Coming from a Chiefs fan, I’m going to give you two words why tackles is an overrated statistic. Bernard Pollard. The ex Chief will pile up the tackles, while giving up huge gains looking for the big hit, and always playing out of position. The reason why the Chiefs traded Tyler to you for a 5th round pick is because Tyler was basically handed the starting NT job, and still lost it to Ron Edwards. Coach Haley has waited patiently for Tyler to exhibit a mean streak, and it never happened. That’s why Tyler lost his starting job, and that is why he is not cut out for NT. The good news is, Haley thinks he’s a real nice guy. That said, just because Tyler cannot cut it at NT doesn’t mean he can’t as a DT and I guess we will have to see if that is the case.

We dealt a 5th round pick for a very young guy, who has made an impact on his team. From the scouting reports I’ve read, as well as the comments from chiefts fans, it seems he just wasn’t a fit at NT in a 3-4 defense. That said, in a 4-3 Defense, he just has to maintain a gap assignment, and he appears to be a good tackler.

I think the Panthers made a real good move here. 5th round picks are usually projects… to get a guy who can help us immediately, and someone who is just in the dawn on his career should be lauded as an excellent move. So what if we miss out on the 5th round… Getting a young guy like this (who has already proven he is not a bust) is way better than most any 5th round pick you are going to find.

I am encouraged by our activity prior to the trade deadline, I wouldnt be surprised if we made another big move before it is up. Kudos to the front office.

its obvious now that Furney is still desperate to win this season. There is no next season in their view I bet, hence the disregard for trading next years picks.

DeMarcus “Tank” Tyler was drafted in the third round, one spot ahead of our own Charles Johnson, by the Chiefs to play essentially the same NT position in a 4-3 that we require. He was the strongest lineman in the draft as measured by bench press, putting up 42 reps, and he had 2 more reps disqualified because they didn’t come down far enough on his chest. (FYI, Ryan Kalil had 34 that same year).

He was the fourth starter on NC State’s best-in-the-nation 2005 defensive line alongside first round selections Mario Williams (Texans), Manny Lawson (49ers) and John McCargo (Bills). He had a fantastic senior year in 2006, the only consistently great defensive player on a disappointing defense.

So, the man’s strong. Real big, real strong. And, James, I’m not sure where that number comes from, but if he’s 306lbs, I’ll eat my tuque.

All of that being said, clearly I’m a fan of this move, and my guess (having watched exactly zero Chiefs snaps this year and last, except the Carolina game) is that Tank wasn’t a fit for the 3-4 nose. And we know even from Ma’ake’s move down here from Baltimore, moving between those schemes can take some time.

So welcome home, Tank. Welcome home.

ah hell… the world is ending!!!!

=) bout mf’ing time!!

Tank is going to fit into the 4-3 line up MUCH better then the 3-4. He is now Kemo… but he is a good player.

Peppers/Brown/Taylor – Lewis/Irvin/Hayden – Kemo/Tyler/Leonard – Brayton/Johnson

Looks like we’re well set now. I wouldn’t be surprised if Kemo is done, those injuries are hard for big men to rebound from. Lewis is getting older and may be gone as well. So for a fifth rounder that there’s no guarantee on we got good depth and fixed a problem area on our team.

I’m Cyberjag, and I approve of this trade. :)

WELCOME HOME!!

He plays much better than his size indicates, and has the statistics to show for it. I can’t believe that fans are griping on Inside the Panthers and other blogs about this pickup though. Ask yourself, what would you rather have? A 5th round rookie who might be out of the league after one season, or a qualified starter at one of the most in-demand positions in the game?

I’d pick the latter every time.