X's and O's explaination of why we are moving on from TD

[Ricky Spanish]

Good post on Reddit about how the game is changed and how we were trying to force a square peg into a round hole with 3 LB's on the field at the same time:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/aeecfw/jones_an_emotional_thomas_davis_says_the_panthers/edoresr/

Quote

A lot of this I think comes down to the fact they had one too many LBs to know what to do in todays NFL.

Carolina the past 2 years basically has said "well we have 3 LBs well play all and sacrifice a DB". 3rd last year in the NFL in terms of % of nsaps in base at 50% when teams went empty routinely they had 3 LBs on the field. Problem is certain teams would blatantly exploit this and come out in 12 personnel or 21 and go empty and get LBs exposed in tough spots.

This led to some awkward fits and usage. Like last year per PFF Shaq Thompson literally spent more snaps lined up in the slot than a traditional LB spot. He spent 80 more snaps in the slot than any other LB. And teams blatantly went at him: last year even though he only played 60% of snaps teams were able to target a WR on him 22 times for 245 yds and multiple TDs. That's WAY too much too many blatant mismatches.

Same thing with covering TEs by playing base so much it leads the LBs to have to cover TEs too often which is a mismatch. Past 2 years per PFF

Shaq Thompson vs TEs despite playing 60% of snaps: 26 targets 21catches allowed 241 yds 2 TDs

Thomas Davis vs TEs: 25 targets 18 catches 247 yds allowed 2 TDs 1 INT. He's only played about 70% of snaps past 2 years

It's just too hard to continue to justify paying 3 LBs with how today's NFL is.

So from a pure X's and O's standpoint, it makes sense to move on from TD when we have a younger guy to play. By removing one of these LB's, we are now forcing Ron to adapt to the rest of the NFL and move to a more nickel based D allowing Shaq to actually do things he's not bad at moving forward. 

A lot of people have been giving Shaq flack the past few years for getting burned in the slot, but it's just not a great place to put a LB at to succeed. His failure is more on Rivera/Washington/Wilkes than it is on him entirely. Putting a LB in the slot repeatedly is not a recipe for success. It's a mismatch that any decent O-coordinator will exploit. Good coaches put their players in positions to succeed. It's why Agholor was moved to the slot in Philly and flourished. It's why CMC was used all over the place in our O this past season, and hopefully by moving Shaq to a more traditional LB role, he will succeed as well. 

Based on this, I foresee us going after a decent nickel CB in FA or the draft this offseason. I believe that a combo of Luke and Shaq can be a good duo moving forward. It sucks that TD still has some gas left in the tank but I think it might be the best for the team and D moving forward. 

[Jesse]

It's a tough decision to make, but the right one.

[1989]

Great post! Makes a lot of sense 

[CPF4LIFE]

I have been on this, it was painfully clear when we were only dressing 3 corners a game which is pretty much inexcusable in todays league. It all comes back to the fact that Ron just refuses to adapt and it has held us back all these years. Teams probably LOL while game planning for us, im starting to think tepper got played for a fool. No way people around the league convincing him to keep Ron for his qualities as HC but more so as long as he is here they can take advantage of his incompetence when its game time.

[The Lobo]

Nice post! Agree, it was time to move on and now hopefully, Shaq can play as a true LB most of the time. He plays much better that way. Anymore, it’s hard for LBs to cover TEs and slots bc they are just becoming freaks of nature. 

[Ace_Aladdin]

So who is the nickel back lol 

30 minutes ago, The Lobo said:

Nice post! Agree, it was time to move on and now hopefully, Shaq can play as a true LB most of the time. He plays much better that way. Anymore, it’s hard for LBs to cover TEs and slots bc they are just becoming freaks of nature. 

No he is just slow, you don’t see Cowboys LBs struggling in coverage.

Speed 

Speed 

Speed

[mc52beast]

How many here actually think we will get 9m worth out of Shaq this year.

[PhillyB]

cut TD and munerlyn, spend some FA money and get a top grade nickelback and suddenly our back seven looks extremely formidable.

...not to mention having a nickel that doesn't get abused immediately out of the break gives a struggling pass rush an extra tick to get home as well.

[PhillyB]

2 minutes ago, mc52beast said:

How many here actually think we will get 9m worth out of Shaq this year.

he'll probably be extended to spread the cap hit out

[countryboi]

this team needs to find out if Shaq is the answer and fast. 

[SmokinwithWilly]

IMO, TD and Shaq provide almost the same skill set, with TD having more game experience. Based on that alone, the difference of 7m dollar salary doesn't seem worth it to me. I get we are only talking a single year contract with TD, but I don't believe Shaq is more than an average LB. I think we have larger holes at other areas like CB (slot), DE, OL, S that need more attention where money could be spent better. 

[beastson]

This move is too late especially in terms with a huge question mark surrounding our starting QB. Ron being a defensive HC should have been on the direction the NFL is going, as well being more creative. This should have been implemented last off-season

[Mr. Scot]

So you're saying other teams were exploiting a weakness in our defense and Rivera did nothing to adjust for it?

I refuse to believe this!

[grimesgoat]

1 hour ago, Cracka McNasty said:

Good post on Reddit about how the game is changed and how we were trying to force a square peg into a round hole with 3 LB's on the field at the same time:

https://www.reddit.com/r/nfl/comments/aeecfw/jones_an_emotional_thomas_davis_says_the_panthers/edoresr/

So from a pure X's and O's standpoint, it makes sense to move on from TD when we have a younger guy to play. By removing one of these LB's, we are now forcing Ron to adapt to the rest of the NFL and move to a more nickel based D allowing Shaq to actually do things he's not bad at moving forward. 

A lot of people have been giving Shaq flack the past few years for getting burned in the slot, but it's just not a great place to put a LB at to succeed. His failure is more on Rivera/Washington/Wilkes than it is on him entirely. Putting a LB in the slot repeatedly is not a recipe for success. It's a mismatch that any decent O-coordinator will exploit. Good coaches put their players in positions to succeed. It's why Agholor was moved to the slot in Philly and flourished. It's why CMC was used all over the place in our O this past season, and hopefully by moving Shaq to a more traditional LB role, he will succeed as well. 

Based on this, I foresee us going after a decent nickel CB in FA or the draft this offseason. I believe that a combo of Luke and Shaq can be a good duo moving forward. It sucks that TD still has some gas left in the tank but I think it might be the best for the team and D moving forward. 

I think the Panthers might be moving to a 3-4 defense.  That's why they signed Poe last year and drafted Haynes.  This is facilitated with Rivera taking over the defense (he's a 3-4 guy).  Now their talking to Pagano - a 3-4 guy.  TD is not a good fit, but Shaq is.  Watch for them to draft Polite in the first.