PFF says Kuechly is struggling in Coverage

[jtnc]

Rookie Trials

Lauded for his coverage skills coming out of Boston College, the performance of rookie linebacker Luke Kuechly again provided evidence that the NFL is quite the step up from college competition. Logging a negative grade in coverage for the eighth time this season, Kuechly allowed all six passes thrown into his coverage to be caught — four of them went for first downs — for 76 yards, and especially struggled covering Chiefs tight end Tony Moeaki. However, his struggles in the passing game shouldn’t overshadow his improvement in run defense. He notched six defensive stops — tied for the team-high — and demonstrated the quick play recognition that makes him such a great prospect. This was on display at 7:30 of the third quarter, when, at the snap, he exploded into the backfield to stop Peyton Hillis for a 5-yard loss

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/12/04/refo-panthers-chiefs-week-13/

[CRA]

I find it odd Rivera has referenced his scheme saying they intentionally are a aggressive run defense.

So if that is true.....he could be asking Luke to overplay the run.

Luke does appear to get sucked into play action....but I find it odd Rivera had responded before about teams attacking there aggreesive run D scheme

[Jackofalltrades]

Agree, Luke gets sucked in on play action pretty easily and I haven't been overly impressed with his coverage, like the VJax TD.

However, he's a rookie and has plenty of time to grow and learn. He's still a beast.

[KillerKat]

I've noticed this from Kuechly as well. His pass coverage is something he definately needs to work on.

[CRA]

I've noticed this from Kuechly as well. His pass coverage is something he definately needs to work on.

You do have to wonder if scheme plays into it.....bc in terms if being a coverage LB he was probably the best prospect in that regard in some time

[xtheronx]

You do have to wonder if scheme plays into it.....bc in terms if being a coverage LB he was probably the best prospect in that regard in some time

that .. and the shotty play of Nakamura .. imagine how he would have looked this year with an Ed Reed type player back there

Nakamura makes a lot of players around him look bad if you simply look at statistics .. if you watch the games you quickly realize a lot of the bad stats are rooted in his horrible play

as great as R Lewis is/was .. his stats would not be the same without Reed .. although he'd still be a great leader

A decent safety is huge for LB's and CB's .. and we've sucked for a while!

[mustangcat1]

There are very few linebackers in the NFL that are good in coverage.

[broseidon]

I find it odd Rivera has referenced his scheme saying they intentionally are a aggressive run defense.

So if that is true.....he could be asking Luke to overplay the run.

Luke does appear to get sucked into play action....but I find it odd Rivera had responded before about teams attacking there aggreesive run D scheme

Who is a "Run First Offense" in this league anymore?

[jtnc]

Yeah, Kuechly is a huge sucker for play-action, hell, the entire defense is.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

not worried.

[Rubi]

Who is a "Run First Offense" in this league anymore?

SF. Minnesota. Seattle. To name a few

[DaCityKats]

scheme may affect the playaction were he gets sucked up on, but some plays he is just getting beat on in coverage.

[Kuech the Sneak]

He was bad against the chiefs, moeaki killed him. He'll be fine though, imagine how good of a defense we could be if we addressed positions of need?

[DaCityKats]

and times he is in position to make a play but gets beat by the perfect pass or better offense.