Edwards/Edwards compared to McClain/Fua

[bLACKpANTHER]

Your opening day starting DTs:

2012

D.Edwards - 225 tkl, 5.5 sacks, 2 FF, 2 INT,

R.Edwards - 192 tkl, 15.5 sacks, 3 FF

2011

McClain - 19 tkl, 0 sacks, 0 FF

Fua - 9 tkl, 0 sacks, 0 FF

the difference in the middle of our defense is going to be the biggest change from last year to this year..

people are overlooking the moved we made.. Dwan and Ron will vastly make a difference when it comes to run stopping and keeping the Oline off Beason, Keek and Anderson for sure

[YoungPanthers89]

Put dwan at cb

[bleys]

2 vets >>>>>> 2 rookies

[Rubi]

Too bad Dwan and Ron aren't younger. This position will be an issue 2 years from now. Hurney whiffed on McClain and Fua. Please SEC DTs from now on please

[rayzor]

Too bad Dwan and Ron aren't younger. This position will be an issue 2 years from now. Hurney whiffed on McClain and Fua. Please SEC DTs from now on please

i think the answer will still be vet DTs. too risky to draft early. takes too long to develop. i'd rather us focus attention elsewhere and just keep on trying to bring in good solid experienced vet DTs.

[Gallagher]

Too bad Dwan and Ron aren't younger. This position will be an issue 2 years from now. Hurney whiffed on McClain and Fua. Please SEC DTs from now on please

Eh, Fua might develop into something. I do agree though, that we'll need to use a high round draft pick on a DT in the next 2-3 years.

[Marguide]

While it's contrary to the overall philosophy of building through the draft, I think I agree with those that want to fill the DT positions through mid-level FA's.

Look at it this way...both Neblett and Kearse are better than McClain, and they didn't cost us draft picks. Neither Dwan nor Ron cost us picks or big salaries, and they are proven players in the league. Superstars? No. But they have shown they can get the job done.

We could have used those 3rd rounders on a CB or a RG. DT's just have too high of a bust rate and are hard to project. And while the jury is still out on Fua, it would not surprise me at all if he is next year's surprise cut.

We should see much better results this years with the Edwards boys, and I really like that we are getting some size up front. Maybe there has been a lesson learned in all this, albeit a costly one.

[rayzor]

Eh, Fua might develop into something. I do agree though, that we'll need to use a high round draft pick on a DT in the next 2-3 years.

if we draft one based on need we're going to be drafting a bust.

the ONLY way we need to be drafting a DT early is if it's clearly the BPA.

[mj4life]

if we draft one based on need we're going to be drafting a bust.

the ONLY way we need to be drafting a DT early is if it's clearly the BPA.

yeah the thinking that we have to draft a dt high is flawed IMO, we just shouldn't become complacent, the edwards can hold it down for a couple of seasons while guys like kearse,fua & neblett learn & develop while also bringing other players via free agency & the draft to challenge for roster spots & playing time

[Lumps]

i think the answer will still be vet DTs. too risky to draft early. takes too long to develop. i'd rather us focus attention elsewhere and just keep on trying to bring in good solid experienced vet DTs.

I agree for now but eventually the Panthers will have to groom their own DT. Just hoping solid vets to come in every two years seems kind of a shaky plan to me. We should at least have someone who is suppose to be 'up and coming'. Hurney isn't doing too well with the DTs, or whoever, I saw keep the vets but don't give up on selecting a DT to 'raise'. I hope to see more DT selections, Vets are nice but they can be utilized even more if you can get them to teach the game to some youngins'.

[rayzor]

yeah the thinking that we have to draft a dt high is flawed IMO, we just shouldn't become complacent, the edwards can hold it down for a couple of seasons while guys like kearse,fua & neblett learn & develop while also bringing other players via free agency & the draft to challenge for roster spots & playing time

i wouldn't be opposed to trading for one. trade pick or two to get your DT. better use of it, imo, than trying to draft one.

[rayzor]

I agree for now but eventually the Panthers will have to groom their own DT. Just hoping solid vets to come in every two years seems kind of a shaky plan to me. We should at least have someone who is 'up and coming'. Hurney isn't doing too well with the DTs, or whoever, I saw keep the vets but don't give up on selecting a DT to 'raise'. I hope to see more DT selections.

i agree about trying to get one that is up and coming. i wouldn't have a problem trading for one at all. maybe not a first or a second...well...maybe a 2nd, but preferably a 3rd or a combo of a couple late picks.

[KDawg004]

I like that it's looking like a strong draft for DT and also some nice FA's that shouldn't break the bank. We should be able to have a solid stable after this offseason.

[carolina-chuck]

Its sure nice to hear the two Edwards are our two starting DTs this year. How nice it is. I'm more optimistic going into this season knowing our Dline is going to be a lot better.

We should be vastly improved from last year scrubs. Big year on the Dline this year!!!!!!!

Go Edwards!!!!!!!!!!!!!