Report: Panthers Re-Sign Applewhite

[Niner National]

I would not say that DE is fine.

Applewhite, Hardy, Tucker, and Keiser are NOT starting calibre DE's. We have depth, but do not have the other book-end to put with Johnson.

I disagree. Hardy and Keiser are both very young with loads of potential. I think one or both will develop into starting caliber DE's.

[MadHatter]

I disagree. Hardy and Keiser are both very young with loads of potential. I think one or both will develop into starting caliber DE's.

Maybe, but I am not sold on either.

We had all of these guys last year....yet, Rivera has consistently talked about our significant need to upgreade our rushing the passer.

Will be interesting to see how the draft plays out.

[x djdrew x]

please please please make this mean that coples is not a target anymore. We have some pretty solid depth here and DE is not an immediate need compared to LB where right now we let our backups walk and our starters minus anderson are coming back from major surgery. Need. more. linebackers.....

[teeray]

3-4?? :ph34r:

[MadHatter]

please please please make this mean that coples is not a target anymore. We have some pretty solid depth here and DE is not an immediate need compared to LB where right now we let our backups walk and our starters minus anderson are coming back from major surgery. Need. more. linebackers.....

We might have some depth, but we truly only have ONE starting calibre DE....the others are decent rotational guys. And, gettting pressure on the QB is paramount ot Rivera.

[x djdrew x]

just curious, if it has been hinted at....and there is a real possibility that we will be running 3-4 at least occasionally...why wouldn't we at least consider someone like melvin ingram who has crazy versatility and is built to play as an OLB in 3-4 or a pass rushing DE in a 4-3? Coples is by all means a 4-3 DE.....and thats it. I guess the bottom line is that I haven't seen anything that has led me to believe Coples is a big upgrade over what we have. Call me crazy but I'd rather have Applewhite and Hardy on a rotation than watching another rookie DL getting pushed around.

That was hard to watch last year. And hey, if we do take someone like coples, i hope he proves me wrong. I'm gonna pull for him to succeed and for the Panthers regardless of if they don't go the way I would prefer.

Ultimately, I trust Rivera. Hurney not so much, but I'm all in with Chico.

[EMSMedic79]

I have a strange suspicion Rivera will be spending a lot more time using the 3-4 defense this season. That being the case, will he look to bring in a Strong NT like Poe or push for another LB/DE..... The first round's pick is more up for grabs than any time I can remember.

[CPF4LIFE]

Def a good pickup. Anyone else thinking it lessens our chances of drafting coples?

Hell no.

[PanthersAlv]

All this talk about the 3-4... I know the difference in the 3-4 (basically) but, wouldn't that mean we need someone in the middle that can really hold his own? Also, doesn't that mean we really need to get our LB corp completely sured up? that would mean we'd need to really stock up on LB's wouldn't it?

Anyway, I'm glad we have Applewhite back. I think that helps a good bit.

[megadeth078]

We might have some depth, but we truly only have ONE starting calibre DE....the others are decent rotational guys. And, gettting pressure on the QB is paramount ot Rivera.

Having a starting caliber LB doesn't mean much if they can't play more than 3 games.

Rivera loves linebackers. I wonder what he thinks of Kuechly or Zach Brown.

[Snake]

bootleggs of MDMA

Guess Can is slinging it out the window of the panther's buss

[I am Hubby]

Rivera loves linebackers. I wonder what he thinks of Kuechly or Zach Brown.

I feel bad for Rivera. He is probably chomping at the bit to work on the LB position. But because of the salary cap, and the hope that Davis and Beason can return, he has been limited with pieces from which to work.

He has to want both Davis and Beason back. But he also has to know that, even as well as things are going, it very well may not happen. Myself, I am on the why not side. Both are doing great, and have been cleared to start running. So all systems are go with them. Does that mean they will be playing? Hey, don't look at me, I am the one asking the question.

He knows we do not have the money to sign anyone worth a poo. So if he is to improve the LB corp, it has to be through the draft, and suprise releases that we can sign on the cheap. If Rivera sees something in Luke, we just may see him as a Panther. Rivera could go all selfish, and demand a LB to call his own.

Just my thoughts. And GOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lumps]

I'd rather take a DT, LB or CB before DE, that's just me. Just CJ and Hardy/White will look better with better players around them. Hardy might make mistakes but he'll make up for them and with more dicipline he will be good. I think he is going to me monstrous this year so maybe I am biased but I would be more comfortable with other positions. Coples is a BPA so I wouldn't mind something like that at all.