Star + Short= playoffs

[frash.exe]

If the dline rotation is heavy (and given our personnel situation it very well could be) it's not going to matter who is technically penned in as a starter

[TheRumGone]

You're missing the point. The secondary is by far the weakest area of the defense, compared to every other area. Can that really be argued? That is all I am saying. This means it will most likely be exploited and the areas we put more weight into will have to make up for it. This isn't specific to the Panthers, all teams have a style and invest more into certain areas, clearly our investmen is in in 'big men' like Gettle said and we have powerhouses at LB and Dline, if what we put weight into doesn't hold, the weak areas will show, and we will probably lose because I don't see our secondary strong enough to cover legitimate threats. The key for us is getting to the QB, period. Compared to the talent in every other aspect of the Panthers defense, the secondary has in fact been neglected.Not saying it's bad, or was something they could have done different- just seeing it for what it is.

 

Also, wehther we have upgraded S and CB is yet to be seen and also it isn't hard to upgrade something that was extremeley below par in the first place. And depending on how you viewed Gamble's situraiont it could be argued otherwise. Still this defense's biggest weakness, teams will try to expose it and again, it's more up to our other players to ensure that doesnt happen rather than saying our secondary is good enough to handle it because they're not.

 

I get it though...preseason optimism, but lets not be in denile.

 

in theory we have upgraded the secondary, even though it is our weakness. Gettlemans plan is to build the trenches out. Which he has done. There is not much you can do in one offseason with our cap status to make this team fully well-rounded. It wasn't patchwork for the d-line it was building for the future. And in theory it should make our secondary better because we won't be running heavy cover 3 and we can utilize the height and strength of our corners with drayton and norman who are better at being physical, pressing than being in coverage which we often were to help out our abysmal run defense. If Star is anything close to as advertised his first year, which honestly with his brute strength and being so coachable i think he will be.  You are not thinking about how our schemes will change if Star is as advertised. That is why most of us here were so elated when we drafted the guy. Because the possiblities for our defense are endless when you don't have to worry about bringing another man down in the box to make up for a poor run defense.  Star's presence changes the way we run our defense, bottom line. and it helps our corners because it allows the corners we have to play to their strengths.

 

There is only so much you can do and you might as well start building that already pretty good defense. Imagine when we start drafting more talent in the secondary in the next couple of years, and have cap room to sign some talent.

 

[Cyberjag]

Star and Short aren't even guaranteed to be starting.  Right now Edwards and Cole are veterans who could easily start come opening day.  Edward's stats measure up well to most 3 techniques and Cole hasn't played in 2 years but has experience and was pretty effective when he did play the nose. We will be better even as the rookies gets reps and learn.  Keep in mind that Star was rated by many as the best DT in the draft so he might not need that much adjustment.  Short won't start ahead of Edwards but he gives us depth and the future at that position.

So I would disagree that regardless of how they play that the position has been neglected.  The position has been upgraded and should make the D line pretty good this year.  How good remains to be seen.

 

Very true.  Even if neither rookie starts, both provide quality depth and will likely get a lot of snaps.

 

And I'm not really worried about the secondary at all, they were just a bunch of guys last year too and did ok.  We may lack playmakers back there but if everyone just covers their assignments they should be pretty serviceable, particularly with the improved pass rush that fresher linemen should bring.

[panthers55]

in theory we have upgraded the secondary, even though it is our weakness. Gettlemans plan is to build the trenches out. Which he has done. There is not much you can do in one offseason with our cap status to make this team fully well-rounded. It wasn't patchwork for the d-line it was building for the future. And in theory it should make our secondary better because we won't be running heavy cover 3 and we can utilize the height and strength of our corners with drayton and norman who are better at being physical, pressing than being in coverage which we often were to help out our abysmal run defense. If Star is anything close to as advertised his first year, which honestly with his brute strength and being so coachable i think he will be.  You are not thinking about how our schemes will change if Star is as advertised. That is why most of us here were so elated when we drafted the guy. Because the possiblities for our defense are endless when you don't have to worry about bringing another man down in the box to make up for a poor run defense.  Star's presence changes the way we run our defense, bottom line. and it helps our corners because it allows the corners we have to play to their strengths.

 

There is only so much you can do and you might as well start building that already pretty good defense. Imagine when we start drafting more talent in the secondary in the next couple of years, and have cap room to sign some talent.

 

this^^^^^^^^

[Mother Grabber]

apparently, Short is looking good so far:

 

Coach Ron Rivera said second-round DT Kawann Short is a more explosive pass rusher than No. 14 overall pick Star Lotulelei right now.

"He has slither about him," Rivera said of Short. "He can get into the crease and turn his body, drop his shoulder and come off a blocker very smooth-like." The coach added that while Lotulelei reported to camp in good physical condition, Short showed up in better shape. With Star projecting as an impact run-stuffer and Short pushing the pocket, Carolina's front seven is finally looking up.

Related: Star Lotulelei

 

Source: Charlotte Observer

Jul 24 - 11:54 AM

 

[SCP]

If they pan out then yes I think we'll have a good shot at the playoffs. But you also have to remember that not too long ago some people were saying that Fua and McClain were going to hold down the DT spots for years to come.

I almost ordered a Fua jersey after the Giants preseason game his rookie year.

[Razeyfingers]

I almost ordered a Fua jersey after the Giants preseason game his rookie year.

 

You have a soft spot for big lazy guys for some reason. When youre watching a game do you root for whichever guy gives the least fugs?

 

Cmooon drag them feet off the field CMOOON  . . .HALF ASS IT! yeS!! yeS SIR! yessss cut some cheese and leave a lil for those guys on the field! Well done.

 

 

edit: to be fair, I really thought Otah would be special too.

[SCP]

You have a soft spot for big lazy guys for some reason. When youre watching a game do you root for whichever guy gives the least fugs?

Cmooon drag them feet off the field CMOOON . . .HALF ASS IT! yeS!! yeS SIR! yessss cut some cheese and leave a lil for those guys on the field! Well done.

edit: to be fair, I really thought Otah would be special too.

Fua played good in that game. Then he started sucking ass in the 2nd preseason game. The rest is history.

[Chief Keek]

I almost ordered a Fua jersey after the Giants preseason game his rookie year.

 

Buying a Fua jersey ever.

 

[SCP]

Damn straight