Big Shoes to Fill
by SouthernPanther on Feb 5, 2010 12:16 PM EST
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PrintEven with Julius Peppers on our line this year I feel like we weren't a dominate defensive line. However, with the likelihood of Julius Peppers leaving us this offseason, I'm wondering how we fill those shoes not only with regards to our pass rush, but also on run stopping. Julius is around 290 pounds and is a solid run stopper, something that goes overlooked. Lets examine the possibilities of what our DE position will look like next season if Julius is gone. (BTW, for this article I'm assuming the Panthers are going to retain Tyler Brayton, I believe he is a RFA is he not?)
Tyler Brayton does an admirable job stopping the run although he is very susceptible to cutbacks because lets face it, he isn't exactly the quickest DE in the world. I noticed it against Tampa several times this season that he would over commit going across the line of scrimmage and just a simple cut-back would burn us because our containment was broken. Everette Brown as of now is too small to stop the run on a consistent basis, and Charles Johnson for the most part seems like a pass rusher, although from what I've heard he is the strongest person on the team (in the weight room). Lastly I haven't heard much about Hilee Tyler this year. I don't know much about him and I haven't really seen enough of his play for draw a conclusion about him but as far as I know he is on the roster.
Who do you guys think we could go after in either the draft or Free Agency to help beef up our depth at DE if Julius leaves?? Let me know what you guys think, and if you have any specific personnel suggestions they would be great to hear!!
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I think we should sign one.
There are some good ones out there so we could pick someone up fairly easy.
One of South Africa's only Carolina Panthers and fans.
by chinchillas sword on Feb 5, 2010 1:04 PM EST reply actions
+1
This is what I voted for as well, all these remaining guys are young and have not been asked to be the #1 guy on a line before. I think a solid veteran, preferably a heavier run stopper would benefit us.
by SouthernPanther on Feb 5, 2010 1:31 PM EST up reply actions
Aaron Kampman?
He’s much better in a 4-3 than 3-4 and then maybe next year we could get Robert Quinn next great UNC DE.:)
One of South Africa's only Carolina Panthers and fans.
by chinchillas sword on Feb 5, 2010 4:38 PM EST up reply actions
+1 on Kampman
I have been thinking of him as a target for the Panthers for awhile now. He had around half the salary as Pep and coming off surgery last year, he would probably be even cheaper.
Will Parker
I like
Brandon Graham from Michigan and Jerry Hughes from TCU…both are fast-twitch edge rushers. Neither of these guys will dominate in run-support, but I think Johnson and Brayton will play most of the run downs….and remember, with the new defensive scheme, its all about speed. Much of our run-support comes from our linebackers, safetys, and even the corners.
When I watched the Senior Bowl
Brandon Graham definitely caught my attention. I know one game doesn’t show everything about a player, but he seemed solid at run stopping as well.
But he surely won’t fall below 2nd round if not 1st round, and I feel like Johnson and Brayton’s solid enough for us to go for other needs in the draft.
I like taylor
i hope he bulks up alittle so he get alittle more pt
Bulking up is not always best.
It depends on their frame and current weight distribution. Taylor is in the league because of his speed/quickness. If bulking up slows him down, then he loses his niche and possibly his job.
Will Parker
ya but hes not playing because of his size
and this including special teams
Not everyone can be an everydown DE.
Just like not everyone can be in the NFL. Taylor is a better fit as a 3-4 OLB edge rusher, but we picked him up late 7th round I believe so it didn’t hurt us.
Will Parker
I like the guys we have now but...
i think we should try and get another one through free agency. it worked with brayton and hes played very solid. i think we could do it again or develope the guys we have
Osi Umenyura
Or however you spell his name, but i’ve read some reports that he is unhappy right now in New York, maybe if he becomes available we go after him. I know he was dissappointing this past season but man when he is on he is good. I don’t think he is as dominant as peppers but would definitely be a step in the right direction towards re-establishing a dominant D-Line
I like Kampman better
Osi seems like a drama queen.
One of South Africa's only Carolina Panthers and fans.
by chinchillas sword on Feb 6, 2010 4:13 AM EST up reply actions
Osi was coming off a serious knee injury I believe.
This limited his ability this season.
Will Parker
He thinks he could be done as a Giant
and he definitely wants more playing time. But he’s quite inconsistent now, and unless the Giants release him, I don’t know what we can offer them. Honestly I’m not too sold on Osi after last season, unless we can acquire him for less, I’d rather have Johnson or Brayton
Ray Edwards (in a dream world)
I know he’s a restricted free agent and maybe I’m giving him too much credit after the dallas performance, but I think he would be great to sign. He’s young and much more established than any draft pick. Ultimately I think its higher probability that if we sign a significant name free agent we’ll get someone like a leonard little (an older vet who could be signed to a short term deal).
"For the love of all that is good - STOP TURNING IT OVER!!!" - Every Panthers fan in 2009
by StopTurningItOver on Feb 9, 2010 10:18 PM EST reply actions
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