I Miss Shaq Thompson

[mpugh6]

Disclaimer: this is not a "The sky is falling!" thread. I would just like to discuss our first round draft pick. This team is in the NFCCG and the coaches are obviously doing a lot of things right.

When Shaq was drafted, many of us were shocked, appalled, happy...etc. Everyone viewed the pick in a different way. Personally, I trusted Gettleman with the pick, and I still do. Athletic and versatile players like Shaq are a rare breed.

 There is an issue though. When Shaq was picked, we heard Rivera talk about the new different looks and things we would be able to do with the defense. Well so far I have seen Shaq used in only one way, and that is as a 4-3 OLB. Maybe that was the plan all along. But Shaq played only 4 defensive snaps yesterday (according to Jonathan Jones). Seattle used a lot of 3 receiver sets, and Shaq pretty much never plays in those situations. 

Shaq is an incredible athlete, and we have seen the plays he can make when he is given the opportunity. I imagine it must be very frustrating for him to see Seattle gain so many yards in the second half yesterday while he watched on the sideline. I would like to see Shaq get more opportunities, but Finnegan has played ok in the slot, and it is strange to make a change at this point in the postseason.

Should the Panthers try using Shaq instead of Finnegan when facing 3 receiver sets? Or should things stay exactly the same? 

[pepaw]

I love Shaq, his ceiling and what he will bring this team for many years to come, but the thought of him trying to cover Fitzgerald horrifies me.

 

[L-TownCat]

I dont think they want to use him on that side.  They know hes a replacement for TD.  

I have zero proof of this and its all my imagination but it makes sense to me.

[stankowalski]

2 minutes ago, pepaw said:

I love Shaq, his ceiling and what he will bring this team for many years to come, but the thought of him trying to cover Fitzgerald horrifies me.

 

I don't know. Fitz is a physical receiver and if Finnegan has to cover him Fitz will abuse him.  Unfortunately I haven't seen enough of Shaq to know how good or bad he would be against any receivers let alone one of the best in the league.  I hate to think that he would do worse than Finnegan though.

[t96]

He'd get worked on by any of those Seattle WRs or Cardinals WRs. Love Shaq and what he's shown this year but he's a future pick (TD's replacement) and our 3rd LB for when teams aren't running 3 wideout sets, which unfortunately is not a lot because of how the league has become so pass-orientated.

[Jmac]

Well he played four snaps yesterday according to J.Jones (team was in nickel most of the second half).  For this 'versatile athletic guy' they haven't used him much besides LB. Maybe next year.

[Mage]

6 minutes ago, stankowalski said:

I don't know. Fitz is a physical receiver and if Finnegan has to cover him Fitz will abuse him.  Unfortunately I haven't seen enough of Shaq to know how good or bad he would be against any receivers let alone one of the best in the league.  I hate to think that he would do worse than Finnegan though.

Fitz would abuse Shaq.

[stankowalski]

Just now, Mage said:

Fitz would abuse Shaq.

Not physically he wouldn't.  

[CRA]

Shay was drafted to replace Davis in the near future and maintain our freak LB play as he and Luke would be the guys going forward.

so until that day comes, we won't see tons of Shaq unless we are playing Kansas City or a team that allows us to play real 4-3 D

[LinvilleGorge]

I understand there are people who would like to see Shaq covering Fitz, I'm just surprised to see any of them on a Panthers forum.  I suspect a Cardinals forum would be full of them.

[Bartin]

8 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I understand there are people who would like to see Shaq covering Fitz, I'm just surprised to see any of them on a Panthers forum.  I suspect a Cardinals forum would be full of them.

I wouldn't be opposed to trying it if Finnegan is getting abused physically by Fitz, but going into the game with the plan that a rookie OLB is going to cover a future HoF WR would be idiotic. I think Harper or Coleman would be a better option as a slot CB on Fitz with Boston playing safety if Cortland fails though

[csx]

I trust Finnegan, who has covered receivers his entire career, to cover more than I do a rookie linebacker.

[stankowalski]

7 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I understand there are people who would like to see Shaq covering Fitz, I'm just surprised to see any of them on a Panthers forum.  I suspect a Cardinals forum would be full of them.

Well when he was drafted there were talks of how good he would be in the big nickel package  And if he were really going to be used in that package then he'd be covering slot receivers as well as tight ends.

[LinvilleGorge]

I expect Rivera and McDermott to come up with a plan to account for the Cardinals moving Fitz around to find favorable matchups.  He has primarily played in the slot this year and that's where we're weak.  Stick with our base and see how Finnegan does, but we have to have a backup plan if he's struggling.