Nice Article on Kuechly "Composing" our Defense (NFL.com)

[TruthVsComfort]

 

 

 

With the retirements of bone-crushing hitters Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher, Carolina Panthers' leading tackler Luke Kuechly is becoming the new model for the middle linebacker who can chase tailbacks, tight ends and even read-option quarterbacks out of the backfield. As NFL Network analyst Brian Billick recently pointed out, the position is evolving into one emphasizing athleticism and fluidity.

 

Just as swiftly as Jon Beason took the Panthers' defensive leadership torch from Dan Morgan a half-decade ago, Kuechly is grabbing the reins from Beason this offseason.

 

"(Kuechly) is a student of the game," wide receiver Steve Smith said, via WFNZ in Charlotte. "He is taking over that defense, he is composing that defense, which is neat to see. ... He really is becoming the quarterback of the defense."

 

It's high praise from a veteran who typically likes young players to be seen and not heard. Smith is hardly alone in his high regard for Kuechly.

 

"He has a lot of natural ability," coach Ron Rivera said of Kuechly. "Whoever coached him before he got here did a (heck) of a job."

 

Beason willingly has ceded his leadership role because he believes the 2012 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is already "the best in the league" at middle linebacker. "You look at Luke and you say this kid is exceptional -- this kid can play," Beason said last month. "So I'm like, well let's get out there and be great together."

 

Kuechly ranked No. 79 in NFL Network's "Top 100 Players of 2013." By this time next year, he should be battling Sean Lee of the Dallas Cowboys and Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks for a spot in the top 30.

 

 

 

 

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000206568/article/luke-kuechly-carolina-panthers-new-defensive-leader

 

 

I am very excited to see our defense play this year - even more so than Cam and the offense.

[SIGCHI222]

I wish I had done my homework.  I wanted Cox or so bad I could taste it.  Even Poe would have whetted my appetite.  Kuechly may be the greatest pick the Carolina Panthers have EVER made. 

 

 

I am all in on Luke.

[Gabeking]

I wish I had done my homework. I wanted Cox or so bad I could taste it. Even Poe would have whetted my appetite. Kuechly may be the greatest pick the Carolina Panthers have EVER made.

I am all in on Luke.

It all worked out for the best though with star and short ;D

[jasonluckydog]

I said all along that Luke was going to be great and that we needed a MLB badly..

 

The Panthers wisely listened and drafted him

 

 

dont bother fact checking me thats not important.

[fieryprophet]

We have drafted three potential All-Pros in the last three first rounds. Can't really be down on that.

[dugbug]

We have drafted three potential All-Pros in the last three first rounds. Can't really be down on that.

The huddle will find a way :)

[Taro ∆]

Sean Lee and Bobby Wagner over Luke hahaha that's fuggin cute.

[JawnyBlaze]

We have drafted three potential All-Pros in the last three first rounds. Can't really be down on that.

 

Yea, I'm really excited about how we've drafted the #1 at their position players 3 years in a row - QB, MLB, DT.  All 3 elite prospects, not #1 by virtue of a weak class.

[RelaxImaPro]

Seahawks fans have become fuging insufferable after last season.  If it's not Russell Wilson, it's Bobby Wagner.  If it's not Bobby Wagner, it's Marshawn Lynch.  And of course, Richard Sherman.

 

Those fugers are popping up everywhere now randomly throwing out one of those names.

[JawnyBlaze]

Sean Lee and Bobby Wagner over Luke hahaha that's fuggin cute.

 

Yea, I laughed at that too.  But then I thought they might have been just saying those two are Luke's main competition for "young elite MLBs of the future" which I guess they are, but they're not even close.  They're just the nearest thing.

[JawnyBlaze]

Seahawks fans have become fuging insufferable after last season.  If it's not Russell Wilson, it's Bobby Wagner.  If it's not Bobby Wagner, it's Marshawn Lynch.  And of course, Richard Sherman.

 

Those fugers are popping up everywhere now randomly throwing out one of those names.

 

Well, to be fair they have plenty to be proud of.  Wilson is a smart, athletic QB.  He'll be a good one.  Lynch is a good RB (though nothing to base your franchise around).  Sherman is elite.  Wagner is also very good.  They have a good young core in Wilson, Wagner and Sherman as well as the rest of the secondary.

[RelaxImaPro]

Well, to be fair they have plenty to be proud of.  Wilson is a smart, athletic QB.  He'll be a good one.  Lynch is a good RB (though nothing to base your franchise around).  Sherman is elite.  Wagner is also very good.  They have a good young core in Wilson, Wagner and Sherman as well as the rest of the secondary.

 

Oh yeah, no doubt.  I'd be ecstatic too if I was them... but I've just seen so many that are downright obnoxious about it.

 

They'll pop up in a discussion where none of their players are even mentioned and be like, "wut abut danerusss/wagner?", etc.  Seriously, go on NFL reddit, browse some of the threads, and you'll likely see what I'm talking about.

 

That being said, Wagner ain't fugin wid Keek. ;)

[JawnyBlaze]

Oh yeah, no doubt.  I'd be ecstatic too if I was them... but I've just seen so many that are downright obnoxious about it.

 

They'll pop up in a discussion where none of their players are even mentioned and be like, "wut abut danerusss/wagner?", etc.  Seriously, go on NFL reddit, browse some of the threads, and you'll likely see what I'm talking about.

 

That being said, Wagner ain't fugin wid Keek. ;)

 

Ah, I don't go on reddit or any of those type things.  I barely have tolerance for the amount of idiocy that goes on here.  I don't think I could handle those places.

 

And anyone that tries to say Wagner is even in the same ballpark as Luke is either a Seahawk homer or completely ignorant.

[RelaxImaPro]

Ah, I don't go on reddit or any of those type things.  I barely have tolerance for the amount of idiocy that goes on here.  I don't think I could handle those places.

 

And anyone that tries to say Wagner is even in the same ballpark as Luke is either a Seahawk homer or completely ignorant.

 

Wagner is damned good and I understand why people might think he's comparable to Keek, or possibly better since he had great tackle numbers, 1 more sack, and 1 more INT than Luke.

 

... But, the one big fuging they always overlook (and I can't really blame them for this, they probably don't know any better) is that Luke was mostly a rotational player playing out of position for the first 4 weeks of the season.  He didn't even start at MLB until damn week 5.  Imagine how far head and shoulders he would be above his peers (Wagner, David, etc.) if he started at week 1?  He was literally dominant every single week after that and managed to put up those respectable numbers despite the handicap.  He definitely would have broken Willis' rookie tackle record, if not completely shattered it.

 

Not to mention our defense went from looking like swiss cheese to a top 10 unit once Luke got the start, meanwhile Bobby came into a good situation right off the bat.