Carolina Panthers: Shaq Thompson is Ready
/The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2017 season with a problem. The problem is an over abundance of talent at the linebacker position. A good problem to have. Luke Kuechly, the defensive leader on the field, has his position locked up. The matter is 13 year veteran of the NFL, Thomas Davis. Davis, widely regarded as the heart and soul of this Panthers franchise, has been the starter along side Luke since Kuechly became a Panther in 2012. Well, Dave Gettleman in his wisdom and foresight used the 25th draft pick of the 2015 draft to select Shaq Thompson out of Washington, in thinking we would soon be seeing the decline of Thomas Davis and his Pro Bowl level of play. As of this point in Davis’s career, we have yet to see any signs of him slowing down. So what are the Carolina Panthers to do?
After the debacle that was the 2016 Carolina Panthers season, the coaches decided it was time to get Shaq Thompson more playing time. The caveat with Thompson getting more reps is fewer reps for Thomas Davis. It is very clear what Thomas Davis brings to this defense. Aside from his proclivity for making big plays, he is the heart and soul of the defense. How is it feasible for the coaches to remove Davis, a fan favorite, from the defensive lineup after his continued ability to flout father time? Well, that answer has more to do with Shaq Thompson than it does with Thomas Davis.
During the 2016 NFL season, Shaq Thompson was forced into more playing time due to the concussion suffered by Luke Kuechly with six games left on the schedule. In those six games, Carolina witnessed the growth and play making ability Shaq Thompson can bring to this defensive unit. Yes, there were some struggles early but as Thompson grew comfortable with the position, he began showing his penchant for being in a position to make a play. This included an interception, and recording the most tackles in the next to last game of the 2016 season. How do these statistics justify giving more to game reps to Thompson over Davis? It is what we saw over six games that excite us when thinking about Thompson’s play over the course of an entire season. He has a unique ability to cover most of the guys put out in a slot position by opposing offenses. He may not be able to cover some of the smaller, shifty receivers, but during his time in college he did play safety and played it well. This makes him very versatile.
In no way am I saying Davis should be completely replaced but it seems the time is right to begin a youth movement in Carolina? The Panthers have already begun this transition when they took two young corners in the2016 draft, so Thompsom getting increased playing time is the next step in the process. Davis should be a Panther until he decides to hang up the cleats, (and with his recent contract extension, this will likely be the case), but in the meantime, the Panthers need to bring in young players to learn the “Panthers way” from the veterans Carolina has on this team. The Panthers are an older team and getting younger is a must, it will only help this franchise. There is a real sense of family and a true feeling of comradery among the players. It is vital to the team’s continued relevance and long term viability that young players are brought in and indoctrinated to this.
The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2017 season with a problem. The problem is an over abundance of talent at the linebacker position. A good problem to have. Luke Kuechly, the defensive leader on the field, has his position locked up. The matter is 13 year veteran of the NFL, Thomas Davis. Davis, widely regarded as the heart and soul of this Panthers franchise, has been the starter along side Luke since Kuechly became a Panther in 2012. Well, Dave Gettleman in his wisdom and foresight used the 25th draft pick of the 2015 draft to select Shaq Thompson out of Washington, in thinking we would soon be seeing the decline of Thomas Davis and his Pro Bowl level of play. As of this point in Davis’s career, we have yet to see any signs of him slowing down. So what are the Carolina Panthers to do?
After the debacle that was the 2016 Carolina Panthers season, the coaches decided it was time to get Shaq Thompson more playing time. The caveat with Thompson getting more reps is fewer reps for Thomas Davis. It is very clear what Thomas Davis brings to this defense. Aside from his proclivity for making big plays, he is the heart and soul of the defense. How is it feasible for the coaches to remove Davis, a fan favorite, from the defensive lineup after his continued ability to flout father time? Well, that answer has more to do with Shaq Thompson than it does with Thomas Davis.
During the 2016 NFL season, Shaq Thompson was forced into more playing time due to the concussion suffered by Luke Kuechly with six games left on the schedule. In those six games, Carolina witnessed the growth and play making ability Shaq Thompson can bring to this defensive unit. Yes, there were some struggles early but as Thompson grew comfortable with the position, he began showing his penchant for being in the position to make a play. This included an interception, and recording the most tackles in the next to last game of the 2016 season. How do these statistics justify giving more to game reps to Thompson over Davis? It is what we saw over six games that excite us when thinking about Thompson’s play over the course of an entire season. He has a unique ability to cover most of the guys put out in a slot position by opposing offenses. He may not be able to cover some of the smaller, shifty receivers, but during his time in college he did play safety and played it well. This makes him very versatile.
In no way am I saying Davis should be completely replaced but I think the time is right to begin a youth movement in Carolina. Davis should be a Panther until he decides to hang up the cleats, (and with his recent contract extension, this will likely be the case), but in the meantime, the Panthers need to bring in young players to learn the “Panthers way” from the veterans Carolina has on this team. The Panthers are an older team and getting younger is a must, it will only help this franchise. There is a real sense of family and a true feeling of comradery among the players. It is vital to the team’s continued relevance and long term viability that young players are brought in and indoctrinated to this.
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