A Gross Thread

[Dex]

Jordan Gross may be the most under appreciated player on the team. Not the offensive line or the offense... I mean the team. I don't want to say important because I'll get flamed but he very well may be. Hear me out. 

 

2011 & 2012 were disappointing seasons, sure. However we have been steadily climbing over the edge for the past 2 years. How? In 2011 we drafted Cam Newton and the offense became one of the most fearsome in the league after being dead last the year before. The running game was restored and the only thing that seemed to be holding us back was our defense and special teams play. 

 

2012 arrives we Luke Kuechly takes over at MLB after 4 games filling in at OLB. The defense goes from almost dead last to top 10. The secondary is still pretty bad but our front 7 is beginning to take shape is just missing a couple pieces. However the offense and Cam seems to have regressed. The Oline looks bad, running backs aren't getting holes, injuries, bad WR play you name it. Special Teams improves a little but nothing too spectacular. 

 

Finally 2013 arrives and expectations are high. Our past two seasons we finished hot, we drafted 2 stud DT's, brought in F/A with potential to fix our secondary and S/T but here we are again starting at 1-3. What the hell is going on?

 

You're probably asking yourself right now what Jordan has to do with any of this right? Who is one of if not the oldest member of this team? Jordan Gross. Who was around for the Super Bowl loss? Jordan. He's seen it all in over a decade and he saw something that may have been difficult for us fans to really see. There were problems in the locker room. Whether it be personal problems, egos, players who just wanted $ and etc. He saw a group with immense talent and no true unified goal. Kalil tried to get the hype train going for the team in 2012 with his SB prediction but it ended in embarrassment...

 

It seemed our players either didn't care to to be inspired or simply couldn't with this situation. This is why, in my opinion besides the very obvious(life after football career) move Jordan created his weekly podcast "This Is Gross". He wants to bring this team together, wants everyone to know each other and fight for each other and want to win more than anything. He apparently gives the pre game speeches now and gave an epic one before the Vikings game that started our winning streak. Some guys just want to get paid but now I feel like they don't want to let the guy next to them down anymore. They are tired of losing, tired of coming in week in week out putting in work while the other guy just sits there collecting his check and putting in only what's necessary.

 

Jordan Gross is also very quietly having his best season EVER in his professional career. 

 

"Left Side Leaves its Mark

Protecting for a mobile quarterback isn’t always the easiest of jobs, but the left side of the Panthers’ offensive line played their part yesterday with Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil going a step further to add value as run blockers. Gross’ terrific all-around game (+5.5 overall,+2.5 pass block, +2.6 run block) takes his overall grade for the season to +22.3, second at this stage behind only Joe Staley of the 49ers. Against the run he had his way with Chris Jones on down blocks and also made a couple of nice blocks pulling out into space to the left side. "

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/11/19/refo-patriots-panthers-week-11/

 

I know this is mostly speculation on my part but Jordan and Steve are truly the heart and soul of this team. Not taking anything away from TD because I feel the 3 of them are the beating heart of the Panthers.  I believe Rivera is growing as a coach as well but having a guy like Gross on the team is a godsend for him. When was the last time we saw this many fights in a season that had the entire team backing up every teammate? The St Louis game is an example, you fug with one of us and you get all of us. It might sound cheesy but I feel like we have the best locker room in the NFL right now and we have those 3 and Rivera to thank for it. It's not about being a superstar on this team. It's achieving the ultimate goal together, for this city, for the guy next to them and for football immortality. The 2013 Carolina Panthers are the band of brothers.

Please don't flame. :(

 

 

[OneBadCat]

Hope he can hang tough a few more years while grooming his replacement hopefully in the draft.

 

I admit I knocked on him a lot last season but he's been pretty good this year.

[The Huddler]

True pro. Puts his money where his mouth is. Gets it done.

[Jakob]

100% agree, but as the saying goes.. the least you hear of an Offensive Lineman the better.

[cookinwithgas]

He also has great radio shows

[Dex]

He also has great radio shows

Is he ever on the Drive?

[cookinwithgas]

Don't know, I am referring to his "Totally Gross" podcasts on Panthers.com - he has a little talent at being a good host and keeps the flow of the interview interesting.

[Dex]

Don't know, I am referring to his "Totally Gross" podcasts on Panthers.com - he has a little talent at being a good host and keeps the flow of the interview interesting.

.... did you even read my OP?

[xerxes]

He also has great radio shows

This is Gross is pretty cool. It should have it's own page, but here's the Smitty one for those who haven't listened yet.

 

http://www.panthers.com/media-vault/audio/This-is-Gross-with-WR-Steve-Smith/c772074c-ba30-41b4-934d-b003675b2052

 

Having Wharton back is huge for Gross. He was struggling last year trying to cover up Amini's mistakes.

[carolina-chuck]

Great post!

 

Gross has looked amazing this season. He's clearly not under appreciate by the fans tho. Gross, Smitty, and Davis clearly are the three leaders, and the heart and soul of this team. Gross is keeping this team together as a family, Davis is keeping the young guys focus (Cam during the preseason), and Smitty is the energizer on the field.

 

This is the most disciplined team I have seen from a Carolina Panthers team since my ten years of being a fan. And, I have to say that the credit goes to Ron Rivera, a military's son.

[Razeyfingers]

This OP understands what leader means. . . take note, Huddlers, when you automatically call Luke the new leader.

[General_Purr]

I agree that he is happy that Wharton is back. Another big solid guy that won't be broken.

 

I like our line.. if we can get our islanders back we can be set.

[saX man]

He's been out of his mind recently.  Proving to be a top-5 LT

[French Navy]

Run left, Shula, run left.