Richard Marshall... What has he done?

[carpanfan96]

Not trying to start anything, (start Marshall over Lucas) but it's a high probability that Lucas isn't here next season and that Marshall will be the starter come next season with Wilson playing the Nickle. At this point in Lucas' career I like Marshall & Wilson over Lucas & Marshall.

[PanthersAlv]

I honestly can't wait to see what happens next season with a new Defensive staff in general. I mean, will out line be tougher? will the LB's be more on key? with the DB's be all over it!? Jumping routes, swat'n down balls... bone crushing hits jarring the ball loose?

those are more on the players than the scheme... and We all know the Defense can do all those things... But, a breath of fresh air in there... what will motivate now?

[Zaximus]

I can tell you that Marshall plays with far more intensity than Lucas (and probably Gamble). If we want a hard nosed defense that people fear, Marshall would be a good piece to add, he loves hitting people, and playing football period, just watch how much effort he puts in on special teams. Guy is a beast. He did have a off-year, but we had some bad coaching on defense and I do think he's earned the shot though.

[PanthersAlv]

towards the end of the season I got the impression people were writing him off... thusly I asked "what has he done?"

He's a good player... I mean.. it was preseason, but.. in the rain, in Philly, that fake FG pitch INT run back for a TD was insane!

[pantherclaw]

What has he done? He's been playing badly enough that I'm not comfortable with him as a starter. That doesn't take away that he is a good football player ~ but he needs major improvement if he wants to be a starter.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

towards the end of the season I got the impression people were writing him off... thusly I asked "what has he done?"

He's a good player... I mean.. it was preseason, but.. in the rain, in Philly, that fake FG pitch INT run back for a TD was insane!

It's that sort of play, along with Marshall's other interceptions or passes defensed, that endear him in the minds of many fans. But again, the flipside to jumping routes is blown coverages, which we saw a bit more of this season.

I think Marshall is a great talent and will really shine next year as he learns the game, especially under someone like Meeks.

[Mr. Scot]

Richard Marshall... What has he done?

Arguably? Taken a step back under Tim Lewis, which could be suggested of every other DB not named Chris Gamble.

I'm beginning to think the folks who suggested that the lack of PI calls may have been tied to a lack of aggression might have a point. Looking back at this season, how many times can you remember watching a DB jump a route? Certainly there were opportunities, especially against teams like the Saints.

I remember watching the Saints game and telling a friend "when they're passing like this, it can be a prime setup for one of your DBs to jump a route and take it all the way" but it didn't even look like they were trying, or even thinking about it for that matter.

It made me wonder if they had been coached specifically not to do that.

[PanthersAlv]

Yeah... I'm not calling for him to be a starter, but technically he "is" a starter but only in the nickel package. Personally I think we've got some really good CB's Gamble has shown he's good. Lucas we know is good... but as Marshall this season (and Gamble some as well) they have been out of position, missed calls, and jumped or given up plays that shouldn't have happened.

Overall I think our defensive coaching shake up will be a good thing id the motivation and the heart are brought back. I honestly don't see a problem with the over all scheme, or style of play... but the heart for the playing is what I think we need back.

Not to mention a lil discipline, but that's a whole nother thing.

Marshall is a talent. He's proven he's a good player. I think he'll bounce back after this rough season.

Comparing him to the other players listed above.. Do you think he shines more then most of them in his play... tho his name isn't broadcast nationally?!

[PanthersAlv]

Arguably? Taken a step back under Tim Lewis, which could be suggested of every other DB not named Chris Gamble.

I'm beginning to think the folks who suggested that the lack of PI calls may have been tied to a lack of aggression might have a point. Looking back at this season, how many times can you remember watching a DB jump a route? Certainly there were opportunities, especially against teams like the Saints.

I remember watching the Saints game and telling a friend "when they're passing like this, it can be a prime setup for one of your DBs to jump a route and take it all the way" but it didn't even look like they were trying, or even thinking about it for that matter.

It made me wonder if they had been coached specifically not to do that.

Aggressive play was lacking from the start of the 2nd half of the season in my eyes.

I mean Harris makes his living strip'n the ball out and hit'n people hard. when did that happen in the 2nd half minus that hit on Brandon Jacobs?

And we have talked to death the aggression of Peppers.. .or lack there of.

I mean Tyler Brayton I think made a huge step is showing he's not the scrub he looked like with the Raiders.

The motor for Beason is there. I think Davis is like 3/4 of what he was in the past this season.

We need something to change.. and we have that now I think with the change over of the D coaches... now let's hope it's a positive.

[pantherclaw]

I think he shines mostly on special teams.

This last year especially, his play as a nickle hasn't been even as good as his rookie season.

[Mr. Scot]

Yeah... I'm not calling for him to be a starter, but technically he "is" a starter but only in the nickel package. Personally I think we've got some really good CB's Gamble has shown he's good. Lucas we know is good... but as Marshall this season (and Gamble some as well) they have been out of position, missed calls, and jumped or given up plays that shouldn't have happened.

Overall I think our defensive coaching shake up will be a good thing id the motivation and the heart are brought back. I honestly don't see a problem with the over all scheme, or style of play... but the heart for the playing is what I think we need back.

Not to mention a lil discipline, but that's a whole nother thing.

Marshall is a talent. He's proven he's a good player. I think he'll bounce back after this rough season.

Comparing him to the other players listed above.. Do you think he shines more then most of them in his play... tho his name isn't broadcast nationally?!

Marshall is hard to figure, honestly. He looked like a winner early on, but the past two seasons, not so much (again, the Lewis connection).

I've toyed with the notion of "what would happen" if they moved Charles Godfrey to his college position (CB) where there'd be less thinking and more reacting and moved the somewhat more cerebral Ken Lucas to the free safety spot.

In this scenario, you could have Marshall and Godfrey compete for the starting CB spot, with the guy who comes in second becoming the nickel.

That won't happen, of course, but it's rolled around in my head.

[PanthersAlv]

Marshall is hard to figure, honestly. He looked like a winner early on, but the past two seasons, not so much (again, the Lewis connection).

I've toyed with the notion of "what would happen" if they moved Charles Godfrey to his college position (CB) where there'd be less thinking and more reacting and moved the somewhat more cerebral Ken Lucas to the free safety spot.

In this scenario, you could have Marshall and Godfrey compete for the starting CB spot, with the guy who comes in second becoming the nickel.

That won't happen, of course, but it's rolled around in my head.

It's not the first time I've heard people say that a corner can move to a Safety spot and still be effective later in their career... I'm not sure... being I've not seen it happen myself really.

Marshall didn't really slip much in his 2nd season. he actually (stats wise at least) got more tackles, lead the team in INT's (well tied with Deke Cooper for 3 INT's). Lucas had a FF for a TD and Marshall an INT for a TD that season as well. So for the most part, he outplayed his rookie season in his 2nd season.

[Mr. Scot]

It's not the first time I've heard people say that a corner can move to a Safety spot and still be effective later in their career... I'm not sure... being I've not seen it happen myself really.

Marshall didn't really slip much in his 2nd season. he actually (stats wise at least) got more tackles, lead the team in INT's (well tied with Deke Cooper for 3 INT's). Lucas had a FF for a TD and Marshall an INT for a TD that season as well. So for the most part, he outplayed his rookie season in his 2nd season.

I think Merton Hanks played some corner early on before moving to the hybrid position of safety/chicken neck.

Chris Harris to me is a prime example of the effect of coaching. Ron Rivera was fanatical about coaching guys to go for the strip. Fresh out of that system, Harris was still at it. One year removed from that coaching, less so.

I'm really bothered by that.

[holycrikey]

I too have liked Marshall since he joined the Panthers. I really wonder if they cut Lucas, if they'll promote Marshall to the 2nd CB position.