Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
I was quickly informed of Kuechly's new status as NFL Season Tackles leader after Sunday's game via Twitter (Hat tip to Bill Voth). Considering a couple months ago Kuechly wasn't even on some people's list for early DROY predictions he has to be on everyone's list now. Since taking over the middle of the Panthers defense subsequent to the Jon Beason season-ending injury Kuechly has just been getting better.
I didn't think this fact got enough national play so I'm here to remind every one.
Luke Kuechly now leads the NFL in tackles and has his sights set on a new Panther rookie record.
| Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Player | Team | Pos | Comb | Total | Ast | Sck | SFTY | PDef | Int | TDs | Yds | Lng | FF | Rec | TD |
| 1 | Luke Kuechly | CAR | MLB | 130 | 79 | 51 | 1.0 | -- | 5 | 1 | 0 | -3 | -3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Chad Greenway | MIN | OLB | 126 | 78 | 48 | 2.0 | -- | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3 | Jerod Mayo | NE | OLB | 125 | 75 | 50 | 3.0 | -- | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 4 | James Laurinaitis | STL | MLB | 119 | 98 | 21 | 0.5 | -- | 3 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Lavonte David | TB | OLB | 117 | 94 | 23 | 1.0 | -- | 4 | 1 | 0 | 27 | 27 | 0 | -- | -- |
So Kuechly's competition should be LB Lavonte David, #5 on the list above, CB Casay Heyward in Green Bay and Patriots DE Chandler Jones. Tackles are not as sexy as interceptions and sacks so Kuechly has that going against him. Also consider he plays on a 4-9 team whereas all the others are playing on winning teams.
Whether he wins the award or not I'm ecstatic about the draft pick. Thoughts?
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