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

    • cranky
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By cranky · Posted

      It all sounds great. The only unknowns are injuries and how they will need to be addressed. Horn has a history as does the newly added Jaelen Phillips and Cooker has yet to play an entire season as well. And then there are the Ikey's - totally unexpecteded injuries that put a major wrench in your plans. I do think its a great plan though.
    • LinvilleGorge
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By LinvilleGorge · Posted

      If we pay Bryce like a franchise QB we're completely and utterly buttfuged.
    • MHS831
      2027: Sharing my thoughts on the cap without a lotta research

      By MHS831 · Posted

      In my view, the realistic expectation for this team to compete will start 2027.  At that time, I think we could be looking at the following (this is HIGHLY speculative):   QB:  You know, Bryce.  I am not a fan, but they don't ask me.  But there is reason for hope--and here it is.  Bryce will be entering his prime.  Since we are likely to pay him, there will be changes that I include throughout this exercise--I realistically speculate on what they are going to do with Bryce and then I realistically speculate on what means in terms of the cap and other positions. Bryce HAS IMPROVED.  The idea is that if you give him more weapons and protection, that will continue.  His career:   At this rate, if his growth continues, by 2027 we should expect nearly 30 TDs and about 12 Interceptions and a Rating of about 98.  His completion percentage should settle at 65-66% or so.  If that happens, you can win with it. The following stats demonstrate how the Panthers will be able to afford it (and re-sign Ickey) My guess is they will require about $60m per year. This is why rookies who can play are important.  It also helps us see the blueprint.  You may disagree, but this is the cruel realities of the salary cap. Robert Hunt:  Cut post June 1 and save $19m.  Who do you replace him with?  Ickey. Tershawn Wharton:  Cutting him saves nearly $15m.  We should all hope to see Aaron Hall (UDFA) make the roster and play well.  Regardless, this is a position we would likely have to address in the next draft. Trevin Moehrig:  Cutting Moehrig as the starting SS saves this team $16.5m.   Ransom will be on year 3 of a cheap rookie deal and should be more than ready to take the reins.  their styles are similar.  Furthermore, FS Wheatley (R, 4th round) will be starting. Taylor Moton:  So much depends on his knee, but I have an idea that he can play another 3 years.  extending him could save the team about $5m per year.  Cutting him outright would save the team about $21m. In the most drastic situation, we have to cut Moton and the other three players mentioned.   We would need (in all likelihood) a starting DT and RT.  It is possible that the DE would be addressed, but Wharton's production (so far) could be equaled by a rookie.  Look for a cut free agent and a 2027 draft pick here.  If you cut Moton, you save $21m, and that would be the only big hole to fill.  Having Ickey at RG gives you some depth at T, and Ickey could be the guy.  T could be pick in the 2027 draft (first round), fwiw.  It saves you $21m while costing you $5m, for example. We get younger, creating a core of Freeling, Hecht, and the RT first rounder in 2027) along with Ekownu (second contract in the $15m range, and Lewis, whose contract would be in the $16m range if not extended.)  The OL cuts (Hunt, Moton) would save $40m.  The OL would get younger and still solid with veterans at G.   By cutting Wharton (no brainer if his play stays the same) and Moehrig (good player--but we have Ransom on a rookie contract who would not be that much of a drop off--if any) in addition to Hunt and Moton, we would save over $70m in cap room. We would be able to give Bryce bag  and we would have enough to re-sign Ickey (if the knee is not too risky) to a Guard contract (probably at a discount, coming off that injury).  Furthermore, we could add a RT in the draft (or a RG if Ickey moves to RT) and that would be the only large hole to fill. Correct my logic if you see issues-- On defense, in addition to the aforementioned, Scott ($2m contract) is out, replaced by a 4th round rookie contract. CB Jackson's contract ($7.8m) expires and he is (possibly) replaced by a rookie contract.  At Edge, patrick Jones II's $10m contract expires and he is likely a reserve, and his role is absorbed by Phillips, Scourton, Princely, and possible an UDFA like Isaiah Smith or a 2027 draft pick.   These productive developmental players over the past 2 drafts will pay huge dividends.  On paper, I see the team getting much younger and possibly better while cutting nearly $100m and reallocating that money to get more production.          
×
×
  • Create New...