Core Players

[mbarbour21]

Cam

Tolbert

Kalil

Keek

CJ

Star

Mitchell

Gano

3 Offense, 4 defense (most important IMO), & 1 ST

[KendrickPanther]

Cam

Tolbert

Kalil

CJ

Kuechly

TD

Star

 

Mike Mitchell is not a core player. He's not a great FS. He brings attitude to our defense but from a talent and performance standpoint he is very average.

[Argus Plexus]

Cam

Kalil

Olsen

Silatolu

Gross

Smitty

Tolbert

Luke

TD

Johnson

Hardy

Lotulelei

Mitchell

Gano

Jansen

Those 15 make this team what it is.

[the_philosopher]

I could see Gettlemen cutting and/or not resigning some of our favorite players going into next year.

[dugbug]

Crazy we have Mitchell considered by some as a core player. Would have never thought that when we picked him up. And he is young too

[OneBadCat]

KK is a core player in my opinion. He's going to be a top DT too. Gano is also a core guy.

 

Also since we haven't had another WR be a game changer or an excellent KR in years I also consider Tedd Ginn a core player now. He and Gano have been two of the biggest differences on the team

[PghPanther]

Most of what you all said.........................but there is something about Tolbert.

When he breaks through the line into the secondary he is easily the most feared runner in all the NFL........

I would have nightmares as a safety or corner if I was in a position where I would have to collide with him to bring him down.

[PhillyB]

define core.

 

guys that are core members of the team right now?

 

guys that you'd build around assuming they'll be here the next decade?

 

 

[panthers55]

define core.

 

guys that are core members of the team right now?

 

guys that you'd build around assuming they'll be here the next decade?

This^^^^^

 

Really depends as you say on exactly how a core player is defined.  Mitchell is a big reason we are so tough in the secondary so he is a core player in this defense this year. He is definitely worth keeping at a good price.  He is our Ed Reed.

 

And of course Hardy is a very core player but not at any price. I think that Hardy will want to be here if we keep playing as well as we are on defense and make the playoffs. He will tell his agent to make a deal that makes him rich while letting him continue to do his thing. Because it feels good to be a Carolina Panther.  Just ask Steve Smith.

But really how many of the guys on the defensive side do we need to replace or upgrade?  We have the second best unit in the game right now.  And our system is as much about knowing what you should be doing on every play as it is having great physical talent.  You have to be in position to make a play and be fast and quick to the ball.  When you get there you have to tackle well and hit hard.  It is aggressive and innovative.  You have to play as a unit and play together.  Chemistry is important.

 

You know Gettleman has to be extremely pleased with everything right now.  If we go deep in the playoffs he gets the credit for turning this ship around in 1 years time.  Pretty impressive. He inherited some great draft picks like Cam and Luke as well as drafted some jewels of his own who  are all on cheap rookie contracts like Star, Short, Klein, Barner and hopefully next year Kugbilla.  He has a very good eye for talent and brought in several undrafted guys like Lester and White. He retained and restructures a number of solid starters who can mentor the rookies by example.  You need journeymen like Ginn and like Wharton who are both having rebirths and outperforming expectations.  Wharton looks good next to his old partner Jordan   And you need veterans like Drayton Florence for their leadership and their locker room presence more than their athletic ability.  While of course paying potential all pro guys like Johnson,and Davis, Kalil among others who are critical pieces that if removed would have a serious impact.  And of course key core groups like our receivers and running backs which are interchangeable but the production has to be there as a group rather than over relying on one individual player.

I wonder what Gettleman is going to do for an encore next year. 

[Marguide]

My list is pretty short, with an eye toward the future.

 

Offense: Cam, Kalil

 

Defense: Kuechly, Star, CJ

 

Others that are likely to join the above group before long: Silatolu, KK, Klein, White

 

Guys like Hardy and maybe Mitchell could be considered if we can work something out contract wise going forward. A few were left off the list (Smitty, TD, Gross) due to age and/or injury concerns.

[Toundra]

The team as a whole.

from the water boy to the big cat.

 

[jtm]

This offseason worries me... I just hope we don't lose Hardy or Mitchell. Remember that Mitchell is only here on a cheap 1-year deal. He's gonna have to get paid this offseason if we're keeping him.

Given the number of quality safeties last year that we're never picked up, I don't think Mitchell will cost much to keep.

Gettleman is no Hurney and don't expect him to start handing out big contracts for players like Ginn and Mitchell that have only had one good year.

[MichaelNewtonII]

Hardy does too many things on that D-Line not to be considered a Core Player.

 

PAY THE MAN!

Pay him if it leaves enough money for Cam.

[PhillyB]

This^^^^^

 

Really depends as you say on exactly how a core player is defined.  Mitchell is a big reason we are so tough in the secondary so he is a core player in this defense this year. He is definitely worth keeping at a good price.  He is our Ed Reed.

 

 

 

thomas davis may be the best example; he is the definition of a core player this year on this team, but he's also one of those guys you would never consider to be a core guy you'd build your defense around to set up the next decade.