

By drafting a player you prolong the problem. By bringing in a veteran, you stunt growth. Rivera is a straight shooter. He told everyone to pay attention to the last six games. That is what they were going by---not the entire season. We held offenses to under 100 yards a game rushing during the last six games.

To me, this was SO obvious. I know the press was screaming for a DT. The press looks at stat sheets. They do not care about IR or developing youth. The only way we benefit from being one of the youngest teams in the NFL last year is to let them develop. We will be fine.

By the way:

Alexander 22

Hardy 23

Keiser 23

Norwood 23

CJohnson 25

Applewhite 26

--Panther.com

[Gallagher]

Are Shirley or Kearse on the team presently?

Yep.

If they and Neblett can become starters after that good stretch they had late season, then all the better. If our run defense opening the season is as bad as last year though with Fua and McClain then I, and many others I imagine, will be up in arms about the absence of DT in this draft.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

We wil go through camp and pre season with what we have, and if they aren't doing good enough, they will be cut and we will sign another guy or 2 off free agency. That is what happens every year.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Are Shirley or Kearse on the team presently?

Good question...I saw kearse was an exclusive rights free agent or some ish like that, Shirley should still be on the roster