Who's Going To Play Olb, Beason Or Kuechly

[CRA]

I think it's important to remember how Jon Beason came into the league. Jon came in and was a MLB at Miami. Dan Morgan was "healthy" so we played Beason outside. Once Dan showed that he couldn't hold up, we moved Beason inside. I think this is the likely case here, and Beason has to understand that his role is now reversed. I think if Jon proves that he can handle the responsibility of the middle after coming back from such a devastating injury, then he will stay there. If not, we have Kuechly. Even if Jon doesn't have the range to play the middle this season, he is still the leader of the defense when he is healthy. There is no questioning that.

Jim Johnson's 4-3 often asks the WLB to drop into coverage anyway, so Kuechly will fit the bill in this scenario. Not that we have to stick to the traditional JJ defense, but that is often what he asked of his WLB.

We drafted Kuechly to extend Davis' and Beason's careers. The important thing is that they play when 100%, not be relied on to come in and play ASAP, like we did with Beason last year (still SMH we let him come back so soon). Kuechly is going to bring stability to a position, and allow us to keep our other linebackers off the field until they are ready.

Beason was a OLB at Miami. Drafted to play OLB at Carolina.

Only reason why he looked bad in 2010 was bc of lack of reps at the spot and playing with MLB roles in his head.

Also, moving Beason isn't a knock on his leadership or demotion in that aspect

[Ivan The Awesome]

Where's the "Too early to say.", Option?

[mwright350]

It's entirely too early to speculate but since early speculation is what the internet is all about ....

... all things being equal I'd say Beason goes outside and Kuechly plays middle. The extra height on Kuechly makes that decision for me.

That is, of course, only with all things being equal. If it turns out there is a huge gap in talent between the two I think Beason stays put.

[PantherPhann89]

Loyalty is overated when it comes to building a football team.

If Beason is 80-90% in 2012.....Luke should be MLB most likely. If Beason is his old self then he keeps it. But if Luke sees the position for significant time....Beason IMO likely will never see it again.

Everyone loves Beason bc he has been our guy.

When people get to know Luke....they will just want the best man on the field

Beason is our man b/c he's the man. Kuechly is a rook and will not replace a beast like Beason. Beason is our defensive leader and I have a hard time understanding how FANS can be ready to move him b/c of a draft pick. Kuechly haven't even stepped on the field yet. I think that Beason deserves a little more respect, speak of moving him if he shows that he needs to be moved, not just b/c we signed a rook.

[XClown1986]

Beason was a OLB at Miami. Drafted to play OLB at Carolina.

Only reason why he looked bad in 2010 was bc of lack of reps at the spot and playing with MLB roles in his head.

Also, moving Beason isn't a knock on his leadership or demotion in that aspect

You're right he was an OLB at Miami. I do remember when we drafted him though that there were questions about moving Dan Morgan outside and letting Beason play MLB, that way Morgan wouldn't take as many "big hits".

In any case, having Kuechly on the field beside a healthy Beason is the ultimate goal. No matter who ends up in the middle. I really would like Beason to come back 100%, but the odds are stacked against him.

[xerxes]

I don't understand why people think a less than 100 percent Beason makes sense on the outside. It seems to me the WILL position needs more speed and coverage ability not less, especially given the TEs in our division.

At MLB, we could limit how much Beason has to drop into coverage and focus more on going downhill. Heck, Jeremiah Trotter was a pro-bowler under the JJ defense, and he couldn't cover worth squat.

Any I missing something about how these linebacker positions work? (not sarcasm, I would really like someone with more football knowledge to explain it).

[CRA]

Beason is our man b/c he's the man. Kuechly is a rook and will not replace a beast like Beason. Beason is our defensive leader and I have a hard time understanding how FANS can be ready to move him b/c of a draft pick. Kuechly haven't even stepped on the field yet. I think that Beason deserves a little more respect, speak of moving him if he shows that he needs to be moved, not just b/c we signed a rook.

I said that, we love Beason bc he has been a beast in a Carolina uniform. If Luke is what he projects to be.....people will soon love him as well.

That is the thing....it is not disrespect.

like I said if Beason is 80-90% this year....Luke likely will be the MLB.

Playing MLB or OLB has nothing to do with what he brings in terms of leadership. If he plays OLB due to Luke fitting better bc of skill, Beasons injury or whatever.....that doesn't also serve notice Beason has been demoted as leader.

[ItsPantone278]

Doesn't matter imo. I'll leave it for the coaches to figure. Is imagine there will be some shuffle, but we are in a very good situation at LB if both players are healthy. I'm very excited about LK.

[CRA]

I don't understand why people think a less than 100 percent Beason makes sense on the outside. It seems to me the WILL position needs more speed and coverage ability not less, especially given the TEs in our division.

At MLB, we could limit how much Beason has to drop into coverage and focus more on going downhill. Heck, Jeremiah Trotter was a pro-bowler under the JJ defense, and he couldn't cover worth squat.

Any I missing something about how these linebacker positions work? (not sarcasm, I would really like someone with more football knowledge to explain it).

makes more sense than having him play MLB at 80-90%.

But to answer your question, I dont think we know. Rivera admitted last year they flat out couldn't run there scheme or try to.....so we don't really know if he is going to run a true jj43 or a variation of something......we know he plans to blitz and last year really gives us no insight.

Mike in the traditional JJ43 does get the zone coverage responsibility in the middle of the field most often......but also blitzes his gap often. Niether has been asked to do much of that.....Luke seems to be better suited playing coverage down the middle where LBs are generally picked on by TEs

[XClown1986]

I don't understand why people think a less than 100 percent Beason makes sense on the outside. It seems to me the WILL position needs more speed and coverage ability not less, especially given the TEs in our division.

At MLB, we could limit how much Beason has to drop into coverage and focus more on going downhill. Heck, Jeremiah Trotter was a pro-bowler under the JJ defense, and he couldn't cover worth squat.

Any I missing something about how these linebacker positions work? (not sarcasm, I would really like someone with more football knowledge to explain it).

It really depends on how we use the defense. We could funnel plays to the WLB, allowing them to play downhill while the MLB will hang back and play sideline to sideline while covering the deep third. Or we could let the MLB play downhill while the WLB will be responsible for the runningback, tightend, or slot receiver depending on formation. It's just about philosophy and finding a way to hide your weaknesses.

[xerxes]

makes more sense than having him play MLB at 80-90%.

But to answer your question, I dont think we know. Rivera admitted last year they flat out couldn't run there scheme or try to.....so we don't really know if he is going to run a true jj43 or a variation of something......we know he plans to blitz and last year really gives us no insight.

Mike in the traditional JJ43 does get the zone coverage responsibility in the middle of the field most often......but also blitzes his gap often. Niether has been asked to do much of that.....Luke seems to be better suited playing coverage down the middle where LBs are generally picked on by TEs

Thanks.

Based on what you and XClown said, I'm still convinced it makes more sense to keep Beason inside.

We can adjust the scheme to account for him not being at 100% (not saying he will be, but it seems likely with his injury), but I feel Beason would be a better QB for the defense than Kuechly at this point in their careers.

At this point, it's all just guesswork anyway. We'll see what the coaching staff thinks come game time. As Rivera said, "I could imagine a scenario where Beason plays outside, and I can also imagine a scenario where Beason stays inside." (paraphrased from post-draft press conference).

[pantherclaw]

I'm just glad the decision is not ours to make.

[PantherPhann89]

I said that, we love Beason bc he has been a beast in a Carolina uniform. If Luke is what he projects to be.....people will soon love him as well.

That is the thing....it is not disrespect.

like I said if Beason is 80-90% this year....Luke likely will be the MLB.

Playing MLB or OLB has nothing to do with what he brings in terms of leadership. If he plays OLB due to Luke fitting better bc of skill, Beasons injury or whatever.....that doesn't also serve notice Beason has been demoted as leader.

My statement was said b/c I felt that what I read was lack of loyality/disrespect, if it was not something that you said and or implied, then my statement was not meant for you. However you responded. Even at 80%, me as a Phann would not assume that a rookie would take Jon Beason spot.

[CRA]

My statement was said b/c I felt that what I read was lack of loyality/disrespect, if it was not something that you said and or implied, then my statement was not meant for you. However you responded. Even at 80%, me as a Phann would not assume that a rookie would take Jon Beason spot.

At 80% a lot of people would be better than Beason....makes him more of a James Anderson caliber player.

Luke may not know the mental aspect like Beason but a rookie Luke likely can go sideline to sideline much better and cover better than a 80% Beason.