Kony must be good..

[AndrewLaskoski]

He is, just doesn't fit in the NFL. Hard to be his size at his position.

NFL teams were really keen on if he could be a 3-4 OLB he just doesn't have the athleticism for it and is too small for a 4-3 DE...

I'd like to see him to go to Canadian Football and bulk up 20-25 pounds to CJ size so he could have a shot a a 3 down DE because the pass rush skills are already there.

[CatMan72]

Still wonder why he dropped to the second round.

Meaureables... didn't blow up the combine (as if that has anything to do with being a good football player).

[tiger7_88]

I only saw Kony play once in person and that was at the 2013 SEC Championship Game.

Kony Ealy was the only thing Missouri had going for them in that game, so we just started running on the oppposite side from where he lined up (to Sam's side or across the DT) and they couldn't stop us (Auburn).

Fortunately, the Panthers defense isn't a one-man show.

[caatfan]

Still wonder why he dropped to the second round.

Don't forget that Hardy was a 6th round pick. Let's see him after he gets some real coaching and game action under his belt, vs. the educated guess (draft position) of how good he'll be.

[rmoneyg35]

I hope Ealy will be the starting DE that gets 10+ sacks on a yearly basis for the next 10 years.

[teeray]

Don't overlook Frank Akexander.

[thefuzz]

Don't overlook Frank Akexander.

 

Contract year, right?

[Wundrbread33]

I honestly don't get the love for Frank Alexander. 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 3 years. 

 

Sure he was suspended, but that's just another ding against him. I'm rooting for him because he is a Panther, but I just don't see the infatuation. 

[KSpan]

I honestly don't get the love for Frank Alexander. 20 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 3 years.

Sure he was suspended, but that's just another ding against him. I'm rooting for him because he is a Panther, but I just don't see the infatuation.

Those stats are really only reflective of his rookie season, as he quickly ended up in Rivera's doghouse in 2013. He really hasn't played since 2012 and he showed a lot of potential as a rookie. This camp and preseason will be very telling.

[mattnasty919]

it generally takes DE's a couple of seasons to make the transition to the NFL. 4 sacks in a rotational role as a rookie wasn't bad, if memory serves me correct on par with CJ and Hardys first season in rotational roles before they took over as starters.

I have big hopes for Ealy, as others have said I think he makes the leap this year

[unicar15]

If we use this logic, Michael Sam is really good too.

Sam is better than people think and I'm pretty convinced at this point that he's out of the league bc he's gay.

He was the SEC def player of the year. That list includes:

Ray, Claiborne, Berry, Jarvis Jones, Peterson, McClain, Dorsey, Pat Willis, Demeco Ryans.

Out of that list there is basically one guy who failed and I think all were first round picks. Claiborne just seems like a guy who is either in the wrong scheme or just can't figure out the playbook. But other than him...all of those guys are successful NFL players

[CPantherKing]

When Ealy learns to control the edge much better, he will be a factor. Until then I agree with most of the other teams in the 2014 NFL draft who wanted him to put on 20 pounds and play DT.

 

Until he can prove he can hold down the edge and make the decisions necessary to keep from being a weakness at the DE position he will be behind Alexander, Horton, and Addison on the depth chart.

 

Here is to hoping he has developed some counter moves to the OTs initial punch during the offseason.

[mc52beast]

Michael Sam isn't even playing in the NFL, got the red carpet treatment and then shot blanks

[mc52beast]

When Ealy learns to control the edge much better, he will be a factor. Until then I agree with most of the other teams in the 2014 NFL draft who wanted him to put on 20 pounds and play DT.

Until he can prove he can hold down the edge and make the decisions necessary to keep from being a weakness at the DE position he will be behind Alexander, Horton, and Addison on the depth chart.

Here is to hoping he has developed some counter moves to the OTs initial punch during the offseason.

Sam is better than people think and I'm pretty convinced at this point that he's out of the league bc he's gay.

He was the SEC def player of the year. That list includes:

Ray, Claiborne, Berry, Jarvis Jones, Peterson, McClain, Dorsey, Pat Willis, Demeco Ryans.

Out of that list there is basically one guy who failed and I think all were first round picks. Claiborne just seems like a guy who is either in the wrong scheme or just can't figure out the playbook. But other than him...all of those guys are successful NFL players

Sam isn't playing because he isn't that good, not because he's gay. He got a fair shot with two different teams and shot blanks, plain and simple.