Lost in the conversation: Shaq is having a phenomenal year

[Paa Langfart]

2 hours ago, TN05 said:

Shaq is absolutely thriving in the 3-4. He’s played incredible so far this year and finally looks like the player we drafted him to be.

I would have sworn I just read he had the 5th most tackles in the league, not 6th.

[Pantherxtreme]

Pay that man, Shaq is definitely coming into his own as an elite player. Alot of rising stars on this defense. 

[Raleigh PF]

15 minutes ago, Pantherxtreme said:

Pay that man, Shaq is definitely coming into his own as an elite player. Alot of rising stars on this defense. 

That's fine, but just remember, the amount you pay Shaq is less money that's available to pay other players. That list includes:

• Shaq Thompson
• Darryl Williams
• Mario Addison
• Bruce Irvin
• Kyle Love
• Vernon Butler
• Gerald McCoy
• James Bradberry
• Russ Cockrell
• Javien Elliott
• Tre Boston

Not to mention, it's probably time to think about an extension for Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers are pretty close to the cap, as it is, so they won't be able to keep all of these players. Yeah, Butler is likely gone, but who else would you not bring to save money for Shaq? 

[lightsout]

Shaq has always been good and the couch-sitting fans who don't understand what to look at on defense are finally seeing him flash and be everywhere because of his role now as opposed to when TD was here.

Shaq was never just the third LB on the field, he was TD's backup. He was a situational player. He never got to thrive at what he does best, which is get downhill and make plays. He was asked to be pursuit, support, and coverage. To be fair, he is great in coverage, but that doesn't allow the casual football fan to understand how well he has played when that was his primary role.

Shaq is worth the investment, especially considering that Luke ain't getting younger and he won't survive as long as Ray Lewis or even Urlacher did (17 years and 12 or 13 years, if I am not mistaken) given the concussions (sincerely hope I'm wrong). Shaq would be a good heir apparent to him in a few years, at least as a stop gap option. Or, at best, Shaq + Luke for the next 5 years would be golden.

[Shocker]

Was literally just looking at fantasy LBs and also noticed he is way up there in points.  Good call out OP.

[The Lobo]

Shaw has shown flashes throughout his career. I remember his rookie year, there were several plays he’d be in the backfield getting TFLs and was great in pass defense. In 2017 he got burnt a lot but since then has improved greatly. They need to extend him and keep him here. 

[Zeek]

We have too many other needs but imagine if we drafted a first round linebacker to pair with Luke and Shaq.

I'm glad to see him thriving. I have like him since his early college years.

[Raleigh PF]

The Franchise Tag for a linebacker this year is $15.443 million. The Transition Tag is $13.222M. It is all but guaranteed to be higher next year.

 

Just in case anyone was thinking about using the Franchise/Transition Tag on Shaq next year. 

[Wolfpack352]

Yes he has been good, glad to have him aboard!

[Icege]

"He's having a great year, but let's be careful with paying him because he didn't do anything while TD was here. Plus, it's impossible to sign him and Bradberry. Now excuse me while I go post in another thread how I'm mad that we didn't sign a free agent due to cap space and then say something about the Saints still signing players despite their cap situation."

Some of y'all wild 

[Cpt slay a ho]

Need a bigger body of work but it would be easier to resign him, he’s not going to get much of a pay raise from what he’s currently making 

[MechaZain]

Shaq should have been starting with TD rotating in at least a season ago if not longer. They pushed this off so now we're stuck trying to negotiate with an elite player in his contract year. The undying loyalty to vets is gonna cost us once again. It might even mean letting a good or great player walk who we could have kept with proper planning.

[Asurfaholic]

5 hours ago, ncfan said:

Going to be an interesting offseason

These are the FAs

- Shaq: having career year.  We all sre excited for Carter but when put in place of Shaq in preseason, he really struggled

- Bradberry: awesome season, still hasnt signed

- Mario Addison: currently 3rd in the NFL in sacks with 6.5

- Daryl Williams: yes struggled at LT and has admitted right side is his strong side.  But has looked GOOD at RG in Trai Turner's absence 

- CMC will be eligible for extensions.  And it has become common for RBs to want it done stat and will sot out of not (see Zeke, Gordon, etc).  With the ammount of weight, workload, etc we're throwing on him and his body.  You know his agent is calling dailey to remind him

Efe Odada, McCoy, Butler, Kyle Love will all be FA's

I believe Kyle Allen is on the last year of his deal as well

Who is Dailey, and do you think he can help me up my earning as well? 

[Anybodyhome]

First time I saw this kid in preseason a few years ago I knew there was something special there. Shaq had a great opportunity to learn from one of the best ever in TD but also had the huge misfortune of not being able to get on the field because TD continued to ball out until his time was done here. 

The Panthers made him wait for his time and Shaq did just that. Only seems right they figure out a way to keep him.