Getting to know your Panthers: OLB Jamar Williams
by James Dator on Apr 28, 2010 8:44 AM EDT
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PrintIf the Panthers traded Sherrod Martin or Everette Brown tomorrow, would it be fair to classify them as worthless, or as scrubs? This is the question you have to ask yourself in the assessment of Panthers' new OLB Jamar Williams. The fan base have been hung up on the notion that Jamar Williams was not a starter in Chicago, however the overwhelming opinion of Chicago fans was that the straight up trade of Jamar Williams for Chris Harris was a fair one.
Jamar Williams was a victim of circumstance in Chicago; a 4th round pick out of Arizona State in 2006 he excelled in 2005 when he finished his senior season with 70 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 FF and 3 INT. In both 2004 and 2005 he was named 'Honorable Mention All Pac-10'.
More after the jump
Williams was drafted in prearation for an impending contact crisis with incumbent starter Lance Briggs. When the relationship between Briggs and the Bears was most strained it was assumed Jamar Williams would start, should the Bears part ways with their previous starter. Chicago saw potential in the young linebacker to be a factor on their defense.
The Bears were able to resign Briggs and Williams was relegated to backing up the all-pro linebacker. During this time Williams made the most of the role he had being a special teams standout and and effective player when he had the opportunity. He started one game in 2007 where he recorded four tackles against the Minnesota Vikings, but it wasn't until 2009 that he would have the opportunity to start again.
Jamar Williams was featured in the Bears' defense more during 2009. On special teams he forced a fumble vs. Pittsburgh in week two and made his first start of the season in week four against the Detroit Lions; Williams posted six tackles in the contest. He would wait another nine weeks to start again for the Bears, but when he did he made his opportunity count.
On December 6th vs. St. Louis- Jamar Williams posted 18 tackles and defended two passes against the Rams. This wasn't the blowout you might believe as the final score was a meager 17-9. However, it was during this game that he showed he could be a factor on the defense.
The most interesting and pertinent thing for Panthers' fans to look at from this game was Jamar Williams stellar ability to shut down Stephen Jackson on rushing downs. Though Jackson ran for a total of 112 yards against the Bears it wasn't due to Jamar Williams, that's for sure- Williams tackled Jackson 13 times on rushing downs for an average gain of just 2.46 yards. For that one game in December Jamar Williams played Steven Jackson better than any linebacker had done all season, in 2009 Jackson averaged 4.4 yards per carry, and Williams erased this number.
In summation, while here in Carolina the name Jamar Williams may not be on the tip on Carolina Panthers' fans' tongues, it very well could be very soon. Before Chris Harris came to Carolina he was a small university safety we traded a 5th round pick for, and it was in Charlotte that he blossomed- the same could very well happen to the 25 year old linebacker we acquired yesterday
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One additional element I'm hearing...
…is that the Panthers don’t intend to start (or necessarily have Williams even compete) at the strongside OLB position. Instead, they’re apparently going to have Williams backup Beason at MLB so Dan Connor, James Anderson, and the rookie Norwood can compete for the strongside. So, in many ways, those who doubt this move don’t look at it as the Panthers trading Chris Harris (a starting safety) for Jamar Williams (a starting LB). Instead, they’re saying we traded for a backup LB, not simply because he was a backup in Chicago…but, rather, because we apparently plan on using him for depth as well.
That said, one great redeeming element about Jamar Williams is that he can apparently play pretty well at ALL of the LB positions. He played the “Will” OLB in his game against the St. Louis Rams. Prior in the year, he filled in very capably at the “Sam” OLB spot…which isn’t as flashy as playing weakside. And now, apparently, we see him as a good backup for Beason, which means he can also fill in at the “Mike” MLB, too. So, he’s one of those multi-dimensional, multi-purpose players that the Panthers love for flexibility and depth.
In addition, some viewed Chris Harris as the starting safety here in Carolina…and he was for several seasons now. But, with the scheme changes Meeks has been installing, his desire for speed at all of his DB positions, and Harris’ injury issues last season…I’m wondering if the coaches viewed Chris more as the potential backup here at the safety position, because they obviously wanted to find a way to start both Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey. So, in that respect, maybe we weren’t trading a starting safety for a backup LB. Maybe we were trading a soon-to-become-a-backup safety for a backup-and-potential-starting LB?
Food for thought,
—Neil
I agree Neil... and the consensus keeps being that the Panthers LOVE Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey
I’m glad the Panthers like both of them because I didn’t like that replacing Godfrey with Martin at FS was just an admission that Godfrey was a failed pick.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
+1
Sherrod Martin is obviously THE guy that needed to start at his safety position. And a lot of folks forget that Charles Godfrey was thrown to the lions as a rookie, endured what might be viewed as a sophomore slump, and now stands at that crossroads in his 3rd year where he should really start to pay dividends as a draft pick for us. So, lets see how he does at the other safety position when replacing Chris Harris’ spot. Obviously, he immediately gives us more speed there. Lets see how Meeks uses that to make us better.
I wouldn't rule him out of the SLB competition
The Panthers will put the three best LB’s on the field no doubt. If he won the SLB it would be suit our back-up situation. Conner would continue to back-up Beason, Anderson behind Davis and Norwood behind Williams.
I’m sure Williams will be fired up about having a true opportunity to start.
Not to mention....
This adds depth and competition at a position of possible need. Sure James Anderson has played admirably, but depth at the LB position (especially a versatile player who can back up multiple positions) is always a good thing, don’t forget the injury bug hit us last year with Thomas Davis and could strike any time. Getting a young LB with experience under some of the best in the league as he is coming of age, for a S (that we all love but) who is starting to show wear and get nagging injuries seems fair to me. Would I have liked to have seen more, sure a late round pick next year would have been nice, but when you consider the fact that we had contemplated cutting Harris, to get anything in return is a good deal.
Regardless
This guy had a low tender, we could have picked him up if we were so high on him. I just think we didn’t get the better part of this trade. We could have picked him up and traded C. Harris to the Bears. Also the Bears just fired some scouting coaches yesterday. We all know they were in need of safety help. My point is if you love this guy so much, we should have picked him up during free agency.
by panthertillidrop on Apr 28, 2010 9:14 AM EDT reply actions
He had an original round tender... which would have been a 4th round pick to acquire him.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
Thank your lucky stars ...
Jamar Williams is a future pro bowler. Chris Harris will never be a pro bowler, although we shouldn’t have gotten rid of him in the first place. We have maybe the worst GM in football, Jerry Angelo.
I’m here to tell you what you got off the Bears. Don’t mind the fools around the net saying we gave up a backup for a starter. No. Jamar Williams would have been starting on any other team. The Bears have the best front seven in football now, but it was a lot better with Jamar Williams on it and I believe he would have started for us before long. In the only start Lovie Gump gave him last year … he ran amok with 18 tackles. He can play any position. I was absolutely gutted we gave him up to get Harris back. We could have palmed Hunter Hillenmeyer off on you to backup Beason and I would have done a rain dance. But we gave you JW. And I’m gutted. Take a dance over to Da Bears Blog on Chicago Now and see the pain. Look after him, he’ll be starting before long and going to one pro bowl after another.
Good luck.
by Sweetness4ever on Apr 29, 2010 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I appreciate the comment
We’ll see in good time how this all pans out.
Good luck to your team in 2010… except against the Panthers ; )
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
I read in the Charlotte Observer today...
That the Panthers shopped Harris on draft weekend but couldn’t get a deal done.
They decided that they would try to trade him again and if they couldn’t he would have been released.
From the Observer:
The move, which brought in linebacker Jamar Williams from Chicago, came just before the Panthers convened for minicamp this weekend. According to league sources with knowledge of the talks, Harris was shopped during the draft last weekend, but no deals came close.
Then on Monday, the Panthers called Harris’ agent and told him Harris would be either released or traded within the next few days. The Bears, eager to add safety help to a defensive retooling that included signing defensive end Julius Peppers this offseason, were eager to bring Harris back.
If this article is true, then at least we got something out of the deal, because there could have been a riot had he been outright released.
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
This confirms for me...
…that the Panthers already viewed Chris Harris as the backup safety and not their starter for this season. Thus, they had already made the decision to field Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey. And they didn’t want to carry an aging, injury-bitten veteran (with his pay?) as their backup. Better to get something out of him, though, since he probably still had trade value to someone. Thanks to Chicago for giving us something to acquire him before we simply released him. Smart move on Hurney’s part given they’d already made the decision to go in a new direction at the safety positions.
Exactly!
Better get something than nothing, and if the Panthers were indeed okay to straight up release Harris then we gave him a great situation to go back to Chi town and start while we get a LB with a lot of upside.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
And they didn’t want to carry an aging, injury-bitten veteran ... as their backup.
Is 27 really “aging”?
Apparently so...
30 is “ancient”, so 27 would be considered “old” based on some of the moves that have been made.
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
There's a difference...
…between “aging” and “old”…and that’s why Harris still has very good trade value. Personally, I think it’s the combination of aging and injury-accumulation that would have been examined. But that’s not the primary reason to move him. The primary reason is he’s not fast enough to play “Cover 2” the way Meeks will want.
+1 ... in Meeks' cover-2, there's really no distinction between SS and FS...
They both need to be fast, be able to cover, and provide support against the run.
How did they view him as a backup if they were going to release him?
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
You're missing my point...
…perhaps I should have said “they didn’t see him as a starting SS anymore”…? Would that have helped? It doesn’t really matter whether they were going to keep him here as a backup (which they obviously weren’t since they were looking to trade him) or as a player with value they could use to bring in someone else to make ours better.
I would have had the same reaction had he been released.
WTF! Then we have ZERO excuse.
As for Williams, there is one HUGE difference between his and Harris’s situations. Harris came in when there was a void at strong safety. He literally was the only player available to play there. Salley was hurt, and Deke Cooper had the FS spot. Williams likely won’t crack the starting lineup.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
I think that depends on a lot of factors...
…Williams could crack the starting lineup easily enough in the following ways:
1) Competes for the strongside “Sam” OLB spot against Connor and Norwood…and wins it.
2) Starts in place of Thomas Davis at the “Will” OLB spot in the event Davis can’t return from his knee injury yet.
3) Starts in place of any LB who gets injured during the season, preseason, or training camp. (Remember, we lost Jon Beason at the “Mike” ILB position for the first few games last season when he got in injured during training camp)
4) Starts on special teams right away.
So, bottom line is this guy gives us competition in camp. And, he serves as a GREAT insurance policy in the event of injury problems with any of our LBs. And, in Meeks’ and Fox’s system for defense, I believe we rely pretty heavily on a solid core and depth among our starting and backup LBs for both run support and coverage downfield.
Lastly, keep in mind that Jamar Williams could also be an immediate impact player for us on special teams again. That can’t be understated or undervalued right now. We need help on special teams in the worst way.
But that’s just my two-cents,
—Neil
So we traded our starting strong safety
for a special teamer/top tier backup.
Flipping awesome.
Like I’ve said already, we’ll see how TC and preseason go. Furney have pulled rabbits out of the hat before. But this doesn’t add up to me yet.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 28, 2010 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
That's assuming Harris was going to remain our starting strong safety
More evidence shows that wasn’t the plan from the Panthers, with or without a trade.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
Then Meeks is an idiot.
The Cover 1 worked well for us, why the heck would you move away from that.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 28, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions
He was forced to use the cover one because of Thomas Davis' injury... it was never intended to be the long term solution.
With Davis back he’ll institute a full Cover-2 defense, where there is no true SS or FS… both are just ‘safeties’.
The cover-1 did work well, but there’s a reason it’s not used by any team with regularity, it is very soft against the pass.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
Our results from last year speak differently.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 29, 2010 3:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Precisely, but the Cover-1 defense in this situation is much like a rookie
It worked so well because teams didn’t have a lot of information on it. Give teams an offseason to look at film and you’d see the Cover-1 experience a major ‘sophmore slump’
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
Because Meeks had to use the Cover 1 to get by last year
This happens for every team in the league when they get a new D-Coordinator. Meeks was brought in to install his system, not adjust his system to fit the roster we have. He did that last year because he had no choice.
Trust me, I didn’t want Chris to be traded either, but from a football standpoint, it is the right move to make.
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
+1
The “Cover 1” system was a stop-gap measure, not what Meeks wants to continue using. In fact, I would venture to say that moving more fully to the “Cover 2” will have the added effect of improving our run defense. That’s because we’ll have the speed at both safety positions to cover while everyone else is more fully focused on stopping the run, particularly the LB positions, which serve as a pseudo “last line of defense” against RBs in a “Cover 2” scheme.
It was one heck of a stop gap then.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 29, 2010 3:13 AM EDT up reply actions
It was, but this year it won't be as effective.
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
The cover one can get burned deep in time...think 1st Saints game
Not the preferred standard defense though it did work better at the end of the season but I think that more because offenses came into the game determined to run the ball against us. Hence we moved Harris closer to the line
But I think that's just it...and maybe you're missing the point?
…but the Panthers no longer viewed Chris Harris as our starting strong safety. He was last year, yes. But the coaches and Hurney decided Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey would be our starting safeties, with Godfrey moving over from free safety to strong safety to replace Chris so they could put Martin on the field.
And, honestly, you’ve got to see past the attachment to Harris from a leadership perspective and recognize he lacked the speed to properly play the “Cover 2” system Meeks is using. He also got bit pretty substantially by the injury bug. He’s getting older. The Panthers are going with youth. This lets us immediately upgrade our free safety position by getting Sherrod Martin on the field for every down. And Charles Godfrey should be able to perform more capably at strong safety than free safety. Meanwhile, we also get an upgrade in Lamar Williams to our special teams and a major insurance policy for ALL of our LB positions…and possibly even a starting role as our strongside OLB.
I liked Chris Harris as much as anyone. But this move is about Ron Meeks continuing to transform our defense. Harris just wasn’t going to fit the profile for what he needed at strong safety from a skills/speed perspective. We’ll certainly miss what Chris brought to the field, as well…particularly his veteran leadership in the secondary. But it’s also time to start seeing these young guys, Godfrey and Martin, begin to develop into that same kind of veteran, proven player. That’s the conscious choice Carolina is making with this move. And it’s a necessary part of running a team for the long-term.
by NSpicer on Apr 28, 2010 9:55 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm excited to hear we are going to get both Godfrey and Martin on the field
I like Martin at FS, we might finally have the ball hawk we,ve missed since Deon Grant left.
+1
Losing Deon Grant was a move we’ve never recovered from as we’ve piece-mealed together the FS position. I think Sherrod has an unnatural ability as a ball hawk… 1 FF and 3 INT in 5 starts in 2009 is ridiculous
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James Dator on Apr 28, 2010 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Honestly, I still hate this move.
And if the FO didn’t perceive Harris as a starting safety, then I don’t understand that either. But it’s done now, and there’s no use in me ranting over this subject. I’m turning into Procton.
This entire offseason, I've been defending Clausen from critics. Now I got an even better reason to.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 29, 2010 3:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Glad you caught the transition in time.
“Stop me before I kill again!”
You are comparing apples and oranges
The Panthers wanted to start the younger guys behind Chris, and in the transition they were able to also help another position. Chris wasn’t in the 2010 picture, so be glad we got something.
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
Jamar Williams is a stud ...
… you’ll see.
by Sweetness4ever on Apr 29, 2010 3:16 AM EDT up reply actions
oh god dont remind me of the horrible situation we had at safety before harris and godfrey.. nate salley? really? im really excited to see sherrod martin tho the guy has size and speed and is a straight hawk..
by ieatcrayons on Apr 28, 2010 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
YES!
lmao Nate Salley? Quiton Teal? man…we’ve had some bums in the safety spot outside of Minter, Grant and was it Archuleta back in the day? I can’t remember dudes name
by Charles Harlotte on Apr 28, 2010 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the final analogy James
In summation, while here in Carolina the name Jamar Williams may not be on the tip on Carolina Panthers’ fans’ tongues, it very well could be very soon. Before Chris Harris came to Carolina he was a small university safety we traded a 5th round pick for, and it was in Charlotte that he blossomed- the same could very well happen to the 25 year old linebacker we acquired yesterday
A parallel development of Williams would be fantastic!
+1
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
Looks like they landed a young Chris Draft
And that’s a good thing. Special teams should be vastly improved with the recent moves, too.
AMEN +1
I don’t think people realized how much work Draft put in when he was here. He was a very key part to our D on the strong side. Him, Morgan and Witherspoon held our 2nd level down for those couple of years. I HATED when we let him go to the Falcons
by Charles Harlotte on Apr 28, 2010 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
You Guys
Just found this site and am so loving the Panther talk. Panther fans are the best because they are logical and realistic. (Check PITT & WASH) I may not agree with you, but it is not because your thoughts are daydreams. (refer to caption above)
It's great to have you here!
Thanks for the comment!
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
by James Dator on Apr 28, 2010 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
very knowledgable and respectful fans.. not like some of the philly fanbase
by ieatcrayons on Apr 28, 2010 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I must warn you
I occasionally let my emotions get the best of me and words start flying =P, however I try to be as logical as possible.
by SouthernPanther on Apr 28, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Great post James and responses from NSpicer and Jaxon
It seems clear the decision not to start Harris had been made and therefore we got good value in return vs. nothing. Assuming good health with Beast and T. Davis, then between Norwood, Anderson, Williams, and Connor, we have good depth at LB.
Is anybody hearing any more from the Panthers camp on the draft choices? There’s just not a lot of info on the 3 DBs drafted late. With FA pickups with NFL experience on special teams, I can’t see all 3 making the team.
There is going to be GREAT competition at QB, WR, LB, and DB this summer. With stability at RB, TE, and OL, then defensive line becomes the big question mark, and we are not without talent there, just no standout stars.
Pugh is going to make the squad as a back
the other 2 are shots in the dark…unless the kid from Conneticut brings that return ability to the table and blows Armanti, Geddis, Dexter and whoever else gives returns a shot, out of the water..then probably not.
by Charles Harlotte on Apr 28, 2010 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Allow me to be stubborn and ignorant for this one post.
I will then forfeit my ‘stubborn’ card and my ‘ignorant’ card to Jaxon so that I may not use them again for at least 30 days.
I rec’d the post due to the time James put into it and the goal he was trying to achieve (ease our pain). For that, I thank you, James. However, I still don’t like this trade.
The idea of putting Godfrey over Harris seems likely, though down-right stupid imo. If Godfrey outperforms Harris this year, I’ll eat my entire foot. I don’t see Godfrey leading the league in forced fumbles anytime soon. I’ll consider Godfrey half the talent until he proves otherwise. There, take the ignorant card now, please.
I see Williams, at best, a 1 year possibility and depth from that point on. Why? Because Norwood only needs 1 year to adjust and claim himself the starting spot. After that, Williams is stuck behind Beason, Thomas, and Norwood while Godfrey continues to be adequate at safety. Two years, maybe we’re looking at his first pro-bowl. Alright, now you can have the stubborn card.
I do hope I’m proven wrong. I’ve placed my trust in the FO on every move made before this one. We’ll see how it turns out. Hopefully I’m so wrong I must then return with my tail between my legs for ever doubting the Furney.
Overall Panthers Draft Grade: A
by D-Ranged1 on Apr 28, 2010 1:33 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
sooo...
you will roll the dice on a SS coming off of a torn labrum (shoulder) AND knee? while the guy you had rated high on your draft board 3 years ago — who matched the injured SS’s turnover production — sits on the bench ANOTHER year?
I understand your disdain for the trade, but Harris was not a match whatsoever for our defensive scheme.
Pugh, Godfrey and Martin are all CB/S hybrids with mounds of speed over Harris….would you honestly want Harris to have to come down and man-up on the opposing teams slot receiver?
by Charles Harlotte on Apr 28, 2010 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
I understand your frustration, but allow me to retort.
The days you’re talking about with Chris leading the league (and setting a franchise record) in forced fumbles is over. That happened in 2007 when the Panthers were still running Mike Trgovac’s vanilla, blitzing, 4-3 scheme; this allowed Harris to be at the line of scrimmage a lot and have a lot more opportunities to force fumbles. I love looking back on these days with fondness, but at this point it’s ancient history.
In each of the last two seasons Harris only forced two fumbles in each season. Most recently in 2009 he forced two only after Thomas Davis became injured and he moved into the ‘rover’ role.
Forced Fumble 1 vs. NY Jets: Came against TE Dustin Keller- if Thomas Davis was in the game the pass would have been in his zone.
Forced fumble 2 vs. Patriots: Came in a short pass over the middle to Randy Moss, again, this was Thomas Davis’ zone.
In both of these instances Harris would not have been in a position to force the fumble unless Davis was out of the game. In a cover two defensive scheme the last responsibility of a safety is to force a fumble, and almost never occurs because the safeties don’t play in the box very often.
We are running a Ron Meeks cover two defensive scheme that puts an emphasis on speed and an ability to play the ball in the air; neither were Harris’ strong points. In fact, until Thomas Davis was injured Harris was having a mediocre 2009 season.
Before Davis’ injury: 16 tackles and 1 pass defended in 4 starts
After Davis’ injury: 32 tackles, 5 passes defended, 3 interceptions, 2 FF in 9 starts
Clearly Harris was VASTLY more effective when he got to return to the role he’s most comfortable in, playing up by the LoS and getting to the TE and RBs more often. This shows that the system Meeks wanted to install in Carolina didn’t suit Harris’ playing style anymore, and so the decision was made to trade him to a team where he could play how he succeeds.
The question remains whether Meeks’ cover two system will work in 2010, but from these statistics it appears Chris Harris wasn’t effective in it until it was changed to a cover one. Thus making the trade the right move, and furthermore illustrating that the team would have cut Harris outright if they hadn’t found a trade partner.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
Once I learned that he would have been cut outright...
I became happier about the trade because at least he was given the opportunity to play somewhere that he was familiar and we got something in return. Even if we got another smoothie making KOS, at least we got something back instead of just releasing him with no compensation.
But James has a great point here: Harris doesn’t fit in the Cover 2. Meeks is building a Cover 2 team, and Godfrey and Martin fit that scheme better than Harris and Godfrey/Martin do.
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
As usual you have some great points, James. I’m sure that this trade is for the best for everyone involved, it’s just my initial disdain for the trade still has my judgement cloudy. As days go by, I’ll have to warm up to it like I did Clausen.
Overall Panthers Draft Grade: A
What makes it especially tough is our relationship with the player involved. It’s like the Brad Hoover cu; nobody was very upset when the Panthers cut Na’il Diggs, but when you cut fan favorites like Hoov or Hitman it takes longer for the wounds to heal.
Ultimately, it just means Meeks is further molding the defense how he sees fit, and it shows that Hurney and Fox have a great deal of faith in their DC, for better or for worse.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
+1
i feel u my man. I had to warm up to Clausen too. Once it settles in how bad a fit Harris is for the scheme you’ll love it.
by Charles Harlotte on Apr 28, 2010 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions
You'll eat your entire foot????
That not only is truly D-Ranged, it also shows uncommon flexibiliy. I would recommend you wash it first.
I have to say
That as I’ve read the arguments over the last hour (from this post and the LOOONG one), I’m kind of excited about the direction of the defense. I liked the CH posted on here, but he was a SS. In a Tampa-2, there isn’t a SS, just safeties.
Also, I like the idea of getting a player in a trade for a player you were getting ready to cut anyway.
Plus, it’ll be interesting to see what Williams can do. Who knows, he might be a Mini-Beast (cue Dr Evil).
And I shall call him ... Mini Me
Thanks to the Denver Broncos, my sanity (what's left of it, at least) will remain intact for 2010.
We are all saying he doesn't match meeks system
but maybe Meeks system is the problem. Indy was never a defensive powerhouse, they had peyton manning on the other side to win games. I love Meeks, but I love the cover 1 that we played the 2nd half of the season when our defense was top 5 easily in comparison to the first half when we played the cover 2 and struggled mightily.
by SouthernPanther on Apr 28, 2010 4:14 PM EDT reply actions
I'm not saying lose meeks
I’m just suggesting Meek’s adjust to the Cover 1 scheme instead of the 2-deep…the cover 1 is more aggressive and that is when we starting forcing turnovers.
by SouthernPanther on Apr 28, 2010 4:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Cover 1 is traditionally exceptionally flimsy against the pass because the rover is playing the run leaving the remaining safety on an island.
I thought it was miraculous that it worked as well as it did last season, but give a team an offseason to study tape and I believe a good offense would shred it. There’s good reason team’s don’t use the cover 1 with regularity.
Cat Scratch Reader's resident optimist.
I also blog the Panthers at www.realbitsofpanthers.com
gotcha
yeah I was just looking at last season, and another season under the belt with more speed on the field just might do the trick. I’m a little concerned about or ability to stop the run though, I don’t want another repeat of last season’s first few games…
by SouthernPanther on Apr 28, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
I was looking forward to seeing Pep back so i could let the boo’s fly, however I will not be booing Chris…
by SouthernPanther on Apr 28, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Pep can do way more damage than Harris
If he comes in here angry, he could dominate… maybe even rip Moore’s head off.
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
Warmed up and ready
Yep I really think Williams is going to see the field more than most media outlets think. Martin is the next Ed Reed but with more coverage ability and speed, plus he played great for us in limited action last year. Cannot wait to see Godfrey and Martin take the secondary and lead it to greatest.
Glad we got Williams instead of a unproven rookie; if nothing else he is the ultimate backup and way better than L. Johnson.
by Holty_Panthers_Fan on Apr 28, 2010 6:28 PM EDT reply actions
Special Teams is going to make a much bigger impact than we think
Getting double trouble on a short field, and keeping our young defense on a long field, will win us some games.
Otherwise known as SouthTunnel. Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine.
+1 on that, ElBacano...
Special teams sucked last year. They cost us games both directly (cue K. Moore’s muff) and indirectly through field position and even morale. It was more than an adventure, it was a horror show.
Many, many of the moves made in FA and the draft are intended to address this deficiency, and I think we may have one of the best ST units in the league this year. How many wins does that equate to? I don’t know, but I’d say at least 3.
Umm...
difference between labeling Brown and Martin as future contributors as second-rounders and Williams as a fourth. I hope he’ll be solid LB depth, but can’t hope for much more than that.
Advance apologies if the contents of this sports-based post offended you. I'm just aiming to educate the masses. My law professor says they're asses.
Panthers '010: Save the Richardson family coffers! We'll take the winning if we stumble into it.
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