Quick Analysis: Hate To Admit It, But Father Time Caught Up With Thomas Davis In 2016

[Saca312]

Thomas Davis is the epitome of what a Carolina Panther should be. Coming back from 3 ACL tears, his high level play has inspired and shocked the world. A HoF caliber man whose been underrated for the vast majority of his career, TD's elite play has garnered him the respect and love of Panther fans everywhere.

However, last season showed that even age catches up to human cyborgs.

I decided to take a quick look at the second-to-last Panther game of 2016 to see what went wrong. Our secondary (minus Tre Boston) did fine for the majority of the game, but our linebackers were the ones having issues. Taking a closer look, Thomas Davis takes some of the blame.

On this play, the Panthers are in Cover 2. It's 3rd and a longshot. Thomas Davis stays close to the LoS. Rest of Panthers focused on keeping the play short and preventing a 20+ yard first down. Falcons take notice and elect to draw up a play to exploit Thomas Davis. 

Falcons use their WR to draw away Bradberry, keeping him out of the equation. The leftover match-up is a one on one of Tevin Coleman and Thomas Davis with a lot of space in between them. In the past, you would see a blinding Thomas Davis run over and cut Coleman for a shorter gain, but this is 2016 Davis we're talking about. 

The result? Coleman comes blasting in for a 31 yard gain with a lumbering Davis behind. First down on what should've been an easy 3 and out.

To be fair, Luke Kuechly wasn't on the field. Without Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis had to shoulder most of the Panthers coverage responsibility. He had a much bigger job and task at hand. It's fair to say Luke not being there led to most of our deficiencies.

Thomas Davis is one of my favorite Panthers of all time. However, he showed in 2016 he's not as fast as he used to be. It's obvious Davis is entering the twilight of his career. Shaq Thompson just became more important more than ever, and splitting time with Davis should only be beneficial for the defense.

But I will say Thomas Davis in his twilight years is better than 90% of the NFL's starting 4-3OLBs at the least. He's still a beast pass rusher and solid in coverage. He may not be as fast, but he's still got the experience and instincts in him.

Just something to chew on this offseason.

 

[Castavar]

All the more reason Shaq should be getting significantly more playing time this year.

[CRA]

we had a garbage secondary, Luke was often out....

so yeah, those conditions meant TD was going to be hung out to dry to a degree in coverage. Every year changes but IMO last year he was still a top tier LB. 

I have long been a Shaq needs to be on the field guy.  So I won't protest it.  But if TD can be allowed to go thump people....I don't think we have anyone better 

[Saca312]

Just now, CRA said:

we had a garbage secondary, Luke was often out....

so yeah, those conditions meant TD was going to be hung out to dry to a degree in coverage. Every year changes but IMO last year he was still a top tier LB. 

I have long been a Shaq needs to be on the field guy.  So I won't protest it.  But if TD can be allowed to go thump people....I don't think we have anyone better 

Actually, it was at this point McDermott trusted his secondary more. TD accounted more-so for Luke's absence more-so than the secondary. Worley and Bradberry did real well for the most part.

Not saying that TD wasn't top tier. He still was elite, just not as fast as he used to be. I'd love to see him on the field, but not against known speed guys like Coleman.

Luke coming back and having a valid nickel should ease any concerns about our linebackers.

[Jangler]

wait, what? Time caught with an old guy? say it ain't so....

never count out TD is what I've learned.

 

[pantherphan96]

Hate to say it but Shaq should see more snaps than TD this year. For whatever we give up in experience by having TD on the sidelines, I feel confident enough in having Shaq's athleticism alongside Luke's football IQ enough for TD to be conserved for specific situations on defense. 

[CRA]

1 minute ago, Saca312 said:

Actually, it was at this point McDermott trusted his secondary more. TD accounted more-so for Luke's absence more-so than the secondary. Worley and Bradberry did real well for the most part.

Not saying that TD wasn't top tier. He still was elite, just not as fast as he used to be. I'd love to see him on the field, but not against known speed guys like Coleman.

Luke coming back and having a valid nickel should ease any concerns about our linebackers.

Meh, I wasn't impressed with anyone's play but Bradberry at DB.  Guys did improve but they still weren't up to snuff IMO, even late.  Covering in nickel packages with Luke out....was a rough scenario. 

There is a reason Capt is here.  

I do agree Davis ain't as fast.  But he still is fast.   Especially sideline to sideline and playing what is in front of him. 

[CRA]

But like I said, I support OPs general idea. Need more Shaq.  Posted on it a lot last year. He is a playmaker. If you could pick a defender to get his hands on a ball somehow....he is the guy. 

[top dawg]

Didn't the Panthers already say that Shaq will indeed get more playing time this year, and didn't TD even concede that perhaps Shaq should get more playing time at his expense, and that he was ready to take a step back if necessary to help the team reach its goals?

TD still plays at a high level if 75 percent of the games (basically after the first month) are an indication. It took him a little time to crank it up, which could easily be chocked up to getting comfortable with a new secondary, or possibly trying to overcompensate for it. But even if not, I would bet that he will know when to take a step back for the overall benefit of the team. He knows that time is coming.

[nctarheel0619]

41 minutes ago, CRA said:

Meh, I wasn't impressed with anyone's play but Bradberry at DB.  Guys did improve but they still weren't up to snuff IMO, even late.  Covering in nickel packages with Luke out....was a rough scenario. 

There is a reason Capt is here.  

I do agree Davis ain't as fast.  But he still is fast.   Especially sideline to sideline and playing what is in front of him. 

Yeah, Worley is weak sauce back there.  But don't let Saca tell you otherwise.  

[Kevin Greene]

TD makes the Pro Bowl this season but won't be able to attend.

 

You know why.

[LinvilleGorge]

I don't like putting so much stock on one individual play. Yeah, I think TD has lost a step and I've been saying for awhile now that I think we'll see the passing of the torch from TD to Shaq this season. However, any LB trying to cover that much ground against a guy like Coleman is going to struggle.

[Jangler]

36 minutes ago, Kevin Greene said:

TD makes the Pro Bowl this season but won't be able to attend.

 

You know why.

syphilis?

 

[DaveThePanther2008]

While I agree time catches up to everyone including TD.  I will wait to have a fully healthy defense before I pass judgment.  TD is an amazing athlete and hope he has another year or two left.

That said, we didn't draft Shaq to stay behind TD his whole career.  I think for both Shaq and TD that Wilks will find a way to utilize both of them.  Less snaps for TD means an extended career.  More snaps for Shaq means we work to eventually move past TD.

I don't know about most of you but that day that we lose TD will be a tearful day for us.  I don't think there is a Panther more beloved than TD.