Round 1 - Carolina Panthers Select Shaq Thompson

[cbarrier90]

It was a reach. Gettleman got away from his BPA that he's been screaming to draft a guy he fell in love with for some reason.

Gettleman got away from the MEDIA bpa, not his own. Big difference.

Remember, Kelvin was a mid 2nd rounder according to the experts, too.

[cbarrier90]

I don't think anyone is saying he's not a good player. Given the circumstances we shouldn't have picked him

What would we get out of Phillip Dorsett that we don't already have in Philly and Ted Ginn?

Under the circumstances, no more first round tackles were available. We were prepared to take DJ. Things just didn't fall our way.

We can wait on the big bodied receivers (Strong, Funchess) or deep threat (Smith) that Cam needs later in the draft.

[Goondal]

I am less than thrilled with the pick, but I trust Gettleman and as long as it was not a RB I am fine

[cbarrier90]

I am less than thrilled with the pick, but I trust Gettleman and as long as it was not a RB I am fine

Well, technically...

[rhyslloyd]

Gettleman got away from the MEDIA bpa, not his own. Big difference.

Remember, Kelvin was a mid 2nd rounder according to the experts, too.

I understand, but I think he was in the small minority who believed Thompson was BPA. I know I'm not sold, but I only pay high prices to sit in the seats and enjoy our first round playoff games.

[AceBoogie]

What would we get out of Phillip Dorsett that we don't already have in Philly and Ted Ginn?

Under the circumstances, no more first round tackles were available. We were prepared to take DJ. Things just didn't fall our way.

We can wait on the big bodied receivers (Strong, Funchess) or deep threat (Smith) that Cam needs later in the draft.

Philly Brown might not even make the team, and Tedd Ginn has one decent season in his career

[mc52beast]

Can he play LT... LOL

[PantherWake]

Its funny how much some of you praise Gettleman then go on to hate the pick

[JccOldTime23]

I like the pick. I was initially surprised last night but the OT we wanted went off the board the pick before us. The WRs will still be there in round 2. If I know anything it's that Dave Gettleman knows what he's doing. The Seattle fans reactions posted here should make us all feel great about this pick.

[Khyber53]

Didn't think he'd be our pick, but you've just got to watch the kid's highlights. He's going to be phenomenal. He'll someday replace TD, but in the meantime, we should have the dominant LB corps in the league.

 

And the idea that he could play RB? 

 

Whether you like the pick or not, Shaq's a Panther now, so start cheering for him!

[Matthias]

I didn't like the pick because I felt like he would have been there for us in the second round.  So now, I'm not sure if any viable receiver will be available for us in the second, and Jake Fisher most likely will be gone.  By the time we pick again, the BPA will probably be on the defensive side, and that is where we will pick again I predict.

[MadHatter]

I was really questioning the pick when we made it.

 

But seeing that Growl, Taco, and Ace hate the pick.....that tells me all I need to know.  That is was a GREAT pick.

 

Carry on.

[KillerKat]

If you want him to take over for TD, you start him at OLB right away so that when TD retires he can take over right away. It wouldn't make sense starting him at SS then moving him.

[4Corners]

I have been detailing this for the past month. I did not want to go into it too much because the Panthers slow played this to perfection.

As for the people who understand the growth of the spread offense and hybrid TE in short yardage, they get this pick. For everyone who still thinks teams play a base 4-3 most of the time will throw out the Thomas Davis comparison from 10 years ago. The NFL has changed.

There was one position the Panthers could not fill and that was the hybrid LB/SS. Colin Jones finished the season in this spot. When you see the S or CB playing near the line and in the box this is called the Big Nickel. I have talked about it previously. Here is a link if you need to read about it.

google the articles here

Read up there are several articles on it.

Shaq Thompson is going to play OLB - not safety. He will line up in a 4-3 and when the offense spreads out Shaq becomes the Big Nickel. Spread offenses have been using this to give an edge to their QB to pre snap read the defense and know if it is in zone or man. With a hybrid OLB that is no longer an advantage. Why do you think the Seahawks do so well on defense? This throws QBs for a loop and causes more mistakes and delays.

Last season the Panthers had AJ Klein/Chase Blackburn getting caught in pass coverage, and Bene Benwikere would get caught in a run play and crossing routes from these spread formations in short yardage. Shaq instantly solves that and he frees up Kuechly and Davis on day one.

The Panthers now have the defensive personnel by adding Shaq and Tillman to run big nickel and big dime packages that will rival that of the Seahawks while neutralizing QB pre snap reads and spread offenses. For long passing downs the Panthers will still use a traditional nickel and dime which will replace Shaq with Tillman or Bene in the nickel. Shaq will be in that OLB and Big Nickel postion on all short yardage downs.

This is huge. The Patriots and Seahawks have been doing this for a few years now.

Also, keep in mind Shaq can team with Ginn on kickoff returns, and he can play gunner.

What I find interesting is this notion I have heard rumblings of that the Panthers want to select Ty Montgomery later in the draft. The idea is to pair Ty and Shaq at the RB position in a read option package with Cam Newton. Might be 6 to 10 plays a game in the red zone. You can go from having Ty and Shaq in the backfield to a spread offense in the red zone with both at receiver.

Hope this helps. If you do not understand the formations and the amount they are used, then just wait till the season and the 4 game stretch against the spreads on short yardage you will see against the Packers, Eagles, Seahawks, and Colts. You will be thrilled to have Kuechly, Davis, Shaq and Tillman then when those QBs are left guessing if it is man or zone pre snap. If it were Kuechly, Davis, Klein/Colin Jones, and Bene in the box, I guarantee you those QBs will know where they are going and if they are audibling to a run or screen 5 seconds before the snap.

Intelligent and good post!!