You have to feel better about this roster compared to last year.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

I admit, I would be lying if I said I wasnt concerned with Shaq missing OTAs. Im sorry but im not a fan of players missing any football time because of school. NFL is serious business and you need every millisecond of training and practice you can get. I feel when a player comes to the NFL they need to put their degree and education on hold. This is now their career and a big decision like the NFL deserves 110% of that player's time and energy

 

 

Disagree with this.  I suspect some of the character traits that are driving him to continue on with school are the ones he exhibited in his meetings with the team that compelled them to draft him.  DG and RR knew before they selected him that this was part of the deal.  The alternative would be to blow off the entire quarter and repeat again which is, well, kiinda not smart.

 

I think I read somewhere he will make mini camp but will miss most of the OTAs depending on how his exams fall. After that I think he should be able to balance the dates going forward to get his degree. 

[Chimera]

Kalil definitely isn't high end?  He's been to the pro bowl 4 out of 7 years as a starter.  If you take out the year he was injured, he's been 4 out of 6 years.  As far as his foot injury affecting him, he went to the pro bowl the year after he came back from the injury.  Of course last year was rough for him.  He was the only constant on that o-line the whole year, and the people playing next to him were either rookies, haven't played here before, or haven't played in over a year.  He is still a high end center.

 

I said Khalil isn't. He's a skinny singer.

Ryan Kalil, however, like my post says, is still pretty good.

[Nick_81]

I said Khalil isn't. He's a skinny singer.

Ryan Kalil, however, like my post says, is still pretty good.

Reading comprehension not skrong this morning.

[EgoDogg]

It's clear as day how much better we already are than the start of last season. Some rating's are generous in favor of some players. I think this would be a better rating scale.

 

1 point: Not Starter Quality

2 point: Below Average Starter

3 point: Average Starter

4 point: Above Average / Solid Starter

5 point: Elite Starter

 

*Gave pie anyways since it is nicely put together, even with the bias ... no contest with last season!

 

Now for my ratings. (Jonathan Stewart contingent on Health. Rookies I won't rate above average until they prove themselves):

 

2015:

Qb: Cam Newton: 4

Rb: Jonathan Stewart: 3-4

Te: Greg Olsen: 5

Lt: Michael Oher: 2

Lg: Andrew Norwell: 3

C: Ryan Kalil: 4

Rg: Trai Turner: 3

Rt: Remmers/Williams: 3

Wr1: Kelvin Benjamin: 4

Wr2: Devin Funchess 2-3

 

Re: Kong Ealy: 3

Le: Charles Johnson: 4

Dt1: Star Lotuleilei: 4

Dt2: Kawaan Short: 4

LOLB: Thomas Davis: 5

ILB: Luke Kuechly: 5

ROLB: Shaq Thompson: 2-3

Cb1: Josh Norman: 4

Cb2: Charles Tillman: 3

Cb3: Bene Benwikere: 3

FS: Tre Boston: 2

SS: Roman Harper: 2

 

Total: 74-77

 

Compare to the start of 2014

 

2014:

Qb: Cam Newton: 4

Rb: DeAngelo Williams: 3

Te: Greg Olsen: 5

Lt: Byron Bell: 1

Lg: Amini Silatolu: 1

C: Ryan Kalil: 4

Rg: Fernando Velasco: 1

Rt: Nate Chandler: 1

Wr1: Kelvin Benjamin: 4

Wr2: Jericho Cotchery: 2

 

Re: Wes Horton: 2

Le: Charles Johnson: 4

Dt1: Star Lotuleilei: 4

Dt2: Kawaan Short: 4

LOLB: Thomas Davis: 5

ILB: Luke Kuechly: 5

ROLB: Blackburn/Klein: 3

Cb1: Antoine Cason: 1

Cb2: Melvin White: 1

Cb3: Bene Benwikere: 3

FS: Thomas Decoud: 1

SS: Roman Harper: 1

 

Total: 60

[Ruff]

I got to Shaq rated as a high end player and quit reading. That poo is laughable. With no disrespect to shaq, he hasn't played a single snap.

[Riverboat Ron]

Superb Owl!

[Mvp2014]

i thought i would be way more bummed about Hardy but Idgaf really.  Can't wait to see ShaqFunch

[mc52beast]

Can't help thinking about that horrible stretch the D went thru last year... If they can stay healthy and keep from making mental mistakes it will be a good year

[Carolina Cajun]

I wouldn't call any of our linemen high end not even Khalil

IDK if you recall but even at the end of last season when the line was more stable we still struggled when forced into passing situations.

Rookies should be labeled average

 

I disagree, Khalil was a big reason why the O-line (particularly the interior) played as well as it did.

[@bonafidebanter]

DE is my main concern.

 

OT is mine. Looks shaky after yet another draft. 

[hepcat]

The biggest improvement on the roster is the offensive line.  Really jelled late last year and they're returning 4 of 5 starters.  If they SOMEHOW get La'el Collins at LT, that is a much improved O-Line with solid depth.  If Stewart stays healthy he could have a Demarco Murray style breakout year.

 

As long as they have Luke Kuechly, the defense should be at least around top 10 as always.  I'm hoping Ealy continues to develop and Frank Alexander comes back from his suspensions and plays lights out in a contract year.  If those young defensive ends take a step up they could crack the top 5.  

[Mr. Scot]

I wouldn't call any of our linemen high end not even Khalil

IDK if you recall but even at the end of last season when the line was more stable we still struggled when forced into passing situations.

Rookies should be labeled average

 

Kalil is considered by many to be the best center in the league.  Turner and Norwell were both solid last year and should improve plenty - as most players do - going into their second year.

 

You have no idea...

 

[GoobyPls]

I disagree, Khalil was a big reason why the O-line (particularly the interior) played as well as it did.

We were one of the worst rushing teams in the league last season until we started using the read option even with Khalil.

And our pass blocking was still bad when we forced to pass.

[GoobyPls]

Kalil is considered by many to be the best center in the league. Turner and Norwell were both solid last year and should improve plenty - as most players do - going into their second year.

You have no idea...

Khalil was constantly bullied last season