If Shaq is gone 2019, LB in draft or FA

[Raleigh PF]

They have Shaq covering slots for a couple of reasons:

1. Provides a size advantage during running plays.

2. Can arguably cover as well as the other DB options (this is not a compliment).

I would argue it would be better to assign this task to Eric Reid, who can play a hybrid position better than Shaq, or anyone else on the Panthers current roster.

[TheRed]

Shaq is a legitimately good dude, I like him. But this was a wasted pick when it boils down to it. We squandered his affordable years on a rookie contract. Now we're facing the possibility of having to beg Thomas Davis to return for another season. That is a dud first round pick if there ever was one. I know not all of that is Thompson's fault of course, but it's the reality.

[mc52beast]

It’s pretty simple... if you have a dominant d-line your backers and secondary can be average and still win you games.

This team has always been built on getting pressure with 4, we have seen this year what happens when you can’t. 

[Piff]

10 hours ago, top dawg said:

This team would be crazy to keep Shaq. He has been shaky and nowhere near as good as some people on here make him out to be. Let's not forget he was a converted safety/RB in college playing linebacker, and it shows. For a player who came in the league with a steep learning curve he has done decidedly average. Not great yet but he will never be a reason the team wins games.

How original. So who is going to replace the holes at linebacker? If they cut him they are still going to have to pay for a starter quality LB. You really think Carter is ready? This is Madden where you can just sign whoever. Shaq is a good linebacker. You people are just looking for scapegoats at this point. 

[Raleigh PF]

1 hour ago, Piff said:

How original. So who is going to replace the holes at linebacker? If they cut him they are still going to have to pay for a starter quality LB. You really think Carter is ready? This is Madden where you can just sign whoever. Shaq is a good linebacker. You people are just looking for scapegoats at this point. 

Does he pay you to mow his lawn or something?

[Cpt slay a ho]

We spent two 1st round picks in depth players.....

Shaq isn’t being use correctly imo, so that’s why I can’t see him being worth 9 mil, he needs to be sent to blitz more and dropped into coverage like a safety or in man coverage 

[top dawg]

17 hours ago, ncfan said:

1. He isnt a superstar, but has been solid.  Once TD is gone and he is full time in that role im fully trust he'll be above avg.  People have short memory but #58 was a converted Safety and never really blew up until Beason left and he slid into that role

2. Only way we're upgrading is drafting in rounds 1-2. He's graded out and played better than Klein who is making 6 mil a year.  We are in NO position to be drafting a LB rounds 1-2. Funny seeing people say  "well Carter will be able to replace him, he's looked good in Camp and Preseason".  So you want to replace a guy who's been a camp MVP/good preseason player the last 2 season's for a 5th round guy who looked good in camp?

3. Its easy to say extend TD to fill the gap.  But what TD are we going to get.  Again, how short memory we have around here.  This time Just Last Year.  People were here complaining making threads etc that father time caught up with him.  He was looking pretty pedestrian, very similar to Mike Adams now.  He's had a Good season this year, but is this just one last push after he initially announced this was going to be his last year.

 

 

Look he isnt going to be a Beason or TD.  He still may become a stud.  But with the hole we have right now.  I'll be estatic with atleast another Will Witherspoon next to Luke which is what Shaq is now

I have never been one to throw dirt on TD. Sure, he began last year somewhat pedestrian, but once he knocked the rust off, he was better and better. I know that Father Time will catch up to him, but, TD showed that he's still a step ahead (though he's lost a step). But like I've said before, even now, he's probably better than 80-90 percent of the backers in the league. Moreover, I believe him when he said that he'll know when to step back and will do so. 

As for Shaq, he had a shot to take TD's job from him, and he simply didn't do it. His tackling is inconsistent. He over-pursues at times, and he hasn't shown the physical strength or the fundamental technique that I've become accustomed to from Panthers linebackers. This is the type of stuff that is not even necessarily position-specific, but the type of things that come naturally and/or are taught as a kid coming up. Sure, his athleticism is apparent, but his play and use of those gifts is lacking in my opinion. They just don't quite match up sometimes, and I expect more, particularly for someone who has been in the league as long as he has.

I like what I saw from Carter, and would have thought that we would have seen more, but we all know how Rivera does rookies, and, in fairness, perhaps Carter isn't ready. I do like what I saw though, and if Klein and Mayo are solid and serviceable, then there's every reason to believe that Carter will be also, if not more so.

[Ace_Aladdin]

18 hours ago, ncfan said:

1. He isnt a superstar, but has been solid.  Once TD is gone and he is full time in that role im fully trust he'll be above avg.  People have short memory but #58 was a converted Safety and never really blew up until Beason left and he slid into that role

2. Only way we're upgrading is drafting in rounds 1-2. He's graded out and played better than Klein who is making 6 mil a year.  We are in NO position to be drafting a LB rounds 1-2. Funny seeing people say  "well Carter will be able to replace him, he's looked good in Camp and Preseason".  So you want to replace a guy who's been a camp MVP/good preseason player the last 2 season's for a 5th round guy who looked good in camp?

3. Its easy to say extend TD to fill the gap.  But what TD are we going to get.  Again, how short memory we have around here.  This time Just Last Year.  People were here complaining making threads etc that father time caught up with him.  He was looking pretty pedestrian, very similar to Mike Adams now.  He's had a Good season this year, but is this just one last push after he initially announced this was going to be his last year.

 

 

Look he isnt going to be a Beason or TD.  He still may become a stud.  But with the hole we have right now.  I'll be estatic with atleast another Will Witherspoon next to Luke which is what Shaq is now

I like Shaq , but all options should be on the table. The thing Shaq lacks vs the other LBs is speed & quickness. No matter how good your techniques are if your gonna get out run it’s hard to play WLB at a starters level for Panthers.

 

[juliosantos]

Another terrible gettledouche pick . I wanted Landon Collins and all you putos gave me hell when I said it same with butler I wanted Henry or Michael thomas and complained and people hated Santos 

[ncfan]

21 minutes ago, juliosantos said:

Another terrible gettledouche pick . I wanted Landon Collins and all you putos gave me hell when I said it same with butler I wanted Henry or Michael thomas and complained and people hated Santos 

If

It

If

If Hurney didnt trade for Everett Brown we couldve had Demarius Thomas, Gronk, Marice Pouncey, Carlos Dunlap, Linvall Joseph, etc

If Hurney didnt trade for Armanti Edwards we couldve had Kyle Rudolph, Randall Cobb, Torrey Smith, Demarco Murray, etc

[Sasquatch]

Folks, It appears many of you think cutting Shaq rather than paying him over $9 Million is an option under the assumption that we would get the cap space in return. The salary becomes fully guaranteed on the first day of the league year. Prior to that, it's only guaranteed for injury. He was placed on IR Tues. End of discussion. 

[Piff]

On 12/21/2018 at 10:39 PM, Raleigh PF said:

Does he pay you to mow his lawn or something?

My lawn is the only lawn I'm cutting. I just see that most of his problems are from him not being used properly. Never said he was a superstar.