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So its Thomas over Norman, Amini over Wharton and Mitchell over Mikell


CharlottePanther

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I agree with Rivera's starters. Wharton and Mikell may start a few games from now after getting into football shape. Norman isn't quite as sound in coverage yet. He still leaves a cushion that Wilson would expose. Thomas won't be the defensive weakness I am more concerned about Captain out on an island.

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@jjones9: FWIW #Panthers unofficial depth chart just released: Gross, Silatolu, Kalil, Williams, Bell, Newton, D Williams, Tolbert, Olsen, LaFell, 89

@jjones9: Defense: Johnson, Lotulelei, D Edwards, Hardy, Davis, Kuechly, Beason, Thomas, Munnerlyn, Mitchell and Godfrey

@jjones9: I added "unofficial" and "FWIW" because, well, just that. Plenty to shake out this week including CB, SS and LG

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SS is a key to this game.  Mitchell  better stay home and not get any Personal Fouls. Cut backs and misdirection will fall on the SS and backside ends.  When we were burned by Philly and Pittsburgh, the backside discipline was poor.

 

Silatolu will be tested.  Seattle has 3 DEs out for one reason or another, so they will try to find pressure from other places.  I expect a lot of blitzes.  Knowing he is young, not smart (based on last year's films and some dumb mistakes this year), I think he will be targeted.  However, if Silatolu is a go and you bring in a 32-year old coming off knee surgery and he beats Silatolu out before getting into game shape, you have basically regressed at the LG position in a few ways.

 

Thomas is a better tackler and Seattle is one of the most run-centered team going.  Norman is still inconsistent at times.  Regardless, expect Norman, Thomas, Munnerlyn, and Moore to be on the field a lot.

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Mikell needs to get in football shape before he can be labeled a starter. You don't just walk on to week 1 and start a full game after missing all TC and preseason work.

Wharton was signed as depth and to start if poo gets ugly.

Norman? He will essentially start in nickel and dime looks

Norman worries me in the nickel package, much rather Capt be there. For that matter I rather the roles reversed because Capt gets beat like a drum on the outside IMO.

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I kind of agree with the Mitchell over Mikell thing. I do think that Travelle should be on the line instead of Garry Willaims. But if you are choosing between Thomas and Norman it has to be Thomas. Thomas is the best corner on our team, but you rarely see him during the game because he does not get thrown on as much as Norman/Cap because he mugs the WR at the line and fugs up the timing

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My phone is being stupid and wont let me past but this is per ESPN, those our are starters for this Sunday. So we sign a pro bowler SS just to be a back up. Genius! We have a CB that led the pre season in picks and we bench him. GENIUS!

When we are in Nickel Norman will be on the outside and Captian will be the nickelback and we will probably play alot of nickel packages.

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