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Gross' leadership irreplaceable. David Newton's latest

top dawg

By top dawg,
in Carolina Panthers

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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There's really nobody on the roster capable of replacing the Gross, who has been with the Panthers since they selected him 11 years ago. 

"It's that old adage, there are guys that play professional football and then there's professional football players," Carolina center Ryan Kalil told me this past season. "As long as I've known Jordan, he's always been the epitome of a true professional." 

Kalil understands and appreciates Gross' value to the team as a leader as well as anyone. 

"He's easy to talk to," he said. "Jordan is one of those guys who has a relationship with almost everybody on the team. It's important for him to know his teammates. He doesn't just stay in his little bubble. 

"Because of that, he has a good pulse on what the personality of the team is like. That's important, because when you have a guy who is a true leader, who understands everybody and then gets up to speak or make a point about something, he's somebody you care to hear what he has to say." 

 

 

David Newton discusses the implications of losing Gross as it pertains to Cam Newton's comment about Gross keeping Smith's "inner animal" at bay. Newton also comments about the retirement of Gross' implications on the draft unless a capable replacement can be found in free agency (which is my solution).  Unless we trade up, I don't see the draft as a true option, unless G-man finds a gem. 

 

 

"I didn't want to leave until I felt the team was back in a good position for sustained success," Gross told the team's official website, Panthers.com, in case he retired. "The team is there now. There is good, young leadership, there are talented players, and there are guys that really want to work hard and want to win." 

I assumed Gross would return because he felt the Panthers needed him for at least one more year. That comment suggests the team is in better shape on the line than many assumed. 

 

 

Hmmm. Is Newton suggesting that perhaps Gross knows something about a possible answer (or Band-Aid) being on the roster?  *LOL*  I'm thinking that Newton is reading too much into the general statement that is basically a precursor to the theme of Gross' farewell speech. Basically Gross is ready to retire on his terms while the team is in generally good shape, irrespective of the left tackle position.  G-man is gonna have to do the rest.

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frash.exe Apprentice

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It's a big deal for Gross to be leaving. We're losing a cornerstone of this franchise. There's plenty of time for this to be fixed by training camp, but this is arguably the second most important position in the game and it's something you have to take seriously. You can't fix it the Hurney way and put a sixth round pick in that spot.

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frash.exe Apprentice

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Here's some fun trivia:

Jordan Gross has played 167 out of a potential 176 regular season games throughout his career

I don't like the sound of losing a guy like that at all, especially on this team where it seems like the local drinking water is contaminated with something that forms microscopic holes in everyone's ligaments

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top dawg Grand Master

top dawg

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It's damn true. Gross was not only a leader on offense but one of the few figures the entire team rallied behind. Jordan, in alot of ways, was the fugging glue.

It's going to be bittersweet this July to see Cam, Smitty, Stewie, Olsen, Keek, Williams, Kalil, TD, etc arrive to training camp without the big guy present. It's starting to hit me now... :(

 

Let your eyes do about 10 rotations on your sig. You'll probably feel better.

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top dawg Grand Master

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Kalil just stated what kind of a leader this team needs.  Sounds like our other Pro Bowl OL is primed and ready for the job.

Or at least I hope so.

 

On another note, no one should be allowed to wear 69 again on a Panthers squad.  That number is now sacred to us.

 

69 has always been sacred... :D

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