Luke Kuechly: Leader of Men (Edit: Officially the NFL Leader in Tackle's)

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

So Jon Beason goes down in week four and everyone wonders what happens, insert Luke Kuechly. Kuechly, who everyone knew was a machine when it came to chasing down running backs; proved he could do much more then that this year.

Kuechly became the unquestionable leader of the defense this season and with Thomas Davis, Jon Beason, and James Anderson as his mentors; he has become one of the better linebacker's in the NFL. Kuechly in just one year is already drawing comparison's to Patrick Willis (the man whose record he he just failed to break this year).

The real story lies in what happened when Kuechly was moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker.

In the 12 games that Kuechly has played the middle linebacker position, the Panthers defense ranks fourth and for the first time since 2009 the Panthers will have a top ten defense (8th).

Kuechly while elevating the game of others on the defensive side of the ball, also elevated his own game. Luke is a leading candidate for defensive rookie of the year and finished the season with a league high 164 tackle's. This marks the first time that a rookie has led the league in tackle's since Patrick Willis did so with 174 tackle's.

In week 16, Kuechly had a career game with 16 tackle's (11 of them solo) as the Panthers went on to shock the Falcons and Kuechly went on to garner NFC Defensive Player of the week honors.

That's not all the accolades that the young stud linebacker has accumulated. Luke has a league high three games of 15+ tackles (the next closest is one) and he also has a league high 10 games of 10+ tackles.

Rivera said this on Kuechly: “We did a rookie camp right after the draft and he was heads and shoulders above everybody so when we got started with the veterans coming in we knew we could put him with the first bunch and he would fit right in."

Not only has Kuechly fit right in, but he has cemented himself as the Panthers defensive leader for seasons to come.

The Panthers have struck gold with Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly in these past two drafts, finding the leader of their offense and defense in both drafts and with the future trending upward; nothing but great things are expected from these two in the future.

Note: Luke Kuechly finished with 164 tackle's (103 solo, 61 assisted), 1 sack, 11 stuffs, 2 interceptions, and 8 passes defended.

Thank You for a Good Season and Great Future Luke

[Salvo]

word

He'll be a cornerstone to Panther defenses for the next decade or so. Hopefully he stays healthy.

[Fox007]

He may finish as the leading tackler in the NFL this season and won't win the DROY or make the pro bowl....

[chknwing]

you know thats an interesting way to look at the past 2 drafts. Finding a leader for offense and defense.

[Mr. Scot]

Excited for his future.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

He may finish as the leading tackler in the NFL this season and won't win the DROY or make the pro bowl....

Debatable, coaches will know what he has done for the Panthers more than the media.

Also if you judge a player off of Pro Bowl's then you are just asking to be disappointed unless your team plays in a big market.

Nonetheless, Kuechly does have a shot at the Pro Bowl if the 49ers manage to find a way to New Orleans (Bowman and Willis are locked in as starters for the Pro Bowl but if they manage to go to the Super Bowl, Kuechly would get in as the fourth alternate).

[Fox007]

Debatable, coaches will know what he has done for the Panthers more than the media.

Also if you judge a player off of Pro Bowl's then you are just asking to be disappointed unless your team plays in a big market.

Nonetheless, Kuechly does have a shot at the Pro Bowl if the 49ers manage to find a way to New Orleans (Bowman and Willis are locked in as starters for the Pro Bowl but if they manage to go to the Super Bowl, Kuechly would get in as the fourth alternate).

Still, his name should be at the forefront of those conversations.

No one judges people by pro bowls but he still deserves it.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Still, his name should be at the forefront of those conversations.

No one judges people by pro bowls but he still deserves it.

Yeah without a doubt, I agree 100%; I guess we'll just have to play the waiting game.

[Mr. Scot]

Sucks for Beason, but that's football.

[DOMOMAN]

Can't shake my Dan Morgan memories, please Luke be less fragile

[ShutDwn]

Can't shake my Dan Morgan memories, please Luke be less fragile

Luke plays in control more than Morgan did.

you know thats an interesting way to look at the past 2 drafts. Finding a leader for offense and defense.

That's how I've seen it. The next draft should be about building the lines to help them dominate and protect them. Give Newton time and he doesn't throw many picks.

I think the defense has an identity now, too. No more "sit back and react", now they're actually attacking the offense. That says a lot about the trust of the coaches. They're capable of making plays and changing the game. Last week it was Keek, this week it was Godfrey. The defensive ends have produced so many sack fumbles as well.

[Montsta]

Crazy that Luke has lead the league in tackles in every league he has played in for going on 15 years now. Pop Warner, high school, college, pros.

Born to be a linebacker.

[xav8tor]

He may finish as the leading tackler in the NFL this season and won't win the DROY or make the pro bowl....

Looks to me like he easily had top total tackles. Through today's games no one close to him had half as many tackles as Luke got today in NO.

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

Wanted to bump this real quick to give the final tally.

1. Luke Kuechly: 164 tackle's

2. NaVorro Bowman: 149 tackle's