Still working with 'Rudys'

[Mr. Scot]

About a year ago, I complained that Ron Rivera had a tendency to put too much stock in guys who were willing to work really hard even if they had less than ideal skills, abilities and athleticism.  I call these guys "Rudys' after Rudy Ruettiger.  They make great stories, and by all means you want guys like this as part of your team, but having too many of them can diminish your team's ability to compete.

 

The primary examples I cited at the time were Captain Munnerlyn, Sione Fua and Byron Bell.

 

A year later, two of those three are gone. 

 

The third, however,  is starting at one of the most important spots on the team.  Meanwhile, another with the same sort of profile - who wasn't part of the initial discussion last year - is starting on the other side.

 

And it's not looking too hot so far

 

Go over to the other side of the trenches, and you've got a group of 'Rudys' starting in a spot where we previously had one guy with phenomenal ability but off-field issues.  I'll grant that Kony Ealy might turn out not to be a 'Rudy' but for now he's not a 'Hardy' either.

 

Oy.

 

While I don't think Dave Gettleman has the kind of soft spot for 'effort guys' that Rivera does, per his own words Gettleman believes that the best way to build a strong O-Line is to get a young group in place and let them grow together into a cohesive unit.  I actually agree with that philosophy, but I have major questions about whether the current young 'core' has the proper cogs.

 

Gettleman is proud of saying that the personnel choices the Panthers make are a team effort between Rivera, himself and other guys like Don Gregory and Mark Koncz.  My gut says that the decisions to let go of guys like Munnerlyn and Fua had more to do with Gettleman than Rivera.  And I'm actually kind of hoping that not only is this true, but that more of it will happen in future decisions.

 

All the respect I have to the 'Rudys' of the world, but I won't lie:

 

I hope future editions of the Carolina Panthers employ fewer of you.

[Aloe]

Captain was probably a better nickel than most give him credit for. He actually was really good at jumping routes and getting interceptions. If he had better hands last year he could have probably had four additional interceptions added to the couple he had and the pick six. Captain was also speedy enough to make an impact the few times we did blitz as well.

[mbarbour21]

No doubt, Captain was an AMAZING nickleback. I think we are missing that this year. However, i wouldnt want him to be an outside corner. Thats what he wanted.

[BelgianPantherFan]

Lol. From what I saw,Captain was horrible against the Falcons. I think he blew up one coverage for a TD and had a missed tackle that went for a TD

[Tarheels23]

Captain was probably a better nickel than most give him credit for. He actually was really good at jumping routes and getting interceptions. If he had better hands last year he could have probably had four additional interceptions added to the couple he had and the pick six. Captain was also speedy enough to make an impact the few times we did blitz as well.

Although he's undersized, Captain didn't really fall into this category to me, because he at least had a skill set.

What would this topic be without bringing up the ultimate Rudy himself, Nakamura!!!!!

[Jeremy Igo]

Captain got absolutely abused in the playoff game against San Fran. Thats the day his fate as a Panther was decided.

[raleigh-panther]

I see no way in this world that any accredited NFL evaluator could think either Byron Bell or

Nate Chandler had the ability to play OTs or that other teams' cast offs could make up the defensive

Secondary.

Role players and backups, fine .but not every down players.

The contracts of Hardy, CJ, and the 2 RBs, loom large but they cannot be a 4 to 5 year continued excuse for

This lack of talent from the front office. In what world should Roland Harper still be playing? How much money

Did Gettleman drop on a washed up safety?

[Khaki Lackey]

Ron needs to learn that Rudy never saw the field except for one play in one game.

Hell, in real life, Ruettiger jumped off-sides and was immediately yanked before he could do any more damage. I hate how fake Hollywood is.

[Toundra]

You need "cheap" players for your second and third string, but UDFA as a starter.........................................

Don't get me wrong you can find a sleeper or an yet unproven player but pearls are rare, very rare.

 

 

[thennek]

The season is not lost yet, but the Panthers better hope their 2014 'Rudy's' start getting it together.  So far, the 2013 secondary looked better than the 2014 secondary.  The Panthers have 4-new starters in the secondary after having the #2 defense last year. You have to believe that is one reason why Luke has not looked 'like Luke' the past 2-games.  He is probably over-compensating.  While their coverage skills were suspect, both Mitchell & Captain were under-rated as tacklers & run support. 

 

However, the Panthers biggest oversight is still the O-Line.  They must have completely been surprised by Jordan Gross retirement but I don't see how they could have.  I also think they undervalued the Gross/Wharton combination on the left side of the line. 

 

Let's hope the secondary, and the o-line start 'gelling' real fast. 

[Mr. Scot]

You need "cheap" players for your second and third string, but UDFA as a starter.........................................

Don't get me wrong you can find a sleeper or an yet unproven player but pearls are rare, very rare.

Gettleman hit it big with Victor Cruz. Sometimes I think it may have skewed his ideas about undrafted free agents.

[heel31ok]

Ron needs to learn that Rudy never saw the field except for one play in one game.

Hell, in real life, Ruettiger jumped off-sides and was immediately yanked before he could do any more damage. I hate how fake Hollywood is.

 

I do believe that is incorrect.

[Mr. Scot]

On the topic of Captain Munnerlyn, I agree he was a great nickel back.

The problem is we were using him as a starter.

[Ruff]

Gettleman hit it big with Victor Cruz. Sometimes I think it may have skewed his ideas about undrafted free agents.

I brought up this idea after his first draft. I'm afraid Gettleman likes to get UDFA guys, and small school guys, and show that he can't find talent by having them play immediately by providing no better options there.

it worries me.