Panthers Linebacker Logjam

[t96]

Cash and Jacobs or Boulware if he can impress like Cash did last year.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

1 hour ago, UpstatePanther said:

@Jeremy Igo why are we assuming Mayo is a given?

I never saw Mayo do anything awe inspiring last year but I saw him do a lot of things consistently correct.  That is no smallaccomplishment in the NFL.  Not a super freak like TD! Luke or Shaq but does a good job.  I don't see him anywhere near a bubble.  

[bandu]

Cash & Norris 

[KillerKat]

Right now it's this, until Boulware proves himself in preaseason and if he does then we can free up somewhere else (like only carry 4 DEs this year instead) so that we can carry 7 LBs.

SLB: Shaq Thompson - Jeremy Cash
MLB: Luke Kuechly - David Mayo
WLB: Thomas Davis - Jared Norris  

[shulasmyhero]

Why only 2? 

The 4 listed as locks were on the 53 last year right? Plus Jacobs, Cash and Klein? Was someone moved up when Luke went down or am I just misremembering?

edit: replace Jacobs with Norris.  

[UpstatePanther]

3 hours ago, Jeremy Igo said:

 

Because he played really well last year at MLB and special teams. He is a lock for sure.

 

 

3 hours ago, Saca312 said:

Because of performances like this:

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-car-tb-grades/

Top defensive grades:

LB David Mayo, 87.2

 

Fair enough guys! Lol. I asked out of curious ignorance :)

[Devil Doc]

I say we keep 5 LB.. and stash 2 on PS

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[jdpanther5]

Worth noting we kept 7 LBs all of last year, even adding an eighth after Luke's injury. Not buying the "you can't stash Boulware" take as he went undrafted. I'm also not sure Cash is completely safe.

Feels like there isn't enough Norris love here, he was the biggest surprise to make the 53 last year and it's still pretty quiet on him. I certainly don't think Jacobs has the edge over him, especially after Norris already took his spot once.

But I'm not sure Norris isn't above Cash as well. Consider that Cash was back and forth between active and inactive all year, playing in exactly half the games, but was notably inactive the final three games after Jacobs was signed (even with Luke out).

Norris was basically the Cash antithesis: a lower priority prospect that surprisingly made the team and became a regular contributor. Whereas Cash was only active for 8 games, Norris was inactive for the first two but active for all 14 after that.

So over the season:

Norris: 14/16
Cash: 8/16

And after Jacobs was signed:

Norris: 4/4
Cash: 1/4
Jacobs: 4/4

New season, but it's an interesting trend.

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[davos]

I agree with some of the recent posts and think people are overlooking Norris' place on the totem pole right now. 

Boulware will have a fight to make it.  

[DaveThePanther2008]

I think many are misreading Boulware.  Seems everyone wants to say he doesn't have the tools or isn't athletic enough.  And maybe he isn't the most athletic but I believe most are over looking (including 31 GMs) his instinct and desire.   Kind of reminds me a bit of Steve Smith when they kept saying he would never amount to much as a receiver.  We know how that story ended.

I say he proves he belongs on this team and will become a good backup to our LB Corps.

Talent isn't everything.  The heart and mind have to be there too.

[Jeremy Igo]

5 hours ago, jdpanther5 said:

Worth noting we kept 7 LBs all of last year, even adding an eighth after Luke's injury. Not buying the "you can't stash Boulware" take as he went undrafted. I'm also not sure Cash is completely safe.
 

Good stuff. Totally forgot about that. so 7 linebackers are likely. 3 are in , 3 are out. Interesting. 

[Jeremy Igo]

25 minutes ago, DaveThePanther2008 said:

I think many are misreading Boulware.  Seems everyone wants to say he doesn't have the tools or isn't athletic enough.  And maybe he isn't the most athletic but I believe most are over looking (including 31 GMs) his instinct and desire.   Kind of reminds me a bit of Steve Smith when they kept saying he would never amount to much as a receiver.  We know how that story ended.

Steve Smith had insane athletic ability. 

Boulware has the drive, but lacks the physical ability. That can get you by in college, but is so much more difficult at the pro level. I am pulling for him, but he has a tough road ahead. 

[top dawg]

7 hours ago, jdpanther5 said:

Worth noting we kept 7 LBs all of last year, even adding an eighth after Luke's injury. Not buying the "you can't stash Boulware" take as he went undrafted. I'm also not sure Cash is completely safe.

Feels like there isn't enough Norris love here, he was the biggest surprise to make the 53 last year and it's still pretty quiet on him. I certainly don't think Jacobs has the edge over him, especially after Norris already took his spot once.

But I'm not sure Norris isn't above Cash as well. Consider that Cash was back and forth between active and inactive all year, playing in exactly half the games, but was notably inactive the final three games after Jacobs was signed (even with Luke out).

Norris was basically the Cash antithesis: a lower priority prospect that surprisingly made the team and became a regular contributor. Whereas Cash was only active for 8 games, Norris was inactive for the first two but active for all 14 after that.

So over the season:

Norris: 14/16
Cash: 8/16

And after Jacobs was signed:

Norris: 4/4
Cash: 1/4
Jacobs: 4/4

New season, but it's an interesting trend.

Sent using the amazing CarolinaHuddle mobile app
 

I've warned people not to sleep on Norris all along. He was a pretty good football player in school ( ala Klein and Mayo). I don't believe he's going anywhere.

[KB_fan]

14 hours ago, MadHatter said:

Given the versatility of both Samuel and CMC, it could mean that we carry one less WR than usual and add in another area......given ST prowess of this group, it could mean 7 LB on the squad. 

Think this is very true.   We had 10 LBs on the roster this time last year too, and we ended up with 7 on the 53, so I don't think that's a stretch.