Most "experts" agree that it takes 3 years to truly evaluate a young player. As we all well know, there are exceptions, both positive and negative, to that rule. To the credit of our FO, we have eliminated mistakes before waiting and hoping. We still have a lot of young dudes who are entering their third year or less. On O- Long 3, Henne 3, Bess 3, Hartline 2, and Jerry R. On D- Langford 3, Merling (IR) 3, Wake 2, Davis 2, Smith 2, Clemons 2, Misi R, Odrick R, Jones R, and Edds (IR) R. Aside from Long, who has surprised you to the good, to the bad, or what you really thought we were getting with these "Young Dudes?" Which ones will be "making the news" in the near future?
Overall, we are #4 behind Carolina, TB, and the Jags. I do not know on the starters but, am sure we are up at the top.
As of September 9th, According to STATS LLC, Carolina's average age of 25 years, 233 days is the most youthful in the league based on Wednesday's 53-man rosters. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the second youngest team at 26 years, followed by the Jacksonville Jaguars at 26 years, 31 days, the Miami Dolphins at 26 years, 121 days and the Houston Texans at 26 years, 150 days. The oldest team is the Washington Redskins with an average age of 28 years, 69 days. http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/Youth-movement-makes-Panthers-NFLs-youngest-team-14591156
Thanks bud... I think some folks need to equate this fact into their projection's...it's real.. What I like about this thread, is relative to age, and comparing it to the other 4 youngest team's in the top 5, were the much better team.. Maybe this will back up what ive been saying all offseason, this year is a year of evaluation and experience for our QB, maybe part of our fanbase that had too lofty of expectation's this year will start to realize what we are, which is a very young team, with a very young QB.
Completely agree. However, who knows what all these young guys may do this year? Some are exceeding my expectations very quickly, and they have yet to play their best game.
Kendall Langford and Jared Odrick stand out for me. Langford isn't really a surprise but he's very good IMO. He picks things up early and doesn't make the same mistake twice from what I've seen. I knew what we were getting with Jared Odrick when he came out. I watched a lot of him at PSU. Still though, he's picked up the game very quickly and done well when out there.
To the good, Davis no doubt. I wanted Nicks with that pick and was disappointed when they took Davis. While Nicks has played well for the Giants I think Davis has outperformed everyone in his draft so far. Davis is a shut down CB and those guys are hard to find. How odd is it to have the two best CB's in the NFL in the AFC East? To the bad, Merling... nuff said.
He is playing at a higher level this year.. Langford..Wake..Vontae..Starks..Dansby..Odrick...Misi....Merling...MCD...Solai....on paper their young and talented... our core is nice..
I'd have to go with Clay Matthews of Green Bay... picked right after Davis he had a stellar year last season with 51 tackles,10 sacks,1 forced fumble this season he has been on fire with 18 tackles,7 sacks,1 forced fumble incredible production for anyone let alone a second year player Imagine him playing opposite Wake WHO DO YOU DOUBLE TEAM/BLOCK???? Davis has been very good this season but Matthews has been incredible for from day one
