Is Kony Ealy a bust?

[top dawg]

2 hours ago, Khyber53 said:

This season has been a frustrating one, especially up and down our D-line. Ealy flashed greatness in the Super Bowl, but he's apparently still a work in progress. Sadly, he might not be a star DE at this point, or even in the future, but I think he may be a good find as a rotational DE. We just haven't seen much to indicate it yet.

And that's the worst part of it -- this season makes it really hard to evaluate a guy like him. He hasn't had a stand out year in any particular way, but neither have any of the other guys on the line. CJ has had a couple of good games of late, but there were a whole bunch of games with nothing. Star has anchored the line pretty well and that's his job, one that doesn't always get the glory. Star has had nowhere near the season he had last year. Addison had a pop for a bit, but there hasn't been anyone else from the rotational D-line players that has really done anything.

How do you judge a completely unremarkable performance when the whole group is doing a meh job?

I wouldn't send him packing at the end of the season, but I sure would be reluctant to offer a contract above JAG levels at this point.

CJ is not a premium DE anymore, but he is still above average. I think you're being a little too hard on him. We're getting our money's worth this season.

Star has been having a decent year. I could be wrong, but I'd say that all things considered, he is having a better year than last year. I've certainly heard his name more as far as pressuring the QB. As for anchoring the line, I can't see being without him. 

Short is good, but just not as good as he thinks he is. A DT that can produce push is likely going to get paid regardless though. I just haven't seen anything I'd want to upset my budget for this year.

Ealy is a glorified Delaire. There is just little consistency to his game. He scares no one, and never really has.  His play does not rate a first round grade that G-man gave him, nor the second round draft value. Even at this point  he just looks lost out there at times. Even mediocre tackles and guards handle him with ease, so yeah he is a bust. I have seen enough of him to know that he doesn't fulfill the job that we want and need him to do (and I usually like to give people the benefit of doubt until the bitter end).

[The_Rainmaker]

1 hour ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Well,  Kony is now ending his third year in the league. As a second round pick,  expectations were pretty high. After a solid Superbowl showing,  he seems to have regressed? 

Is Kony Ealy a bust? How much money and effort should the Panthers spend on keeping him around.

 

 What say you? 

No I'll give him another year but  we should draft Jefferson he is smiliar to Addison is but stronger agaisnt the run.

DE: AJ Jefferson 6'-3" 260lbs

http://www.hailstate.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3052

Quote

CAREER: One of the SEC’s most disruptive defensive ends who returns for his senior season … Coming off a breakout junior season in which he earned starting role and led team in tackles for loss ... Played in 39 games with 13 starts ... Tallied 95 tackles, 24.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, five forced fumbles and four pass breakups … Ranks ninth in MSU career history in tackles for loss and is eight shy of the top five … His TFL are the most by a Bulldog in a career since Washington Redskin All-Rookie Preston Smith … Forced five turnovers in his career … Notched at least one TFL in 10 out of his last 14 games … 2016 will be his fifth year with the program after redshirting in 2012.

2015 JUNIOR SEASON: Delivered a breakout junior season in which he led the squad in tackles for loss (13.5) and was second in sacks (5.0) … Finished with 47 total tackles and had one forced fumble … Recorded at least one TFL in nine games, including the first six contests of the year … Started all 13 games at defensive end … Ranked ninth in the SEC in TFL and 11th in MSU single-season annals …  Made his first career start in the season-opening victory at Southern Miss (9/5), tallying seven tackles and a career-high two sacks … Tied a career high with two tackles for loss to go along with a career-high eight tackles versus No. 14 LSU (9/12) … Credited with five tackles, a career-high tying two tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble in the win at No. 25 Auburn (9/26) … Registered seven tackles, a career-high tying two tackles for loss and a sack vs. Troy (10/10) … Collected three tackles and a sack in the victory at Missouri (11/5) … Broke up two passes and had a tackle for loss in the win at Arkansas (11/21).

2014 SOPHOMORE SEASON: Saw action in all 13 games with zero contests started ... Made 28 tackles, including 2.5 sacks and seven for loss ... Totaled three tackles, one tackle for loss and a fumble recovery in the season-opener against Southern Miss (8/30) ... Tied a then-career high with 1.5 tackles for loss versus UAB (9/6) ... Made three tackles at No. 8 LSU (9/20) ... Had best game of the season against No. 6 Texas A&M (10/4), collecting 1.5 sacks for -14 yards, three tackles and four more quarterback hurries ... Registered three tackles and a pair of QB hurries versus No. 2 Auburn (10/11) ... Tallied three stops against UT Martin (11/8), including one behind the line of scrimmage ... Had a tackle for loss at No. 3 Alabama (11/15) ... Recorded four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble in the Orange Bowl against Georgia Tech (12/31).

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-college-football-5-nfl-prospects-on-rise/

 

Quote

 

5. A.J. Jefferson, Edge, Mississippi State

Mississippi State likes to rotate a lot of players in and out along the defensive line, and that often leads top players flying under the radar. Jefferson has quietly performed well as part of the rotation the last two years, but he’s taken his game to a new level so far in 2016. He was one of the best players on the field last weekend against South Carolina, getting in on a sack, QB hit, two hurries and four run stops. It’s the best game we’ve seen from him in three years of grading, though he’s certainly flashed the big-play ability in each of the last two seasons. Like the others on the list, it’s all about bringing the same production throughout the season.

 

[ncfan]

Bust... yes

still would love to get him as a reasonable deal as a backup.  still makes some Good plays.  Solid rotational player.

Koney makes me so frustrated though.  Kid has all the tools and has shown them at times.  He is just so damn lazy.  If someone could ever light a fire under his azz he'd be a damn good player

 

[TheRed]

Bup bup bup bup.

[ncfan]

9 minutes ago, The_Rainmaker said:

No I'll give him another year but  we should draft Jefferson he is smiliar to Addison is but stronger agaisnt the run.

DE: AJ Jefferson 6'-3" 260lbs

http://www.hailstate.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3052

https://www.profootballfocus.com/draft-college-football-5-nfl-prospects-on-rise/

 

 

Jefferson wouldn't be bad in a later round

My favorites are:

Taco Charlton- big athletic kid who broke out this year with tremendous upside.  This years Carl Nassib

Demarcus Walker- not the flashy freak like some guys.  But has a motor.  Will outwork many and steps up in big situations. (See 2nd half of ole miss game this year, extra point block to win game vs Miami, and late UF game)

Solomon Thomas-  big strong DE that has the speed on the edge.  Very good with his hands (kid is also a boxer) which is big for D lineman. 

These guys should be round 2-3 guys.

[GoobyPls]

Everett Brown 2.0

 

Micheal Sam was better than him at Mizzou. We should of never drafted him, especially in that 2014 class of receivers.

[ncfan]

Just now, GoobyPls said:

Everett Brown 2.0

 

Micheal Sam was better than him at Mizzou. We should of never drafted him, especially in that 2014 class of receivers.

Sam had better #s because Ealy drew more attention and away from Sam.

 

[TheMostInterestingMan]

Hard for me to label him a complete bust. He hasn't lived up to expectation, but he has contributed. When I think 2nd round pick DE bust, I think Everett Brown. And by that comparison, Ealy is certainly not a bust. He does being something to the table. He's just not what we had hoped he would be.

[GoobyPls]

2 minutes ago, ncfan said:

Sam had better #s because Ealy drew more attention and away from Sam.

 

Horse sh*t, nobody game planned for Ealy. Sam was twice the college player, the only reason he was drafted ahead of him was on pure potential.

[Panthro]

It's his attitude and his want to...drives the coaches crazy

[SOJA]

We've been spoiled by some great D-Ends- We went from Rucker, Peppers, to Charles Johnson, Greg Hardy

 

I think we just all assumed Ealy would reach that level and clearly he hasn't.

 

Is he a bust? Maybe, but we drafted a player with a "round 1 grade" dropping in the second. Looks like there was a good reason he was dropping. 

[Jangler]

1 hour ago, thebigcat said:

He's just another guy. Nothing spectacular


Sent from my iPhone using CarolinaHuddle

Can say the same about the Panthers. Inconsistent. Pay mid level. Until somebody besides Cam or Luke steps up, should anybody get top or close to top dollar?

[GoobyPls]

5 minutes ago, Promethean Forerunner said:

 

Ealy has actually pressured and sacked the QB. Sam never accomplished diddly poo in his short career. 

College.......

[The_Rainmaker]

21 minutes ago, ncfan said:

Jefferson wouldn't be bad in a later round

My favorites are:

Taco Charlton- big athletic kid who broke out this year with tremendous upside.  This years Carl Nassib

Demarcus Walker- not the flashy freak like some guys.  But has a motor.  Will outwork many and steps up in big situations. (See 2nd half of ole miss game this year, extra point block to win game vs Miami, and late UF game)

Solomon Thomas-  big strong DE that has the speed on the edge.  Very good with his hands (kid is also a boxer) which is big for D lineman. 

These guys should be round 2-3 guys.

Agree I rather go offense with 1-2 round and get a pass rusher in the mid round.

1st round pick

RB:Roye Freeman\

TE: Jake Butt