If we take Luke Kuechly who plays MLB?

[MadHatter]

We should plan for Cam Newtons decline in this draft as well

Thanks for making another completely worthless, irrelevant, and idiotic comment.

Beason = MLB coming back from major achilles surgery...where the stats are not in his favor.

Cam = rookie QB who has ZERO injuries or physical concerns.

yeah, they are comparable.

Damn Panthro....you have just outdone yourself on this one.

[mmmbeans]

Connor cannot play OLB....does not have the speed.

In addition, we very well make a play to brign him back. The issue is that someone will overpay for him in FA. The FO woudl be much smarter to replace him with a much cheaper...and likely better prospect in Kuechly.

Connor is servicable....he is nowhere near a stud LB.

i understand that but i mean, we'd be better off replacing a lot of people on the team with cheaper, stud, 1st round picks. isn't the discussion where we'd get the most value for that pick?

imo LB is as much a need as any position on the defense. not more of a need though.

[MadHatter]

i understand that but i mean, we'd be better off replacing a lot of people on the team with cheaper, stud, 1st round picks. isn't the discussion where we'd get the most value for that pick?

imo LB is as much a need as any position on the defense. not more of a need though.

I can agree with that.

My comments were really directed at the dillusional people who think that LB is not a concern on this team. Those that think Beason and Davis will return to their pre-injury selves.

Given what we have...the uncertainty of Beason/Davis...and the fact that Rivera's scheme is heavily dependant on LB...it is definitely an area of need.

I am not saying that we should or should not draft a LB in the first...just that it is likely to be a real possibility.

[jarhead]

i understand that but i mean, we'd be better off replacing a lot of people on the team with cheaper, stud, 1st round picks. isn't the discussion where we'd get the most value for that pick?

imo LB is as much a need as any position on the defense. not more of a need though.

I guess the question with the health of the lbs and losing Conner...who do we have at MLB and also play OLB in the event Beason returns to form 9Very doubtful)but we lose TD.It make sense to have some versitle enough to do it all.

[bleys]

linebacker is a huge need.. defensive line is a huge need..

but right now, we don't even have the pieces outside of Beason (could see a decline), TD (how realistic is it he truly comes back/effective?), and Anderson (should be our weakest link).... I realize DT is a huge question mark, but we at least have some pieces to groom..

if we can't find a few true diamonds in the rough, we'll need another draft or two to fill the holes and see a complete defense.. You all are trying to argue which one is more important for the upcoming season and really, this upcoming year isn't going to answer all of our problems..

we don't have a lot of room for missing on a large amount of picks...

[mmmbeans]

i guess my question in response would be, who's going to keep blockers off this guy if we do draft him?

[panthers55]

and nothing about that says he didnt play OLB in a 3-4 like you claimed. plus loved the way you only posted the cons on this prospect.

I didn't think part time starter qualified as really knowing the position and my specifics were not just related to his cons but how he would be used in a 4-3. We play zone and our lineacker must be able to cover Ts and runnngbacks out of the backfield. Here will he struggle the most? I zon and in coverage. So the answer was in response to your contention he would be a better fit. He wouldn't be at all. On a positive note he would be able to blitz so if we needed a MLB he could fit but I doubt he is an upgrade to Connor who is a 2 down back and we are willing to let go.

[Panthro]

People

It does not matter the LB or DB we draft if the QB has all day to sit in the pocket. No one can cover guys without any pressure up front.

We could have Luke and Claiborne on our team but if we give Drew Brees 5-7 seconds in the pocket he is still going to pick us apart.

[Panthro]

Thanks for making another completely worthless, irrelevant, and idiotic comment.

Beason = MLB coming back from major achilles surgery...where the stats are not in his favor.

Cam = rookie QB who has ZERO injuries or physical concerns.

yeah, they are comparable.

Damn Panthro....you have just outdone yourself on this one.

I figured it'd have to be idiotic for you and others to get it.

[panthers55]

i guess my question in response would be, who's going to keep blockers off this guy if we do draft him?

D-line would be just a crazy guess. After all that is their job.

[bleys]

I guess the question with the health of the lbs and losing Conner...who do we have at MLB and also play OLB in the event Beason returns to form 9Very doubtful)but we lose TD.It make sense to have some versitle enough to do it all.

I expect we'll do one of a few things.. see how Phillips turns out and if he can stay healthy, and then he and Senn will be able to step in as we move Anderson to the middle..

I expect Gaither might be apart of that puzzle, but I barely saw him on the field..

I can't imagine we won't draft one, more like two LBers in this draft, but I doubt they'll have much impact immediately, unless we grab one early..

[mmmbeans]

D-line would be just a crazy guess. After all that is their job.

they've been doing it rather poorly.

[jarhead]

i guess my question in response would be, who's going to keep blockers off this guy if we do draft him?

I think the odds of Edwards retuning froma Pec tear are pretty good and he will start.I think Nesbit will statrt at the 3 technique.Below is an insert of an article by son of Newton on catsscratchreader.com that makes sense to me coupled with the guy from the Chargers we could get for chep

"Defensive Tackles:

Poring over the Panthers roster as it is on Panthers.com, The Panthers have 8 Defensive Tackles under contract with the team: Ron Edwards, Sione Fua, Frank Kearse, Andre Neblett, Terrell McClain, Demario Pressley, Jason Shirley, and Ogemdi Nwagbro. Edwards, Fua, Kearse, and Shirley fit the prototypical size and strength of a 1 Technique Nose Tackles in the Jim Johnson 43, while Neblett, McClain, Pressley, and Nwagbro are all 3 Technique Under Tackles. A 1 Technique in the 4-3 needs to have great strength in order to command, as well as handle the double teams that a 1 Technique incurs. After watching the aforementioned players develop and battle through their respective tribulations, I believe that Fua, and Kearse have the build and strength necessary to play NT in the Jim Johnson 43, however, it might be better if they were to sit and watch for another season or two, before being thrust into extended playing time. In my opinion, Edwards (If he doesn't become a cap casualty) is a day one starter at 1 Technique, with Shirley receiving the primary backup snaps. Shirley's raw strength and girth, as well as his explosion off of the line of scrimmage make him a hard player to handle, naturally drawing a double team from the Center and Guard, opening up a gap for the Mike Linebacker.

As for the 3 Techniques, Pressley, Neblett, and McClain all possess the lateral speed, as well as the pass rushing skills necessary to play UT in the Jim Johnson Defense. However, all of the players need to have their techniques honed and polished, and with another offseason of instruction and practice, we may see leaps and bounds of improvement from the 3 Techniques as they progress. In my opinion, Neblett is the most ready to assume the starting duties for the Panthers in 2012. Neblett has the physical tools and the work ethic necessary to make an impact on the line, and in the Jim Johnson 43, Neblett may rack up superb numbers. One player I have my eye on come Training Camp in July is Demario Pressley. Pressley attended NC State, and entered College as one of the top ten recruits in the nation, a High School All American. Whilst a lack of production destined him as a 5th round pick, and little progress in his first few years in the NFL got him dropped by the Broncos and Saints, I think he has the explosion and burst necessary to succeed in the NFL."

[DaCityKats]

I didn't think part time starter qualified as really knowing the position and my specifics were not just related to his cons but how he would be used in a 4-3. We play zone and our lineacker must be able to cover Ts and runnngbacks out of the backfield. Here will he struggle the most? I zon and in coverage. So the answer was in response to your contention he would be a better fit. He wouldn't be at all. On a positive note he would be able to blitz so if we needed a MLB he could fit but I doubt he is an upgrade to Connor who is a 2 down back and we are willing to let go.

he was in coverage as well, being that OLB just dont come after the QB but have to drop into a zone too.(ususally the flats) than last year he was in a zone in the middle of the field and did come on some late blitzes. he has shown the ability to cover backs and TEs and play under some WRs while at Cal. so again he would be better fit because he has done everything Luke has, plus brings more to the table because he has shown he can get after the QB. so how does that say he is only a 2 down backer?