Round 1 - Carolina Panthers Select Shaq Thompson

[yasuhara2241]

The way I look at it this is a great pick for the following reasons. 

 

1. We got a starting OLB to take over the position for Klein. 

2. We got a LB that can cover TEs 

3. We got a player that can play in the nickel and dime in the joker position (do we really want to see Colin Jones, Harper, or one of the other FAs we picked up?) 

4. We got a players who can take over for Davis in the future. 

5. We got a player that can play special teams

6. We got a player who can fill in so many roles to help this team (not including RB, he's not playing that) 

 

[Khyber53]

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.

 

I hate that I missed reading this in my original pass through the topic. Brilliant explanation and you have me convinced and excited to see Shaq on the field. Great read!

[ncfan]

Has there been an interview anywhere from him since he's been drafted?  

[DaveThePanther2008]

I gotta ask.  Didn't any of you listen to Gettleman over the last 4 months?  

 

He said he wasn't going to reach.  We addressed all our needs in Free Agency.  While they may not be the most popular FA they gave Gettleman the opportunity to take the best football player available.  It amazes me that when the pick comes in you all still bitch like babies cause you didn't get who you think we should have drafted.

 

Gettleman has a great track record in the draft so to be honest.   I would take his opinion over all this whining.

 

Though players don't have a say in who we draft,  when TD says this guy is better than he was when he came into the league tells me we have a solid player.

 

Plus the guy could fill an emergency role at running back if we had a slew of injuries at RB.

[Yaboychris28]

Its okay guys, we signed Oher and Boykins. 

[OldNorthPowell]

I gotta ask.  Didn't any of you listen to Gettleman over the last 4 months?  

 

He said he wasn't going to reach.  We addressed all our needs in Free Agency.  While they may not be the most popular FA they gave Gettleman the opportunity to take the best football player available.  It amazes me that when the pick comes in you all still bitch like babies cause you didn't get who you think we should have drafted.

 

Gettleman has a great track record in the draft so to be honest.   I would take his opinion over all this whining.

 

Though players don't have a say in who we draft,  when TD says this guy is better than he was when he came into the league tells me we have a solid player.

 

Plus the guy could fill an emergency role at running back if we had a slew of injuries at RB.

 

If you think the number two WR position has been addressed I will be sure to bring that up half way through next season when Cam is getting coverage sacked and people on here are like WTF is wrong with our offense.

[DaveThePanther2008]

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.

 

Perfect explanation.   I was OK with the pick before reading this and now I am more satisfied.

 

You have to be able to stop the NE, N.O and GB type of offenses.

[DaveThePanther2008]

If you think the number two WR position has been addressed I will be sure to bring that up half way through next season when Cam is getting coverage sacked and people on here are like WTF is wrong with our offense.

 

Boykins and Ginn give us the opportunity to take the best football player.  Especially Boykins, I think this a good pick up for us and is as good as any rookie that was still on the board. If White or Cooper were still available and we picked Shaq I might agree with you.

 

This class of WR is very deep.  There are many WRs still available as well as OT.

[AU-panther]

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.

This, and the included link, should be required reading for everyone. Even if you felt like a better player was available this will at least help you understand why the pick was made. This wasn't just a BPA pick, there is more "need" to this pick then most realize.

Like others have said you should start a thread with this.

[jjord]

I have to chime in on this because it's just bothering me but...

 

 

it's BOYKIN. Not Boykins. No S. He's a Panther now and if you're going to complain about or praise one of our own you could at least get his name right.

 

Maybe it's because I went to VT and watched him there, but I needed to get that out. Back to everybody complaining about G-man's pick...

[Swan]

Reached. Really wanted Dorsett.

 

 

[AceBoogie]

I suggest all reasonable fans block AceBoogie's posts

He derails every thread with his blind hatred for Gettleman and is convinced Cam hates the Panthers. This will all disappear once Cam signs his extension

You will never find a post where I said Cam hates the panthers. You wont even find a post where I say he WANTS to leave.

[JccOldTime23]

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.

I know it's been said earlier in the thread but this really should be an article on the front page.

[AceBoogie]

If you think the number two WR position has been addressed I will be sure to bring that up half way through next season when Cam is getting coverage sacked and people on here are like WTF is wrong with our offense.

Never fails. Applaud now, and are the main ones complaining during the season.