Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

Panthers Lb Corps Packed With Potential-Yahoo! Sports Article.

Ivan The Awesome

Recommended Posts

Ivan The Awesome Mentor

Ivan The Awesome

Posted
Posted

Potential. A word we hear all the time. It's what makes a team give the opportunity to that one player. This time it's used to describe our beloved LB core. Arguably one of the best in the NFL if healthy.

Ron Rivera and coordinator Sean McDermott seem to be pleased with the potential for the unit to dramatically improve over 2011. Barring injuries -- and, granted, that's never a safe thing to do with the Carolina linebackers -- the unit could be pretty good.

The selection of Boston College star Luke Kuechly in the first round, with the return of three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason from an Achilles injury that limited him to one game last season, should provide the Panthers with plenty of flexibility. Onetime weak-side starter Thomas Davis is trying to come back from another ACL surgery on his right knee -- the third of his career and second in two seasons -- so he's still a long shot. But if Davis can overcome the knee woes to be even a situational player, he'll add to what could suddenly be a fairly deep position. And that's not taking into account James Anderson, who set a franchise record for tackles last season as the strongside starter.

Kuechly, who played primarily in the middle in college but was on the field for all three downs, seems to have taken pretty well to the weak spot. "He's really fast, not just in terms of running, but also in (smarts)," Beason said. Kuechly, who had seven interceptions in his college career, including three in each of his final two seasons, was regarded by many scouts as a three-down defender, and is clearly more than just a middle run-stuffer.

As long as one of those two returning LB's stay Healthy, Beason or Davis, I think this defense will be significantly better than last year.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
panthers55 Grand Master

panthers55

Posted
Posted

A nice change from all the bitching back in April when people said we had no need for Kuechly with Beason coming back. Imagine linebacking being a depth position again. Go figure.

Waits for bitchers and moaners to post more negative comments again.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
I am Hubby Newbie

I am Hubby

Posted
Posted

The more talented LBs we have, the more toys Rivera has to play with. I am giddy over the prospects of what Rivera and Mac are going to dream up.

I just have to believe that having a full off-season this year is going to make a huge difference on the D. Especially the OTAs where there are no pads. These are the teaching times which we so missed last year. The players may have known the playbook last year. The area they were lacking was the nuances of the play. And imo, it is important for players to know why and how a play is supposed to be run. Take it from the classroom to the field in a relaxed atmosphere. (I know these guys are not relaxed, but the atmosphere at OTAs is inducive to learning.)

See. Getting carried away again. But hey, why not? And GOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Riverboat Ron Mentor

Riverboat Ron

Posted
Posted

Hands down we have the best group of 4-3 LB's when healthy. Closest 4-3 group to us is Chicago with an aging Urlacher and Briggs with Nick Roach. Kuechly gives us a great tackler as well as solid coverage linebacker that is necessary in today's NFL to match up with athletic TE's and scat backs.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
SIGCHI222 Newbie

SIGCHI222

Posted
Posted

Indeed. Kuechly will learn from our vets. I'm glad the core is meshing together nicely. I wish the season would start tomorrow.

You know Ivan, I try hard to give you props, and you make good points, but Zahia's ass popping like that on every one of your posts just makes it hard to do anything else than move on to the next guy's post.

Granted, I move on 8 minutes later, but I move on...completely forgetting what you posted.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • Icege
      Adam Theilen said he came back to play with Bryce, and he expects the Panthers to surprise some people

      By Icege · Posted

      We're in alignment regarding Thielen not being a game changer/breaker for the Panthers. Getting the ball into hands of playmakers like TMac and XL is going to open up things more than it is getting it to Thielen underneath (or letting him go after 50/50 balls 20yds downfield in his mid-30s). However, in a room where the other guys are two second year guys and two rookies, having a reliable vet that they can learn from is just as important as it is for the QB to have as a reliable third option. I can see that being worth $8.5M (just 3%) of the $279.2M cap... especially when looking at what's left out there: https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/free-agents/_/position/wr However, the idea that the team is forcing production to Thielen and leading to losses isn't supported by the data. Targets, not receiving yards, are how you can tell if a player is being "force fed." In the two games mentioned, let's look at the other players available... vs. TB 10 targets - Adam Thielen 9 targets - David Moore 8 targets - Tommy Tremble, Xavier Legette 3 targets - Jonathon Brooks 1 target - Dan Chisena, Feleipe Franks, Stephen Sullivan vs. PHI 11 targets - Adam Thielen 8 targets - Xavier Legette 5 targets - Chuba Hubbard, David Moore 2 targets - Tommy Tremble 1 target - Ja'Tavion Sanders, Deven Thompkins There isn't exactly a bounty of other names to throw the ball to. In those games, AT was one of the top 2 WRs. Diontae had been gone by that point.   So... yea. Agreed that Thielen isn't exactly carrying the team in his mid-30s, but it's undeniable that he was the most reliable target last season that still has quite a bit of value this season. Whether or not that value is reflected in a manner folks think on the contract is going to come down to personal taste. However, the idea that the team was forcing production to AT and that was the reason behind some losses couldn't be further from the truth.
    • PNW_PantherMan
      Adam Theilen said he came back to play with Bryce, and he expects the Panthers to surprise some people

      By PNW_PantherMan · Posted

      I would also add that I think it's more than money.  AT has looked absolutely miserable out there at times, and there was a lot of speculation he would demand to be traded.  Personally, I thought he was a lock to be moved last year.  Maybe his hamstring is the only thing that prevents that from happening. The fact that he's not only willing to come back and play, but excited about it, really bodes well for Bryce.  AT is a veteran and he knows the game.  If he didn't have confidence in Bryce, I guarantee you he wouldn't be in a Panther uniform this year.  I'll take that as a positive.
    • frankw
      Adam Theilen said he came back to play with Bryce, and he expects the Panthers to surprise some people

      By frankw · Posted

      Two wins bud. 2 wins. Accept it.
×
×
  • Create New...