Jyles Tucker, and the State of The Panthers Defensive Ends
by Son of a Newton on Feb 17, 2012 9:30 AM EST
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PrintToday the Panthers added another player to the roster, signing Jyles Tucker, DE/OLB out of Wake Forest. Tucker is in his 4th year pro after graduating from Wake Forest and being signed by the Chargers as an Undrafted Free Agent. Tucker is 6'3 and weighs 258 lbs. (per NFL.com) and runs a 4.75 40 yard dash with a 31.0 inch vertical leap.
Coming into the NFL, Tucker received moderate success as a rookie, and finished the season with 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles, and 2 Forced Fumbles in only 6 games of action. Tucker's immediate impact and the expiration of his contract, encouraged AJ Smith and the Chargers brass to sign him to a 5 year 14 million dollar deal in 2008. The next season Tucker continued to progress, and started 12 games, finishing the 2008 season with 26 tackles, and 5.5 sacks, as well as a blocked punt. Tucker exhibited natural pass rushing skills, and displayed quality burst and penetration. Unfortunately, Tucker incurred an ankle injury in Training Camp 2009, the injury would limit Tucker to 7 games played in 2009. However, Tucker tore his pectoral muscle while rushing a punt during 2010, ending his season. After an injury plagued two years, the Chargers cut Tucker before Training Camp last year.
Having once been billed as the heir apparent to Shawne Merriman in San Diego, and racking up 9 sacks in 18 games, it is easy to see what former Chargers DC, and current Panthers Coach Ron Rivera sees in Jyles Tucker. Tucker provides further depth to the Panthers Defensive Ends, as well as versatility to the Panthers 4-3/3-4 reads, after playing 4 years in the Coach Rivera's 3-4 defense. Adding Tucker to the Panthers will help fill out the Panthers Defensive End group, and allows Defensive Ends Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson to receive adequate rest and reprieve. Tucker also provides a killer instinct that the Panthers Defense has been lacking in recent years...
Rattlesnake vs NFL OLB Jyles Tucker (via autobrokersunlimited)
Playing Oracle, the Panthers signing of Tucker may be played off as small potatoes, or conversely, it could be an outline for the Panthers plans this offseason. Tucker's body size and skill set is very similar to Antwan Applewhite, another former Chargers OLB; thus, this move may spell the end of Applewhite's days in Charlotte. Another possibility is the renewed vigor in the search for more talented pass rushers, possibly signaling an increased interest in players such as, Quinton Coples, Whitney Mercilus, or Michael Brockers.
Overall, I think that this move makes a ton of sense for the Panthers, and is a classic, "low risk, high reward" move, that can only benefit the Panthers Defense moving into the 2012 season. Okay CSR communitty, What do you fellas think about the signing of Tucker?
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Cheap insurance for Applewhite
And it gives us another player in that mold that’s actually done something in the NFL, unlike Norwood. Kind of a “meh” signing to be honest, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t make it out of camp.
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My question
Would we really be making signings like this if our cap situation was as dire as a lot of us are making out to be? I know it’s not a huge signing, but a lot of people seem to think we’ll have to cut half the roster just to get under the cap.
Considering he probably signed for the minimum...
Yes, yes we would be.
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by Jake Humphrey on Feb 16, 2012 8:31 PM EST up reply actions
Given the circumstances, I still think we would have pulled the trigger on this one.
A Ron Rivera guy, who had marginal successes under the 3-4, and who has experience in the 4-3. On another team, this move just screams depth, but with the cap situation as dire as it is, I’m not totally sure what to make out of this.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 16, 2012 10:04 PM EST up reply actions
Good signing.
Not much invested so no huge loss if he does not make it here. The reward is greater if he is healthy and is ready to prove himself again. Like this move,bringing in more of Rivera’s guys. It is also the end for Norwood here probably.
Agreed.
Last year was Norwoods’ big chance to receive lots of playing time, and he lost his job to a Rookie UDFA and a player signed off of waivers.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 16, 2012 10:05 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be down with that.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 16, 2012 10:20 PM EST up reply actions
or let him compete with tucker in camp
could just be to push him, who knows. (i have no insider info to make me say that, just suspicion.)
+1
Something about huge dudes being terrified of a 2 pounds reptile (not that I blame them).
"Puttin' DB's to sleep since '86-'87."
They should have just called James.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
To prove his manhood.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Yeah, but that guy’s dead.
The truth will set you free, but not until it is finished with you. ~David Foster Wallace
I may not always be right, but even a blind nut finds a squirrel every once in a while.
Stingray, Austalian for kryptonite.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting.
by bigred28655 on Feb 17, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
that snake had him shook, haha.
yeah, good signing. hope it works out, and good to have you back in the carolina’s, jyles. i also think this move could mean that we’re searching at the combo-type of pass rusher, and not necessarily just one. i sure hope applewhite is back. wonder bout norwood’s role going forward more than anything.
I like this
"What do you want to say to those critics now?"
"Just sit back and watch the show." -Cam Newton
Another body helps,
but I think that this offseason may be a bloody one. Rivera seen what he has and not it is time to cut the fat so to speak. This is a low risk hight reward signing the man could be golden if all goes well.
The rattlesnake video sort of caught me by surprise. For some reason I just could not stop watching it until the end. Sort of like watching a bull fight to see if a matitor will get gored.
I am a proud supporter of troll hunting.
not real interested
How long has it been since this guy played a meaningful snap? At best he’ll play on special teams. Brining in guys to compete with other lower-tier guys in February doesn’t mean much. If I hear good things about this guy in July and August, then I’ll get excited about it.
Good Signing
First off, I’m an optimist, especially when it comes to our Carolina Panthers. I see this as a good signing with all upside considering Chico has seen Tucker in SD and now has seen our depth here in Charlotte. He’s not going to go out and sign someone who can’t compete for a solid rotational spot at DE/OLB (depending on our formation). Also, the price tag has to be an attractive one, otherwise there’s no point in snatching this guy up this early in the process. This move will definitely push someone out, but Coach R wouldn’t have done it if he doesn’t see it as an upgrade. I’ve got much faith that we’ve brought in the rattlesnake for good reason.
by Windy City Panther on Feb 17, 2012 12:36 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
I agree, Very well stated.
And, Rec’d for calling Tucker the rattlesnake; that’s a great nickname IMO.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 17, 2012 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
Always good to evaluate new players on the team.
Bring them in, let them compete for a spot, it makes the whole team play harder for their jobs. If the signing was low enough, it won’t count against the cap at all. Don’t they only count the top 53 salaries? I don’t know what our 53rd salary is, maybe someone can check into that. Also, can’t he be cut b4 the season if he isn’t playing better than anyone else in practice this off season?
STICK THE KNIFE IN AND TURN IT!!!!!
It's all about value at this point
I think a guy with a high motor and potential like his will raise the play of all those competing for a spot at DE/OLB. This is great if the price is right…but without knowing the price, I don’t see how we can make any judgements. Any word on the contract details?
Good points, and I'm running under the assumption that the contract was for the veteran minimum.
Considering the Rattlesnake does have a history with injuries, and he was out of football last year, anything over the vet minimum would seem impolitic considering our current cap situation.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 18, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
I like the use of "the rattlesnake" all ready.
Flows well. Thanks for running with it.
by Windy City Panther on Feb 19, 2012 2:22 AM EST up reply actions
No problem man, Thanks for coming up with it.
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Chris Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 19, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
+1
I don't want to draft Michael Brockers or Devon Still. Chris Kreider is the future.
by Son of a Newton on Feb 19, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
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