Panthers Evaluation: Front Four A Concern?

[t96]

12 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I think just about everyone on this forum has been talking about DE being a huge need. CJ and Addison are both free agents. Even if they return, CJ is past his prime and Addison is still best suited in a situational pass rusher role. Ealy is just never going to be consistent. He flashes here and there, but the ship has sailed on hoping for him to "get it".

Yeah, DE is a huge need.

I feel like Ealy's going to break out this year and show consistent domination and of course he's in the last year of his rookie deal so he sucks for 3 years gives us a dominant year then goes to get paid big money elsewhere.

[LinvilleGorge]

35 minutes ago, thomas96 said:

I feel like Ealy's going to break out this year and show consistent domination and of course he's in the last year of his rookie deal so he sucks for 3 years gives us a dominant year then goes to get paid big money elsewhere.

I hope you're right. When I say the ship has sailed on that what I mean is that we should no longer be counting on that to happen. I think were counting on Ealy taking that next step this season and based off of his tremendous Super Bowl performance, I don't have an issue with that. The guy looked like the best 4-3 DE in the league in that game. But, it just didn't happen. Can't get caught relying on him to play a huge role this season.

[t96]

6 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I hope you're right. When I say the ship has sailed on that what I mean is that we should no longer be counting on that to happen. I think were counting on Ealy taking that next step this season and based off of his tremendous Super Bowl performance, I don't have an issue with that. The guy looked like the best 4-3 DE in the league in that game. But, it just didn't happen. Can't get caught relying on him to play a huge role this season.

I definitely agree. We shouldn't be counting on getting any more from him than we have. That was a mistake after his SB performance made it look like he was finally going to get it. Either way I think we should approach the position the exact same. If he breaks out he'll demand a large payday on 1 season like Josh and probably won't get it here. If he doesn't we need a lot of help there. Both scenarios after next year we'll need others at end. I'm getting the feeling right now that we go with Barnett at 8 (Adams and Fournette gone) and get Tanoh Kpassagnon later as well for the double dip. Depends on what we do in FA and with CJ and Addison though. We may have to let Mario get paid somewhere else, which would suck but may be necessary.

[KDawg004]

I have no problem double dipping at DE. But would still prefer to sign a vet and ease the rookies in.