Gross Rated Out as the 5th Best Tackle in 2013

[TylerDurden]

According to NFLDraftScout:

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1949453-br-nfl-1000-top-35-left-tackles/page/32

 

5. Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers

 

Pass Block

46/50

After receiving a grade of 32 in pass protection last year, Jordan Gross (6'4", 305 lbs, 11 seasons) made a massive improvement this season. What changed? Gross was more patient. The strength he’s always shown was still there, but he did a much better job setting himself up to best handle speed and power. His familiarity with Cam Newton helped, for sure, but Gross was much more composed and confident in 2013. That allowed him to stop lunging for defenders and sit back and wait to strike, which allows a left tackle to perfectly time his punch for maximum effect. Gross can still get beaten up with a hard rip move, but his technique working the body of defenders was near textbook.

Run Block

42/50

When asked to take on a head-up defensive end, Gross is one of the best in the game. He has quick hands and is tough enough to fight through rips to get his placement and drive a defender. He’ll struggle to reach an outside linebacker or wide-set defensive end, but he's smart enough to position himself with leverage to win most battles there.

Overall

88/100

The Panthers' comeback in 2013 wasn’t all about Cam Newton. Gross had a huge hand in keeping the offense rolling and allowing the unit to be versatile and balanced in the way it attacked a defense. Even as a veteran player, Gross showed remarkable improvement in 2013.

 

re-sign him.

[rayzor]

we need him back. we still need to draft his replacement. it would be good if we could double dip and draft both an LT and RT this year. the good thing is we could do that and still pick up a starter WR and another good WR and/or TE.

 

we can bolster the line and get cam some nice weapons this year and have this team built for the future. having gross to start and help mentor the young guys would be great. i think we need to keep wharton going on the left side as well and bring in his and. gross's replacements along slowly whike focusing on getting the right side solid.

[magnus]

it appears the assumption isn't whether he would be welcome back, but whether he wants to go through another year.  

[rayzor]

it appears the assumption isn't whether he would be welcome back, but whether he wants to go through another year.  

i think if he believes that they can build on last year's success and have a legit shot at the superbowl (which they can and do) then i think he'd be ok with coming back and do it for cheap juat to ensure that the team is as in good a shape as possible to make that run.

[hepcat]

I'd rather have Gross, Ginn, Mitchell, and Munnerlyn back over just Hardy.  

[CarolinaNCSU]

Agree with David Newton's FA rankings...Gross is our most important guy this offseason.

 

Bring him back, draft his replacement to play RT this year...chase a ring, Jordan.

[Evengelion]

We need a young one of those badly.

[Jackofalltrades]

Gross controls our offseason.

[thennek]

Gross had a great year, he is a great leader on this team, and he will be missed once he decides to retire.  I wonder if any of his 'improved play' in 2013 vs. 2012 had anything to do with his old buddy Wharton back at LG, and Kalil back at C.  Gross & Wharton are buds & neighbors off the field as well as long-time teammates on the field.  They have very good chemistry together on the left side of the o-line.  I'd like to see Wharton back next year too. 

[Guest Dark Knight]

Smitty won't let his bro retire just yet.

[rayzor]

I'd rather have Gross, Ginn, Mitchell, and Munnerlyn back over just Hardy.  

 

this plus add in a more affordable but still talented DE in FA and a little leftover to help pay for a possible extension for cam and it's a no brainer.

 

 

the more money we pay for hardy, the less we have to go around to our other FAs and other areas we need help on.

[thefuzz]

I think that re-signing Gross, and finding another receiving option are the most important offseason issues.