Top 10 Players We Can't Afford To Lose To Injury Next Year.

[TruCatzFan]

He's the second defender on my list... And honestly, I think having a shut down corner in Gamble is more valuable.

We could argue about this all day and night... Hopefully all of our guys stay healthy, if not I hope the competition that's been brought in, and that still will be brought in can rise to the occasion.

Overall, as funny as this may sound... Behind the LB corps, I think our second strongest position is DT... I mean think of the rotation and rest that these guys will get. This hasn't been brought up yet, but it will come to light sooner rather than later. Those guys up front are going to stay fresh, and that will win us a few games this coming year.

[Mage]

He's the second defender on my list... And honestly, I think having a shut down corner in Gamble is more valuable.

We could argue about this all day and night... Hopefully all of our guys stay healthy, if not I hope the competition that's been brought in, and that still will be brought in can rise to the occasion.

Overall, as funny as this may sound... Behind the LB corps, I think our second strongest position is DT... I mean think of the rotation and rest that these guys will get. This hasn't been brought up yet, but it will come to light sooner rather than later. Those guys up front are going to stay fresh, and that will win us a few games this coming year.

Gamble would probably be in my top 3 as well. Newton, Johnson, and Gamble when considering skill of those players and the depth behind them. I'd probably be Johnson above him but could understand someone else disagreeing with that.

It wasn't moreso to you as it was in general. I've found that Johnson really doesn't get much due around here but he's been great these past two years. Nothing against Smitty because I love him but I don't think losing him would hurt worse than Johnson would. At least we'd still have Double Trouble, Olsen, LaFell, Gettis, and Newton at QB.

[KillerKat]

Gross wouldn't be a significant loss and we would be able to deal with his loss more than other positions.

Lafell would hurt, but we would be able to deal with losing him without a significant drop off.

And I don't think losing a rookie would hurt us that much. Kuechly hasn't proven anything yet.

My top 10 would be:

1: Cam Newton - Our franchise QB, so we probably would be lucky to win 2-3 games if we lose him.

2: Chris Gamble - Our #1 CB in a weak defensive backfield with a lot of question marks

3: Jon Beason - The leader of the defense and best LB on the team. Would be a huge loss

4. Ryan Kalil - Basically the best interior lineman we have right now. Hangartner got blown up last year and the rookie is unproven. So losing him would set us back significantly.

5. Reggie Smith - We cannot have Martin starting this year at all.

6. Steve Smith - Cam's favorite target. Losing a young QB's favorite target in his sophmore season would hurt. We could probably deal, but would lose a deep threat.

7. Greg Olsen - Another of Cam's favorite targets. Also Barnidge has done nothing in the NFL and nobody knows what he can do.

8. Charles Johnson - Our best defensive lineman on a line with question marks at the DT position and with Greg Hardy. However, Applewhite and Keiser have shown they can play at a high level so we could still get production at that position if we lose Johnson.

9. James Anderson - Our most reliable LB on the team. We could be decent with Senn or Jason Williams. Possibly Davis if he's still on the team and healthy.

10. Ron Edwards - We're putting all our hope into this guy who has been average his whole career. Losing him may not be a significant loss, but being average is still a ton better than the way the DTs played last season.

[Ivan The Awesome]

If we lose Smith for whatever reason, I think we'll be fine. It will give the other young guys an opportunity. Not saying that I want to lose Smith either.

Also, don't you think you're a little premature on the Kuechly pick? I love the guy and all, but he hasn't played a down yet. Don't know if he should be in this list just yet.

[SN03]

1 Cam Newton

2 Chris Gamble

3 Charles Johnson

4 Jon Beason

5 Ryan Kalil

6 Steve Smith

7 Jordan Gross

8 Charles Godfrey

9 Greg Olsen

10 Ron Edwards

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

1. Cam, obvious reasons.

2. Steve. It'd be damn hard to play without Steve, although it'd be nice to see good looks at our other receivers.

3. Gamble.

4. Beason. We saw the linebacker struggles last year.

5. Kalil.

6. Anderson. Read #4 for an explanation.

[Argus Plexus]

I agree with OP

[Marguide]

First, for SNO3, Kunalic is already gone. He was cut a few months back.

I would hate to lose Cam. We would have to change our playcalling a lot. But I think DA would do okay for a few games if necessary.

Gross or Gamble would hurt more than most think.

Smitty is critical imo.

[Mage]

1. Cam, obvious reasons.

2. Steve. It'd be damn hard to play without Steve, although it'd be nice to see good looks at our other receivers.

3. Gamble.

4. Beason. We saw the linebacker struggles last year.

5. Kalil.

6. Anderson. Read #4 for an explanation.

Come on now. Losing Anderson would not be worse than losing Johnson. Same for the person who had Olsen above him.

Johnson is really underrated around here. I don't know why. But man. I mean, he's 12th in sacks (8th among ends) the past two years despite the worst DT play and no legitimate rusher across or beside him unlike some, if not most, of the rushers ahead of him. 8th in tackles among ends. 10 stuffs last year, which is a lot more than I've seen from all of the ends I've looked at thus far (there isn't an official ranking on it so I can't say for sure if he's 1st in that stat or not). He's a gamer. Extremely versatile. I don't know what else to say about the guy that shouldn't be already known. I just don't understand how losing Anderson, who while solid, would be worse than losing a great defensive end in Johnson.

[Seal (SmittyIsOurSavior)]

Come on now. Losing Anderson would not be worse than losing Johnson. Same for the person who had Olsen above him.

I think CJ is overrated. Simple as. He puts on pressure somewhat often, but it seems like he's not even there too much. Plus I can't recall him being a good run stopper either.

[CatMan72]

1. Cam

2. Smitty

3. Gamble

4. CJ

5. Gross

6. Beason (again)

7. Kalil

8. Olsen

The last two for me were a tie between 5 or 6 guys so I decided to leave them off.

[CatMan72]

Come on now. Losing Anderson would not be worse than losing Johnson. Same for the person who had Olsen above him.

Johnson is really underrated around here. I don't know why. But man. I mean, he's 12th in sacks (8th among ends) the past two years despite the worst DT play and no legitimate rusher across or beside him unlike some, if not most, of the rushers ahead of him. 8th in tackles among ends. 10 stuffs last year, which is a lot more than I've seen from all of the ends I've looked at thus far (there isn't an official ranking on it so I can't say for sure if he's 1st in that stat or not). He's a gamer. Extremely versatile. I don't know what else to say about the guy that shouldn't be already known. I just don't understand how losing Anderson, who while solid, would be worse than losing a great defensive end in Johnson.

Yup, without CJ we have no consistent pass rush.

[CRA]

1 Cam Newton

2 Chris Gamble

3 Charles Johnson

4 Jon Beason

5 Ryan Kalil

6 Steve Smith

7 Jordan Gross

8 Charles Godfrey

9 Greg Olsen

10 Ron Edwards

Steve Smith is way to low IMO. Godfrey way to high. In fact, Godfrey going down could make the D better. Smitty definitely goes above Beason

[panther4life]

For those that left Gross off their list or seem to think we could get around losing him, whats your contigency plan for replacing him if he goes down?

Wharton was okay as a fill in at LT, Bell could not even handle RT last year. Otah is a good run blocker but pass blocking is def. not his strong suit, hes not even guranteed the RT job over Bell right now according to Rivera. That leaves us with this Campbell kid from Oakland who has no experience,Lee Ziemba, who may not even make the team, or Gary Williams. Otherwise we would have to kick a guard out there and I am not confident in any of them out their either.

I will say this Silatolu played LT in college and had he shown us something then maybe I would consider him there but I'm not taking a chance with him there right now.