Which retiring Panther had the most impressive career

[cookinbrak]

TD won the Man of the Year and gave a speech that is forever etched into the collective NFL mind. I think he gets in.

[NJPanthers12]

11 minutes ago, BrianS said:

Pep is a 1st ballot HOF DE . . . easily.  The man deserves a statue at BoA for sure, especially by coming back here to finish his career . . . and not as a feel good story (though it was), but as a significant contributor on a good unit.

TD is a great story, no doubt.  He's even been a good player for us, but he's been helped immensely by playing the tail end of his career beside a guy who (if injuries / concussions don't kill him) will also likely be a HOF LB.  I'm not sure he's statue worthy.  Seems 50/50 for that to me.

Kalil (Ryan) has been all that you could hope for and more for a 2nd round pick.  A great Panther, team captain, anchor of the OL, Pro Bowler, All Pro.  I don't think his career has been HOF quality, but he's definitely been an above average player in the league for most of his career, and he played exclusively for the Panthers.  For those things, yes, I think Kalil gets a statue at BoA.

 

I agree with all of this except Kalil getting a statue. He's a great player but not statue worthy in my opinion. I have always been a believer the panthers should have two categories; retired number/statue and hall of fame. I would break it down like this:

Retired Number/Statue:

51 - Sam Mills

89 - Steve Smith

90 - Julius Peppers

Hall of Fame:

QB - Jake Delhomme

RB - Jonathan Stewart

WR - Muhsin Muhammad

TE - Greg Olsen

TE - Wesley Walls

OT - Jordan Gross

C - Ryan Kalil

DE - Charles Johnson

DE - Mike Rucker 

LB - Thomas Davis

LB - Kevin Greene

S - Mike Minter

K - John Kasay

KR - Michael Bates 

This list doesn't include young players on track like Cam, Luke, Turner, and Short.

Players who just missed are players like Chris Gamble, Travelle Wharton, Stephen Davis, and Steve Beuerlein. 

I wouldn't allow DeAngelo Williams in BOA ever again. I just think it is time to start honoring and acknowledging our history. I think this would be a good start.

[MechaZain]

All great but Julius really is in a league of his own. Like as unreal as Davis's injury bounceback is Peppers being one of the best DEs in the game at 38 is right there with him, and just performance wise Peppers is the clear winner. 

[Captain Obvious]

none of them. 

[MechaZain]

I don't think there's going to be anymore statues for a good while if ever. Mills is the exception and his legacy is cemented as such. This franchise has a lot of good role models and even more just great players, everyone can't get one. Retired numbers definitely. I'm really disappointed that it's taking us so long to honor Smith.  

Especially risky to build a monument to someone while they're still alive and capable of doing something stupid. Ask our owner.

[CRA]

1 hour ago, mc52beast said:

Thomas Davis and Ryan Kalil are retiring after this season, I’m assuming JP will do the same.

Out of the three, who do you guys think had the best career and what are the chances any of them get into the HOF

TD has the better story.  TD's best probably can be viewed as better than Kalil's.  But TD's injuries and position shuffle hurt him when comparing overall careers to a stud that was generally healthy and stayed put. 

Ryan had the better overall career in terms of on field performance largely because he was on the field pretty much his entire career and was a stud. 

Neither are HOF players. 

Poll fans of 31 other teams and ask if they view them as all time greats.  When looking at HOF type discussion how they are viewed outside matters. 

[Carl Spackler]

Greg Olsen

[Chimera]

Peppers - Hall of Fame

TD - Statue

Kalil - tough spot. More talented (relative to position) than TD, but not as inspirational. More inspirational than Peppers, but not as talented (relative to position).

[CRA]

Panthers have only drafted 2 players with HOF careers in the books. 

Peppers, Smith

Luke right now has the best chance to be the 3rd if he can hold off the concussions. 

[Riv]

2 hours ago, CRA said:

TD has the better story.  TD's best probably can be viewed as better than Kalil's.  But TD's injuries and position shuffle hurt him when comparing overall careers to a stud that was generally healthy and stayed put. 

Ryan had the better overall career in terms of on field performance largely because he was on the field pretty much his entire career and was a stud. 

Neither are HOF players. 

Poll fans of 31 other teams and ask if they view them as all time greats.  When looking at HOF type discussion how they are viewed outside matters. 

It's hard for people to evaluate Kalil because when he's doing his job well, it's not as eye popping as a huge tackle or turnover.  I personally think Kalil has been a better player overall than Davis, but I don't think it's a slam dunk either way and neither are HOFers.

I'll venture to say that if Luke doesn't retire early due to head injuries, he'll be in.  Cam has an uphill battle, but with an MVP under his belt already if he can add couple rings to go along with his historical rushing stats, he might get there.

[Smithers]

Peppers, hands down.  He will be the first Panther inducted into the HOF.  Smitty will eventually get in as well, just not first ballot. 

[MechaZain]

3 minutes ago, CRA said:

Panthers have only drafted 2 players with HOF careers in the books. 

Peppers, Smith

Luke right now has the best chance to be the 3rd if he can hold off the concussions. 

Cam's been MVP and holds the rushing touchdown record for QBs (may get yards too before it's over) he's getting in before Luke. 

[Harbingers]

8 hours ago, mc52beast said:

Thomas Davis and Ryan Kalil are retiring after this season, I’m assuming JP will do the same.

Out of the three, who do you guys think had the best career and what are the chances any of them get into the HOF

Thomas Davis. 

Also Olsen is probably gone after this season too.

[KillerKat]

Yeah Pep will be the first "homebred" Panther to make it into the HOF.