James Anderson criticism...Wow...

[Panthersfan704]

http://sports.yahoo....00000--nfl.html

Your guys thoughts?

So what makes a great NFL linebacker?

If your answer to that question is the number of tackles he registers, then James Anderson of the Carolina Panthers has been one of the best linebackers in the NFL over the past two seasons. With data taken from pro-football -reference.com (data here), Anderson's 270 combined tackles (solos plus assists) in 2010 and 2011 is sixth most in the league.

So does that make James Anderson a great linebacker?

Not exactly.

Throughout the 2011 season I analyzed each Panthers game looking for the "hidden plays" (tip of the cap to Gregg Easterbrook, the TMQ) that have a big impact on the game but do not show up in the box score or on Sports Center.

Here is my analysis of the key hidden plays from James Anderson's 2011 campaign:

The Good - James Anderson, 2011

Week 7: In a win against the Washington Redskins, the Panthers led 9-6 in the third quarter. The Redskins faced a 4th-and-2 and were out of field goal range so they went for the first down. James Anderson burst through the line and sacked quarterback John Beck for a 7 yard loss, giving the Panthers the ball near midfield, helping the Panthers to a victory.

Week 15: In a 28-13 victory against the Houston Texans, James Anderson came up with a big fourth quarter interception in the end zone. The Texans were inside the Panthers 10 yard line, so Anderson's interception took points off the board for Houston, helping to seal the Panthers victory.

The Bad - James Anderson , 2011

Week 6: In a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the score was tied 17-17 in the fourth quarter as Atlanta faced a big 3rd-and-6. Anderson tried to jam Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, lost his footing, and allowed Gonzalez to pick up 10-yards and a first down, extending a drive that gave Atlanta the go-ahead touchdown.

Week 8: Covering the tight end was an issue again in a loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Late in the third quarter the Panthers led 21-14. Minnesota had the ball, facing a 3rd-and-10. James Anderson dropped into zone coverage and gave Visanthe Shiancoe just enough space to pick up a first down, extending a drive that produced a game-tying touchdown five plays later.

Week 14: In the late-seaons loss to the Atlanta Falcons, James Anderson once again blew his coverage assignment. With 9:03 left in the third quarter the Panthers led 23-10. Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan dropped back to pass as James Anderson ended up in man coverage on running back Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers ran a wheel route, leaving Anderson in the dust and catching a 31-yard touchdown pass (

). The play cut the Panthers lead to six points, and Carolina ultimately lost the game.

Week 17: The loss to the New Orleans Saints* was brutal to James Anderson. In the first quarter he was burned for a TD pass to Marques Colston (3:27 mark here). Then, in the third quarter, the exact same thing happened when Anderson gave up a touchdown to tight end Jimmy Graham (1:17 mark here).

James Anderson - The Summary

Yes, James Anderson has been among the NFL's best tacklers over the last two years. However, as shown above, his coverage can be very suspect at times.

Being a great linebacker requires more than just tackles.

Hopefully, James Anderson will improve his pass coverage in 2012, enabling this good Panthers linebacker to become a great one.

[CRA]

JAG.

Tackles is like passing yards. Raw total doesn't tell much of a story.

JAG isn't the insult people like to pretend it is.

[jtnc]

No defensive tackle, and the other LB's were back-ups.

[Argus Plexus]

He is an above average linebacker, anyone who says otherwise is blind. I never said he was a Pro Bowler, but he is a baller and a player I feel comfortable with keeping moving forward.

[KillerKat]

He should be playing WLB since his coverage skills aren't that great. Kueckly should be the one at SLB. He's supposed to be our best cover LB.

[Guest Bwood]

JAG.

Tackles is like passing yards. Raw total doesn't tell much of a story.

JAG isn't the insult people like to pretend it is.

You don't watch the Panthers. I am convinced.

If you really think Anderson is just another linebacker that gets a couple of tackles a game, than I am thoroughly convinced you do not watch the Panthers.

There is no argument so don't even try to start one.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Everyone is subject to criticism.

[rayzor]

so we cherry pick rare plays in games where he was without much help at all from the rest of the front 7 and fugged up...really?

smh.

[CRA]

You don't watch the Panthers. I am convinced.

If you really think Anderson is just another linebacker that gets a couple of tackles a game, than I am thoroughly convinced you do not watch the Panthers.

There is no argument so don't even try to start one.

Okay. Let's play a game. Name a "neutral" reporter who follows Carolina that claims he is more than JAG.

I can name one who thinks he is JAG. That doesn't imply Gantt knows it all.....but if it wasn't an arguement like you claim you should be able to name one NON fan in the media who agrees with YOUR side.

Again, JAG isn't the insult some, like you, choose to pretend it is. Not everyone is special...and JAGs are important. Good teams fill the many spots studs don't occupy with JAGs.

Not endorsing guys as studs and special when they aren't.....isn't being a hater.

[Peppers90 NC]

Anderson is not a complete LB, but there are only a handful in the league that are. Hopefully we have two though, and JA does what he needs to do, which is clean up the mess. You can't list too many LBrs that are sure tacklers and then cover 6'6" TE's without needing help from over top. This article could be said for the same for about 95% of the LBrs in the league, minus the strong tackling skills.

[Montsta]

So don't put your Sam linebacker to cover the other teams #1, 6'5" speedy receiver? This news will revolutionize NFL defensive schemes for the next decade!

[Guest Bwood]

Okay. Let's play a game. Name a "neutral" reporter who follows Carolina that claims he is more than JAG.

I can name one who thinks he is JAG. That doesn't imply Gantt knows it all.....but if it wasn't an arguement like you claim you should be able to name one NON fan in the media who agrees with YOUR side.

Hahaha so you're argument is that because there are a lot of reporters that aren't aware of an underrated player from the Carolina Panthers??

Just terrible man, I'm so sick of wasting my time with your STUPID ass arguments. James Anderson is not "just another guy", he's a great defensive player that has been a tackling machine for this team, and last season especially he stepped up and made plays with a lot of his fellow players injured.

The fact that you try to take away from him being a good player for team is sickening. I have no idea why you call yourself a fan or why you waste your time posting negative poo on here. It blows my fuging mind.

[CRA]

Hahaha so you're argument is that because there are a lot of reporters that aren't aware of an underrated player from the Carolina Panthers??

Just terrible man, I'm so sick of wasting my time with your STUPID ass arguments. James Anderson is not "just another guy", he's a great defensive player that has been a tackling machine for this team, and last season especially he stepped up and made plays with a lot of his fellow players injured.

The fact that you try to take away from him being a good player for team is sickening. I have no idea why you call yourself a fan or why you waste your time posting negative poo on here. It blows my fuging mind.

You claimed it wasn't even an argument...

My simple request was to name ONE person who endorses him as more than a JAG.

Did you think Barrett Ruud was more than JAG in Tampa?

Again, raw tackles doesn't mean what some claim. Just like passing yards....a lot of meaningless numbers can be found that don't indicate good play. Can indicate simply being on a field and not sucking balls.

Not agreeing when you call James Anderson a GREAT defensive player makes me in touch with reality.....I didn't say he sucked. But you are talking homeristic nonsense. Beason is great when healthy.....TD is great when healthy.....Anderson? He ain't on par with great players.

[Chaos]

Welp, Anderson is garbage I guess. Who will we get to replace him now that this has come out? You think his locker is already cleaned out?