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

[KittyLover]

I would think the people and coaches in the buildings that get paid very well know what they are doing. The analysts were the ones screaming we need a tackle. We do need some help, but I think they addressed the right needs. Kipper is an idiot. If you agree with him then...

[panther4life]

http://draftmetrics.com/files/When%20Can%20You%20Start.pdf everyone needs to see these charts. I posted it last night but quickly fell off the front page cuz of all the pinned threads. Anyway it gives you a good idea of how long it takes for certain positions to develop and how long before they typically start. This will give some of you much needed perspective on Mcclain,Fua,Kearse and 2nd year player Neblett. I think that at least one of that bunch will turn out fine and Edwards can hold it down at NT for the next couple years.

Speaking of Edwards, if you truly are a panthers fan then you never watch Kansas City so how can you pretend to know anything about his abiity other than going to ESPN and reading stats? Rivera played against this guy twice a year while in San Diego and liked him enough to have Marty give him starter money at the position.

[unicar15]

Our defense will be top 12 next year if Beason and Edwards stay healthy. The addition of Keuchly will be huge and it'll be enough combined with the offense to put us at the top of the NFC. I have confidence in Hogan, Butler, Gamble, and Munnerlyn to get it done as long as Munnerlyn is relegated to nickel situations only.

[DaveThePanther2008]

Heyall, Alll i can say is I am glad you didn't run the draft.

I agree with the OP. It isn't as nearly doom and gloom that NEARLY everyone thinks.

WR and DT probably have the biggest learning curve from college to the pros. VERY FEW.... VERY FEW rookies come in and have an instant impact. Fua and Mcclain have a year under their belts. Kearse was a steal from Miami, Shirley did well for his time in the pit and Neblett has improved as well.

I could see your point if there wasn't any visible sign of improvement or ability. The fact is... These guys can play. They will have a full offseason with Rivera, they have a year under their belt and IMO (and apparently the front office as well) they have an equal or greater upside than any 1st round DT. So I will take the one year of experience over a Good but not great DT rookie class.

[csx]

I was pretty down on the DT's last season and that was my very first want. But really, there is nothing to suggest those guys won't progress. Those two rookies were thrown in the deep end.

[NCstoner420]

You have to remember one thing about Shirley, he had to play guard his final year with the Bengals. His whole mindset on the game took a complete 180 and then back when he signed with Carolina. Four games, four tackles, two and a half sacks and a forced fumble is pretty good for a guy who played guard with his last official NFL snap.

[SteveSmithTD89]

I am content with what we have at DT. If we go two straight years without drafting or signing a major free agent then maybe I will worry. Maybe they felt like the guys available to them weren't the real deal so why bother.

We don't need a major free agent. The young guys were thrown into an unvaorable situation last season. Ron knew it, and barring any setbacks from injury they'll both be better for it. They will (well one of em, idk about fua) improve our defense. Giving Rivera Edwards, Hogan, Alexander, Beason, Keuchly, Norman, and maybe TD and you can't deny we will get better. With the solid level of competition to hopefully replace Martin and our defense really should be destined for a top 15 turn around.

Another interesting thing to note during that span when we got better on defense was our offense. We were balanced, efficient and just straight lethal until we ran into the saints at home determined to run up the score. Its an offensive league and right now, our best defense will be our great offense.

[SteveSmithTD89]

Also, I would definitely expect a signing of one of the remaining mid tier DTs available right now.

[jarhead]

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.

I thought Shirley,Kearse and Nesbit showed promise.

[jarhead]

I think the bigger question mark is with the cb position unless they saw something in Hogan.Even then what if gamble would go down?

[Seltzer]

It's not likely that any of the DT's taken in this year's draft will have much, if any, major impact this year. DT's and WR's generally make the least amount of impact their first years in the NFL.

I believe the Panthers will evaluate the group they have and add a veteran guy in training camp if necessary. But it really is too early to write off any of the DT's the Panthers currently have of the roster.

People expected Newton to struggle with no offseason, but he is potentially a once-in-a-lifetime talent.

McClain and Fua didn't have an offseason either, and I'm sure that played a part along with just how hard playing DT is. The difference in both talent & technique between college and NFL level O-lineman is tremendous.

Many DT's dominate in college based almost exclusively on athletic talent, so there is a learning curve to learn technique, etc. Offensive linemen know where they are going at the snap, DT's have to react.

Taking Kuechly was the right move b/c the DT's may be a lot better than fans on the outside expect this year (Rivera certainly thinks so), and the LB corp was one Beason/ Davis setback from being terrible again.

Rivera has earned a lot of credibility coaching defense, so I trust his judgement above any fan, including my own.

[Rubi]

Fua is not NFL DT material. I dont know what games some of the people on here were watching. Fua got pushed around like a grocery cart. The dude is a soda can. Short..stubby...