Is It Time To Gut This Team?

[Mr. Scot]

10 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

I don’t like how he’s responded to subpar talent around him. It’s shown me a side of luke I didn’t think was possible. 

I can understand that, but the same could be said of Ray Lewis.

[TheRumGone]

2 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I can understand that, but the same could be said of Ray Lewis.

How do you mean?

[tiger7_88]

Over the Rivera years, we've spent more draft picks and free-agent signings on defense than on offense.

And we'll do it again this offseason because, even with our defensive head coach and spending more picks and signings on the defense over the years, the defense is terrible.

Surely this means Ron Rivera must be given a raise and signed to an extension.

[rico6]

25 minutes ago, gmonjimbo said:

It's time to retool on defense. We have to get it right in FA and Draft. The defense is struggling because guys like Kony Ealy, Daeshon Hall, Vernon Butler, and Daryl Worley did not pan out. Also,  Bradberry and Shaq

Worse thing is like 50% of those guys either aren’t on the team or on their way to being jobless after this season. 

What an absolute shitshow David Gettleman put on. Now the defense looks horrendously aged and just all around terrible in certain positions.

ugh.

[Mr. Scot]

7 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

How do you mean?

Mid-career, Lewis went through what a lot of people perceived as a slump. Analysts who looked closer said it was because he didn't have great tackles in front of him.

Once the Ravens beefed up their defensive front, Lewis was back to being dominant.

[hepcat]

There's a huge number of players that might not be on the team next year so your "gutting" will most likely happen either way.

Ryan Kalil - retiring for sure. Said this was his last year.

Julius Peppers - 99% sure he's retiring after this season.

Mike Adams - likely retiring. Will be 38 in March, how much does he have left?

Thomas Davis - possibly retiring. Will be 36 in March, retirement rumors will circulate.

Greg Olsen - unlikely, but might retire to head to the broadcast booth. Signed an extension this past offseason though. 

Devin Funchess - likely not being re-signed. Will be too expensive for his production level.

Eric Reid - probably won't be re-signed. Mid-season injury replacement ala Chris Clark.

Wes Horton - underrated long time backup and coaching staff favorite, contract is up and he might garner interest from teams with big pockets like the Cardinals or Raiders and make him too expensive to re-sign

Kyle Love - fringe roster player outperforming his contract, might not be back after his contract expires after the season

Colin Jones - longtime special teams stalwart, might not be re-signed depending on the coaching staff next season

Captain Munnerlyn - Prime candidate to be cut.

Chris Clark - dude off the street who replaced Matt Kalil with similar level production, most likely won't be back

Matt Kalil - Panthers might cut ties with this expensive former starter because of injury concerns and/or money concerns. 

Daryl Williams - Might not re-sign this former all-pro because of Taylor Moton's ascendance and he might be too expensive.

Torrey Smith - Panthers save $5m with no penalty to cut him

 

Lot of key starters and longtime backups on that list and some tough decisions awaiting the Panthers in the offseason. No matter what the Panthers are going to look VERY different next season.

 

[TheRumGone]

8 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Mid-career, Lewis went through what a lot of people perceived as a slump. Analysts who looked closer said it was because he didn't have great tackles in front of him.

Once the Ravens beefed up their defensive front, Lewis was back to being dominant.

That still doesn’t excuse Luke’s softness this year. Something is going on.  I go back to that crucial third down play he needed to make that tackle on the receiver and he looked like he didn’t even care. That was infuriating. And could’ve changed the course of the game.

[Rubi]

Luke is playing to avoid a big head hit again. It’s making him less effective. 

[Mr. Scot]

6 minutes ago, Rubi said:

Luke is playing to avoid a big head hit again. It’s making him less effective. 

That's a possibility.

[thefuzz]

13 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

That still doesn’t excuse Luke’s softness this year. Something is going on.  I go back to that crucial third down play he needed to make that tackle on the receiver and he looked like he didn’t even care. That was infuriating. And could’ve changed the course of the game.

I too have noticed him backing off hits, but I can't really tell if that's him protecting himself, or protecting the team.  With the way the defensive players were coached in the offseason, I can certainly understand the defensive players being a little "hesitant" to lay wood and get a penalty.

Again, not sure if it's Luke with a lot of miles under him slowing down a touch, if he's playing scared, if it's the new rules, or if it's just a combo of all of that rolled into 1.

I'm guessing the latter.

[TheRumGone]

1 minute ago, thefuzz said:

I too have noticed him backing off hits, but I can't really tell if that's him protecting himself, or protecting the team.  With the way the defensive players were coached in the offseason, I can certainly understand the defensive players being a little "hesitant" to lay wood and get a penalty.

Again, not sure if it's Luke with a lot of miles under him slowing down a touch, if he's playing scared, if it's the new rules, or if it's just a combo of all of that rolled into 1.

I'm guessing the latter.

If it’s these new rules and it’s making Luke obselete than you trade him for picks while you still can. Beef up what will be sustainable for these new rules a la a talented secondary. 

[rico6]

Just now, TheRumGone said:

If it’s these new rules and it’s making Luke obselete than you trade him for picks while you still can. Beef up what will be sustainable for these new rules a la a talented secondary. 

Yes. If Luke is playing reserved because of the aforementioned reasons his value really dwindles and will continue to dwindle.

im more content in salvaging his remaining playing life if the Panthers can get a Top Tier DT to pair him with, but you also gotta strike while the iron is hot.

if Khalil Mack can get fuging traded mid-season, Luke shouldn’t be protected from the like either.

All a pipe dream, especially with Luke being an icon, but fun to think about.

[thefuzz]

2 minutes ago, TheRumGone said:

If it’s these new rules and it’s making Luke obselete than you trade him for picks while you still can. Beef up what will be sustainable for these new rules a la a talented secondary. 

1st.  I will not be on the trade Luke train.

2nd.  If he looks off to us, why do you think he will look on to a real NFL GM.  My point, how many picks you gonna get, and how much do you trust Marty with said picks?

 

He's just too good of a player to give up on this early in his career.  Especially since we have our very own Thomas Davis that has paid us handsomely for being patient with him.

 

[TheRumGone]

1 minute ago, thefuzz said:

1st.  I will not be on the trade Luke train.

2nd.  If he looks off to us, why do you think he will look on to a real NFL GM.  My point, how many picks you gonna get, and how much do you trust Marty with said picks?

 

He's just too good of a player to give up on this early in his career.  Especially since we have our very own Thomas Davis that has paid us handsomely for being patient with him.

 

Another GM could think they could get him going with another team because he was an all world talent before. My hope is that yes he will rebound next season IF we beef up the d line. But him playing soft is a realllly bad sign for his future. I don’t know the answers, it’s just something to think about. As far as marty and the picks, I hope he’s not our GM next year and I hope Ron is gone. 

We will never trade Luke though, I know that.