Is Shaq Thompson a bust?

[LinvilleGorge]

15 minutes ago, panther4life said:

1. Shaq is a good starting caliber LB. I can't think of any 4-3 teams where he'd not be a starter.

 

I can. The Carolina Panthers. Starting LBs hardly ever come off the field. TD played 100% of defensive snaps in 8 games last year. He was over 75% in four more. Kuechly played 100% of snaps in all but two games.

Thompson played starter snaps in 5 of his first 7 games last year. In the last 7, he only played starter snaps in one game, the game TD missed. Shaq was a backup LB last year. The 3rd LB in a 4-3 is essentially a part-time player in today's NFL. They pretty much split snaps with the nickelback. I wouldn't be surprised if on many teams the nickelback isn't getting more snaps (perhaps even significantly more). There's a reason why the nickelback is called the "12th starter" in today's NFL. Honestly, it may be time to just call the nickelback a starter and designate that 3rd LB as the de facto "12th starter".

[sonburst4]

I still think we would have been better off to use him as a safety from the get-go.  I think he could have been a good Earl Thomas type of player.

[TheCasillas]

37 minutes ago, Carolina-Chuck10 said:

Klein got hurt!!! Depth!!!!

why are you yelling?

They are moving Klein to right side. He was caught out of position too often as an MLB. That is the correct answer.

AJ is an average LB. Shaq has more versatility and isn't a liability in pass coverage like Klein. 

[Neylus]

If relative to draft position maybe, but still a solid contributor. Shaq has highlights but my reservations are with him taking plays off. I have witnessed him jogging behind the play and it’s frustrating. He seems to go hard when he knows hes got a guy dead to rights but not so much when he doesn’t. That’s not what we get from Luke and TD. Maybe I’m spoiled.

[Skack25]

He is actually a pretty solid player when we are not lining him up on slot receivers.

[SetfreexX]

Team runs a base 4-3 Shaq is the starting weakside linebacker 

Teams play more Nickel due to all the 11 personnel, TD is still playing at a fairly high level - so him and Kuechly when the 3rd DB enters the game is not a demotion, or an indication of Shaq not starting. It's simply the position group that features 2 LB's instead of 3 when passing personnel is on the field. 

It's common sense, if TD was here we all know Shaq would be starting, it's not even a question, majority of the time when Shaq looked ''bad'' was when the team asked him to cover slot WR's -- he's a good cover LB vs HB's & TE's primarily similar to a young TD. Asking him to cover the quicker, faster slot receivers is a task ANY of our LB's would struggle with. 

It really amazes me how fans under value some of the players on this team - Shaq / Butler / Funch these last few years it's amazing. Funchess showed in half of a season that he's got a higher ceiling than KB, Butler flashes when he gets time to play, and anytime TD has missed time we haven't really skipped a beat on defense when Shaq steps in. 

I think many of you will see your tunes change after the first four weeks...

[Dave Gettleman's Shorts]

Shaq just happens to play for the wrong team at the moment. He could easily start for half the team in the NFL. Still wish we took Landon Collins tho.

[Pup McBarky]

4 hours ago, Carolina-Chuck10 said:

Shaq is highly overrated here in Carolina!!!

 

Sorry, but Kamara had a head of steam and Thompson was running side to side. No contest. He maybe could have wrapped him up, but with Kamara's head start, even Kuechly isn't stopping him once he reached the goal line.

[Pup McBarky]

1 hour ago, Carolina-Chuck10 said:

Shaq is an average LB too!!!! Both Shaq and Klein are on the same tier. Guess what? One guy is a 1st rounder and the other is a late rounder!!!!!!!! One is just more athletic. Being a great athlete doesn’t make you a great football player!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Is the 10 in your moniker your age?

[OceanPanther]

He was the 25th pick in his draft.  I was expecting more from him.  Playing time shouldn't be the problem for a number 1 pick. He's played 4 yrs,  167 tackles ,  3 sacks.  I won't say he's a bust, but he's not close to being an all pro.

J D Moore was drafted this year at 24,,  if his production is comparable to Thompson, I'll be very disappointed in him.

Having him play behind TD has hindered him, but when he's been in, I don't see the  " as advertised " play out of him.

[LinvilleGorge]

5 hours ago, Carolina-Chuck10 said:

Shaq is highly overrated here in Carolina!!!

 

What is this one play supposed to show? That's just a great play by a guy who looks like he'll likely be a great player. That's the way football works at the NFL level. Sometimes you make the right read and you're in the right spot and the other guy is still able to make a play. Those other guys are highly paid professional football players to, ya know.

[SetfreexX]

 

[ChibCU]

5 hours ago, Cracka McNasty said:

Shaq Weight 229

Kamara Weight 215.

Today I learned that 14 lbs = 430lbs.

Damn.... take your ball and go home, Chuck.

[Pup McBarky]

11 minutes ago, Carolina-Chuck10 said:

Lol. I’ve seen LBs go side to side and tackle CMC easily all season long last year. 

Welp, that's relevant.