but I sense a Will Witherspoon the second. I think when his contract’s up it will be near impossible to keep him long term. There will be alot of teams who are currently transitioning to a 3-4 who would be salivating to get a OLB with Davis’ speed.

Realistically, he was our ‘anti-Vick weapon’ and though he’s very fast and a great blitzer I think it will be very tough to see him as a Panther next season (unless we franchise him) especially looking one year down the line and realizing the kind of money we’re going to need to have open for DeAngelo Williams.

I think Jaxon is right… James Anderson and Dan Conner could very well be our future OLBs.

the MLB gets blocked out a lot.

With Kemo, the NT takes the Guard and center, the DE takes the Tackle, and the SLB takes the TE. That leaves the MLB free to roam and make plays.

When you use a one-gap DT in the same spot, the center or guard can tie up the MLB. That means the only LB who is protected from the blockers is the WLB. In those defenses, you push the play towards the sides, and try and spill the back to the WLB. Look at how many tackles Derrick Brooks used to make, Tampa did this for years.

and I will say on that one catch he showed some toughness in taking on the DB to get the first down.

He played well in the preseason, and made progress in the regular. Does that not mean anything anymore?

I think we are jumping ship to soon on the guy

If it’s a matter of getting reps, he’s seen plenty of reps in preseason games…against sub-par competition by going against the 2’s and 3’s before…and yet, he still hasn’t produced. Tonight’s game against Pittsburgh should be a HUGE litmus test. He and Kenny Moore should see significant playing time on the field at the same time. Let’s see who Jake, McCown, and Matt Moore find with the ball. If Kenny winds up getting better separation because he runs better routes and Dwayne hardly ever sees the ball, then I chalk it up to Jarrett not making the most of his reps…not because someone didn’t give him enough opportunities.

Agreed… I think that Barnridge has the chance to really contribute this season. Ahhh how I long for the days where Wesley Walls was a weapon.

…in addition, even if Fox decides to hold Stewart back in Week 1 and start Goodson (which isn’t too much of a stretch of the imagination as Fox generally prefers to go with guys who practiced over those who didn’t)…then he can have another week of rest…come back for the Atlanta game…test himself and his ankle to see how it holds up…rest it again if need be and pick up an extra day of rest until the Monday nighter against Dallas. And then, if it’s still causing him problems, at least he gets the Bye week after that to have it further assessed.

But all in all, I’m going with the Panthers just being overly cautious as opposed to “OMG, something’s wrong! Push the panic button! Trade Stewart now! Sit him in favor of Goodson!”

But that’s just my two-cents,
—Neil

Jarrett’s issues this year are not from a lack of effort. He’s caught almost everything thrown to him. Yes he needs to improve somethings, but the entire team have been supporting him 100%. That’s a far cry from the days when teammates were calling him out during interviews. I say give him a chance because that’s what the team is saying.

Nobody is doubting Stewarts abilities. But you do not sit a backup player out for 5+ weeks just to be cautious. Maybe you do that with a all-pro veteran, but not a 2nd year backup. Why is Smitty already back? Moose? Why is Beason chompin at the bit to get back, even ahead of schedule?

Maybe Im wrong about it being in Stewarts head. But One things for sure, he is not missing all this time just out of caution… Somethings up.