If we take Luke Kuechly who plays MLB?

[panthers55]

A linebacker at 9?

Seriously?

LB is one of the easiest positions to fill (and cheapest). Top ten picks should be spent on QB's, LT's, DL and sometimes CB's. Any player not at one of these positions should be a generational talent and I don't think Kuechly fits that definiton.

Actually he is. Name one player with better measurables and production in his 3 years of college ever. Not only the past 20 years but ever........

Because 4-3 linebackers aren't typical edge rushers they are not given credit but he is the best 4-3 linebacker to come out.

[Panthro]

lol, I understand why you want to act like there is a difference between going 10 or 11..... bc if you didn't we both know it drastically hurts the point you are trying to make.

Not sure I would compare him to any of those guys...he is better overall than most of them coming out. I also wouldn't compare lots of guys drafted high to anyone else in recent drafts....bc there arent comparable players

So no list AND he doesn't compare or have a similar skill set to any Top 10 LB in recent history

[CRA]

So no list AND he doesn't compare or have a similar skill set to any Top 10 LB in recent history

Willis is the only one close and he was drafted at 11.....so I didn't list him since you think there is gap between going at 10 and 11.

If you asked me to name a comparable player to Cam, Suh, Johnson, etc in the top 10 recently I would not name a player either. Luke simply looks better coming out than any of the recent LBs. He has the full package.

[koolkatluke]

Torn bicep/tricep is much easier to heal than an ACL or achilles heel injury. Muscles heel much easier than tendons and ligaments.

So this is what you come back with. How about Beason is younger and has a better chance of healing then a older Ron Edwards. Or you are putting more hope in Ron who has never played a down for us and has never been know as a impact player over our best defensive player.

[panthers55]

So no list AND he doesn't compare or have a similar skill set to any Top 10 LB in recent history

Being drafted 9th versus 13th or even 25th like Beason really makes little difference. If guy turns out like a Patrick Willis or Dan Morgan (sans the concussions) does it matter where he was picked in the first round really?? Where you are picked in the first round actually has little to do with determining how successful you will be.

Actually the reality is that no linebacker has ever been as productive as he has been in three years in college. And his measurables are as good as anyone.

[koolkatluke]

Actually he is. Name one player with better measurables and production in his 3 years of college ever. Not only the past 20 years but ever........

Because 4-3 linebackers aren't typical edge rushers they are not given credit but he is the best 4-3 linebacker to come out.

I like kuechly and all but don't make him out to be somthing he's not. He isn't Pat Willis. Kuechly is a very good player but Curry had a very good career at wake forrest and was a very good prospect at the LB position. I think Kuechly is a very good player but he isn't a game changer.

[Panthro]

If we went on productivity Texas Tech and Hawaii would have 10 QBs in the NFL

[Panthro]

I like kuechly and all but don't make him out to be somthing he's not. He isn't Pat Willis. Kuechly is a very good player but Curry had a very good career at wake forrest and was a very good prospect at the LB position. I think Kuechly is a very good player but he isn't a game changer.

This.

[panthers55]

So this is what you come back with. How about Beason is younger and has a better chance of healing then a older Ron Edwards. Or you are putting more hope in Ron who has never played a down for us and has never been know as a impact player over our best defensive player.

Why would you think I am not rooting for Beason to come back 100%. I hope he is everything he was and more. Why would I hope that Ron, Thomas, or Jon not make it back totally. That kind of thinking is just foreign to me. I was just pointing out that not all injuries are equal in terms of rehab. And really do you think that there is a big difference in rehab between a guy who is in their mid 20s versus someone who is 32?? It isn't like they are 50 or something.

[DaCityKats]

Mychal Kendricks fits this blitzing scheme more than Luke.being compared to Beason and could be had in the 2nd.

[Kurb]

I dont think anyone is disagreeing that this kid produced, has great everything, and could be a great player.

The argument is "Why put expensive windows in a house when the foundation is shaky"

[panthers55]

I like kuechly and all but don't make him out to be somthing he's not. He isn't Pat Willis. Kuechly is a very good player but Curry had a very good career at wake forrest and was a very good prospect at the LB position. I think Kuechly is a very good player but he isn't a game changer.

If you look at college production as indicative of potential pro success then you are right, Patrick Willis can't hold a candle to Kuechly. In 3 years he made 200 more tackles than Willis did in 4 years. He had more interceptions and was much better in coverage. You are way underselling Kuechly, he was the most prolific linebacker in his 3 years ever. If he had stayed or his senior year he would have eclipsed every college record for linebackers but perhaps sacks.

You are like most people, not very knowledgeable about how good he is. If you actually watched some games you would know he was a game changer,maybe one of the biggest ever. For more than one season.

[panthers55]

I dont think anyone is disagreeing that this kid produced, has great everything, and could be a great player.

The argument is "Why put expensive windows in a house when the foundation is shaky"

Because in a 4-3 Johnson defense, the linebackers are ever bit as much part of the foundation as the defensive line. When 2 of them blitz more than 50% of the time and account for 1/2 of your sacks you can't just rely on average players. I would think after last year that would have been painfully clear.

[panthers55]

Mychal Kendricks fits this blitzing scheme more than Luke.being compared to Beason and could be had in the 2nd.

How do they compare?? Combine times, college production, Etc. Anyone can pull a name out of a hat.