Suprisingly, Connor not being asked to compete for starting SLB spot

[KatsAzz]

Connor is just more valuable as a backup MLB, because the Panthers really don't have anyone else (maybe Jamar Williams) to backup Beason. You would hate to see Connor injured starting at SLB, and then have Beason suffer an injury. It might also be more disruptive if Beason were injured, and you had to mover Connor from SLB, bringing in his backup to start at SLB.

It's just Connor's bad luck to be stuck behind Jon Beason at MLB, and it may prompt him to leave as soon as he can become a free agent. Actually, as things now stand all 3 of the Panthers starting LB's (WLB-Thomas Davis, MLB-Jon Beason, and SLB-James Anderson), and 1 of their top 2 backup LB's (Jamar Williams), could leave as free agents next year.

James Anderson did fill in very well late last season at WLB, when Thomas Davis was injured.

[Snake]

i think he starts if pretty much anybody goes down and from what I've seen, anderson is better in coverage than conner which is why he might end up getting the nod at slb.

I think it also is he is not great at blitzing.

[The Total Package]

I don't think Anderson can play the strong side. Can he play the weak side? Yep, you bet you, but so can anyone else in Meeks' defense.

I completely agree with this. Not do down play what Davis was doing before he was hurt, but in Meeks D that position is going to put up numbers. These stats we're throwing around are comparing 2 different positions. There is a big difference between SLB and WLB. You might as well compare conner's numbers to Gambles.

Also, i'm pretty sure Connor and Anderson ran roughly the same 40 times.

10/20/40 Times

James Anderson 1.56 1.62 2.67 2.71 4.64 4.64

Name Pos 40 Yard Max Bench Max Bench Vertical Squat Wonderlic

Dan Connor ILB 4.67 22 33 21

Dan Connor runs in low 4.5's at Penn State's pro day today

[koolkatluke]

I completely agree with this. Not do down play what Davis was doing before he was hurt, but in Meeks D that position is going to put up numbers. These stats we're throwing around are comparing 2 different positions. There is a big difference between SLB and WLB. You might as well compare conner's numbers to Gambles.

Also, i'm pretty sure Connor and Anderson ran roughly the same 40 times.

10/20/40 Times

James Anderson 1.56 1.62 2.67 2.71 4.64 4.64

Name Pos 40 Yard Max Bench Max Bench Vertical Squat Wonderlic

Dan Connor ILB 4.67 22 33 21

Dan Connor runs in low 4.5's at Penn State's pro day today

Where did you get these # from? DC has never ran a 4.5 and Anderson is way faster then him.

I'm sorry too all you DC lovers but he drop in the draft due too the fact he is not good in pass coverage and bad at rushing the passer. He has no explosiveness too his game. He is a great run defender and has great instinct. If we didn't have Beason he would be a solid MLB.

All of you discounting Norwood will be really surprised in TC.

[The Link]

Norwood is probably the worst in coverage. I'm pretty sure even I could get open going against him.

[SorthNarolina]

Norwood is probably the worst in coverage. I'm pretty sure even I could get open going against him.

Nah he would just jam you at the line which for the average person it probably feels like a car accident.

[koolkatluke]

Norwood is probably the worst in coverage. I'm pretty sure even I could get open going against him.

He was almost never ask too play pass coverage at USC because he was such a good pass rusher they sent him after the QB alot.

But Connors is not good at pass coverage either and Norwood is better at rushing the passer. So I feel Norwood has a edge on Connors.

[KillerKat]

Realistically if anyone beats out Anderson, it'll be Jamar.

[SmootsDaddy89]

He wont start until you fugtards start spelling his last name right.

[monstercat]

Eh, I'm just glad we have some good competition for playing time at any of the LBer spots. Plus, it's really critical to have a back up MLB that knows what he's doing, because that guy is the QB of your defense. I think Connor will do pretty well if something happens to Beason.

[Cyberjag]

Just a few thoughts...

In Meeks' defense the play is often funneled to the Will LB, and as a result they get a ton of tackles. Look at the stars he made in Indy, and look at Davis' numbers this year. I even blogged about it last year, you can see it at http://www.derp/2009/8/18/994113/davis-turn-to-shine (Mods, I hope you don't mind the posting of an article that's almost a year old). So anyone playing the Will position will have very nice stats, and Anderson doesn't disappoint there.

This is just my opinion, so it isn't worth a lot, but when I read statements that suggest that all LBs are created equal and a good SLB would also be good at the WLB spot, my first thought is that the poster has no idea how sophisticated football gets after the kids get too old for pop warner league.

I love Connor, but the coaches obviously love Anderson. He's been in the system two years longer, he's faster, and he's continued to improve as a Panther.

Generally when people talk about coverage skills they mean covering a wide receiver. The SLB covers a tight end more often than not, which isn't quite the same thing.

Connor is slower than Anderson, but so was Beason. Connor is a lot like Beason in a lot of ways--their measurables coming out of college were similar, neither has great underwear speed, both have amazing anticipation that makes their pad speed look very fast indeed. Beason started his Panthers career at SLB, for what it's worth, and no one complained about his coverage skills then.

Finally, if you decide to cite stats, maybe a link? It might help keep you from looking like an idiot when you say things like Connor and Anderson run at the same speed.

Connor's draft profile (including combine results) can be found at http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/517486 and at http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=12455&draftyear=2008&genpos=ILB

Anderson's draft profile (including combine results) can be found at http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/516500 and http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=11678&draftyear=2006&genpos=OLB

I will be surprised if Connor doesn't get any snaps at Sam in Training Camp, but I won't call the coaches stupid if it happens. They know more than any of us.

[Cyberjag]

Realistically if anyone beats out Anderson, it'll be Jamar.

Jamar Williams draft profile can be found at http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/historical/423685 and http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=15140&draftyear=2006&genpos=OLB

Granted, all of these draft profiles just show what they were when they came into the league. A lot of players develop, and things change. But when it's all you've got, it's all you've got.

[KatsAzz]

What suprised me was that Connor was specifically mentioned as one of the young players they felt deserved a shot at playing time to see what he could do. And Anderson hasnt stood out to me that much with his play (although last year was much improved over his rookie year). I was expecting Connor to be in the mix with Beason and Davis and if theres an injury, shuffle them around and plug in the next on the depth chart.

If you remember, Conner was not that fleet of foot when drafted. What stood out was that he was the all time tackle leader at Linebacker U. He does not have the upside that Anderson has. Anderson is doing what he has been given an opportunity to do. He didn't get a whole lot of reps under Turgovac's system and it really didn't highlight our LB'er speed like what we have now. I expect to see continued improvement from Anderson

[Snake]

Norwood is probably the worst in coverage. I'm pretty sure even I could get open going against him.

Norwood is a prototype Jack LB. I would not expect him to cover anyone too much.