Kuechly, Panthers agree to 5-year, $62M extension

[thefuzz]

 I cannot stop thinking about those idiots in SF, I believe it was, a couple of months ago talking how they were going to get Luke.  They spoke as if SF was the only team in the league that deserved such a player.   I am sure their hearts are broken now.

I think Gettleman's next target should be Norman before he blows up this year.  He doesn't like to negotiate during the season.  So hike up those nipple shorts and get busy.  You got 4 days to nail down Norman.

Franchise tag is there for a reason.  If he plays lights out this year and demands tip top CB money, we either sign him as we think he is that valuable, let him walk and get a comp pick, or tag him.

[KB_fan]

Oh, now THESE are some very cool stats.  Major props to Bill Voth for finding these. (there's more)

http://blackandbluereview.com/why-luke-kuechly-mega-deal/

Wny Luke deserves his mega contract:

• Played in 2,748 of a possible 2,811 snaps (97.8%) at middle linebacker.

• Helped the Panthers’ defense do this:

48 games with Kuechly  

Total defense: 5th

Rushing defense: 7th

Passing defense: 7th

Previous 48 games without Kuechly

Total defense: 16th

Rushing defense: 22nd

Passing defense: 10th

[DaveThePanther2008]

Franchise tag is there for a reason.  If he plays lights out this year and demands tip top CB money, we either sign him as we think he is that valuable, let him walk and get a comp pick, or tag him.

That was the funny part you would have thought this was the 70's.  Where he could just walk away.  They were so arrogant to believe Kuechly was theirs just for the taking.

[RelaxImaPro]

[t48]

[Kevin Greene]

Details, anybody got 'em? How much is guaranteed?  How does this help us cap wise with the 2.1 mill he was scheduled to make this year and the 11.2 mill next on his rookie contract?

[PantherGuy]

Deal isn't done yet according to Steve Reed. Don't know how to embed tweets, but that's what his Twitter has been saying. Deal isn't done yet, but it could still get done.

Edit: Reed just tweeted that the deal has been finalized. The article to go with the tweet: http://pro32.ap.org/article/ap-source-panthers-make-kuechly-nfls-highest-paid-lb

 

[The Special 1]

Excellent

[mc52beast]

First Panther to enter the HOF...with the possible exception of Smitty.

[L-TownCat]

First Panther to enter the HOF...with the possible exception of Smitty.

Smitty will get in.  They are already talking about it.  The day he left Carolina he became a strong HOF candidate.

[Plewis]

Someone probably already said this but I'm not gonna read the whole thread but....

 

Lukes like he'll be here awhile. Ba Dum Tss!

 

 

 

[Doc Holiday]

Yes! (Nothing more needs to be said to this news)

[Mr. Scot]

 

 

That's a frightening picture.

[KB_fan]

SMH.

Darin Gantt ‏@daringantt 45m45 minutes ago

If the guy with 200 tackles played on a better defense, they'd have gotten off the field sooner and he wouldn't have that many. #peeve

 

I don't know much about Darin Gantt.  Why the Luke hate?  Did he perhaps rag on us for drafting him and hates to have been proven wrong?  Pure speculation on my part.  It's just hard to fathom...

And for those who are saying that Luke gets so many tackles because our offense stinks and can't stay on the field, how is that true given that we typically play ball control and go for long time of possession?

2014:  we were 2nd in the league in time of possession

2013: we were 4th

2012 we *were* below average at 19th.

https://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/average-time-of-possession-net-of-ot