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

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

James Anderson played like an absolute beast when he did play last season.

[coxc63]

James Anderson played like an absolute beast when he did play last season.

The same thing can be said about connor. Even on STs Connor was the first if not second panther player to reach the kick returner. Anderson is a good back up for TD, but he would get raped at the SLB position. I dnt think Andersons instincts are even remotely close to Connor's. Connor is like a fat man at a buffet (wherever the food is the fat man is there), wherever the ball goes Connor is there, there is only 2 other players that had the instincts and abilities to pursue a ballcarrier like Connor can, one is no longer with us (Peppers) and the other is Beason.

[Peppers90 NC]

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.

This is what makes him a mlb and he is valued most on this team as beason's backup with the ability to fill in on ST or outside when needed.

[brandon_87]

Then you would be wrong Connors is not good in coverage or rushing the passer. I think he and Anderson lose the job too Norrwood.

I would hope norwood would get it but he wasnt mentioned right?

[bigcuz]

Connor is more of a MLB than anything. I don't mind it b/c I think if Beason goes down he can keep the ship sailing.

Yes, we need to 'groom' someone else for MLB in case the 'Beast' goes down or needs time to heal from li'l nags - well worth the money. Good planing by the guys who actually know our personnel.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Even on STs Connor was the first if not second panther player to reach the kick returner. Anderson is a good back up for TD, but he would get raped at the SLB position. I dnt think Andersons instincts are even remotely close to Connor's.

First off, Dante Wesley was ALWAYS first, but he's gone now.

As for the rest, I respectfully disagree. I think Anderson has shown more promise than Connor. Yes, Anderson was playing weak LB and the transition to strong side could hurt his production, BUT many players switch positions from their original place to another and play better. We even have examples on our own team, including Beason moving from OLB to MLB, and Thomas Davis moving from safety to LB.

[DaveThePanther2008]

1st This has got to be the best thread I have read in quite a while. Alot of opinions and not a whole lot of YOU'RE AN IDIOT comments.

2nd I personally I don't take what happens in OTA's as the gauge of who starts where. Maybe the Coaching staff already feel comfortable with Connors there and want to see how Anderson does. I would not necessarily say Connors has no chance.

3rd Why couldn't a Rookie start? It wouldn't be the 1st time. I would think that Norwood would have the opportunity to compete for it.

4th Sounds like if we could combine Connors and Anderson we would have the prototype SLB. So isn't it possible that they could end up working Connors in obvious running downs and Anderson in obvious passing downs?

Anyhow I have faith that whoever is on the field he is the best player we got for that position. I personally would rather see Connors over Anderson but either way is OK with me. I would like to see what Norwood brings to the table too.

Go Panthers

[scpanther22]

1st This has got to be the best thread I have read in quite a while. Alot of opinions and not a whole lot of YOU'RE AN IDIOT comments.

2nd I personally I don't take what happens in OTA's as the gauge of who starts where. Maybe the Coaching staff already feel comfortable with Connors there and want to see how Anderson does. I would not necessarily say Connors has no chance.

3rd Why couldn't a Rookie start? It wouldn't be the 1st time. I would think that Norwood would have the opportunity to compete for it.

4th Sounds like if we could combine Connors and Anderson we would have the prototype SLB. So isn't it possible that they could end up working Connors in obvious running downs and Anderson in obvious passing downs?

Anyhow I have faith that whoever is on the field he is the best player we got for that position. I personally would rather see Connors over Anderson but either way is OK with me. I would like to see what Norwood brings to the table too.

Go Panthers

3rd.Its not that Norwood is a rookie.Its that he is bad in coverage.

4th.its very possible we rotate LB

[MadHatter]

If we were just going to have Connor as a backup then we should have just traded him..IMO.I hope we give him a real shot.

I also don't get when people say Connor does not "fit" diggs old spot.

Great idea. Let's trade away all of our depth. Everyone knows that you only need 3 starters and then a bunch of scrubs.

The lack of understanding of the game is remarkable at times.

[scpanther22]

Great idea. Let's trade away all of our depth. Everyone knows that you only need 3 starters and then a bunch of scrubs.

The lack of understanding of the game is remarkable at times.

You act like its that hard to find a backup MLB.

I had no ideal ONE guy was "all of our depth"

[Peppers90 NC]

You act like its that hard to find a backup MLB.

I had no ideal ONE guy was "all of our depth"

why look for one if you already have one?

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

There is a lot of information that I have never heard before, or I don't know where you are finding it.

I will start off by saying that I believe every capable linebacker on the Panthers roster should be offered a chance to compete for the starting strong side linebacker job. With that being said those individuals would be James Anderson, Dan Connor, Jamar Williams, and Eric Norwood. However, I am in agreement that Dan Connor needs to be limited to giving Thomas Davis and Jon Beason spells of rest because he is to valuable. Neither James Anderson, Jamar Williams, or Eric Norwood have any, or enough experience at middle linebacker to be affective if Beason was to go down and Connor was already accustomed to strong side linebacker then we could be in for a bumpy ride.

Now it is time to address each linebacker on the roster.

James Anderson- Anderson is a solid athlete and a tackling machine, and could easily exceed 100 tackles if he is given the chance to start at strong side linebacker. Last year he recorded 65 tackles, 47 of them which were solo and also had two games where he recorded 10 tackles or more. Anderson also racked up a pass defend, a sack, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries. Now as far as him not being affective in pass defense, well I honestly have no idea where this is coming from. This was Anderson's first full season where he was able to show his abilities at linebacker and he did not dissapoint. Also as strong side linebacker, his focus is not on pass defense it is on run defense. Anderson just has to match up well with opposing teams tight end's, which he can clearly do. I believe this job is Anderson's to win.

Dan Connor- Dan Connor has been great on special teams since he first arrived, and is clearly one of the leaders on special teams. He is also a very capable athlete and probably could play any linebacker position on the field. Nonetheless, he is to valuable at middle linebacker and if Beason went down he would need to be ready to take over. However, I do believe he should be used to give Beason spells of rest when needed.

Jamar Williams- Jamar Williams is a solid athlete and has shown he can be reliable in pass defense at Chicago. Williams could give Anderson a run for his money, but at the end of the day I would rather have someone that already knows our defense and does not have to learn the defense over the summer. However, I also am in favor of putting the best players on the field, and if Williams shows that he is the best, well then by all means he should be the starter. If it turns out he is not the starter at strong side, he should be able to give Thomas Davis periods of rest at weak side.

Eric Norwood- Eric Norwood is another very capable athlete and specializes in pass rushing, which would bring an added twist to the Panthers defense. He would need to get better in defending the pass, but that should not be a problem for a bright athlete like himself. Everyone is saying that a fourth-round rookie should not be given a chance to compete. Well news flash for you, this isn't high school ball anymore. Seniority is thrown right out the door, the best players should be on the field and if Norwood is the best then he will be starting on Sundays. If he does not win the job then he should be backing up James Anderson.

Jordan Senn- Jordan Senn is a great special teams player and I think he will be a huge asset to special teams this year. He could also be a backup at middle linebacker if needed.

Quinton Culberson- I believe Culberson could be a backup and possibly a good special teams asset, I am not opposed to him making the team and he should be a backup at weak side linebacker.

Mortty Ivy- Morrty Ivy could also be a decent backup and would at least add a lot of depth at the linebacker position. He should make the team, and be a backup at strong side.

Sean Ware- Sorry Sean, there is just not enough room to keep any more linebackers.

Brett Warren- Same to you Brett, there is no more room on this roster for linebackers.

My Linebacker Depth Chart

Weak Side- Thomas Davis/ Jamar Williams/ Quinton Culberson (possibly cut)

Middle- Jon Beason/ Dan Connor/ Jordan Senn

Strong Side- Jamses Anderson/ Eric Norwood/ Mortty Ivy (possibly cut)

Thats All,

Thanks CP8789

[DaCityKats]

we also traded for a back up in jamar williams.he is supposed to be insurance for wlb but has mlb experience so trading away dan conner would not have been that big of a deal.

[pantherfan49]

James Anderson- Anderson is a solid athlete and a tackling machine, and could easily exceed 100 tackles if he is given the chance to start at strong side linebacker.

Diggs only had 39 playing out of the SAM position last year. Just throwing that out there. Anderson would nearly have to triple Diggs' productivity to reach 100 tackles, provided that the scheme didn't change.