Rucker to play in 2008

[magnus]

I expect he would be better next year than he was this year being farther removed from his knee injury.

he still got pressure this year. More than Peppers, but to put it in line, he had in line with what he normally has. Just, for whatever reason, he's not closing the sacks as much.

I really do think he could be an asset to the team, and if we brought in an Alex Brown, it'd be ideal to have both and rotate, and maybe use Rucker more inside (he has gotten some snaps there at times on pass downs). He does all the little things well, and if Peppers were still putting up top pressure, it'd be great to leave it as it is and let the youth grow another year. We do have some talent there.
But since Peppers may or may not bounce back, and our rush isn't enough regardless, it's really kinda critical we upgrade.

 

[BHiott]

Make him a pass rush specialist so he don't get burned out by the end of the season.

But he's the best we have against the run. It would make more sense to have him play on Kemo downs.

 

[The Brain]

he still got pressure this year. More than Peppers, but to put it in line, he had in line with what he normally has. Just, for whatever reason, he's not closing the sacks as much.

I really do think he could be an asset to the team, and if we brought in an Alex Brown, it'd be ideal to have both and rotate, and maybe use Rucker more inside (he has gotten some snaps there at times on pass downs). He does all the little things well, and if Peppers were still putting up top pressure, it'd be great to leave it as it is and let the youth grow another year. We do have some talent there.
But since Peppers may or may not bounce back, and our rush isn't enough regardless, it's really kinda critical we upgrade.

I still wonder what it would be like to move Peppers over to that side and speed rush him pretty much all day long.

 

[magnus]

I still wonder what it would be like to move Peppers over to that side and speed rush him pretty much all day long.

could do worse.

That would let us platoon/specialize more on the other side.

 

[BUCKO]

Dear Mike,

Please don't be like Dan Morgan and overextend your stay in the NFL. Please be like your friend, Mike Minter. Take a page from his book. Please retire at the top of your game.

Thank you.

A Concerned Panther Fan

Minter retired in training camp after saying all off season that he'd play one more year, thus causing the team to not prepare for life without him....they just got really lucky that they wound up getting Chris Harris out of the deal.

 

[Thelt]

I am all for sending Peppers after the QB every play and taking him out of coverage. Free him up and let him rush more and he probably does better. I am not sure he has to switch to RDE to do that though. He will be facing better blockers over there.

 

[The Brain]

I am all for sending Peppers after the QB every play and taking him out of coverage. Free him up and let him rush more and he probably does better. I am not sure he has to switch to RDE to do that though. He will be facing better blockers over there.

but he'll also be on the blind side, and generally its the weak side. Which is possibly fewer blockers. Furthermore Charles Johnson is better suited at LDE

 

[Thelt]

I would not mind trying it, something needs to change with him. I just think he is likely to get squashed by the left tackles he will face after getting pushed around by right tackles.

 

[magnus]

Minter retired in training camp after saying all off season that he'd play one more year, thus causing the team to not prepare for life without him....they just got really lucky that they wound up getting Chris Harris out of the deal.

They did get lucky, but in the end whether by design or by bad luck, they stated that they would go get two safeties, and that Minter may not even start. They had every chance to take care of it and knew that he would be gone after a year. They had opportunity.

 

[Malapoo]

Rucker really seemed to be coming on as the season wound down. I'd love for him to retire a Panther, but don't want to forego a young talented guy to pay Rucker starting money. We shall see.