Panthers Lb Corps Packed With Potential-Yahoo! Sports Article.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Potential. A word we hear all the time. It's what makes a team give the opportunity to that one player. This time it's used to describe our beloved LB core. Arguably one of the best in the NFL if healthy.

Ron Rivera and coordinator Sean McDermott seem to be pleased with the potential for the unit to dramatically improve over 2011. Barring injuries -- and, granted, that's never a safe thing to do with the Carolina linebackers -- the unit could be pretty good.

The selection of Boston College star Luke Kuechly in the first round, with the return of three-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Jon Beason from an Achilles injury that limited him to one game last season, should provide the Panthers with plenty of flexibility. Onetime weak-side starter Thomas Davis is trying to come back from another ACL surgery on his right knee -- the third of his career and second in two seasons -- so he's still a long shot. But if Davis can overcome the knee woes to be even a situational player, he'll add to what could suddenly be a fairly deep position. And that's not taking into account James Anderson, who set a franchise record for tackles last season as the strongside starter.

Kuechly, who played primarily in the middle in college but was on the field for all three downs, seems to have taken pretty well to the weak spot. "He's really fast, not just in terms of running, but also in (smarts)," Beason said. Kuechly, who had seven interceptions in his college career, including three in each of his final two seasons, was regarded by many scouts as a three-down defender, and is clearly more than just a middle run-stuffer.

As long as one of those two returning LB's stay Healthy, Beason or Davis, I think this defense will be significantly better than last year.

[SIGCHI222]

Nice find. I had not read anything from Beason on his impression of Kuechly. That alone was worth the read.

[panthers55]

A nice change from all the bitching back in April when people said we had no need for Kuechly with Beason coming back. Imagine linebacking being a depth position again. Go figure.

Waits for bitchers and moaners to post more negative comments again.

[I am Hubby]

The more talented LBs we have, the more toys Rivera has to play with. I am giddy over the prospects of what Rivera and Mac are going to dream up.

I just have to believe that having a full off-season this year is going to make a huge difference on the D. Especially the OTAs where there are no pads. These are the teaching times which we so missed last year. The players may have known the playbook last year. The area they were lacking was the nuances of the play. And imo, it is important for players to know why and how a play is supposed to be run. Take it from the classroom to the field in a relaxed atmosphere. (I know these guys are not relaxed, but the atmosphere at OTAs is inducive to learning.)

See. Getting carried away again. But hey, why not? And GOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Panthro]

You won't find me complaining about him now that he's aboard. I hope he crushes it this year

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I just really hope Thomas Davis can stay healthy an entire year. That would be very awesome

[Riverboat Ron]

Hands down we have the best group of 4-3 LB's when healthy. Closest 4-3 group to us is Chicago with an aging Urlacher and Briggs with Nick Roach. Kuechly gives us a great tackler as well as solid coverage linebacker that is necessary in today's NFL to match up with athletic TE's and scat backs.

[PantherPhann89]

With Kuechly giving Davis a break, that will allow him to recover while he plays. This is a win win for them both.

[Ivan The Awesome]

With Kuechly giving Davis a break, that will allow him to recover while he plays. This is a win win for them both.

Indeed. Kuechly will learn from our vets. I'm glad the core is meshing together nicely. I wish the season would start tomorrow.

[Gallagher]

Nice to know Kuechly has Beason's seal of approval.

[SIGCHI222]

Indeed. Kuechly will learn from our vets. I'm glad the core is meshing together nicely. I wish the season would start tomorrow.

You know Ivan, I try hard to give you props, and you make good points, but Zahia's ass popping like that on every one of your posts just makes it hard to do anything else than move on to the next guy's post.

Granted, I move on 8 minutes later, but I move on...completely forgetting what you posted.

[cultclassiccat]

Loving the chemistry. This sh¡t is sexy! D is geln dr scholls.

[Icege]

<--- not jinxing the LBs this year by getting hyped during the offseason again

[PantherPhann89]

Indeed. Kuechly will learn from our vets. I'm glad the core is meshing together nicely. I wish the season would start tomorrow.