"Luke Kuechly defines what a freak is."

[iamhubby1]

Man, I love the multiquote button.

Mel Kiper on Sport Center debating with Todd McShay and Colin Cowherd on greatest physical freak.  Wish I could find the video.

You didn't need the video. This thread took off without it.

 

 

I love Keek, and he's arguably the best MLB right now, but I've never really thought of him as a physical freak...  

 

He's more of a combo of athleticism and football acumen to me...

Smooth, that is it. Throwing that 250lbs around under controlled rage. He is one of the biggest guys on the field, yet he plays with a grace that belies his athletic ability.

He looks so good, because he is that good. Great athlete with maven skills. Freak to me.

Thomas Davis is more of a freak than Kuechly imo. Even at 30.

Good enough to me. The only difference to me is that Thomas is a full grown beast. Luke is still developing. Next camp he will show up fully grown. That Keek is going to be a beast. Right now TD is Alpha, next year Keek starts his rein.

I had an ex girlfriend that was a real freak.  In a good way.

I met one of those 20+ years ago. Been together since the day we met. I really fell lucky to be alive. Maybe that is why I'm so optimistic. Just glad to be alive.

 

 

Darin Gantt most accurately described Thomas Davis IMO....he is too quick and powerful for his body to handle it.

Davis IMO is the most physically talented LB in Panther history.

Luke has has great physical talent....but his instincts and film work make his game special along with the physics aspect

The only thing I would add to the TD/Keek comparison would be the stage of development. TD is a bad man. Keek is going to be a "really" bad man.

 

 

Willis vs Luke combine:

 

Willis

ht 6-1

wt 242

40 low 4.48 40 time 4.51

20 yard 2.62

10 yard 1.53

225 lb bench 22

vertical 39

broad jump 9-11

20 yard shuttle 4.46

3 cone 7.23

 

Luke

ht 6-3

wt 242

40 low 4.49 40 time 4.58

20 yard 2.59

10 yard 1.56

225 lb bench 27

vertical 38

broad jump 10-3

20 yard shuttle 4.12

3 cone 6.92

Somebody has to be "That guy", props for stepping up.

 

 

I think those two are synonymous in this context

 

The media scouting community collectively came when Luke went ruckshaw on Baltimore in preseason this year. There is so much groupthink with stuff like that and everyone was watching. That one strip fumble TD play was enough to cement Luke as a freak.

You are correct sir. Folks were still drooling over last year when Keek balled out on the Ravens. The Legend began.

 

 

Kuechly's brain and fundamentals far outweigh his physical attributes. Same with most MLB's

Boo on you sir. Comparing Keek with every other MLB. Keek be the best, by a wide margin. We talin' HOFer here. If you want to be as good as Keek, you had better be a freak. So hence, by osmosis, Keek be a freak.

 

 

If you have the choice of being hit by Willis, Thomas Davis and Luke 10 times......who would you prefer hit you?   I would imagine that plays into it.  Panther players have specifically talked about the power Thomas Davis can generate in two steps and unleash.  Luke can't do that like Davis.

 

that ability to thump and unleash on someone....factors in to this discussion I would believe.

TD can finish as well as ANYONE. Ain't no denying that. But if Keek hits you, you don't go forward. And Keek brings a bigger pay-load to the equation.

TD be the man. At the moment. Next year, IMO, Keek takes over that role. Or at least in Pantherland. As Keek already be the man around the league.

Still great to have both of em'.

[CRA]

Btw, you can say Cam is a lot faster than what his combine numbers show, and you could say the same for Davis.

Combine numbers only mean so much....

Football speed and football play is often a different thing

Lots of WRs have great combines....doesn't mean they are the most athletic football players at their positions. Combines have almost turned into a unique science

[csx]

Calvin Johnson is a freak. Peppers was a freak.

[Marguide]

As others have pointed out, the things that makes Kuechly a freak are his instincts and reaction time.

 

And as to combine numbers vs. athleticism, Luck's numbers may be pretty much the same as Cam's, but that doesn't mean he is even on the same plane as Newton when it comes to open field running.  Luck is a good runner. Cam is a great runner.

[beastson]

I like to say, S.S having a higher vertical than Cam is freakish. A 5'9 receiver with a 39 inch vertical? Sick

[CRA]

As others have pointed out, the things that makes Kuechly a freak are his instincts and reaction time.

And as to combine numbers vs. athleticism, Luck's numbers may be pretty much the same as Cam's, but that doesn't mean he is even on the same plane as Newton when it comes to open field running. Luck is a good runner. Cam is a great runner.

Good point with the Luck vs Newton. At the combine they measure up pretty equal.....on a football field Newton shows he more athletic. Not that Luck isn't but Newton is special in that regard

[csx]

I like to say, S.S having a higher vertical than Cam is freakish. A 5'9 receiver with a 39 inch vertical? Sick

Height has nothing to do with your vertical.

[Jackofalltrades]

Height has nothing to do with your vertical.

Nope and one thing Smitty definitely has is lower body explosion.

[beastson]

Height has nothing to do with your vertical.

 

I know that, but how many 5'9 people you see can dunk a basketball?

[Jackofalltrades]

Spud Webb is one of my all time favorites athletes.

[Beast_3000]

Good point with the Luck vs Newton. At the combine they measure up pretty equal.....on a football field Newton shows he more athletic. Not that Luck isn't but Newton is special in that regard

I agree, I think Luck moves around in the pocket better right now though. I think Cam will continue to improve in that area. Luck has a few years more years experience against adequate competition .

[dksmith17]

Luke's athleticism is under appreciated in this thread in general

 

He has elite explosiveness and closing speed.

 

 

If you just watch the ball like most fans do it is not as apparent because hetends to wrap up when he tackles rather than hit. If you watch every snap from the LBs view it is apparent.

[g5jamz]

TD was the best LB I think we'd ever had with his athleticism, speed, and hard hitting.  Couple of TD's hits have actually put people out of the NFL permanently.  Sucks I know...but the kid from Green Bay that he exposed his spinal issue...that was post-TD hit on a kickoff return.  TD was used so much in the wrong way when he started here due to the lack of talent in other positions.  He's in the perfect spot now.  Then along comes Keek.  He's deceivingly athletic due to the way he moves.  It's the smoothness that disguises his power.  Some guys can bring it but look a bit out of control doing it.  Not Keek.  Just watch the Sports Science bit on him his draft year.  I was sold.  Willis got a lot of accolades based on his build and quickness.  Two inches shorter yet same weight.  Willis is a stump.  Keek doesn't look like that build.  He's actually got a neck.  Again...makes his athleticism deceiving. 

 

We're very fortunate to have TD/Keek on the same squad.  We just need to solidify that third LB spot and maybe some upgrades in the secondary and our D will be even better than it already is. 

[Kyle82]

Awesome article in this weeks Sports Illustrated on Keek!!