PFF on Dan Connor

[panthers55]

We will leave them where they are given that Davis is weeks away from being able to start and might not return to his form of last year. And we definitely won't get rid of Connor. I wouldn't be surprised if we keep Davis, it will be all about the money.

As for Fox making the move with Beason, they considered it last year as well. He is one of the only guys we have who can play in every position. The goal isn't to have one probowler and a couple of average guys but to have a unit that plays well together. Right now that is what we have. Fox gets all the credit for making the move since he had other options. It took some stones to put Connor in the middle and move his best MLB to the outside.

Sure Fox screws up plenty but he deserves the credit when things go well also.

[scpanther22]

We will leave them where they are given that Davis is weeks away from being able to start and might not return to his form of last year. And we definitely won't get rid of Connor. I wouldn't be surprised if we keep Davis, it will be all about the money.

As for Fox making the move with Beason, they considered it last year as well. He is one of the only guys we have who can play in every position. The goal isn't to have one probowler and a couple of average guys but to have a unit that plays well together. Right now that is what we have. Fox gets all the credit for making the move since he had other options. It took some stones to put Connor in the middle and move his best MLB to the outside.

Sure Fox screws up plenty but he deserves the credit when things go well also.

why not?

If you have a guy that can start for a lot of teams at MLB and will be nothing but a backup here once Davis or a new WLB comes why not trade him.

I know its great depth but if I am Connor and I just had a good year I would want out or at least know that I will be the long term starter.

[Lumps]

I don't see Davis sticking around. Seems he could be injury prone and we don't really need him. Anderson, Connor and Beason are solid. At first I would have subbed Anderson but he is proving to be a beast.

[pantherclaw]

Don't see them getting rid of conner, regardless.

If they did, the linebacking core wouldn't be the strength it is. As long as they offer beason top mlb money, a sure he'll stay and play anywhere they want him to.

Davis is really the mystery...cause at what price is he willing to sign here to remain a panther?

We'll see...but the off season is still a long ways away...specially for the fans who are ready for the off season.

[KDawg004]

It's easy. Do you want to keep Beason or Connor? Beason is going to want MLB money. I stick with this lineup and play Davis off the bench for the rest of the season. But, when next season rolls around Beason goes back to the middle. Connor goes on the bench and if not trade him for a position of need.

Teams were calling the Panthers to trade for Connor in the offseason. Think about how many more will call now that they've actually seen how he can play. WLB is the easiest spot to play in our system and puts the players in a position to make plays. Bring in a true WLB or insert Davis back into the lineup. I'm sure even Jamar Williams can play good enough if he gets a chance.

[panthers55]

why not?

If you have a guy that can start for a lot of teams at MLB and will be nothing but a backup here once Davis or a new WLB comes why not trade him.

I know its great depth but if I am Connor and I just had a good year I would want out or at least know that I will be the long term starter.

When do we ever go a year with no injuries to our linebackers? Besides Davis, Williams is also on IR. We need at least 5 quality linebackers to run our defense. You don't get rid of a guy like Connor unless you can replace him with someone better. We don't know what is going to happen to Davis. Right now Connor is the starter.

[panthers55]

It's easy. Do you want to keep Beason or Connor? Beason is going to want MLB money. I stick with this lineup and play Davis off the bench for the rest of the season. But, when next season rolls around Beason goes back to the middle. Connor goes on the bench and if not trade him for a position of need.

Teams were calling the Panthers to trade for Connor in the offseason. Think about how many more will call now that they've actually seen how he can play. WLB is the easiest spot to play in our system and puts the players in a position to make plays. Bring in a true WLB or insert Davis back into the lineup. I'm sure even Jamar Williams can play good enough if he gets a chance.

WLB is the hardest position to play in our system not the easiest. It takes an extremely athletic guy who can play well against the run as well as the pass. Right now Beason is the only guy who could play it with Williams on IR.

[scpanther22]

When do we ever go a year with no injuries to our linebackers? Besides Davis, Williams is also on IR. We need at least 5 quality linebackers to run our defense. You don't get rid of a guy like Connor unless you can replace him with someone better. We don't know what is going to happen to Davis. Right now Connor is the starter.

I am talking in the future. in the offseason.

[panthers55]

I am talking in the future. in the offseason.

But until Davis shows he is better than Connor, he is the starter. In the offseason we will likely have a new defensive coordinator. Hard to say who is going to start next year. Until then you don't get rid of a guy who is rated in the top 5 at his position.

[lightsout]

I agree with an earlier post in that having 3 great guys with 1 REALLY reliable back up is useful. Unless Connor is asking for a boatload of money, and if TD is healthy, keep 'em all, let the best combination start.

If Connor starts at mike, and Beason at will, we have 2 great athletes out there at all times. If Connor goes down, Beason goes back to mike, might be an improvement at that spot, but definitely no drop off. Then, TD comes in, and he is a great athlete who has proven he is a playmaker. A lot of positives to keeping them all and letting the best play.

Like it was said earlier, if it aint broke, don't fix it. We're clicking right now, and to jeopardize that by throwing a guy who has missed half the season would be stupid. But, it is Fox. Wouldn't surprise me.

Either way, IMO, athletically, we are good no matter who starts. Its just who is the hot player right now, and right now, the combination of Anderson, Connor, and Beason is hot.

[KDawg004]

WLB is the hardest position to play in our system not the easiest. It takes an extremely athletic guy who can play well against the run as well as the pass. Right now Beason is the only guy who could play it with Williams on IR.

Cato June says hi. What is he up to now? I agree with you that Beason was the best choice to play WLB for us when Davis went down. I just dont believe its the hardest. Davis was just a good linebacker until he was moved to WLB. His athleticism is what made him great because he was put in a position to make plays.

[panthers55]

Cato June says hi. What is he up to now? I agree with you that Beason was the best choice to play WLB for us when Davis went down. I just dont believe its the hardest. Davis was just a good linebacker until he was moved to WLB. His athleticism is what made him great because he was put in a position to make plays.

Trust me in our system it is the hardest. You have more responsibilities, have to cover more ground, tackle and pass defend. The reason that beason is not looking as good as he did at MLB is because he is still improving and learning. He had to make an adjustment to play there. You don't just pick it up overnight.

[Montsta]

I find it very amusing that people suggest trading away Connor, while at the same time making a point to bitch about a less than stellar season that has unfolded the way it has in large part because we have zero depth at almost every position. I personally like the trio we have starting for us right now, but I won't argue with anyone who wants Beason back at the Mike.

I think that Anderson, Beason and Davis healthy would be the most badass LB trio this franchise has ever had. The keyword is healthy though. I really hope Davis recovers and comes back 100%, but I don't want to be blind to the very real possibilty that that may not happen.

We need to make sure Davis is 100% before moving Connor anywhere. I don't want to trade him or let him walk (ala Will Witherspoon) and then Davis doesn't work out and we're stuck wishing we had him back.

[Panthro]

Connor and Armanti for Jeremy Maclin