KB and Kuechly and the heights of player worship in the NFL.

[Udogg]

I agree with your post mostly.  I think its not that simple. 

Position/Team Depth:   For instance I think position plays a huge roll.  QB is much more team effecting than WR.  However another QB can come in and win if the gap isn't so huge.  Using us as an example with Derek Anderson, or recently Josh McCown played well enough to win. Luke Kuechly isn't missed as much due to the fact that Klein isn't so much of a drop off.  KB isn't missed as much due to the fact that as in Ginn isn't remotely as effective, his speed /play this year makes the loss not seem as bad.  Flip side, everyone missed Jordan Gross because the huge disparity between his play and Bell at LT.  Norwell is so much better than Silatolu that he seems like he is going to the hall of fame. 

Team Philosophy:   If you are a defensive juggernaut, then losing key players on the offense won't hurt as much as a losing a key defensive player. 

Coaching:  I think this is the most important aspect.  As the salary cap, better scouting, and better player development in the college/highschool games develop,  I think the gap in talent isn't huge anymore for any team.  Certain teams are competitive regardless of injury/suspension of personnel.  Its coaching.  Coaching for situation, preparing better than everyone else makes the difference.  I watched that special on the patriots and they talked about how they practiced for that last defensive play in the Superbowl so many times.  I don't necessarily feel confident that we would have.  But I could be wrong.

In conclusion, yes some players are more valuable.  Some players are rated based on how big the gap between that player and the player behind him.   Some players are just valued more by because their backups or the players they replaced sucked so bad.

 

Over all good post man.  Keep the good ones coming.

 

[Goondal]

I agree with the OP, but then again I thought this was pretty common knowledge 

[PoundCat]

The reality is, in my view, is that we are a worse team without those 3. Our ability to pressure the QB has gone way down since Star has been gone, and Klein is a serviceable backup, but he is nowhere close to Luke. And KB is able to draw double teams that noone else on the current roster can.

I hate to say it, but there's no way the Jags, Texans, or Saints would have been within 3 touchdowns of a fully healthy Panther squad. And each one of them could have beaten us if a few 4th quarter plays had have gone differently. We are 3-0, yes, but we haven't faced anybody yet that can exploit our weaknesses enough to beat us.

[yasuhara2241]

Actually I enjoyed this post. It was well thought up and he brought up the Hornets! I agree NBA is more star power bc there are less players on the court to impact the game. 

Now I believe you are wrong bc of sample size and bc our QB is our superstar and without him we wold be screwed. 

[Growl]

nice post.

there's no question the nfl is structure-oriented in that the talent behind schemes often transcends the talent of the individual player playing in it. also, the fact that so much weight is placed on the quarterback in today's league means that for the majority of positions, the loss of a single talent - spectacular or not - can be pretty easily schemed around. we're seeing the panthers (shula, even!) do this with success.

if your quarterback goes down, though? god rest your soul. no scheme in the world can truly save you there.

luke mccown would beg to differ. At least in the short term.

[the butch]

Has PU set the bar so low for himself that obvious statements get him a handclap?

[AceBoogie]

We are 3-0 yes, but we really have yet to play anybody. When people talk about the loss of KB, you won't really feel it until we go up to Seattle and face the Packers and the Colts. That's when you need your stars is when you start facing playoff teams. Nobody we've beaten so far is going to the playoffs. 

[Peppers90 NC]

Do baseball next.

and then fútbol and hockey

[Peppers90 NC]

it's really quite simple, no need to complicate things. basketball is 5 players on the court at a time, football is 11 on the field. more moving parts requires better scheme and play design