Johnson or Brown for starter?

by onlypantherfanintown on Jun 28, 2009 1:36 PM EDT

k so i know we spent a second round pick on brown but that doesn't mean he has to be rushed into a starting position. I don't even think he deserves it yet. Johnson was doing great last year and wasn't even starting. If Brown is battling postions with anyone it should be Brayton for 2nd string not johnson. If Johnson doesn't do as well as he should by week 4 then we can look at the rookie to start. If you think brown should start right away please let me know why

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I think Johnson will do well if he starts. Brown and Brayton should be nice backups. I think Brown was drafted to be the starter after Peppers leaves

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jun 28, 2009 4:17 PM EDT reply actions

Although they are starting him out at LE...

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

It depends on several things.

I don’t think we can make this call at all yet without knowing how much Johnson has bulked up over the offseason or how much Brown has since the draft. It’s important to note that the open spot on our defense is LE, where the starter will need to be able to hold up against an OT and a TE on rushing downs. In that regard, I think Brayton is probably the best choice based on last season’s results. Still, if we could move him inside on a relatively frequent basis, that would help us in terms of depth at DT and overall roster flexibility.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

Why should Brayton start again?

How did he out perform Johnson last year? He had 15 more tackles… which doesn’t seem like a big deal considering he was starting and Johnson wasn’t. And Johnson had 2 more sacks than him… Coming off the bench. What else am I missing?

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jun 28, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Read again.

The starter will need to be able to hold up against an OT and a TE on rushing downs. In that regard, I think Brayton is probably the best choice based on last season’s results."

From watching the games, Brayton was a more stout presence against the run. Also, Johnson’s higher sack total (even though he didn’t start) isn’t a gigantic gold star in his favor because he was more frequently playing DE than Brayton on obvious passing downs. He was put in better situations to get those sacks in the first place, plus he was fresher.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Do you live on here?

I just posted this about 10 minutes ago!

How is Johnson fresher? Just because they come in at different intervals? It’s not like it’s easier to start on the 2nd or 3rd series compared to the 1st. But I understand your other points. Although Johnson seems the better option in a Meeks’ system.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jun 28, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Haha...

I’ll run through my sites until I run out of new comments. I can’t even focus on television without having something else to do.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 10:46 PM EDT up reply actions

Dito

My wife watches Spanish Soap Operas every night… while I’m on the comp.

on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city

by southtunnel on Jun 29, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Brayton is not as good of a pass rusher as Johnson is, But I guess thats not going to be the priority of our LE

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jun 28, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions

Nor should it necessarly be on either side...

Your starter is the one who’s going to be in on the rushing downs (1st, 2nd.)

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Brayton

I see Brayton starting at DE on run downs. Then moving inside in Kemo’s spot on passing downs with Brown and Johnson providing outside rush. Nice problem to have.

by magicman56 on Jun 28, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions

+1

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I see that working

by Heyward is the next crime dog on Jun 28, 2009 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

ooo

Now that could be fun to watch..

by boywonderncsu on Jun 29, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Panthers use that strategy...

…it could backfire on them when teams go into a hurry-up offense, as substitutions won’t be able to get on the field in time.

by NSpicer on Jun 30, 2009 8:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Indeed.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 30, 2009 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

E. Brown will Start !!!

Brown will start and C. Johnson will be the primary backup for both DE spots, in front of Taylor and Brayton. You don’t give up your first round pick in next years draft and not start that kid that you picked up.

Brayton has a long row to hoe as he trys to make the 2009 panthers squad out of training camp. As I see it, simply their just may not be room unless injuries arise. Think about it, I mean with peppers back and Hilee Taylor seemingly getting praise from Meeks for his speed and the new system in of attacking or swarming to the football an old school bull rusher/run stuffer DE, like Brayton may not be needed. Let us not forget as well that he is going to be making more cash than last season and we love dumping older overpaid players.

Only thing Brayton has in his favor is that he can play DT with some success.

Should be interesting battle !!!!

by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Jun 28, 2009 9:52 PM EDT reply actions

Thomas Davis and Jonathan Stewart WERE first-round picks...

But they didn’t start. With our depth at the position, we can afford to use him in the spots where he’ll be most successful while he bulks up and prepares to be an every-down back. Remember, FSU ends have had a hard time transitioning to the pros because they line up way wide in college.

As for Brayton, he’s only making about $600K more than he did last year, and his $2.1 million cap hit is very reasonable for a starter or even a 3rd DT/DE. While Taylor might have a good first step, all he can do is rush the passer, and you can bet that Fox won’t allow us to become the kind of rushing sieve that the Colts almost always were under Meeks.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jun 28, 2009 10:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I concur

Will Parker

by WillParker81 on Jun 29, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Brown has to be a WDE.

He’s not as strong against the run (though he’s not as weak as some would suggest), but he sure can get to a QB. I love that kid. He’ll beat out Johnson.

I have six locks on my door all in a row. When I go out, I only lock every other one. I figure no matter how long somebody stands there picking the locks, they are always locking three.

Elayne Boosler

by NaGaNole on Jun 29, 2009 11:20 AM EDT reply actions