I Do Not Hate Luke Keuchly

[PhillyB]

if beason and davis weren't coming back from devastating injuries, and if we didn't have two higher picks already invested at DT, and if we didn't have a couple of guys at CB with high upside, i might agree with you.

[DaCityKats]

guess who was cover him in the 49er game?

[Floppin]

The scheme we run doesn't require a whole lot of pressure from the interior line, what it requires is that they hold their assignment and don't let the Oline get into the second level. We the return of Edwards and the growth of our multiple young DT's, namely McClain and Kearse, I think that our FO is confident that they will be able to do just that. Our pressure will rely primarily on our ends and LB's. This pick makes sense for our scheme. People get caught up in comparing our line to teams with dominant lines, as if creating pressure with great pass rushing interior lineman is the only 4-3 defensive scheme that exists.

[x djdrew x]

I actually disagree with the "end of TD" talk. If anything , I think this pick helps TD stay on the field more.

Wait, huh?

If you think about it, TD's days are numbered. How many ACL tears can you really come back from? He's a hell of a football player and wants to play really bad, you can see that much on his face. What this allows us to do is use TD in different looks and helps extend his longevity tenfold. If we were asking him to go out there and be an every down LB, we would be back to where we ended up last year at LB by Week 3 or 4.

Now we have a guy who can cover TEs and allow someone like TD to get after the quarterback in all kinds of different pressure schemes. I think all around, this helps us get at least a marginal return on investment from Thomas Davis. If he only plays 150-200 snaps and makes contributions while Kuechly is holding down the every-down job and possibly helping us from getting raped by all of the stud TEs in our division......well , sir, we have progress.....and any progress is good at this point.

IDK, maybe I'm an idiot (quite possibly so)..........just trying to throw my perspective on the Kuechly pick in the ring.

[Rhys]

did not read, do not care

/valuable input from an insightful forward thinking huddler . . . oh wait, just another dumbass.

OP, The pick is hard for me to swallow as well. I've heard it argued that Kuechly is a great cover LBer, and at least there he shows some extended value, and when looked at solely as a NFL prospect, he is a top 10 pick.

In the framework of the current NFL progression to the pass, and the state of our team, defense specifically, I cannot see how he could be valued as a top 10 pick for us.

[Growl]

Actually if Cordy Glenn is there he should be a great pick at 40.

And if Worthy, Still, Curry, Jenkins are still on the board?

[megadeth078]

Kurb did you ever stop and think that maybe the FO's thought process wasn't "Hey, the DL doesn't matter. LBs are cool and sh*t", and was more like "We would like to upgrade the DL and CB, but the players availabe aren't worth the #9 pick"? You seem to be under the impression that we simply don't care about improving the trenches because we didn't get a DL in the first round, when really we probably didn't feel there was a worthy candidate at the #9 spot. Reaching for need is just something that Hurney won't do. You knew this going in. Why exactly does this bother you so? Did you not prepare for this? We improved one hole over another. You can't improve two different holes with one pick. Trading down and hoping we get Kuechly is not something you do. If Kuechly is the guy, then just get him.

[Razeyfingers]

aaaaahh one starred Kurb.

That bit never gets old

[Tom]

Honest question: is he as fast as Thomas Davis (before all the blowouts)? If so then I could get excited about the pick. I remember Rivera salivating over the prospect of getting TD back and all the ways he could use him.

[Mr. Scot]

I'm not dead sold that it's the "end of Thomas Davis" but "the end of Thomas Davis as an every down player" seems like a real possibility.

Using Davis as a backup/situational guy is a valid option, assuming he's healthy.

[xtheronx]

I would have taken Cox and been thrilled he was there.

He could start over Hardy at LDE and move inside to DT on 3n longs.

Much like Justin Tuck.

But I am not a scout, im not a GM, nor am I a Coach.

And its likely they are all smarter than me.

Im just searching for some understanding here.

yeah I really wanted Cox also (no homo)

[Kurb]

And if Still, Curry, Jenkins are still on the board?

Could be great picks too.

[KillerKat]

I agree 100% with Kurb. If the team decides to move on without Davis, only then will I be happy about this pick. Just the thought of him sitting on the bench if Davis comes back and stays healthy pisses me the hell off.

[Mr. Scot]

I wouldn't be angry at all if Davis came back healthy enough to start.

That's just not a scenario I find especially likely :(