CO---Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly: The cornerstones of the Carolina Panthers future

[teeray]

Didn't see posted.  Sorry if already on here.

 

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/06/4292387/cam-newton-luke-kuechly-the-cornerstones.html#.UitDEX_3Mg9

 

Pretty long article.  Won't paste the whole thing.  Worth the read

 

Every time quarterback Cam Newton stares across the line of scrimmage during a Panthers practice, the player looking back at him reminds Newton an awful lot of himself.

The same fiery competitiveness, the elite skill set, the strong distaste for failure.

Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly might not have the same stage presence – or “swag” in Newton's parlance – as the third-year quarterback. With his wire-rimmed glasses and dark suits, Kuechly is Clark Kent to Newton's Superman.

But the two are uncanny playmakers who each have a Rookie of the Year Award on their mantle – and they happen to play the most important positions on each side of the ball. Newton and Kuechly are emerging leaders who were selected as team captains for the first time this week.

The Panthers are not without their areas of deficiencies as they enter Year 3 under Ron Rivera. But in Newton and Kuechly, the Panthers have two young pillars on which to build their future.

“To have Cam Newton, he's just a kid. He’s still just getting started. And the performance that Luke Kuechly laid down (against Baltimore this preseason) on our national broadcast was phenomenal,” said Jon Gruden, ESPN analyst and former NFL coach.

“I can only imagine having two young leaders at critical positions, what that does for the Carolina fan base,” Gruden added. “It's an exceptional job by their organization, there's no question. And a little bit of good fortune, too. It’s nice when you have the No.1 pick and there's a great quarterback in the draft.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/06/4292387/cam-newton-luke-kuechly-the-cornerstones.html#.UipmXLwmyc8#storylink=cpy

 

 

[teeray]

Another interesting tidbit for the GM hawks

 

Gettleman spent nearly 15 years as the pro personnel director in New York, where Giants coach Tom Coughlin taught him the value of having big guys on both sides of the ball. Gettleman gave Kuechly help this year, and indicated he might do the same for Newton in next year's draft.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/06/4292387/cam-newton-luke-kuechly-the-cornerstones.html#.UipmXLwmyc8#storylink=cpy

The Panthers haven’t added many pieces offensively during Newton’s three years, except to sign fullback Mike Tolbert last year and to cycle through No. 3 receivers each season. But with left tackle Jordan Gross playing in what could be his final season and questions at a couple of other offensive line spots, the Panthers likley will be looking for more protectors for Newton.

“Tom Coughlin taught me the bottom line is big men allow you to compete. And if you take a look at the two Super Bowl teams last year, you looked at two teams that had heavy bodies on both sides of the ball,” Gettleman said.

“We’ll see what happens, no predictions about who we're going to draft next year. We’ve done some real nice things defensively, and it’s reasonable to assume that we would address the offense.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/06/4292387/cam-newton-luke-kuechly-the-cornerstones.html#.UipmXLwmyc8#storylink=cpy

 

 

 

[TheRumGone]

we are very fortunate

[kdrh5]

I think it's pretty clear that getting younger on the offensive line will be a priority this off-season, and it's the perfect draft to do that.

[Udogg]

Finally found a picture that I liked :)

[CPF4LIFE]

We gotta lot of great duos on this team

 

Cam and Keek (make each other better in practice)

CJ and Hardy

 

hopefully this year we will see

 

Josh and Josh

Star and Short

[firstdayfan]

We gotta lot of great duos on this team

 

Cam and Keek (make each other better in practice)

CJ and Hardy

 

hopefully this year we will see

 

Josh and Josh

Star and Short

 

A nice young wide receiver duo would be pretty nice too.

[tiger7_88]

Damn, Kuech's is almost as tall as Cam.    :o

[beastson]

indicated he might 

 

 

 

wtf is might?

[Dash Global]

not sure if I am 100% confident in Cam becoming a elite QB. 

 

I have 0 doubt about Luke. 

[Jmac]

I know that this team will be very good in another year or two....I expect them to play better this year But really not be a top team until another draft and FA when we can get the offense nailed down. With Cam and Luke, we are well on our way.

[Dash Global]

Then you're insane.

The front office has invested on defense. Now it's time for our GM to invest on offense. Give Cam a big, physical receiver like Mike Evans and/or a speed demon like Marqise Lee and all that 'elite or not' talk will come to an end.

 

WRs wont do anything for Cam's footwork and decision making. 

[Coheed]

indicated he might 

 

 

 

wtf is might?

 

might¹

mīt/

verb

modal verb: might

1. 1.

   past of may¹, used esp.

    

   • in reported speech, expressing possibility or permission.

      

     "he said he might be late"
   • expressing a possibility based on a condition not fulfilled.

      

     "we might have won if we'd played better"

      

      

      

Gettleman isn't gonna come out and just say "yup we're gonna draft O next year."

 

Who knows what could happen between now and then - FA, trades, so forth. Granted, I'd like for us to go O heavy next year, but still, you never know what's gonna happen.

[Dash Global]

Decision-making? Get your eyes checked. Or perhaps would you prefer Josh Freeman as your QB?

Footwork isn't irreversible. So I fail to see your point.

 

Lol at thinking Cam's decision making is any where close to elite. 

 

We are going on year 3 and he still has footwork problems. Is that a 5 year course? 7? 

 

Cam has a lot of potential and I am glad he is our QB. He is not an elite QB right now and to just assume he will be might be setting yourself up for some disappointment.  

 

My comment still stands, I am not 100% sure Cam will become an elite QB. 

 

Zero doubt about Luke being an elite MLB.