I Do Not Hate Luke Keuchly

[Razeyfingers]

For those who are upset with the #9 pick would also be upset for not picking Kuechly if Davis or Beason suffers a repeat injury because we do dnot have a quality player to replace them if needed. Conner is gone and this kid is rated a top 10 player and best lb in the draft. Let the dust settle and allow Rivera do his job. In three years you can then complain about the pick or just shut up.

I really like this guy though, Dlineman needs be damned for our first pick. Reminds a lot of Cam in an interview, genuine, direct, and intelligent.

[xtheronx]

if you think your FA backup isn't worth starting money, and if you desperately need to upgrade him anyway...

You can't count on someone making a return from three consecutive major injuries like that. To do so is foolish. TD is a backup for the foreseeable future, and he has been since he became injured last season.

TD is a back up? Maybe .. but not necessarily

Either way .. we were ok at LB with Connor

We were def not okay in other positions (see secondary)

[xtheronx]

I don't see why those that wish we went a different way are getting such flack.

Many have said they support the player, just not the pick.

Whats wrong with a differing opinion?

Yup

[Woodcookedbbq]

Whatever. He's here, he was the best player available, and he's going to start. Davis will probably be a 2nd stringer when it's said and done and if his ACL holds up. There's good D-Line talent in the 2nd round to be got. And if we don't pick up a D-Lineman in the 2nd round, I think it's safe to say that Rivera is satisifed with what we got and that's good enough for me.

[mav1234]

I don't have any problem with people wishing we'd drafted Cox, but I do think it is funny when people talk about the pick being wasted or that Hurney is a dumbass.

[xtheronx]

I don't have any problem with people wishing we'd drafted Cox, but I do think it is funny when people talk about the pick being wasted or that Hurney is a dumbass.

yeah I agree .. he's obviously a great player and Hurney can pick em in the first round without doubt

IMO I question the strategy .. but of course the FO knows more than we'll ever know

but it is worth discussion

[carolinanimal]

how much of an impact can he have? as a top 10 pick he should be a player that is the face of your defensive unit.

[thefuzz]

I don't have any problem with people wishing we'd drafted Cox, but I do think it is funny when people talk about the pick being wasted or that Hurney is a dumbass.

The biggest problem most of us have, is that we don't like the way Hurney is building this team, and his love affair with the RB and LB positions.

Most of feel that there are more important positions on the football field. Such as QB, WR, CB, T, DE, and DT. But Hurney for years has continued to draft LB's high, as well as RB's high. Two positions that history has shown do not have to be high draft picks to be successful.

[carolinanimal]

i hear alot of mention that the lbs are so important in the JJ scheme. Who were his lbs at the tme? were they all first rounders including a top 10 pick?

[mav1234]

yeah I agree .. he's obviously a great player and Hurney can pick em in the first round without doubt

IMO I question the strategy .. but of course the FO knows more than we'll ever know

but it is worth discussion

agree, I don't mind discussions.

[xtheronx]

The biggest problem most of us have, is that we don't like the way Hurney is building this team, and his love affair with the RB and LB positions.

Most of feel that there are more important positions on the football field. Such as QB, WR, CB, T, DE, and DT. But Hurney for years has continued to draft LB's high, as well as RB's high. Two positions that history has shown do not have to be high draft picks to be successful.

pie pie and more pie

[CarolinaNCSU]

No problem with differing opinions, though I do hate the whole, the Giants did this argument. Them making the playoffs was a surprise, getting help along the way. They got hot and the rest is history. They lose the SB, people don't make the argument.

As for the pick, to me it's simple.

The staff felt Luke was elite

They also felt the DL/CB options were not elite/as elite.

We went BPA (which a lot of people wanted) and I've got no issue with it. Let the season play out before a final decision is made.

[mav1234]

The biggest problem most of us have, is that we don't like the way Hurney is building this team, and his love affair with the RB and LB positions.

Most of feel that there are more important positions on the football field. Such as QB, WR, CB, T, DE, and DT. But Hurney for years has continued to draft LB's high, as well as RB's high. Two positions that history has shown do not have to be high draft picks to be successful.

let's wait until this draft finishes before we conclude that... last year we drafted a QB, 2 DTs, and a CB... in 2010 we drafted a qb, 2 WRs, and a DE/LB hybrid with our picks in the first 4 rounds... things could change.

we did have a need at linebacker, and they thought kuechly was the best defensive player from what it appears.

edit: while hurney did draft 2 RBs in 2009, they were in the 4th round... and he had drafted a DE, DT and a safety before that. I think one of the reasons we drafted so many RBs during Fox's tenure is the type of offense we ran. hence why in 2010 when Hurney really didnt consult Fox much we went in a very different direction.

[Silent Majority]

“Right now we're just trying to see. I'm going in with an open mindset. We've got to figure out what's going to happen,” Kuechly said. “But all three positions are going to be a challenge moving forward. I've got to pick up on some new things. But I'm excited to see what happens.”

Kuechly said he was not often asked to blitz or play man coverage at Boston College. But Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who attended Kuechly's press conference, said afterward one of the first highlights he saw was of Kuechly blitzing up the middle and getting to the quarterback.

This was in Joe Person's article in the observer.

My question to the fanboys is, exactly where (outside of Mike Mayock) are you getting that he can cover and play all three LB spots? Please don't throw in Hurney and Rivera trying to appease the fans as some sort of proof.